And probably most of all, we owe a collective debt of gratitude to Ms. Ella Baker. She was the engine behind so many of the fascinating groups who organized and put their necks on the line fighting U.S. apartheid. Barbara Ransby in her book, Ella Baker & the Black Freedom Movement: A Radical Democratic Vision, paints the picture of a woman who was small in stature, but a giant among women and men.

Ransby, in tremendous detail, introduces the world to Ella Baker in ways that mainstream education wholly ignores. From her well-guarded personal life to her very public organizing, we meet a woman who gave her everything to an awe-inspiring vision of a more just and democratic society. Baker was propelled by what she saw we could be while at the same time giving equal energy to the path that would help us get there. For her the means was just as important as the end and you couldn’t fight for equality in the public sphere and sanction discrimination and ill-treatment behind closed doors. Her willingness to speak up and challenge the “men of the movement” didn’t make her a favorite in certain circles. She had her run-ins with the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and other groups because she did not go along with the prescribed gender role for women during that day and would not just “stay in her place”.

She created her own place – not in the narrow confines of a “civil rights” activist, but Ransby’s brilliant book reveals Baker as an irreplaceable figure in the larger Black Freedom Movement. While the NAACP and SCLC placed the legislature and judiciary as the preferred target for social change, Baker’s life was dedicated to organizing and empowering “everyday people” to be the change. Ms. Baker believed that the principal issue was bigger than new and different laws in the existing governing structure. She fought for self-determination for the poor and people of color. She didn’t chase after the politicians. She sat on country porches and rode down dusty roads with the people – listening to them articulate, define, and direct where the movement could or should go.

While she could have rightly demanded the spotlight and allowed her oratorical skills to shine, she seemed to prefer the less visible, but immensely critical roles behind the curtain. She helped empower others, drew connections to parallel movements, and practiced the art of asking the right questions. In addition, she mentored and nurtured many who grew to become defining figures in the Human Rights Struggle. As you turn each page, you’ll likely bump into a name you know or a name you need to know and read how Ella Baker touched their lives.

All 374 pages of Ransby’s book are packed with the finer, lesser-known stories and details of this pivotal figure and the movement she helped create. The many awards conferred upon this book is clear evidence of the literary skill of the author and her meticulous research in providing this important biography. Those who read this book – no doubt are better human beings by the time they turn the last page.

I was blessed to join about 50 others last night in downtown Baltimore as we stood for justice on the National Day of Action for the Palestinians. I’m always amazed at the great diversity of people that show up for these types of events. I met a young missionary who just got back from Palestine. (He spent 15 months there.) I met and reconnected with Jewish brothers and sisters from Tikkun. I met reps from the All People’s Congress, A.N.S.W.E.R., and just a bunch of people who found out about the event on Facebook. As I’m sadly getting used to, I was one of only a handful of Africans there and in the video above I speak of the imperative for Africans in America to speak out against injustice and unrighteousness no matter where it is found in the world. As Dr. King’s oft quoted saying reminds us: “Injustice ANYWHERE is a threat to justice EVERYWHERE.” My statements in the video could have been a bit sharper, but nevertheless they were sharp enough to get me called an “anti-semitic” on my youtube page.

I was pleased to see this weekend that BET finally covered someone who I believe was more dangerous that all others featured in the network’s hit TV show, American Gangster. J. Edgar Hoover the former Director for the Federal Bureau of Investigation got away with murder during the 1960′s – many times targeting Black Leaders through the Bureau’s COINTELPRO Initiative. His hand was involved in the assassination of freedom fighters like Fred Hampton, Marc Clarke, Dr. Martin L. King, Jr., Malcolm X and many others.

He operated with impunity and brazenly even when engaging sitting Presidents of the United States because of the legendary files he kept on them – complete with wiretaps, phone records, and pictures of their less than moral behavior.

A few years ago, there was an effort to remove Hoover’s name from the FBI building in DC. I would hope that efforts like this would be revived. In my humble opinion, Hoover deserves no place of honor in public life and the truth of who he was should be plainly taught as a regular part of the American Educational Curriculum.

I left that charity event and went straight to a justice event at St. John AMEZ Church organized by Save Middle East Action Coalition (SMEAC). This group of East Baltimore residents have banded together to fight the Johns Hopkins “Urban Removal” program in Middle East Baltimore. Johns Hopkins through their agent organization East Baltimore Development Inc. (EBDI) are currently in Phase II of their planning to remove community residents from their homes and force them to go elsewhere. This majority African American community has endured through decades of willful neglect of their neighborhood by city leaders and now have come to a place where the change they longed for is here, but they are not invited to stick around for the party. They are being forced to get out.

One of the young men from my church accompanied me to the rally and when we arrived it was standing room only.

We were inspired by a number of powerful speakers, the most notable of them all being the actual residents of the community. They spoke with the type of sharp insight that only those who are at the center of this fight can cull. The President of SMEAC, Donald Gresham, spoke eloquently moving gracefully between the voice of a baptist preacher and a skilled, community strategist.

