Reparations Means Standing for Our RIGHT to Speak Truth to Power

Tonight, we were blessed to hear from the Reverend Wendell Anthony of the Detroit NAACP. And, in his introduction of Reverend Jeremiah Wright he stated that this is not about Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton, or John McCain. He said, "this is about the African American Church...this is about our right to speak truth to power."

Everyone has been looking at the snippets of Reverend Wright's sermons and injecting Senator Obama into the discussion. They have been questioning Senator Obama about the words of his pastor. But, why must a free man's sermons be explained?

Reparations means standing for our right to speak truth to power. And, this is what Reverend Jeremiah Wright was saying when he said "different does not mean deficient." Is Reverend Wright entitled to have a different view of world events and their relation to Scriptural realities? Is the Black Church entitled to have a different view of world events and their relation to Scriptural realities?

Different does not mean deficient. And, reparations means standing for our right to speak truth to power. No longer should we bow to the pressure to conform. As a free people, we have the right to speak as we feel. We must stand for that right, before that right is stripped away.

We must never forget - and Western Society must come to understand - that the Black Church has grown in a separate incubator from the White Church. The Black Church grew from the from a paradigm of challenging the prevailing social construct. The Black Church in America was rooted in confronting the hypocrisies of a racist Nation that espoused certain "self-evident truths" - that all men are created equal, yet holding some as slave and some as free. The Black Church spoke out against the injustice of an American Society that promoted such "inalienable rights" as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," while there remained members of that society who were alienated from the inalienable.

You see, reparations means standing for our right to speak truth to power. And, we must be free enough to stand "naked and unashamed" before what is called mainstream society. We must be able to stand "under the bludgeoning of chance" with heads bloodied but yet unbowed. (Black Greeks, remember the pledge process and Invictus - this is the application of that poem...do not bow.)

And as I watch CNN's extended coverage of the speech, I see the analysts and pundits still miss the point. Again, as Reverend Wendell Anthony said, "this is not about Barack Obama..." But, the Mess Media is trying to turn this into a campaign affair. Again, as Reverend Wendell Anthony said, "this is about the African American Church...and our right to speak truth to power."

Reparations means standing for our right to speak truth to power. And, it means standing for the right to be free. Freedom - for our context - means embracing the US Constitution. Part of that is freedom of religion and freedom of speech. So, why must the Black faith perspective fit into the constructs of the box designed by White America? Why must Black free speech be regulated, parsed and analyzed?

Our "Black Leadership" must speak truth to power. They must see this as an assault on the inalienable rights of Black People. "Black Leadership" must realize that this is an attempt to infringe upon our First Amendment Rights. If they do not view it as such, they should no longer be deemed worthy to lead our people.

Reparations means standing for our right to speak truth to power, and we must demand that our "Black Leadership" do its job. They wanted to be "Drum Majors" for the Black Community. Tell them it is time to lead us on a different course. Tell them we did not fight for our rights, only to hand them over again. Tell them we do not fight for equality to have it measured by the standards of White America. Tell them we do not "have a Dream" of so-called unity that whitewashes us and forces free men and women to conform to modalities that are self-conflicting. You have the power to hold your leadership accountable. You have the power to challenge the "Drum Majors" and take their place.

Join one of our groups to the right of this frame. Engage the dialogue. Make your voice heard. Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means "Squeezing" Black Clinton Supporters

I saw this on CNN earlier today.

There was a report that Black supporters of Hillary Clinton claim feeling "the squeeze" from their family and friends who support Senator Obama. I immediately thought: they should feel the squeeze. Here's why:

Everyone says that on the issues they are essentially the same. That being the case, on the issues it does not matter for whom you cast your vote, right? Their policy will be similar. So, after that we must look at the higher issues.

For Black Americans the issue should be clear. Yes, the struggle for Civil Rights was in effect to give us freedom. And yes, you are free to choose. God gave us free choice; and, that choice is to uphold our responsibilities to Him or to shirk them. Period.

The same holds true for the Black Community. Negroes, we are free. Once there was a time when the Slave Trade forced us together. Once there was a time when the horrors of slavery caused us to cling to each other. Yes, even once there was a time when we were forced to be together. And, when that forced togetherness was uprooted, there came the time when we ran to get away from each other.

And now, we are free to choose. We are free to choose whether we will continue to push for the Cause of our people or if we will be satisfied with our own wellbeing and turn our backs on others. We are free to choose ungratefulness, and turn our backs on the legacy of Martin, Malcolm, Medgar, Emmitt Till and the countless others who have died, been beaten, and suffered so that we could see a Black man rise to these heights. This is not racism: it is our contribution to the legacy of the Civil Rights struggle; it is our way to follow the Lord's commands and honor our mothers and fathers who could not see this day.

Reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters. The must come to understand where there first loyalties should lay. They say: "Bill Clinton was a friend to the Black Community." They say: "The Clintons are responsible for my political career." But, is it not the struggles of our ancestors - the hardships they faced - that made it even possible for a man like Bill Clinton to be a "friend?" And, what could be more responsible for the political careers of our leaders than the blood of our fathers and mothers, which still stains the walls and streets?

So, it is true that reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters because we cannot be selfish and defer the dreams of those who continue to hope from their positions in the Upper Room of the struggle. We cannot thwart the dreams of those who wish to see this moment so they - like Simeon - may die in peace, having seen the fulfillment of a sacred promise. Reparations means "squeezing" Black Clinton supporters because we cannot crush the budding dreams of the youth who have so little in which to believe.

We must squeeze them so that they can wake up and come to consciousness. It is our responsibility to squeeze them so they are not found on the wrong side of the struggle. No, this struggle is not purely racial. But, neither was the Civil Rights Movement. Our ancestors did not fight simply for the rights of Black people. But, essentially, the premise of the fight was that the struggle for Civil Rights was integral to the perfection of our Union and the fulfillment of the "Promise of America."

So, put on the squeeze! Awaken the consciousness of our sleeping brothers and sisters. Honor the legacy of our parents in the struggle.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations Means Truly Honoring Dr. King's Legacy

I keep saying this: Senator Obama's campaign is about a great deal more than the presidency. It is, as he said, for "a more perfect Union."

Today we remember that 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. And, many gathered in Memphis to remember this day and the man. Many also criticized Senator Obama because he was not in Memphis, but chose rather to be in Indiana.

I too felt a slight twinge, however as I heard his speech I thought of the statement being made. Reparations means truly honoring Dr. King's legacy. It does not mean heading to Memphis to hold hands and sing "We Shall Overcome." It is not about being at the site of his assassination and walking his last steps. It is not even about talking solely about the man.

Dr. King understood that the movement was more important than any one person. And, the movement is still more important than any one person.

When we remember Jesus Christ, it is not enough to simply go to the site of His Crucifixion and return home. It is more important to carry forth the message of love and redemption, right? And, who would not be compelled to say how much of a more dedicated and Christian life they will live while standing on that Holy Ground? Yet, who - once returning home - actually follows through?

We can all live good lives when everyone is looking!

So, as we remember Dr. King it is important to set foot on hollowed ground. But, it is more important to carry forth the message and to pass forward the mission. And, the message is not only for Black people. The message is not only for Memphis. The message is also for Indiana, and for the Nation. Indeed the message is for the world.

Reparations means truly honoring Dr. King's legacy. And, Senator Obama took that message to a people who otherwise might not have been exposed to that coverage. Days like this should be days of "remembering action." What is the point of remembering the struggles and sacrifice if we do not bring to bear the present applications?

What would be the point of remembering Christ's Crucifixion if we were not compelled to serve others? Should we use His Crucifixion as an opportunity to carry His message to others? In that same vain we should use King's assassination as an opportunity for us to carry his message to others.

So, let us talk about why Dr. King was killed. Let us engage in dialogue about the issues that still plague us. Let us give ourselves to the noble cause of perfecting this Country.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations means Addressing the US's "Birth Defect"

I haven't heard this story on any of the major media circles...maybe we'll hear it later tonight. But, you need to know. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has now chimed in on Senator Obama's speech on race.

Many have criticized Condoleeza Rice for - simply - being a Black Republican, and also for being associated with President Bush. Yet, she - especially as Secretary of State - has shown that she has not forgotten the struggle. And, it might be a superficial gesture. But, it was a gesture that she did not have to take. And, it is a gesture that gives more wind to the dialogue on Race in America...providing a platform for us to engage the larger society in a meaningful discussion.

Reparations means addressing the US's "Birth Defect."

Today, the Secretary of State called slavery this Country's "birth defect," stating: "Africans and Europeans came here and founded this country together - Europeans by choice and Africans in chains. That's not a very pretty reality of our founding."

The stage is being set for us to engage in a new debate about what reparations means. Addressing the US's "birth defect" is key to understanding the legacy given us by America's founding reality. At every turn we should be pushing our organizations to engage in inter-community discussions. Senator Obama has sparked the discussion on the National scene and within the Democratic Party. Condoleezza Rice has now given platform for the Republican Party to engage this discussion. (Hear it in her own words: here) Are we ready to engage?

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and "A More Perfect Union" - Pt. 3

Okay. This is proving to be larger than life. A few issues need to be discussed.

Reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. How do we do this? We must first find the places where our Union is weak.

Let's look at the coverage of this speech and the racist tone of the media. No one questioned White pastors when they called Hurricane Katrina God's judgment on New Orleans in specific and the Country in general. Just perform the following Google Search, and see what is out there. So, why is Reverend Wright worthy of condemnation but White pastors have never been denounced? There was no endless cycle of media clips depicting John Hagee, Pat Robertson, David Duke, Billy Graham or any of the numerous other controversial White pastors who have made seemingly outlandish comments. But, this is all surface.

