Faith in Action

This should’ve been the headline in all the local media today, however, Baltimore’s media is the fourth branch of this city’s government. They wouldn’t dare present the facts as they actually happened.

Here are the facts - an unarmed Black Man was shot at least 4 times by a police officer at the Hamilton Shopping Center around lunch time yesterday.

Local media attempt to soften the reality so that the masses are not riled to revolt. WJZ News’ headline is “Man Killed in Police-Involved Shooting.” Notice that their headline is written in the passive…”Man Killed” separates the action from the murderous actor. “Police-Involved” leaves the door open to the thought that the police were there, but weren’t the ones doing the shooting. (Only the Baltimore Examiner gives this story the appropriate headline.)

Notice similar literary avoidances of the facts in this Baltimore Sun version of the story. (Pay attention to how they follow their headline with a pro-police byline)

Don’t miss the ‘code words’ they use to help the reader to justify murder by this cop. Code words = “drugs” / “officer feared for his safety” / “suspected drugs taken from the man”. The media uses these code phrases to signal to its base readers that they believe that this man deserved to be killed. His murder isn’t anything we should be worried about. He wasn’t deserving of the due process of law. The cop was justified in playing judge, jury, and executioner.

I elaborate on this technique in my post entitled: “Media and Police partner in production of Murderous Propaganda.”

The problem for the police department is that this murder happened around lunch time. There were a lot of witnesses. People were in the Murry’s grocery and the Dollar General Store looking through the glass when the 25 year old Black man was accosted by the cop and then shot 4 times.

IF YOU WERE ONE OF THE ONES THAT WERE THERE AND SAW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED, PLEASE CONTACT ME. (YOU CAN REMAIN ANONYMOUS)

The cops have declared war on the Black Man. The question now becomes what will we do?

As you contemplate the answer to that question, enjoy this revolutionary message by Brother KRS. As it is his custom, he speaks truth in this classic: “Sound of da Police“. Don’t miss the lyrics.

And this is what I saw:

What if your child saw this every day while walking home from school. Guess what? Many children in Park Heights do.

Here’s a video clip of today’s walkthru in Park Heights:

As relevant today in Baltimore City, Maryland as it was the day Baldwin spoke it.

Check out this video: (audio and video are slightly out of sync)

SDPC Integrity Not For Sale!

January 29, 2008

The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Inc. is committed to strengthening the internal capacity of African American congregations to enable them to engage in fruitful and strategic social justice ministries. The SDPC’s mission is to bring about effective and long-term change through education, advocacy and direct action. We have forthrightly addressed a number of issues including, Katrina, HIV/AIDS, healthcare access, end of life care, voter protection education, children’s rights, the prison industrial complex, media concerns and matters of faith.

It is unfortunate that both a misrepresentation of the facts and a zealous rush to judgment without benefit of any dialogue or informed research has resulted in a potential “divide and conquer” situation. Yes, we share the concerns about misogyny and the degrading and disempowering media images and messaging—both blatant and subtle—not just by BET, but in all American media. So yes, I signed the letter and I was not at all deceived.

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Just a few days ago I told you about Rudy Gay - one of the sons of our church who currently plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA. Rudy is having a great year and his future is extremely bright.

However, Rudy isn’t the only young man from our church making great strides in the sport of basketball.

Jack McClinton plays for the Miami Hurricanes and is phenomenally gifted on the hardwood. The brotha got skills and almost on a weekly basis, Jack demonstrates why he’s one of the best collegiate players in the ACC and indeed the country.

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As my regular readers know, I’ve not really given much attention on my blog to the presidential campaign happenings. It’s not that I haven’t been watching what’s going on - I have. I’ve watched many of the debates. I’ve kept up with the primary results and delegate tabulations. I’ve listened to what “they” say and what “their” poll says, etc. I’m very interested, but at the same time I’m more interested in local politics because I believe that true change…revolutionary change bubbles up from the people…it doesn’t trickle down from the White House.

However, in watching the democratic presidential hopefuls, I must admit that at times excitement has found me - particularly as Mr. Barack Obama has and is experiencing success. (I can’t tell if this is the same feeling that I get when I see Black folk competing on television game shows. I know I know…I’m trying to figure it out.)

He trounced his opponents thoroughly in the South Carolina primary and just today picked up the endorsements of Sen. Ted Kennedy (along with a ringing endorsement from Caroline Kennedy) and African American author, Toni Morrison - who a decade ago called Bill Clinton “America’s first Black president” (big joke)

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Rudy Gay, 2nd year NBA player with the Memphis Grizzlies holds a special place with me because he grew up as a member of my church - Shiloh Baptist Church.

