Jim Wallis, Founder of Sojourner Magazine

Jim Wallis writes a thought-provoking article about the “end” of the Iraq War entitled, It’s Finally Over – and it was Wrong.”

It made me think about the first time I was arrested for direct action and civil disobedience in protest of the military invasion and occupation of Iraq four years ago. The action was planned and promoted in large measure by the Sojourner’s community. I kept the cuffs that restrained me that cold night so that I can show my sons that sometimes living with convictions will cost you something.

But Wallis’ article on Iraq also pricked something else in me. It made me think of the ever-expanding U.S. military action now under President Obama. The same convictions that catapulted me to the White House in protest four years ago are the same ones that critique this president. Obama is not above critique and is NOT greater than the foundational spiritual tenets that I embrace as a follower of Jesus. Here is the comment that bubbled up from my soul onto Wallis’ website in response to his article:

Great article, Jim.

I marched with you and others during the Christian Peace Witness for Iraq in March 2007.

Reading how you rightly described the distortions and lies that justified war in Iraq under Bush made me think of the lies spewed to justify military action in Libya, Uganda, and other parts of the world under Obama.

I didn’t march in 2007 against a republican president. I marched because I embrace the ethic of the Prince of Peace and am co-laboring with others to experience the Beloved Community. With the American military empire spreading now under a democratic president; I believe it’s time for another gathering and mobilization of people of Faith.

To march when Bush calls for war and withhold from marching when Obama expands war across the world threatens our credibility as people whose “citizenship is in Heaven.” It’s easy to stand for conviction when it’ll be embraced and applauded (as it was under Bush). It takes a greater level of resolve to act on convictions when it won’t be popular and will cost us something.

The Church is in danger of losing its voice.

Time to Blow the Trumpet,

Pastor Heber Brown, III
Baltimore, MD

Two others were wounded.

During an evening that promised to be filled with family time and football; my night was interrupted by an unsettling phone call from my mother. The timbre in the voice on the other end of the phone immediately sent my mind back 9 years. The only time I’d ever heard my mother sound like that was when she called me to tell me that my younger cousin had been shot and killed. Adrenaline rushed through my body and my heart began to race. Something was up. She told me that there had just been a shooting in front of her house. Hearing 8 shots she dove to the floor taking cover with her friend.

When the smoke cleared two bodies were laying in the front yard. One victim was crying out in pain. The other was not so fortunate. Medics arrived and attempted to stabilize him, but to no avail. He was covered with a blanket and his mother received a call last night that will change her life forever.

I live a few blocks over from my mother so after picking my younger brother up from work, I made my way to her house. The area was roped off and nearly 20 police cars and countless officers both in uniform and casual dress were milling around. Reporters and news trucks from all of the local media outfits were there along with residents and passersby.

I was drawn to the scene to do more than check on my mother or deliver her youngest son to her nervous arms. I updated the status of my Facebook and Twitter pages letting folks know what had happened, but that was not enough. I wanted to get closer. I stood there at the police tape with others – some young children, some senior women, and a handful of young, Black males.

“Do ya’ll know if a boy named Keenan was shot here?” asked one lady as she walked up.

“I don’t know,” came the reply. “I just know it betta not be my man – he’s like a brotha to me. I’d go crazy for real.”

Sad thing is – I’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to be at these types of scenes much to often over the years and I’m still pretty maladjusted to the experience. In a search for answers or some semblance of resolution, I’ve done or participated in it all. I’ve done the rallies with the NAACP. I’ve written articles. I’ve preached sermons. I’ve attempted to agitate within the walls of the church. I’ve tried to organize other young ministers to this social plague. I joined with others on York Road for a Peace Witness at the site of a deadly stabbing. I even joined some other younger ministers who were a part of group called Young Clergy for Social Change some years back and we pretty much spent the night on the corner of North and Pennsylvania Avenue (for those outside of Baltimore this is a pretty “active” corner) in an attempt to establish relationships and provide support. Somewhere around that time a couple of us also spent the night at the scene of a firebombing which initially was reminiscent of the tragic story of the Dawson Family.

These activities have produced mixed results. I can’t say that I’ve always done what each moment called for, but I will say that from my vantage point it does not appear that there is one way to effectively engage violence in our streets. I’m more inclined to believe that a matrix of sustained support and engagement is needed in order to see progress on this issue.

