Faith in Action

I’ve been quite active over the past couple of days.  On Wednesday night, I spoke at a Back to School Rally in Turners Station.  There was a good sized crowd out at the Fleming Center to hear motivating words about school and to receive school supplies.  I received the invitation to this event on rather late notice, but I feel it important to take advantage of these types of opportunities.  I consider it a blessing to be able to make positive investments in the lives of youth.  All things being equal, they will see days that my eyes will never see.  So it’s almost like I’m impacting the future by speaking in their “now”.  Not only do I attempt to give them something of worth, but I receive something so much more valuable.  Engaging youth gives me an opportunity to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the world as they see it and hear it.  Young people, like Master Cedric who posted his comments in a previous post, have much to say and should be given the opportunity to say it.  It’s up to the adults to have the wisdom to listen.

On Thursday afternoon, I was blessed to be invited to be on the “Pause for the Cause” Radio program on 1010AM WOLB.  The theme of the show was “Where are all the Black Men?” 

After giving the listeners information on local opportunities to serve the community; I eagerly informed them that I am blessed to have many African brothers around me, mentoring me, guiding me, praying for me, etc.  I rattled off their names with excitement because far too many of them are never recognized until they are dead.  In fact, let me “speak” the name of one of them who is truly dear to me - Judge Kenneth Lavon Johnson.  Judge Johnson is my friend.  I don’t have a lot of seniors as friends - mentors, guides, encouragers -yes, but not too many as friends.  Judge Johnson is my friend because he shares with me.  He shares his stories, his struggles, his triumphs, and his passion.  He doesn’t talk “down” to me.  He speaks to me as an equal and insists on calling me “Reverend Brown” despite my best attempts to get him to just call me “Heber.”  The Judge asks me my opinion on pressing social matters and on one occasion, asked me to write my thoughts concerning the Black Church’s absence from social justice matters in Baltimore.  Judge Kenneth Johnson is my personal John Henrik Clarke.  He’s invested much in me so I must live a life that’s worthy of that investment.

Despite the wonderful experiences that I’ve enjoyed over the past couple of days, I am most excited about what I will be doing tonight.  One of my young clergy colleagues, along with the brothers from BrothaSpeak, will be spending the night on an East Baltimore street corner with Delegate Jill Carter and her campaign.  I am extremely thankful for Jill Carter’s commitment to those who are most often left out, looked over, and locked up.  For the past month, she has been camping out on street corners across the city registering voters, talking to residents, and feeding the people (literally and figuratively).  Though some would claim that she is just attempting to grab headlines and gain unwarranted attention; not one drop of ink has been used to publish anything about this in The Baltimore Sun “news”paper.  I’ve not seen television cameras giving prolonged coverage to this revolutionary activity either despite the daily reports that we receive about the status quo candidates.  It’s obvious that mainstream media has decided to blackout news pertaining to Jill Carter’s campaign.

Though this is frustrating to any candidate running for office, in some cases it is a good sign that you are on the right track.  Yesterday at the radio station, the hosts were jokingly referring to me as the “troublemaker” on the air and I had to remind the listeners what the Bible says in Luke 6:26 - “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”  That’s right - persecution is good when you’re being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. 

I look forward to connecting with the community tonight with my clergy brother and fellow comrades.  And even when the campaign season passes; I look forward to joining with other Believers to continue hitting the pavement at locations and times that are nontraditional for most Christians and churchgoers. 

After all, isn’t this what Jesus would do?