Second Time Around

I know this post is late in reference to the 2012 election. But nevertheless we all know that the first black president has been given a second term to move this country forward. The will of the people weighed out the big money spenders who spent money on the Romney campaign. During the campaign I told my wife that Mr. Romney has been so toxic that I hope this will be the last time he will ever run for president of the United States. America has made the right decision in their choice as to who would lead this country. I do believe that we are going to see a major move with respect to the president's agenda, in which he has the backing of 62,616,535 people who voted for him. I strongly suggest to the Republican controlled house to understand what the mandate is and see into the future that they cannot operate as they did in the last four years of obstructionism.  

Congratulation President Obama for being a man of integrity and speaking on behalf of all Americans and not just a marginalized group of people.

1 MORE DAY

   One more day and the world will know who will be the next President of the United States.

2 MORE DAYS

   Time is winding down.  We have two days before election day. Get out and vote. Be sure to remind your family and friends to get out and vote. Show the nay sayers  that the black voter will no longer be manipulated by lies and trickery.

3 MORE DAYS

3 MORE DAYS

     There are only three days left before one of these men will be President of the United States. Regardless of the difficulties you may face in casting your vote, every vote counts, and you must make it your duty to cast your vote.  So I appeal to every black male who is of voting age to cast your vote because in doing so you are saying to those who have count you out that you will not be silenced by lies and trickery. We as Americans can say that we are fortunate to live in a country where we the people decide the future of our nation. God bless you and the United States! Go Vote!

Rodney King 20 Years Later

   The photos are images of a man before and after an experience that changed his life forever. Rodney King couldn’t have known that on March 3, 1991 he would be beaten within inches of his life by officers of the LAPD.

   This month marks Twenty years since the police beating of Rodney King.  On March 3, 1991 officer of the LAPD officers used their batons striking Rodney King over 56 times. A Log Angeles citizen videotaped the beating and gave it to a local television station. The station played the tape in its entirety. What would have been a small fire eventually became a forest fire. The videotaped beating spread all across America as well as internationally. Four officers were later charged with use of excessive force. In 1992 the four officers, (Koon, Powell, Briseno and Wind), went to trial.  

   On April 29, 1992 many people here in America as well as people in other countries who had seen the videotaped beating waited to hear what the verdict would be. The verdict finally came down; three of the officers were acquitted. The jury could decided on the forth officers so the trial ended in a hung jury. Many people in Los Angeles were outraged at the verdict and began rioting. People started fires throughout the city, businesses were looted, and some people resulted to violence against others. When the smoke cleared, there were “53 deaths, 2,383 injuries, more than 7,000 fires, damages to 3,100 businesses and nearly $1 billion in financial losses.”1

   Here we are twenty years later as many people have looked back to March 29, 1992. We all should remember where we were the moment the verdict was read and how we felt. Rodney King has since recovered from the beating although some of his injuries were so severe that there will be lifelong affects. Rodney King has since written a book titled “The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption.”

SOURCE:   1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodney_King

They Celebrated Freedom

A note in history. On this day in April 1866.

 "On April 19, 1866, the African American citizens of Washington D.C. celebrated the abolition of slavery. 4,000 to 5,000 people assembled to the White House addressed by Andrew Johnson. Led by two black regiments the spectators, and the procession proceeded up the Pennsylvania Avenue to Franklin Square for religious services and speeched by prominiet politicians. The sign on top of the platform read: "We have recieved our civil rights. Give us the right of suffrage and the work is done."

 SOURCE:
www.blackfacts.com.

A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man."

     One of the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention said this, “A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man." 

     The SBC oversees Southern Baptist Churches that are more rooted in Southern states. While Mr. Land was on his rant, he failed to mention his source of those "statistics." Maybe they polled southern white church members? Or maybe his statements stems from a deep seeded belief that Black men are more dangerous than white men? I’m just curious.

     His "Freedom of speech," or him speaking freely may cause a halt in the growth of black churches that have joined the SBC. While it is true that the SBC repented in 1995 for their involvement in slavery, I don't think they have yet earned the trust of those black churches to make statement like the above one about black men.)You can read the resolution by going to, http://www.sbc.net/resolutions/amresolution.asp?id=899 . 