He and his family are an integral part of Shiloh and it is really exciting seeing him continue to flourish and grow as a young man and as an NBA All-Star.

Well - Rudy is preparing for the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest on February 16th at the NBA All-Star game this year so if any of you want to help him find a dunk that will put him over the top…help ya self. He’s asking for people to demonstrate their dunk and upload it to youtube for him to review. He will duplicate the winning video’s dunk during this year’s Slam Dunk Contest. Check it out….

Go Rudy!

Also - for those wondering how to comment on my blog, the COMMENTS link is right under the title of each post and after the categories list.

Ok - so things have gone completely haywire with this supposed “Pro-BET” clergy letter.

While there’s still some confusion in the air, here is what I know so far:

First, BET is one of the sponsors of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Pastor’s Conference this year. (February 2008)

Second, There was some kind of letter about BET that was signed by a group of clergy. Now - I’m not sure what that letter said and I’m not even sure if the letter that was posted on this site in a previous post was the actual letter. (I did copy/paste that letter, however, from the Clergy Strategic Alliances website. Perhaps that was an earlier draft.)

Third, while other websites sent Romal Tune (CEO of Clergy Strategic Alliances) to hell; I warned people on that site and on this one from rushing to judgement on Tune. I even said here that we had served together in a previous initiative and that I had always known him to be a stand up guy. In addition, Tune was instrumental in helping Young Clergy for Social Change meet Dr. Freddy Haynes, III - a gesture for which I am still extremely appreciative.

Let me take a moment to remind everyone about what I’ve said in relation to this - particularly in the area of cautioning revved up bloggers from castigating those involved.

Here’s what I said on an earlier post:

“Most notably, the What About Our Daughters blog has published an expose’ tying Rev. Romal Tune - CEO of Clergy Strategic Alliances, LLC - to the creation of the letter based on his supposed relationship with a PR firm doing business with BET. I can’t independently validate this information, but I certainly pray that this is not the case.

I know Rev. Tune and have served with him. In my personal dealings with him - Tune was a stand up guy with a heart for positive social change.

Rev. - you are more than welcome to utilize this space to refute this accusation. You have my numbers.”

My warnings on the What About Our Daughters Blog was well received as well:

“So as Heber said. Let’s not immediately rush to judgement and send the church secretary’s blood pressure up. That conference [SDP Pastor's Conference], however, needs to be called and called often about letting BET change money in the temple.”

Noted theologian, author, and professor, Dr. Renita Weems agreed with my caution:

“I agree with H. Brown that it might be wise to investigate before you incriminate and launch a campaign against these clergy.”

So you do what you wish with the information.

I must admit that it does disturb me that BET is one of the sponsors of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Pastor’s Conference. This conference has been like a breath of fresh air to me and I believe that its accepting sponsorship dollars from BET at a time when a prominent, reputable clergyman is leading an effort to challenge the images of Black people aired across its station is problematic. It sends the wrong message…a divisive message. (divide and conquer anyone?) I have no problem with BET being invited to the SDP Conference to discuss the issues, but if they’re one of the sponsors of the conference, then naturally you’re not going to get too loud or dig too deep when engaging them.

Now what in the world am I supposed to do with this? I just received a copy of a letter of support for Black Entertainment Television signed by an impressive “who’s who” list of social justice preachers in America. Many of these preachers I have followed from afar and some of them I have sat under or broken bread with! Now…of course, just because I admire the example of ministry that they have set doesn’t mean that we’ll agree on everything, BUT - I thought that many of the preachers named on this list would be in agreement with Pastor Delman Coates and the Enough is Enough campaign - not give a vote of confidence to BET and by default politely voice their displeasure with protesting in front of her home or outside of her network’s award shows.

I thought Sista Debra Lee shot her biggest bullets when she allegedly sent BET undercover operatives to Coates’ church on Sunday morning to intimidate him and when she allegedly posed as a member of his church and crafted a letter of disapproval with him and put it on one of the few places that church folks read - internet message boards (of course hoping it would spread like news of saints in scandal) But ooohhh no. Sista Lee is showing she has some Hilary Clinton tendencies too. She’s pulled out the BIG GUNS by having Coates’ contemporaries and co-laborers sign their John and Jane Hancocks under this BET-generated letter of support. The conventions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Samuel DeWitt Proctor is represented on this letter! THIS I’ll have to ponder about. What am I to do with this letter and this list?

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