While standing in the aftermath of murder last night; I gave the police spokesman my card and told him that I wanted to make myself available to the affected families. I also took a moment to speak with the small crowd that had gathered. I gave them each a card as well and let them know that I live and pastor in the neighborhood and wanted to extend myself to them. Who knows if they’ll ever call and who knows what I’ll say if they do. I just felt like I needed to do something more than just read about it in the news and shake my head in despair.

In talking to folks, I learned that the shooting was a retaliation to an earlier incident that happened on my block. Over the next 24 to 48 hours I plan to comb the immediate neighborhood to speak with those who live in the vicinity of the shooting. If there is no intervention than it increases the likelihood that the cycle of revenge and violence will continue. The perpetrator and the victim will probably look just like me and somebody else’s mother will get a call that will shatter her world.

If you’re interested in helping with this effort, please let me know. I’m no superman and I don’t have all the answers. We need God and each other if this thing is going to get turned around.

There I was. Standing on the House Floor at the State Capital with Speaker Michael Busch…yes that Michael Busch. How did I get there?

Well, it all started with a call from Delegate Jill Carter inviting me to come and accept an award on behalf of one of the greatest clergy/activists that Baltimore has ever seen – Rev. Vernon Dobson.

On the last day of Black History Month, the Maryland House of Delegates, at the behest of Del. Jill Carter, produced a resolution in honor of Dobson. And it was truly my honor to stand and accept it on his behalf with one of the most dedicated delegates that Baltimore has ever seen standing on my immediate right. (Though she is actively being marginalized by the power structure in Annapolis and even by the other representatives of the 41st district like Del. Sandy Rosenberg, she is, in fact, one that the Baltimore community can really count on.) Standing to my left was the gentleman who had not long ago attempted to broadside Carter by stripping her of her subcommittee chairmanship (or chairwomanship?) which prompted a flurry of posts from this blogger. There I was standing in between the two. (You can’t tell me that God doesn’t have a sense of humor.)

However, I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to stand in Dobson’s shoes – even if for but a moment. It was the type of honor that challenged me to be better.

Dobson was one of the members of the vaunted “Goon Squad” of Baltimore – a grouping of clergy, lawyers, politicians, and activists who stirred much trouble for justice in Baltimore during the late 60′s while fighting segregation.

Dobson was not only an activist, but he is a scholar whose life was molded by the likes of Mordacai Johnson, Benjamin Mays, Howard Thurman, Ralph Bunche, Thurgood Marshall among others. While age and some health challenges have slowed Rev. Dobson down a bit, the work that he has done still speaks loudly for him. The Maryland Food Bank, Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development (B.U.I.L.D.), and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance were either created or enhanced with Dobson’s hand in the mix.

For years now, I’ve been praying and working for the development of another Goon Squad here in Baltimore modeled after the squad of Dobson’s day. We desperately need a coagulation of dedicated community servants working together to engage the issues of our time. I tried to manufacture and force it a few years back with a group called Young Clergy for Social Change, but that group had a short-lived season. Now, however, I see the seedlings of something on the horizon that excites me. I see God orchestrating the lives of some pretty impressive local servants even as The Almighty continues to settle me in my new charge as a pastor. Some of my colleagues are being positioned to begin pastoring themselves. Others are contemplating running for political office. It’s not all together yet, but in the fullness of time, I do sense that God will bring what’s needed and use the willing to make a difference here.

It was great to stand in Dobson’s shoes for that moment and prayerfully, I’ll be granted the opportunity to follow the best of his legacy for many years to come.

I announced in the pulpit on the previous Sunday at church that I would be standing with WIB and others committed to peace along Charles Street. I invited the entire congregation to join me.

No one did, but a few of the church members drove by and saw their pastor on the street holding a sign that said, “Blessed are the Peacemakers!” I pray that leading by example will help those congregants who are unaccustomed to nontraditional Christian witness to start living our their Faith in intentionally, public ways.

I was standing with the Sisters of Notre Dame out front of the Cathedral of Mary our Queen and of course mine was the only Brown face in the crowd. I had a great time with the Sisters and next year we pledged to come together again with my church in tow so we could stand shoulder to shoulder along our portion of Charles Street. What a sight that would be!

Partners for Peace stand in unity on 9/11

Will this type of action change the world? Probably not, but it’s a step in the direction of promoting what I believe to be a divine principle and finding common ground with those whom I don’t encounter in my regular routine of daily life.