     Mr. Land's words may be the case of another angry "old" white man. Or maybe there is some validity of what he has said about black men? As a black man and as a Christian I find his words toxic.

      As a Christian I am for all believers getting along and walking in unity. No we are not going to agree on everything, but there are some basic principles that the body of Christ should and do share. Christ himself was against injustice. The crowd of men who wanted to stone, the woman, they were the lynch mob of Jesus' time. No doubt up until that point, the men had probably stoned a woman before. I did take notice that the men did not have man or men she had committed adultery with there to stone him or them. Jesus is no longer here, but we are.

     Racial harmony should be modeled by the church as a whole, especially among black and white believers. Knowing that this country is still dealing with the affects of slavery, is more reason that the church has to be vigilant in modeling unity. When a "Christian" leader makes incendiary statements about black men, he should be challenged by the church. Mr. Land's stereotypical statement about black men should have been an offense to all of us black men, saved or not. And just because I as Christian and a black man challenges Mr. Land does not mean that I'm against white people. Mr. Land cannot convince me that Jesus would endorse him saying. “A black man is "statistically more likely to do you harm than a white man." Especially when history has proven otherwise. 

Wake up!

South Dakota has an estimated population of 824,000. There are currently an estimated 840,000 black men in prison, state and federal combined. I am very concerned about the prison numbers, because it affects the future of the black male therefore inevitably affecting the whole of the black race. My statement here is not about the validity of the offense the men committed. It is more about black people and what are we going to do to secure a future for those little black boys who right now are just toddlers and adolescents and yet they are unaware of the crisis they face? It has been estimated that any black male child that was born in 2001, will more likely go through the justice system at some point in his life.

There are people and organizations that have made it their mission to save the whale, to protect dogs and cats. Those same organizations are spending millions of dollars each year to ensure that animals are not abused or mistreated. I’m in no way suggesting that animals should not be protected. Those little black boys who must be protected also.

If black people are thinking that the government should step in and do something about the future of the black male, then I have to say that we are really being naïve. If we who are black do not get a handle on our problem, then we basically are forfeiting a future.

So I reintroduce to you Extinction: The Black Male. (I will discuss this more detail in the future). But for the moment, I stand, like Dap in school daze, ringing the bell in the early morning hours, while hollering, 

“Wake up!”

I Went to Jail on Friday the 13th 2012

On Friday the thirteenth I went to jail. You see, twice a month my pastor and men from our church goes to one of the local youth detention centers to minister to juveniles. My pastor sent me a text on late Thursday asking me if I would go. Without hesitation, I said yes.

On Friday the 13th I went, but before arriving I prayed for guidance and that the words I speak would penetrate the hearts and minds of the youths. When I reached the area where they were, I saw that there were nine of them there, and not the usual eleven or more; which could mean that the others had either gone home or maybe sentenced to a prison for youth males. The one thing that anyone who goes to the youth detention center cannot help but notice is that a majority of the youths there are black. This time they were all black. The youngest boy was thirteen, and the oldest was sixteen years of age.

        I opened up by saying, “Some of you are on your way to an adult prison!” Because you are so caught up in the “right now”, and it is the “right now thinking” that got you where are you are right now.” As a matter of fact why don’t you just tell the judge to go ahead and sentence you to an adult prison, so as to not waste any more money or time with bringing you back and forth here?”

        Stop! Now I know some of you who are reading this are saying that I was being very harsh. Let me ask you a question. Have you ever gotten involved in prison ministry? If you haven’t yet, then how would you really know if what I said was truly harsh? One of the things that bother me in my spirit is seeing these kids locked up; yes of course they’ve made some unwise decisions. Do not think for one moment that I am saying that they shouldn’t be there. They too have to abide by the laws. You see it seemed that I was being harsh, but in fact I was upset, not at the youth, but with the fact of seeing so many young black males.

       Here is what I said to them. “On the other hand you don’t have to be here. You don’t have to come back here. You don’t have to years from go to an adult prison. But something is required of you. You have to become a new man, get a new mind, and with that gain a new attitude.” “If you don’t change right now, then you are guaranteeing a return back here.” The guard that was there said, “recidivism” and the youth repeated him saying “recidivism.” I said, ‘yes that is right, because some of you already have been here more than once. And you know what I am saying about being a new man, with a new mind.” If you had become a new man the last time, then your chance of coming back would have been very slim.”