As Pastor Karen Brau from Amazing Grace Luther Church led the congregation in a few bars of “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize,” I immediately felt like we all were transported back into civil rights era planning meetings against injustice – many of them which happened in church basements as well. I felt like history was being written with every word spoken. I wondered if history would properly remember the names of these ordinary people who possessed full consciousness of their power to partner with The Almighty in determining their destiny. In this male dominated society, I wondered if history would properly recognize a sista like Chabria Thomas – a wife, mother, lifelong resident of Baltimore and organizer educated in the public school system who in the spirit of Ella Baker preferred to push the real heroes (the residents) to the forefront while finding her place behind the curtain.

After the speaking, it was time to march. We lined up on a brisk, but sunny afternoon and began marching on the land that used to be occupied by Black families. From age 9 to 91 – we were all there together moving in syncopated rhythm in the shadow of the monolith – determined to stand up and fight like full fledged human beings. I sensed more dignity, more self-respect in that crowd than can be found in all the halls of local government.

Words can’t describe what it felt like marching around Johns Hopkins chanting things like, “E.B.D.I. – We Can’t Stand Another Lie!” It was amazing. I felt like the children of Israel marching around Jericho and I can do nothing but believe that sooner rather than later the proverbial walls of Hopkins will come tumbling down. As Dr. King said, “The arch of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” How long? Not long!

At the conclusion of the march, Jack Shannon, Executive Director of EBDI was waiting for us with a few of his Black staff members surrounding him. In classic political humor, a few members of the crowd greeted him with a song – “Hit the road Jack – and don’t ya come back no more no more!”

Jack Shannon and Mr. Donald Gresham stood on the steps where Shannon confessed his failures and asked for patience while they tried to find the money for the mutually agreed upon House for a House Initiative that would allow residents the opportunity to trade in their current house for a newly rehabbed house in the same community with no additional mortgage.

Gresham demanded a meeting with EBDI’s Board of Directors for the residents being that it seemed like the “appropriate channels” of communication were not productive. It was the feeling of some in the crowd that Hopkins’ (I’m using EBDI & Hopkins interchangeably) Board Members needed to meet some of the HUMAN BEINGS whose lives were being impacted by their decisions.

After the speaking, the marching, and the confronting, it was time to eat. The crowd returned to the church and sat down for a great, hard-earned meal. I got a text message that night at 9:59 telling me to tune into the news. I turned on the television just in time to catch it.

If Johns Hopkins thinks this is going to be an easy battle, they have another thing coming. We’re fired up and ready to go!

A luta continua – the struggle continues…

What she shoved in my hand was one of those yellow, magnetic ribbons that donned the message, “Support Our Troops!”

I remember not knowing what to say for fear that I might offend her, but deep within me I knew that I wanted nothing to do with that yellow, magnetic ribbon. At that time, there was this blind patriotism drenching popular culture supported by right-leaning religious groups who declared that God gave the “Divine OK” to utterly destroy human beings in Iraq with shock and awe in Jesus name.

As a Believer in Jesus and a Follower of The Way, I disagree with war and believe that it is inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. How could one follow a man who was called The Prince of Peace and encouraged loving one’s enemies and at the same time champion war and the killing of other human beings?

Soon after that parking lot experience, I began preaching sermons as I had opportunity against the invasion and occupation of Iraq. I also started preaching against the military activity between Israel and Hezbollah. (and particularly Israel’s murdering of innocent civilians and unjust occupation of Palestine.)

Sometimes with reckless abandon, prophetic zeal, and perhaps doses of self-righteousness I tried as best I could to send a clear message that Followers of Jesus could not waver on the issue of war. The teachings of Jesus just don’t support it.

Now, however, I’ve had a few more experiences in life. Now, I’m a pastor who possesses a greater level of concern for the well being of the sheep. I’m not some itinerant minister who can run to a foreign pulpit, unsheathe my blade, cut up the sheep, leave the sanctuary bloody, and walk out satisfied because I told it like it T. I. is. Now, to a much greater degree, I’m concerned about preaching the truth in such a way that will bring about spiritual growth…that will help build people up -not just tear them down and leave them crippled. And even if I cut them I attempt to extrapolate the cancerous growth with a surgeon’s precision leaving the healthy cells in their proper place.

Now, I can say that I’ve sat down with some of my family members who are in the Armed Forces and had conversations with them about how they are wrestling with being the one who makes sure the screws on the missile launcher are tight. Now I can say that I’ve seen the residue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in family members who still have nightmares about bombing schools in Iraq. Now I can say I’ve met men who were in Vietnam and who still can’t speak about what they saw or participated in while there. Now I can say that I have friends who work for some of the largest weapons manufacturers in the U.S. and who engineer some of the most deadly weapons that the general public has not been made aware of yet.