As I said, reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. So, let us dig a bit deeper and look at the argument of "preaching hate." Critics and the larger public say that Jeremiah Wright preaches hate. They ask, how can parents allow their children to grow up in these churches and be "indoctrinated by hate."

That may be a valid question. But, those same critics would be faced with the rebuttal argument: what about the hatred that was/is preached by White Churches? What about the pastors that preached the racial inferiority of Black people and condoned - even encouraged - slavery, colonialism and segregation? What about the Christian heritage and Terrorism by the Ku Klux Klan?

So, I ask those critics: what about you? For by and large, your parents were raised in those churches, heard truly hate-filled preaching, and they stayed in those churches. So, what about you: how did you turn out? Were you damaged by that preaching? And, if we were does that mean you are still damaged? Did you demand that your parents leave those churches? Did you walk out of those churches in protest? These are the answers to the arguments of Jeremiah Wright's critics.

Remember, reparations means pursuing a more perfect Union. So, let's now examine the so-called "Black hate." This fiery preaching comes from the foundations of the Black Church. The Black Church was born during American Slavery. As part of American Slavery, Black preachers were forced to examine the hypocrisy of the larger society. Because of their bondage Black Clergy were compelled to read the Old Testament and the experience of the Ancient Jews as a direct parallel to their own. Egypt and Babylon became synonymous with America and the West. Pharaoh became a reference for the slave master and the rulers of this system.

We were compelled to read the New Testament with a keen eye to the sheer hypocrisy. In his Inaugural Address as President of the Confederacy Jefferson Davis once said, "Slavery was established by decree of Almighty God. It is sanctioned in the Bible, in both Testaments, from Genesis to Revelation." Slave masters, and society, used St. Paul's words ("Slaves obey your master" and “Let slaves regard their masters as worthy of all honor") to control slaves. Yet, Black Clergy saw this in the Holy Scriptures:

"For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:27-28; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13)

So, that legacy of criticism has continued. And, that legacy must not be ignored - but cherished, and considered. Why? Because had it not been for that criticism of society - that pulling on the soul of the Nation - there would have been no en to slavery. Without that tug on our conscience, there would have been no end of Jim Crow. And unless you're willing to argue that the end of slavery and Jim Crow were not good things, we must agree that the critical nature of the Black Church is something that has been a blessing to America. Embrace your blessing, America.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations is a Spiritual Thing

Reverend Jeremiah Wright's comments are proving to be the best thing since sliced bread.

Why? Because look at the dialogue that has been forced to the forefront. People in the mainstream are now struggling with issues of race on the world stage, and the Nation is growing.

Reparations is a spiritual thing! And, I remember what Joseph said when he was reunited with his brothers, who had sold him into slavery: "what man intended for evil, God intends for good!"

Man intended the promotion of Reverend Jeremiah Wright's comments for evil. Those comments have existed for years. Now that Senator Obama is about to win the Democratic Primary, they mysteriously appear. "Things that make you go: hmmmm...."

But, we should not become upset about the way those comments came to prominence. Nor should we become upset about the way the media treated those comments. Likewise, we should not become upset by they way the media and pundits are struggling with the issue now that Senator Obama has made a speech.

Why? Because, reparations is a spiritual thing. And, as such this process must play out in the media. We will see the ugly depths to which racism still prevails in America and we will have to confront many issues that still remain unsettled. Because of this confrontation, we will have the opportunity to lay an foundation for healing. At least, that's my naive hope...indeed it is my prayer.

Why? Because, reparations is a spiritual thing. So, let's engage in that dialogue; don't shy away from that dialogue. Let's stand up as free men and let no one tell us with whom we should associate.

Come and Get Your Reparations!

Reparations and "A More Perfect Union" - Pt. 1

Today we witnessed a very interesting occasion. Again, I am proud of Senator Obama. I can now state with confidence that the Senator understands true reparations. As we have been saying, we must heal the Black Nation. We must heal this American Nation. And while I don't say we have arrived, I am happy that Senator Obama used his overwhelmingly powerful platform to voice the dynamics of racism in America.

Reparations is about pursuing a more perfect union. It is not about being divisive or overthrowing this Country. As the Senator said, only in America is his unlikely story possible. Only in America can someone come from the bottom of society and maybe make it to the top. In India, if you're of the "untouchables," you'll always be untouchable. In many countries of the East, a woman has no chance to make it on her own. Because of the newness of Democracy in the former colonized world, it will be generations before those outside of the political elite have the opportunity to make advances.

Now, that doesn't make this Country perfect. But, this Country provides the framework to be perfected. In this Country, if we become serious about our political and economic destiny we will see serious gains.

Reparations is about pursuing a more perfect union. But, we know the media will not give you his comments in full; they will parse his words for whatever spin their motives desire. So, I have posted video Senator Obama. It is long, but you can pass-by what I see as trivial by going forward to minute 14 of the video.

Come and Get Your Reparations!