        I went on to explain that that being a new man is based on 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”I told them that the new man is one who has given control of his life to Christ by way of repentance and saying to Him, I repent of my sins, forgive me and give me a new life.” It is not the traditional way of repentance, but I want to meet the youth right where they were. Then I proceeded to tell them that a truly new mind is gained through being a new man, and by replacing all the current thoughts and way of doing things with the word of God, and His way of doing things. His attitude through the word of God changes, and he begins to model his life after Christ, which is demonstrated through the Bible. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

        “You cannot change for anyone but yourself. You can’t say, I’m going to give my life to Christ for my momma, or for my daddy, it has to be done for yourself, because it is you who is living the life of a new man. Of course your parents would be happy for you. But the decision is between you and God.”

        I told the youth; look at where you are right now. Humor me for a moment and try and look at where you want to be five years from now. One of the youth raised his hand, “I want to go to college.” And another one said, “I want to have a good job to help my momma.” And yet another of the youths said, I don’t want to come back nor go to an adult prison.

       The estimated population of South Dakota is 824.000.  There are currently over 840.000 black men who are in prison, state and federal prisons. The black community is faced with a serious epidemic, that if it is not addressed with some positive outcomes, more black men will go to prison. That means each of those black men, once they return to society, will not be able to vote. They will not be able to legally own a gun. They will not be able to obtain a passport. They will not be able to gain employment in certain industries or agencies They will not be able to apply for loan to help start a business. If any of them have a drug offense, that drug offender will not be able to apply for a Pell grant to go to college, and if he does obtain funding someplace else for college, the college or university is more likely to deny the applicant. Black people make up 13% of the U.S. population(http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf), and yet some 40% percent of us are are being sent to prison.

      I stopped talking for a moment and looked into the eyes of each teen. “Young fellows, there is a future waiting for you to be a part of in a positive way. In closing I said to the youth, “I want to pray for each of you to become a new man, to get a new mind, and gain a new attitude.”
        

He Died, He Rose

The Cross. On His way to the cross Jesus experienced excruciating pain. He was paraded through the street as if he was a common criminal. On the Cross as the nails pierced his hand and feet, Jesus looked to God the father, and for a moment the sky went dark for a moment signifying God looking away as His only begotten son was being sacrificed for the sins of the World. Then later as Jesus died, the earth shook beneath him. His dead body was taken from the cross and put in white linen then placed in an empty tomb that was sealed.

The tomb. Three days later Jesus rose and walked out that sealed tomb. Those that saw him could not believe their eyes. Mary was at the tomb at the time of Jesus’ resurrection and she was overwhelmed, but an angle told her not to fear for it was her master who had been on the cross. Jesus later appeared to Peter and other disciples.

This Sunday, April 8, 2012, Christians all over the world will celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Son of God. As we do, we also reflect on the high cost he paid for our sins, and the freedom through Christ which we have gained. He died, and He rose.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a man who stood tall in the face of some the most opposing forces. But on April 4, 1968 Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee at the Lorraine Motel. Here we are 44 years later since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On August 28, 2011, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National memorial located in Washington DC was opened to the public. The memorial is a reminder to all human beings that it is we who have the power to stand against the ills created by man, such as inequality.

His legacy is that eternal flame that burns as a reminder that though there are difficulties in fighting racism through non-violent methods, the power we possess in numbers can never be ignored. So on this day in remembering his death, let us also remember his life.

Dr. King was an agent of change that came with such a price. The whole of America is the recipient of his ideas of equality. That is why blacks and whites can peacefully protest injustices of today together.

I thank you, Dr. King  for allowing the power of God’s word to come to life in your life, and with those words showing not only to us here in the United States, but also to the entire world, that love can conquer hate.

