Faith in Action

I must admit that this year, I was feeling a certain way about Tavis Smiley’s State of the Black Union Roundtable. I’ve watched in previous years and have been inspired but this time around, I just wasn’t interested in the linguistic olympics featuring Dr. Mike Eric Dyson, Dr. Cornell West, Dr. Na’im Akbar and the other usual suspects. I think Tavis needs greater diversity…ideological diversity. It’s getting to the point now where you pretty much know how people are going to come down on the issues. I would like to see more grassroots-activist types, artists, OG’s from street oganizations…I mean let’s really shake it up! Allow the crowd to benefit from the wide variety of thought that is found within our rich culture. I feel like the panel is getting too academic…too “talented tenth”…too…dare I say - bourgeois. That’s not directed at any individual panelist, just the feeling I got from the event this year as a whole. (Disclaimer: to be fair I only watched the 2nd panel) I was thankful last year to see Min. Louis Farrakhan on the panel. In some respects he made the discussion for me with his fiery rhetoric.

This year, Dick Gregory’s participation made the discussion for me. He communicated his truth in lay language - down where the goats could get it and do something with it. He made great sense and though he was the oldest participant, he was, in my estimation, the most courageous. As he said himself - he was the turtle….hard on the outside, soft on inside, and willing to stick his neck out from time to time. I’m not sure I could say that about the others.

Enjoy this clip of Dick Gregory from this year’s State of the Black Union 2008. I uploaded the rest of his sharing to my youtube page.

I went to school with a good dude named Jerome Pleasant. Jerome always had smiles and would make you laugh. Just an all around good guy. I hadn’t seen him since he graduated, but I would see his older brother around and always ask about him. I was glad to hear that he was doing well.

You can imagine then my shock and dismay when I learned a couple years ago that Jerome’s then 3-year-old daughter, Talia Marie Pleasant, had been diagnosed with cancer. She had a grapefruit-sized tumor in her brain. She was rushed to surgery where they removed the tumor, but sadly another rare form of cancer was found some time after that in her stomach. During the successful surgeries to remove the cancer from her stomach, Jerome developed a rare bone cancer. Jerome’s surgery was successful and his cancer is now in remission. He’ll tell you that he is a better man because of Cancer. Though the road was rocky there for a while, it seemed as if Talia and Dad had beaten cancer for good.

However, I received sad news this morning from a high school classmate. Cancer has returned to Talia’s body. At 4 years old, this little girl has had to undergo more surgeries than many people do in their whole lifetime! Talia has proven one thing though. She is a fighter and she’s fighting right now as the doctors are talking to her family about quality of life and hospice care for the remainder of her life. The doctors were wrong before and there are many people praying that they are wrong again.

God is able. And I am a witness that the authority of God is higher than the ability of humanity. I’m sure that there are many people reading this right now who are witnesses to the miraculous healing power of God. I ask that you join in prayer with thousands of others who are interceding on Talia’s behalf right now. Below you’ll find some links to learn more about my boy, Jerome and his lovely daughter - the survivor, Talia.

WBAL TV 11 Coverage

The Baltimore Examiner Coverage

Talias Journey

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In my continuous involvement in social issues from a clergy/activist standpoint; I tend to, from time to time, receive requests from White people about partnering on community projects or initiatives. That’s fine. I’m open for true partnership with most anybody who is serious about social change. However, it’s been my experience that the soils of the souls of White people need to be tilled so that a true foundation for cooperation can be established. Frankly, I’ve wasted a lot of precious time in conversation with some White people who weren’t prepared to engage the world from another’s perspective. This inability or unwillingness hampered any efforts to sincerely seek solutions. Once that was realized, I would walk away choosing to devote my energy to those people/organizations/causes that were primed for engagement. Perhaps that’s why I can count on one hand the number of White people that I’m in budding partnership with. I’ve learned my lesson. I can’t waste time with people - in this case White people who seem to mean well, but who aren’t comfortable surrendering the illusion of their superior positioning in the world…who aren’t willing to peer through the lenses of “minority existence” in the world…who aren’t courageous enough to look in the mirror and see how their people group has oppressed other people groups for generations. So as not to waste anybody’s time, I cut right to the chase. I tell White people where I am, what I believe, and what I think about them. If they get offended and walk away - no harm no foul…no ones time is wasted. If they engage in productive dialogue with me and take actions to show that they are serious about LEARNING and DOING - then I explore the possibility of next steps. For those who are interested, Bro. Malcolm X presents his position on this issue as well.

Where’d this come from? Good question. I had lunch today with two people who are looking to establish partnerships with members of the Black Community. I thought it was a pretty good initial conversation. They emailed me after lunch and I responded a few moments ago. I share this edited version of the email because I believe it provides insight on how I feel about the prospect of interracial partnerships.

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Once again it’s on! I’m back on the air, family! It’s been a long journey, but I’m finally getting ready to bring Faith in Action back to Baltimore’s airwaves. Same “Faith in Action” flavor, but this time I’ll be on Spirit 1400AM (Baltimore) every Monday from 1:00PM - 2:00PM.

