Dr. Ray Winbush, scholar/activist and author, writes this interesting piece about the murder of 14 year old Martin Lee Anderson who was killed by “guards” and a “nurse” in a Florida Bootcamp.Â
This excerpt from a Washington Post article:
“The setting in Florida‘s Panhandle was spartan. Push-ups, running laps and “sir, yes sir” were mandatory. And for the slackers, there were “control techniques” — punches, pressure grips and kneeings from drill instructors.
On the teenager’s first day at camp, seven guards beat him, dragged him and subjected him to ammonia fumes after they thought he was shirking assigned laps. Martin, who is black, died shortly afterward, but on Friday, an all-white jury, after deliberating 90 minutes, found the guards, who are white, black and Asian, and a camp nurse not guilty of manslaughter.”
Another sad chapter in the ongoing saga of Black people’s futile attempts to secure justice in these so-called United States of America.
No related posts.
So, I wonder if the Rev’s and the usual active organizations will be going down to Panama City to help seek justice? Or is there simply not enough money or camera time in it for them…
To DJ:
Hunt Valley Maryland and American Capitalist Church Syndrome
A group of mostly prominent television ministers and others met at a national conference of ministers several years ago in Hunt Valley. I challenged my fellow-ministers that were present at the conference, that being consumed with money which I referred to as: American Capitalist Church Syndrome was consuming too many of our ministers and dominating the agendas of too many ministries in America. The spirit of error: not show me the money but give me the money is actually more of a detriment! Tithes, offerings, pledges, and seed-offerings in anticipation of being prayed for has consumed our ministers, particular those in the past were on a low social-economic scale themselves.
Most agreed in the final analysis that the preoccupation in the acquisition of money has taken precedence over helping to meet the needs of the people in too many ministries. A minister of a mega in Cleveland bragged this house was so large that he could not find all of the bathrooms in his house. Sadly, he made his comments in a metropolitan area that has the highest home foreclosure rate in the country.
When the pendulum swings the other way, and many of our ministers get over the current phase, of making money and building bigger barns, in order to acquire more members and money inorder to build even bigger barns (Church buildings) than the one’s just built – perhaps then you will see more than the often criticized Rev. Sharpton and Jackson getting involved in social justice issues.
Look for some changes: At least I hope so!
P.S. Some of our most prominent ministers recently lamented the social conditions of the victims of the Katrina Hurricane. Some went down and shook hands with the victims/refugees. But what have these same ministers done about the faithful of the ghettoes that have persisted within their own congregations for years, while at the same time the ministers purchased their next sprawling home in the suburbs, Rolls, Mercedes, Airplane(s)…; keep the faith for I am still looking for a turnaround.
Great comment Rev. I agree with you that a “turnaround” is coming. Last year, I was blessed to share a meal with Pastor Freddie C. Haynes. He agreed to meet with a group of young preachers (me included) while he was here for a revival. We broached him on this subject as well and he said that he believes that the “prosperity gospel” will eventually go bankrupt – when people “see” that the harsh conditions of their reality remain unchanged in spite of the holy water they ordered, the threshing floor they contributed to, or the $125 they sowed based on Psalm 125; they’ll come to themselves, get out of the pig pen and go back to their Father’s House.
One of the saddest aspects of the Michael Vick case was the fact that no one seemed to care that they were ruining a man — everyone involved seemed more concerned for the dogs than the man. As sad and cruel as the ordeal was for the poor animals, I waited in vain for any media coverage that showed Mr. Vick as something other than a vicious brutal cruel thug. I am still waiting. While what he did was vicious and cruel that is not the sum total of the man or his life. It seems that while some were having their field day villifying the man, others helped themselves to his bank account. As African-Americans we have suffered this type of mistreatment for centuries and will as always overcome. It is just sad, vicious and cruel to see it still exists in the 21st century just as vile, just as gruesome.
As for comments about prosperity teachings, we need to wake up and get everything God wants us to have instead of shucking and jiving with one another tossed about by winds of doctrine. Beloved I wish above ALL things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. As our souls become whole through Christ Jesus, we should amass great material and financial wealth – how else will we help others? on welfare? How else will we attract the lost? feed them with our food stamps? No, we need to get with the ENTIRE gospel and folks, that includes being prosperous.
That is so true!