Telling the Trayvon Martin Story Part I

Kelechi J. Benet, Filmmaker

My Journey as a Filmmaker

On Monday 3/26/2012, around 1:00 AM my wife and I got in our vehicle and headed to Sandford, Florida from Virginia, a seven hundred forty mile drive. A few before going to Florida, I was going through turmoil; nothing like the parents of the slain youth, Trayvon Martin. My turmoil was that of a filmmaker and the deep desire to go to Sanford Florida to get interviews for a documentary I’m producing about Trayvon Martin. The reality is I had little money to produce a documentary. I did not know anyone in Florida, and I hadn't established a plan as to who I would specifically interview. The one idea I did have was to interview people involved in the march that was taking place on Tuesday, March 26, 2012. As much as I would like to interview Trayvon Martin’s parents, I knew there was a slim chance because they were already inundated with requests for interviews from the major news agencies.

Trayvon Martin

As many independent filmmakers know, you may have an idea and deep passion for something, but if you have little or no money, then the light of opportunity is dim.  Well, dim as it was, I was not going to let that stop me from going to Florida. I packed up my Panasonic 24p camera, wireless mics, a tripod, my Nikon digital still camera, and my Ipad, and oh yea, we packed peanut butter sandwiches, Turkey and cheese sandwiches, carrots sticks, trail mix, bottled water, and some apples.  Well as I said I left early Monday morning on a seven hundred forty mile drive to Sanford Florida. As I drove down highway 58 in Virginia, now almost thirty minutes from my house, I began to think about turning around and going back home. After all I had not lined up anything in Florida. All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind, but I eventually stopped those thoughts, and thought about this, “Faith without works is dead.”

I have to interject something here about my wife, Carolyn. When I said to her on last Friday that “I’ve got to go to Florida” for the Tuesday event, (headed by Rev. Jamal Bryant of Baltimore, Md), her response was, “when do we leave.” That was very encouraging to me for many reasons. You see, my wife has had a blood disease all of her life called Sickle cell anemia. Sickle cell anemia is where the red blood cells form into a rigid sickle shape which can result into a sickle cell crisis. The sickle cell can cause excruciating pain, even to the point of requiring hospitalization. When a person with sickle cell has a crisis it can last up to seven days. If you met Carolyn today you would not know of her condition unless she told you, because she lives in a way that she refuses to let Sickle Cell stop her from living as normal life as she can. Yes she walks by faith. Carolyn assured me that she was feeling fine and wanted to go on this trip with me, and that she did.

From Virginia I drove to I-95 which took us across three other states to Florida; North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We arrived in Sandford, Fl., around 1:30 PM on Tuesday; the march would start around 4:00 PM. When we arrived at the March starting point people were trickling in. I quickly grabbed my equipment to go and set up. As I was about to cross the street another lady walked up, I introduced myself and told her where I was from and what I was there for. I then asked here would she be open to being interviewed. I was surprised by her answer, “yes I would.” She walked over with me to a church where I would be doing the interviews. While setting up, my wife came over and I introduced them to one another. After the interview she and my wife got acquainted and walked to a nearby store to purchase some skittles. So I began taking pictures. By this time more people began to arrive, some by way of tour bus.  I decided to walk over to the park area near the church to get take some more pictures, and I meet a young man. I introduced myself and asked if he would be open to an interview, and if so I would need his parents’ consent. He proceeds to tell me yes he would do an interview. The he said something I did not expect to hear. “I was one of Trayvon’s friends.” Of course my mouth gaped open and I was temporarily lost for words. When I composed myself, I said this is great and I would love to interview you. The young man left to get his parents. While waiting on him another young man was approaching so I asked him also would he be opened to an interview, to my surprise he told me that he too had been a friend of Trayvon. This young man’s mother was just a few feet away. She signed a consent form and I interviewed the young man, and his mother. I then interviewed the other young and his mother. After the interview one of the mothers told me that Trayvon’s coach was also there, they called him over and I interviewed him along with another coach. One of the coaches tells me about an event being held on Saturday in Florida, that I’m making plans to attend.

My going to Florida with no sure plans was a faith walk, and I’m glad Carolyn accompanied me. She was diligent in getting release forms signed. Many of us talk faith, but how many are walking by faith. Of course it is a challenge to walk by faith, but every believer’s life is to be fueled by their walk of faith. So as I plan to go back to Florida for Saturday’s event, I’m putting my faith in action once again. I’m on a Journey.