I was communicating with a White man who is a part of a social group that in his words is “too white.” They wanted to connect more with members of the African American community and have attempted to do this primarily by meeting with people who they deem “leaders in the Black community.” I guess someone fooled them into believing that I was a leader (a term that I am uncomfortable with – I like servant much better). We met and after noticing how ignorant they are to Black Culture and the Black Community, I invited them to traffic in Black Baltimore a bit. They made some attempts that weren’t successful and now have pretty much given up on building that bridge. Their interest in connecting has now soured and turned into a disdain for a Black Community that has “no moral courage to confront its own demons.” (Well, if Black folk didn’t want to meet them before, I’m sure that after that descriptor they’ll bust down the door to sit at the feet of these White paragons of moral virtue.)

They are puzzled why I continue to insist that they enter a world – a culture – a community that they know very little about aside from the nightly news, sports, and music videos. It is because I know that finding COMMON GROUND ideologically is better served when you’re on COMMON GROUND LITERALLY! Oh it’s easy to stand across the street and shout proclamations of partnership hoping that someone will come to you, but what if you crossed the street, left your agenda behind, and purposed to establish real relationships with those who are largely invisible in your daily life?

That’s why I’m thankful for the 2 hours I spent with elderly white women on a Thursday evening. We had a great time talking with one another, learning about each other, and as we gathered, high school students from the Friends School came to commune with us with their larger than life “peace puppet.” It was a beautiful glimpse of the Beloved Community – people who tore down the social dividers, got on common ground around a shared concern and in the process saw God in the eyes of another.

Well folks – the next chapter of Faith in Action has begun and this time we’re on Spirit 1400AM (Baltimore). The show tonight was great. We had callers right off the bat which is always a good sign and my guests (pictured above) were amazing. A special “THANK YOU” to Revs. Tamara Hardy, Scott Adams, and Ronald Covington. You all were awesome! Get ready because you will be back on the air with me before you know it.

Also – a special “Thank You” to those who have already made financial contributions to this ministry including members of my family, Bro. Chip Dizard from Absolute Presence, and Bro. Haki Ammi. I appreciate you! If anyone knows of any businesses or organizations that may like to advertise their products or services on my show please let me know by visiting my Contact Me page.

Soon the shows will be up on itunes and other internet locations so you can download and enjoy.

Next week – we’re talking about the prevalence of liquor stores in Baltimore City and what can be done about them. You don’t want to miss it!

Thanks for all of your support.

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

As I shared last month, I am a proud mentor in a program that serves incarcerated youth at the Charles Hickey School in Baltimore County. I’ve joined with four other strong brothers and we go to Hickey every Saturday for a strong 90 minute session – half youth develoment / half recreation.

The 15 (or so) young men that we mentor range between the ages of 15 and 18. Their charges are as petty as not completing community service as a stipulation of probation and as serious as selling narcotics and grand theft auto.

Because Hickey is a short term facility (supposed to be anyway), we only have about 5 weeks to positively impact the lives of these young men before they are moved out to a placement, another facility, or released back into the community.

We’ve been going strong now for two months and have learned much about the young men and ourselves. God has really blessed the mentors with great chemistry and comraderie. We all are 30 or younger, college educated, community-involved, married men – some with children. And all of us have a personal relationship with God that we do not hide from our mentees or staff. Prayer is a central part of our sessions and we stress to the young brothers that if they don’t have a spiritual connection with Almighty God that they will continue trafficking in the same hazardous circles that got them in Hickey in the first place.

Many of the brothers have expressed to us their appreciation of our volunteering in this way. One of the mentees that I’ve taken a strong liking to – Marcus – told me a few weeks back that his older brothers are incarcerated and that if he had older brothers like me and the other mentors he would have never ended up locked up.

Marcus and many other young men in our group have court dates coming up in January and we are praying for a favorable disposition. The mentors are writing letters of support for the young men and I’m personally going before the judge with Marcus to encourage his release. As a component of our program, we seek to provide re-entry services (employment, schooling, stable housing, etc.) as well once our little brothers are released.

Please pray for this ministry. There is a possibility for us to receive financial support very soon that would allow us to continue mentoring at a level that is greater than what we are able to do for 90 minutes on a Saturday.

Also, know that January is National Mentoring Month. Consider becoming a mentor to a young person that could benefit from the guidance of a caring adult.

