Faith in Action

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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Yesterday I was honored to stand with the family and friends of Isaiah Simmons, III.

On January 23, 2007, 17-year-old Isaiah Simmons, III was killed while in the custody of the Bowling Brook Preparatory School. One year later, his family and a committed crowd of supporters gathered to rally for justice in Isaiah’s case. In the process of being restrained for nearly three hours, Bowling Brook staffers suffocated Isaiah until he was unconscious, dumped his limp body in the snow, and then delayed in calling the paramedics leading to the 17-year-old’s death. The six counselors involved in Isaiah’s death have only been charged with reckless endangerment, despite the fact that the state medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

Listen as Danielle Carter, sister of Isaiah Simmons, III shares more about this tragic injustice.

I was asked to share a few words as well.

To learn more about Isaiah’s case please visit the following links:

International Survivors Action Committee

Baltimore Sun Coverage

WJZ Channel 13

USA Today

To join the Justice for Isaiah Coalition or to learn more please email: justice4isaiah [at] hotmail.com