Faith in Action is a religious public affairs program that seeks to build the bridge between belief and service. Don’t expect to hear about gospel concerts, church conferences, or “getting your praise on”. We’ll be talking about social issues and how our Faith guides us in engaging them. This show was created with my deep conviction that assures me that there is more to being a Believer than going to church on Sunday and singing/crying/shouting between 11AM and 2PM. I believe God demands more of me and all Believers.

Being that I am a Christian minister, the majority of issues will be engaged from that perspective, but hopefully people of other Faiths (or even no Faith) will find that my style is an inviting one that respects all perspectives.

I make no apology though that the lionshare of the show will target African American Christians in the Black Church. If the Black Church would just extend itself beyond the brick and mortar of its sanctuaries - guided by the message of the Prophets and Jesus - then I think much would change for the better in Baltimore.

So tune in this Monday. If you are tired of the same ol’ same ol’ in Christian radio, then I promise you will not be disappointed with Faith in Action. There will be NOTHING “same ol’ same ol’” about it.

Also, if you are able, I solicit your financial support as well to help me stay on the air. You can make a secure online donation by clicking here and if you would like to advertise your businesses or event please CONTACT ME concerning rates.

Thank you to those members of my family who have already donated. And a special shout-out to Bro. Haki Ammi and Chip Dizard from Absolute Presence for the generous donations as well. I will never forget your support.

Don’t forget - Mondays 1:00PM - 2:00PM on Spirit 1400AM.
(For those outside of the Baltimore area, I’ll be on Itunes soon enough.)

ALGEBRA PROJECT—CSI: ANNAPOLIS, FEB 6

Students Investigate Link between Crime, Youth Unemployment and School Underfunding

Conference at Asbury United Methodist , 87 West Street, Annapolis FROM 10:30AM - 1:00PM

MARCH TO RALLY AT STATE HOUSE STARTS AT 1:30 PM

Contact Information:

Chris Goodman
Baltimore Algebra Project
443-957-5346

Faye Brown
Baltimore Algebra Project
410-338-0679

Baltimore Algebra Project students will deliver a coffin and use crime scene tape to symbolically seal off government areas on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6 as a protest against Gov. Martin O’Malley’s cuts to Thornton funding.

Education and Jobs in the Knowledge-Based Economy should be fully funded.

Angered by the Governor’s and General Assembly’s broken promises, students will show the connection between November’s repeal of the original Thornton legislation and crime in Baltimore City. The action takes on added significance following the recent murder of an Algebra Project student activist.

As mayor, Martin O’Malley called Algebra Project students to his office and urged them “to hold the Governor accountable” for failing to follow court orders in Bradford v. Md. State Board of Ed. (March 3, 2006). He claimed the state should “immediately pay the $800 million” owed.

Now as governor, his actions will lead to $50 million in cuts to education in Baltimore City for next year.

Students will begin with a teach-in/conference at Asbury United Methodist Church, 87 West Street, Annapolis from 10:30AM - 1:00PM.

At 1:30, students will begin a permitted march along West Street to the State House where they will establish a crime scene to investigate the high murder rate in Baltimore City. 200 participants are expected.

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A really creative portrayal of Barack Obama’s message to the United States of America.

This past Saturday, I was blessed to be recognized at the Kingdom Ambassador Awards which was put on by No Walls Productions, LLC at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Baltimore.

According to Brian and La’Wanda Cook (proprietors of No Walls Productions):

The Kingdom Ambassador Award was birthed from a vision that we received to support and encourage the body of Christ. With the negativity that the body of Christ has received through various incidents, we feel a need to counter-act it by publicly and formally acknowledging those leaders that have gone beyond the call of duty in our churches, communities and lives. Our theme scripture was inspired by Matt 11:12 …and the kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

The following pastors were recognized at this very classy, top-shelf event: Pastor Terry Allen (God’s Perfect Will Ministries), Pastor Delman Coates (Mt. Ennon Baptist Church), Bishop Aubry Harley (Deeper Life Ministries), Pastor Ruby Prideaux (Blessed Trinity Church of Deliverance), and Dr. Joan Sanders (El-Bethel Prayer Tabernacle).

The event was hosted by a fellow Morgan State Alum, Micheline Bowman from Fox 5 DC. (She runs a site called My Voice DC.Com)

Thank you Brian, La’Wanda and your entire team for the wonderful event you put on Saturday night. While I’m not used to being acknowledged in that type of forum (I must brush up on my acceptance speech!) I must admit that positive acknowledgment has its place. I am striving to be great and as Dr. King said, we can all be great by serving others. That, indeed, is my goal.

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

The murders in this town must stop! I could actually feel stress and grief gripping my heart this week as I tried to offer support to the family of Zachariah Hallback - the 18 year old Algebra Project student who was murdered last week on the corner of The Alameda and 33rd while waiting for a bus at 8pm. Zach’s Homegoing Service was today at Israel Baptist Church and his mother informed me that there will be a prayer vigil for her son this Monday - MLK, Jr. Day at 6pm on the corner where he was killed.

Concerned Baltimoreans are also mourning the loss of 14-year-old Edward Smith gunned down in Cherry Hill. Smith was a student at the ConneXions Community Leadership Academy. The circumstances involving his murder are yet unclear, but I think that it was truly insensitive on The Baltimore Sun’s part to publish information concerning Smith’s history with the Department of Social Services. Is that supposed to be some type of justification for this child’s death?

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