These Days I’m Purging
For the past couple of months I’ve been undergoing a change….not really sure how best to label it besides calling it “purging.” I’ve become increasingly aware of the value of my time and that I don’t have much of it. My response to this very persistent perception is to be very careful with how I spend my time and how I find nourishment.
I’ve been actively organizing for more than a year now and I’ve come across many people who like talking about ideas. Ideas are great, but they are only great if they are pursued for the purpose of making them reality. While initially I would get excited to hear people talking about new ideas to bring righteousness to our problem laden society, now I grow impatient by them. It’s gotten to the point now where I try not to keep company with these linguistical do-gooders. Pardon the frustration in my words. Rest assured, I’m not talking about everyone who comes to me with an idea. I’m talking about a very small, yet very specific group of people who I now perceive as wasting my time with their babbling.
I’ve also realized a few things about some of the elders that have gone before me in community organizing and advocacy work. Last year, I was putting in time to establish the foundation for working relationships with the elders. Doors were opened and relationships were forged, but I stumbled upon a very depressing characteristic that comes with trying to align with the elders. They don’t like to let young lions run. I’m not coming to meetings just to sit around and talk about the “good ol’ days” or practice the “art” of performing in the pomp and circumstance routines. I’m a fighter. I’ve developed such a distaste for elders saying that they want young, fresh prophets and then pulling the reigns - fighting change. So, I still love and respect them, but I can’t wait for Moses to realize that Joshua needs to take it from here.
I’m also being very mindful as to what I put in my body - meaning what I eat and what I watch/listen to/and read. A co-worker of mine is a vegan - not the preachy type who grosses everybody out by informing us about what we’re eating, but the silent type who influences by example. So through watching her and engaging in some preliminary discussions, I’ve decided to cut back on eating meat and to divorce processed foods. I started eating salad this year and I love fruit so I’m getting many servings a day. I started playing basketball with my cousins and Godbrothers 2 months ago so I’m getting a little work out on the weekends.
Finally, I’m strategizing on how to influence mainstream media to broadcast more socially responsible and healthy programming. I’m fairly new to this fight so I’m starting with trying to influence the local #1 Hip Hop/R&B station in Baltimore. I’m tired of the sex, drugs, violence, and stereotypes. I’m also tired of adults who tisk tisk what they hear on the radio and see on TV and don’t do a doggone thing about it. Stop selling wolf tickets and get in the fight! See my sidebar for information from Industry Ears that can help you change the game and combat corporate-backed payola rap. These days I’m reading books from my Revolution Reading List, watching CNN and C-Span, and listening to underground and old school rap artists like Immortal Technique, Perceptionists, Public Enemy, and KRS-ONE. Amy Goodman and Democracy Now get mad love on my IPOD as well. I approach this aspect of my purging by the motto: Garbage in - Garbage out / Knowledge in - Power out.
So that’s me these days. Purging. Cleaning up on the inside and outside so that I can become a better warrior for liberation.
June 19th, 2006 at 11:54 pm
Hey Heber. I first want to applaud you for your commitment to putting your faith in action. I’d also like to thank you for challenging us (young Christians) to move beyond “talking the talk” into following up our words with work. Your postings are inspiring as I pursue that which God has called me to do.
I echo your frustrations, but I unfortunately just decided to give up in my situation. My attitude became one of, “If they don’t care, then I don’t care because I know the direction that I’m headed in.” I am now feeling quite convicted about this attitude and am recognizing that perhaps God had to get me to this point of total dissatisfaction with my environment in order to show me how He could use me to be a source for positive change. This has been challenging, but I am realizing more and more each day that our generation must lead the way. While I appreciate the wisdom of my elders, I also recognize that they’re a people who resist speaking their true feelings so things just happen because “so and so” said it and “we’re not allowed to disagree with him/her” (at least this seems to be my experience with both family and friends). While I strongly feel that this is ridiculous, I am learning to accept it for what it is. I don’t agree with this thought process and I will not suppress my honest feelings because of this thought process, but I will be more tactful in expressing my opinions/desires in the future. Sadly, I can’t imagine how our communities would be if older folks were more willing to hear the ideas and suggestions that young, energetic, passionate children of the King have to offer.
While I can’t speak for others, I know that it is not my desire to be a pastor, nor is it my desire to take over anyone’s position/title, I just want to be a beacon of light within the community. I want to be involved with mentoring young people and giving back to and building up the community.
Stay encouraged!
~Dawn
June 20th, 2006 at 5:03 am
I definitely can relate to your frustration. I have felt it many times along my journey. At times I want to yell at people, Wake up to reality! However I’ve come to realize I need to channel my energies elsewhere and concentrate on those who are willing to make changes, NOW! I’m not interested in talkers I want to be around those doing something.
Good for you making changes with your food choices. I’m so proud of you. If you aren’t you should document any changes that occur in regards to your health. I think making gradual changes is key. If the shift is too great it might turn a person off.