To Black men especially – we MUST step up for Black boys – at whatever age, stage, or situation in which they find themselves. We can no longer allow anyone to rail on the depressing condition of Black boys without communicating how they are committed to support them. I’m almost to the point now where if you’re not doing something in a hands-on way to support youth, then I don’t want to hear your criticisms of them. As a matter of fact, just SHUT UP! Step up or Shut up.

Yea I know some of these children/youth have parents that didn’t do their job, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Yea I know that some of these children/youth are not being served by their church, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Yea I know that the school systems in Black neighborhoods by and large are not preparing our children/youth for gainful employment, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Sure – state governments make plans to build prisons based on the reading levels of Black youth in 4th grade, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Yes – the White Power Structure is real and has stacked the deck against Black youth, BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

[INSERT YOUR FAVORITE EXCUSE FOR INACTION HERE], BUT WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

As a good brother told me a couple of weeks ago, mentoring has moved from “nice to necessity” and it’s time that we act with the same sense of urgency that author, Jawanza Kunjufu writes about in State of Emergency: We Must Save African American Males. Mentoring is not a panacea, but it is a foundational component of reclaiming the destiny of Black youth in America.

To find a mentoring opportunity near you, visit MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership. If you are already a mentor, share your experiences here in hopes that you will inspire someone else to get involved.

(Eventually, the officer came over and asked us to turn off our cameras because it was illegal to film them in the midst of an investigation.  We suspect that he made this “law” up, but we didn’t have the facts at the time.  Next time, we will have our rebuttal ready.  Does anybody have info on whether or not this is truly illegal?)

We will be going back to continue establishing relationships with members of that and other communities.

Enjoy this special edition of BrothaSpeak!

On Thursday afternoon, I was blessed to be invited to be on the “Pause for the Cause” Radio program on 1010AM WOLB.  The theme of the show was “Where are all the Black Men?” 

After giving the listeners information on local opportunities to serve the community; I eagerly informed them that I am blessed to have many African brothers around me, mentoring me, guiding me, praying for me, etc.  I rattled off their names with excitement because far too many of them are never recognized until they are dead.  In fact, let me “speak” the name of one of them who is truly dear to me – Judge Kenneth Lavon Johnson.  Judge Johnson is my friend.  I don’t have a lot of seniors as friends – mentors, guides, encouragers -yes, but not too many as friends.  Judge Johnson is my friend because he shares with me.  He shares his stories, his struggles, his triumphs, and his passion.  He doesn’t talk “down” to me.  He speaks to me as an equal and insists on calling me “Reverend Brown” despite my best attempts to get him to just call me “Heber.”  The Judge asks me my opinion on pressing social matters and on one occasion, asked me to write my thoughts concerning the Black Church’s absence from social justice matters in Baltimore.  Judge Kenneth Johnson is my personal John Henrik Clarke.  He’s invested much in me so I must live a life that’s worthy of that investment.

Despite the wonderful experiences that I’ve enjoyed over the past couple of days, I am most excited about what I will be doing tonight.  One of my young clergy colleagues, along with the brothers from BrothaSpeak, will be spending the night on an East Baltimore street corner with Delegate Jill Carter and her campaign.  I am extremely thankful for Jill Carter’s commitment to those who are most often left out, looked over, and locked up.  For the past month, she has been camping out on street corners across the city registering voters, talking to residents, and feeding the people (literally and figuratively).  Though some would claim that she is just attempting to grab headlines and gain unwarranted attention; not one drop of ink has been used to publish anything about this in The Baltimore Sun “news”paper.  I’ve not seen television cameras giving prolonged coverage to this revolutionary activity either despite the daily reports that we receive about the status quo candidates.  It’s obvious that mainstream media has decided to blackout news pertaining to Jill Carter’s campaign.

Though this is frustrating to any candidate running for office, in some cases it is a good sign that you are on the right track.  Yesterday at the radio station, the hosts were jokingly referring to me as the “troublemaker” on the air and I had to remind the listeners what the Bible says in Luke 6:26 – “Woe unto you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”  That’s right – persecution is good when you’re being persecuted for righteousness’ sake. 

I look forward to connecting with the community tonight with my clergy brother and fellow comrades.  And even when the campaign season passes; I look forward to joining with other Believers to continue hitting the pavement at locations and times that are nontraditional for most Christians and churchgoers. 

After all, isn’t this what Jesus would do?