Faith in Action

Religion, Policy, Activism

When people ask, "what is the biggest mistake made in the Black Panther Party?" I tell them very clearly that what we did wrong was to take God out of the movement. -Afeni Shakur (Former Black Panther and Mother of slain rapper,Tupac Shakur)

Archive for January 14th, 2008


Enough is Enough puts BET on blast…at its own award show!

14.01.2008 by Heber Brown, III Category BET, Black Clergy, Culture, Free Your Mind, State of Black America, activist, african american, black women, social justice

One of my favorite pastors and a dear colleague of mine, Dr. Delman Coates, had a very interesting Saturday night. He, along with hundreds of supporters from the Enough is Enough Campaign spent the evening marching in protest out front the Warner Theater - the location of the taping of the 2008 BET Honors Awards show.

If you’ve fell victim to the media blackout on this, Coates, pastor of the Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, MD, and the Enough is Enough Campaign have been protesting out front the home of BET CEO, Debra Lee, for the past many months. A New York Chapter of Enough is Enough has also been initiated and that branch of the campaign protests out front the Manhattan residence of Philippe Dauman, President & CEO of Viacom.

I must say that I am impressed with the perseverance of Enough is Enough. I knew that when things got started late summer of last year that there would be great momentum. However, I wasn’t sure how things would go once the winter weather rolled into the area. So far - they’ve marched on undaunted.

Time will tell if they have the stamina to continue this noble fight - and it will be a marathon for justice… not a 40 yard dash. Remember that the Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 381 days! People sacrificed for more than a year in order to get justice in Alabama. I pray that the Enough is Enough Family has that same type of appetite for righteousness. I will continue to support them in a myriad of ways and I hope you are led to find a way to support as well.

Message from the Baltimore Algebra Project

14.01.2008 by Heber Brown, III Category activist, baltimore, baltimore politics, civil rights, martin o'malley, maryland, social justice

Dear supporters of the Algebra Project:

We mourn the loss of Zachariah Hallback, a wonderful young man who had participated in many Algebra Project events, and who was helping to organize for the action below. Zach was shot Wednesday, Jan. 9 during a robbery while he waited with other Algebra Project youth for a bus across the street from City College High School. He was pronounced dead on Friday, Jan. 11. The students have decided to continue with this action in his memory.

STUDENT ACTION –CSI ANNAPOLIS– NOW SCHEDULED FOR FEB. 6
Please join them, Silent March to the State House begins at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb 6, from Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis.
RIDES NEEDED FOR PARENTS–PLEASE CALL 410-338-0679 TO HELP.

DEMANDS INCLUDE:

Reverse cuts to Thornton Funding — school system must currently cut $50 million to balance 2009 budget

Jobs in the knowledge-based economy for all youth
$800 million for Baltimore schools as ordered by court
Arts for all students; Buildings repaired, not closed; Class sizes capped at 20.

Quality Education as a Constitutional Right.

Some students will perform a die-in to dramatize the cost of inadequate education, and the Governor’s Mansion will be wrapped in crime-scene tape.

For more information, Call 410-338-0679

Jay

Many thanks to the Baltimore Examiner Newspaper

14.01.2008 by Heber Brown, III Category Darfur, International Focus, Young Clergy for Social Change, activist, africa

…they published my latest op/ed on Darfur and local divestment activities.

Click here to read my piece and feel free to comment.