You know you’re neglecting your blog when your Momma tells you to get to writin’
Ok - my mother just sent me an email telling me to get back on the ball with my blog. Sorry folks, I’ve been out of the loop for a minute. I had to take care of some things. Namely, I had to preach this past Wednesday and I had to write an article for the Baltimore Examiner. All that writing requires a lot of creative energy and time. Something had to give so the blog was put on hold.
I preached at the Baltimore County Ministerial Alliance Advent Service at my church. It was a platform service with 5 associate ministers from various churches preaching on some aspect of John 3:16. (The scripture was cut up into 5 pieces) I’m always a bit leary of platform services because they can turn into competitions between preachers and that type of stuff nauseates me. But the spirit of last week’s worship experience was pure and God blessed us.
The article I wrote for the Baltimore Examiner was about Darfur and the recent divestment legislation passed in Baltimore City and DC. “The Black Eagle” Joe Madison from The Power (WOL 1450AM in DC & channel 169 on XM Radio) forwarded an email that I sent him to about 60-some odd people. One of the people who received it was an editor of The Examiner in DC. They forwarded it to the editor of the Op/Ed pages of the Baltimore Examiner and she emailed me requesting an article. The article should run sometime soon in the Baltimore Examiner. I’ll let you know when they publish it.Â
I’ll be needing more of that creative energy tomorrow morning because I have a BIG opportunity. Tomorrow morning I’ll be hosting the Larry Young Morning Show on 1010AM from 6AM - 10AM. I’m doing the full morning show - 4 hours on 1010AM. For those of you not in the Baltimore Metro Area or not familiar with the show; it’s one of the most popular morning talk shows targeting Black folk in this area. I remember when I first started listening to the show and now I’m hosting it! God is doing some amazing things in my life. Please pray for me. It’ll be me and Coach Butch McAdams. (Coach is like the “bad guy” on the show. I’m time enough for him though:)
Also a historic REPARATIONS HEARINGis taking place in Congress tomorrow before the House Judiciary Committee. Ms. Kibibi Tyehimba, Co-Chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’Cobra), Professor Charles Olgetree from Harvard Law School and many others will be there speaking to the “legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade”. Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, has been putting in legislation (H.R. 40) since 1989 to study the issue of reparations for Afrikans in America. Click here for more information about the hearing. For more information about reparations for Blacks I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Ray Winbush’s book - Should America Pay?
Okay folks. That’s all I can quickly share at the moment. More thoughtful indepth posts later. I have MUCH to share and there are some pretty significant changes coming to this site just in time for the new year.Â
December 17th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Interesting tidbit: With respect to reparations, do not assume that all of our black Representatives are on board. John Conyers has done a masterful job, trying to get something done about it over for over 2 decades, but not every long-term black Congressperson agrees with the idea of reparations.
I wonder how many of you agree that blacks, today, should be compensated for slavery, racism and systematic discrimination?
Trivia question: Why aren’t we pursuing reparations through the court system, instead of through Congress?
December 17th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
This is a great question, Rev. I intend to ask it tomorrow morning on the air. I’m sure it will be a lively discussion.
As far as your trivia question goes, I’m not sure. I’ll have to do some research to see if there are any efforts being made to obtain reparations through the courts.
December 18th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
“SO” the Lord is Wonderful! “SO” He is always on time with the blessings that come your way in one area because of the seeds you have sown in some other area! “SO” Bless His Name!
This is a great opportunity for you and the community! I am proud of you brother, and my prayers are certainly with you.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
This is great news Heber! If the station is live streaming leave the URL and I will tune in from the ATL, via the internet.
December 18th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Thank you Heber Brown. Interestingly enough I attended an affair on the Capital Mall in Washington a year or so ago. A Christian group made it their business to try to convince blacks that they should forget all about reparations.
Even though I stayed out of that debate, correct me if I am wrong, weren’t the Jews told to go and [acquire reparations] from the Egyptians prior to their departure (following their 4 centuries of bondage)?
Given the demographic changes that are taking place in the U.S.A., it won’t be long before the majority will award compensation to black Americans, not only for slavery but for the prolonged systematic discrimination that we all endured. And did I say we endured such discrimination with the full encouragement, participation and blessings of federal, state and local government?
Okay, I’m long-winded. Another question to ask is how come, given the years that the Democrats were in charge of the Presidency, the House and the Senate, nothing was done about reparations while they were in control of the government? And how come DC was granted statehood? And how come the representatives in DC are still with out representatives who have full voting power.
The problemo: Its not just the ‘pubs’, who held us back! Something more sinister is afoot!
December 18th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Correction: How come DC was not granted statehood? My God, even Nixon believed that citizens of the District deserved to have full representation in the House as well as the Senate!
December 19th, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Heber Brown, III
Re: Reparations and the Courts vs. pursuing redress through Congress. The way that it was explained at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Conference a year or so ago, was that going through the Court would be even more formiddale, and prohibitive than it would be to pursue redress through Congress.
Some years ago, Alan Derschowitz, apparently, did not appear to hold that same opinion. It would be interesting to hear what Prof. Ogletree has to say about this.
As I understand it from the CBC, the Court System, among other things, would require that the plaintiffs be able to present a verifiable and demonstrable class, in order to pursue any litigation in the court.
In other words, they would want name, rank and serial number, and proof that there exists a direct connection by those who are pursuing damages, to those who suffered damages, before we could proceed. And still, there were even more obstacles in the way, once we crossed the first hurdle.
Unfortunately, as I understand it, finding records to certify this ‘class’ is nearly impossible to do.
Comeback?