I loved KRS One and Public Enemy. You know people were always surprised when they found out I listened to Public Enemy. They did not think I “looked the type. A few of them would ask me to repeat their lyrics because they were convinced I was just saying I liked them. Of course they were shocked when I knew the lyrics. Their message is powerful. You just need to take the time to listen to what they are saying.
I like your idea of targeting the local radio stations. What can others do to get involved? Write letters?
June 20th, 2006 at 1:06 pm
Food choices are a big issue of mine. Your appearance speaks volumes about the way you treat your body. Ministers, preachers and other church leaders are famous for preaching up a storm on how to live right, be christian/muslim/jew, and there sits their congregations all smug with the idea that they will be going to heaven….yet many of the church members are overweight and in poor health due to bad choices.
It warms my heart to watch Joel Osteem, Pat Robertson and Joyce Meyers take this important issue of health, exercise and food choices head-on, and make mention of it in their sermons.
The more we set a good example, discuss the issues, the better chance we have as a community to make a positive difference.
You reap what you sow.
June 20th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
There is a shifting taking place and God is raising up leaders like yourselves that are not afraid to speak truth to power.
I have come to the conclusion that most Pastors are happy where they are.
We can not afford to wait for todays leaders to step up and deal with many of the issues that plague our community.
With over 2000 churches in Baltimore, if pastors had the collective will to work together, kill egos, and roll up their sleeves, I am convinced that their is no problem that we cannot solve.
But I refuse to wait. Our people and children had suffered enough.
June 20th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Thanks everyone for the dialogue. Let me give a brief response to each commentator.
Dawn
Thanks for your kind words, they are really encouraging. I agree wholeheartedly with you that our generation must lead the way. Prior to this “purging season,” I was looking for confirmation and affirmation by the elders as I initiated my community organizing activities, but I ain’t waitin’ no more. I got thangs to do - no - WE got thangs to do (smile)
Vegan Momma
I appreciate you and the shout out you gave me on your blog. Thanks for inspiring me to eat to live and not the other way around. As far as what we can do about commercial radio, I would encourage people to write letters as well. Don’t just call or email. According to FCC regulations, a written letter of concern/complaint sent to a radio station, must be filed and made available to any member of the public that requests the document during business hours. I’ll keep you posted on what else you can do and what else I do as it pertains to WERQ 92.3FM. In addition to Industry Ear’s website, http://www.FCC.gov is a good place for research as well.
Anonymous #1
You’re exactly right - action speaks louder than words. Religious leaders must lead by example. While I’m not a fan of Olsteen, Meyers, or Robertson (definitely not Robertson), if they are encouraging their followers to pay more attention to their diet, kudos to them for that.
Anonymous #2
I co-sign your comments 150%. The prevailing personality of Baltimore’s pastors is one that is satisfied & not interested in anything having to do with Luke 4:18,19. They have been co-opted by the status quo and are enjoying their luxurious homes out in the counties. They are disconnected, deaf, dumb, and blind to what’s going on in most poor neighborhoods. If they do have head knowledge, they don’t have the type of “heart” knowledge necessary that will push them to DO anything about what they see. They are wicked and enemies of righteousness. That’s not my opinion - that’s the Bible. Proverbs 29:7 says: “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” I’m with you. We have to stop sugar coating the criticism of our religious mis-leaders and start calling a spade a spade. The TRUTH applied will set us free.
I appreciate your commitment to our communities and if there is any way that I can help you say the word. I mean that.
June 21st, 2006 at 3:16 pm
God is going to bless you for your commitment to justice. Be prepared for the persecution.
I got you back.
Anonymous #2
http://www.faithinmotion.net
June 21st, 2006 at 5:56 pm
Hey #2 - I didn’t know that was my comrade. I should’ve known from the “spirit” of your comments.
My studies have prepared me for persecution as I’m sure you are prepared as well. As our elders say - Must Jesus bare the cross alone and all the world go free? No there’s a cross for everyone and there’s a cross for you and me.
NOTHING less than FREEDOM,
Heber
June 22nd, 2006 at 4:50 am
You’re always so inspiring… I need to be purging too. (smile) I got a lot of junk in me that definitely needs to be eliminated. Although I’ve lost a lot of weight and I feel much-much better, I still need to further improve my diet. I know I need to start working out again. I got off track with my exercise regiment after the fire. But I’m going to get back on it this weekend. One thing I realize is that good health is so important.
I don’t actively watch much television and I try to avoid urban radio at all cost. That’s not always easy. Being that I have younger sisters that I seem to have no influence on, I often have to listen to all of that trash when I am riding with them. But we had a long talk about that tonight. They both agreed to stop inflicting my mother and I with the arduous burden of listening to that nonsense.
Stay on your journey to liberation, good health, and salvation. I’m on the path with you.