Faith in Action

A “hustler for justice” - that’s what a good sister-friend of mine called me not too long ago. And if that is the case then today I got my hustle on big time.

Faith in Action the radio program aired on Spirit 1400AM at 1PM and we talked about whether Faith or Race should hold ultimate authority as Believers engage matters of politics, public policy, etc. Pamela Wilson, author of Finding Soul Brothers: Dismantling Black Christian Racialism and Dr. Jonathan Walton, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of California, Riverside were our guests. The conversation was pretty interesting. Wilson contends that our cultural identification should be minimized when we “come to Christ” while Walton took the position that we shouldn’t allow ourselves to be narrowly defined by the “either-or” lenses of Faith or Race. You know where I stood with my Red, Black, and Green, Pan-Afrikanist, Daishiki-wearing, Revolution starting, White Power Structure critiquing self. (Have you donated to the Faith in Action show yet? If not, why not? I haven’t proved myself yet?)

We were joined in the conversation by Tracy Ward, reporter and writer with The Baltimore Afro American Newspaper. Sis. Ward is a powerful orator, poet, community activist, etc. who has given new life to the Faith in Action page of The Afro. That page has been a place where one could read about everything BUT people of Faith putting into practice what they believe. Ward’s writing is a breath of fresh air as she is on the grind telling the stories of Believers who are in the trenches living out Luke 4:18,19. Sis. Tracy was in the studio today working on a piece about me and the work that I’m doing in the Baltimore Metro area. The piece may be out this Friday, March 21, 2008 - “Good Friday.” I pray that the piece encourages those who are out there “hustling for justice” and that it convicts those who choose to neglect their duty as laborers in the vineyard. (I believe that at this stage if you’re a preacher and you’re not active in some substantive way in the community then it’s because you don’t want to be. Ignorance is not an excuse.)

After the show, I had to get to Annapolis. The Legislative Black Caucus was meeting to discuss its position on Governor Martin O’Malley’s DNA bill (HB370). A gathering of committed activist formed at the front door where the Caucus was going to be meeting so that as they walked in, they understood that the public was watching what they did on this bill. The Legislative Black Caucus initially had an Executive Session that was closed to the public so the activists waiting patiently in the hall. After 45 or so minutes, we were invited into the meeting. I was shocked. Why? Well, because there are 42 members of Maryland’s Legislative Black Caucus, but in that room there were only 12 - 15 elected officials. From what I’m told that is the norm. Black legislators do not show up to meetings nor do they stand unified - which is why the Caucus is perceived to be a joke in Annapolis. Some Black legislators have already went off and cut deals with the Administration on the DNA bill so they will work to undermine the watered-down opposition of the Caucus tomorrow. I, along with others, said our piece after listening to the position and next steps for the Caucus. The meeting was adjourned and I slid up on Del. Curt Anderson to let him know that I don’t like the bill and that I didn’t appreciate his position on it. His response to me? “Go tell the Governor.” Working on it, Del. Anderson, but I’m going to let you know too - you after all are supposed to be representing me in Annapolis.

On the way out, I breezed through the 41st Legislative District Reception - food, cakes, drinks, schmoozing. Spoke to Councilwoman Helen Holton about Amachi, caught up with Sen. Lisa Gladden, had a meeting after the meeting with Del. Jill Carter, spoke to my legislative aide friends and was out the side door making a beeline back to Baltimore.

I did 97 on 97 then 95 on 95 in order to get to the studio of WEAA 88.9FM where my Big Brother, Craig Thompson was hosting his show The Front Page. He invited me to come on and talk about the Black Church and Activism. In light of the full press, character assault that mainstream media is directing at Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Thompson wanted to talk about the Wright soundbytes that the media vultures have sewn together and also how Black Liberation Theology has been employed over the long history of the Black Church. I got to the show 15 minutes late, but I made it in time to hear the first caller of the night - Sean - talk about how wrong Dr. Jeremiah Wright was and how preachers need to preach the “pure gospel” and preach salvation and stay out of politics. A few moments earlier Craig had played a clip from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam” sermon preached 1 year to the day of his assassination. So I asked the caller Sean if he agreed with Dr. King’s action on social issues and he said, “I don’t follow King, I follow Christ.” In that moment I realized that Sean was representing the majority of Believers in Baltimore and the theology that he embraces is one that makes it possible for the status quo power structure of this city to march on peacefully without disturbance from the 2,200 churches, its thousands of preachers, and thousands of Believers. The chains of psychological slavery are keeping the mis-educated Negroes in shackles despite the bigger cages.

What a way to start Holy Week. And what’s more - as I write this Tuesday starts in 20 minutes. And the marathon will continue…I better rest up.