And now, as of a couple of weeks ago, I can say that two young people who are dear to me have informed me that they have chosen to join the Armed Forces and submit themselves to a process where they will be forced to surrender their ability to think independently, silence their conscience, and dehumanize other human beings so that pulling the trigger will be easier. They’ve agreed to become a part of the world’s war machine – a highly profitable system utilized by the principalities of this world to control the general population of the global community. They’re not the only young people in my circle who have made this decision. I know many young people who have opted to take this path…despite the scriptures, despite Dr. King, despite their religious beliefs, despite Jesus. It baffles me why young people join the military.

And yet – How do I minister to them? How do I support them while maintaining my ardent disagreement with their decision? I try to think of them as if they were my own children. What would I say to my daughter if she wanted to enlist? What would I say to my son? Surely, I wouldn’t picket against them. I wouldn’t kick them out of my house. I wouldn’t disown them. I wouldn’t barrage them with deep philosophical arguments that prove that “I’m right.” But my deep, unyielding, and longstanding love for them would compel me to say something.

I don’t know if these are the right answers, but I think I’d say something like:

“Son, God did not create you to kill other human beings.” …or

“Daughter, there are better ways to expand your horizons and see the world than by signing your life away to the government.”…or

“Son, I sense that you feel your options in life are limited and that you have to enlist in order to pay for college, but I guarantee you that there are other ways to fund your education.”…or

“Daughter, I urge you to read the stories of other young people who walked this path before you and consider what you’re really getting yourself into.”…or

“Son, before you enlist do your homework on what you’re getting yourself into and don’t just count on the word of the recruiter. Like a used car salesman, it’s their job to embellish and fabricate benefits in order to get you to sign.”…or

“Daughter, I know you’ve already enlisted, but there is still time…you can still change your mind”…or

“Son, it is remarkable that you have expressed your willingness to die for your country’s causes, but have you considered enlisting in a different type of army where you can still face injury and possibly death for PEACE instead of for war?”…or

“Daughter, I want you to know that there is a Federal Law that would prohibit me from discouraging you to join the Army, but I am willing to face being arrested if it will help you to think again about this decision.”

What would you say, Faith in Action family if you were in my shoes? Have any of your children, family, or friends joined the military? For those who are in the military and are Believers in Jesus, how have you reconciled what Christ says versus what your Commander says? For any clergy out there how do you minister to your parishioners who are either in the military or have loved ones overseas? For any activists out there, what strategies have you found to be effective in the effort to get military recruiters out of our schools and off of our college campuses?

Help. Our children are marching off to war.

I just received word that Dr. Jeremiah Wright will be delivering the 11AM morning message this Sunday, April 13, 2008 at the Historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church (Norfolk, VA) where the pastor is Rev. William Dixon.

I’m sure that Wright’s phone is blowing up these days so I wondered how Bank Street confirmed him for this Sunday. According to this article, Bank Street has the hookup. Someone from the church is related to Dr. Wright and the church will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Booster’s Ministry.

Kudos to my seminary brother, William Dixon for bringing Dr. Wright to the Norfolk area.

Unfortunately, however not everyone considers Dr. Wright’s presence in Norfolk a blessing. Of course you expect certain folks to frown upon his coming, but another African American pastor?!? Oh come on.

According to Standard Newswire, “Bishop” Earl W. Jackson, Sr. pastor of Exodus Faith Ministries is protesting Wright’s presence by declaring this Sunday, “Unity and Patriotism Day” at his church.

Bishop Jackson has begun a campaign to counter the remarks of Rev. Wright and those who defend him. He argues that Wright’s so called “black liberation theology” is not representative of what African American preachers are offering in pulpits around the country. “We preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, not hate your country, hate other people and avoid ‘middle class-ness’. The Anti-American, Anti-Israel, pro-Farrakhan message that Wright teaches is heretical to the Bible and Christianity. Christians are too busy teaching what God is doing for us to become obsessed with what real or imagined enemies are doing to us. God commands that we forgive.”

Jackson, an African American Christian Conservative, is a former Marine and “corporate America man” whose bio would be impressive to some, but despite this his inability to engage the issues that Wright raises in a critical way is extremely telling. To sum up Dr. Wright’s three decades of faithful Christian service to being “Anti-American, Anti-Israel, and Pro-Farrakhan” is not much more than what someone on the street corner or Bill O’Reilly would come up with.

It should be interesting to see what happens this Sunday in Norfolk. I have some contacts down there. Perhaps they’ll report back once the dust clears.

Friday was a long day, but I did get a chance to drop in on the King Commemorative March and Rally in West Baltimore. The event was put on my Wayland Baptist Church’s Community Development Corporation. Dick Gregory was the keynote speaker and he was….Dick Gregory. LOL

It was so funny watching the faces of the dignified pastors as Gregory said some off the wall stuff! You know how he mixes comedy with political commentary. One minute he’s talking about manganese and the next minute he’s talking about wishing he was back in school since all these teachers now are having sex with the students! Crazy. I got some video from the event and I’ll try to have it up later this week. In addition to speeches there was dancing, singing, and great music. An all around great event. Good job to all involved!

Thanks Dr. King. You did what God called you to do. Now it’s our turn.