I’m proud to announce that the bill passed and was signed into enactment by the Mayor on November 27, 2007!  YOU MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE!  I especially want to thank Tanae and Adam (all the way from Ohio!) for sending emails to City Councilwoman Helen Holton in regard to the bill.  [if you sent an email as well let me know and I'll be quick to publicly give you your props.]  See that – right from your keyboard – at work, home, or school you helped to pass a bill to support the people of Darfur.  Don’t you feel empowered?!  You should. 

I just received an email from Joe Madison as well informing me that DC just passed its own Sudan Divestment Bill!  The avalanche is growing and pressure is mounting on the government of Sudan to end this tragedy.

So what next?…you did know there was a next right?  This is not a 40 yard dash people.  This is a marathon.  So now we have got to make sure that Baltimore, the state of Maryland, and DC make the legislation come to life.  No equivicating!  Don’t just have the press conference legislators! Divest the money! 

I’ll be making a list and checking it twice, E-ACTIVISTS, to make sure the legislation is really enacted.  If it isn’t, you know I’ll blow the trumpet. 

FYI: I’ve learned that last month a new documentary starring Don Cheadle called DARFUR NOW came out.  This can be a great tool in raising awareness and encouraging action on this issue.  Here’s an idea: Get a group of your friends together and go see the movie.  You might just win over some new Darfur Activists.  Great idea right?  There’s only one problem

I CAN’T FIND ONE MOVIE THEATER ANYWHERE NEAR ME PLAYING THIS FILM!

As is the case with far too many meaningful films, they are often thrown to the side with preference given to the insanely stupid, mind-numbing films like White Chicks and Soul Plane.  So here’s our plan of action…huddle up.

Call your local movie theater’s management company and let them know you want to see Darfur Now…Now!  Who are they to determine what movies the general public can see or not see.  Yea – it’s there building, their seats, their screens, their sticky floors, and their over-priced condiments, but if we don’t show up, they don’t make $$.  And these days with online movies, youtube, and downloadable films, the brick-n-mortar theater should be going out of its way to appease its customers.

Call the management company of your local movie theater. Tell them to play Darfur Now and let me know what happens.  We’ll collect their responses, report them in future posts, and then strategize on what should be our next steps.

We’ll take meticulous notes and refine the strategy if need be, because I suspect that we’ll have to do this again for Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters…I don’t know – we’ll see.  Denzel may have enough “juice” to get his film across the country…especially given the fact that Oprah is the producer.  “They” just might let it play.  But we’ll have our hands at the ready just in case. 

Alright folks – call the management company of your local theaters and report back what they say.  Don’t be discouraged if they very nicely say “No”.  We have the power to change their “No” to a “Yes.”

Do you have another idea on how to get this film in the theaters?  Let us know.  All ideas accepted.  Let’s get to work.

The Struggle Continues…No Time to Rest….

Madison is done and Walter Fauntroy goes next.  Like a good preacher he makes a little joke before starting to warm up the crowd.  They chuckle and he proceeds. 

While he’s talking I get my stuff together.  I think I can pull this off impromptu style now.  It hits me in that moment that growing up in the Black Church prepared me for this.  All those times that I had to stand and welcome visitors, respond to the welcome, sing a lead on a song, or pray over the offering prepared me for speaking confidently in front of people.  Thank you Church! (I gotta give a nod to the Future Business Leaders of America Club in high school too.  Did I mention that I placed 2nd in the county in the Impromptu Speaking competition?)

Fauntroy hits his last statement and I inch up closer to the mic ready to do my thang. 

“Psst. Rev. Brown.  Here’s your paper.”

“Oh.  Thank you Sis. E.”, I whisper instantly relieved that I could read the words and focus on intonation. 

“Thank you for coming, Rev. Brown”, the chairwoman says, “but we’ve really got other bills to attend to this morning so I’ll ask that you make your comments brief please.”

“Madam Chairwoman I must keep my comments brief.  These two giants of social justice have said almost everything that I wanted to say 10 times more eloquently than I could ever say it”, I quipped.

I proceeded with my testimony cutting out much of what I had written to avoid redundancy.  I focused however on the fact that it was International Women’s Day.  I read an excerpt from a report by the international humanitarian group, Doctors Without Borders.  The piece I read came from a report entitled “The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur“.  I read about two girls – one 13 and the other 14 who were gang raped by 5 men while knives were being held to their necks.  I encouraged the council to remember the human beings caught up in this genocide – and particularly the women and children while they were considering the Darfur Divestment Bill.  My testimony appeared to be well received.

After the session, I walked out in the lobby and networked a bit with other Darfur advocates.  My senator colleague followed me out in the hall and started talking to me about the Death Penalty Repeal bill.  Senator said that she had good support for it from the PG County Ministers, but she needed more active support from the Baltimore Clergy.  I told her that I would pass on the information and remain in touch about the issue. 

Then I caught up with Mr. Joe Madison, his lovely wife, and Rev. Walter Fauntroy.  I thanked them profusely for their testimony and reminded Rev. Fauntroy about the Virginia Union connection.  He remembered preaching there during my graduation weekend.  I told them about my having a personal meeting with Wyatt Tee Walker and I asked them to remember me as they continued to advocate on this issue.  It was great being in their company.  I asked if they would be coming back later for the 12noon press conference for the Darfur bill.  Madison said he would try, but Fauntroy couldn’t make it.  We shook hands and parted ways.

I ran back to the car and got back on the highway headed for Baltimore.  I had a 10AM meeting with community leaders and folks from the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence. 

I arrived at the meeting and greeted colleagues that I have been working on this issue with for some time now.  I shared with them how I just had the amazing experience of testifying in support of the Darfur Divestment bill alongside Joe Madison and Walter Fauntroy.  I was still on cloud 1 million. 

Then I go to cloud 2 million when one of the sisters present says, “That’s so good that you participated at that hearing.  I was born in Khartoum.” [Capital of Sudan]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????

I do not believe in coincidence.  That moment was orchestrated.  Here I am advocating for people that I may never meet and a sister born in Sudan just happens to be at my second meeting of the day??!!  OK – you can call it coincidence if you want, but I ain’t buying it.  We promise each other that we’ll grab coffee or something one day to discuss her upbringing. 

The meeting about youth violence in Baltimore goes well.  There was a really good sister there who kept us men in the room focused on why we were there.  There’s some really exciting things coming down the pipe related to halting the flow of youthful blood in the streets of Baltimore.  If all goes as planned, the Faith community will play an integral role in the action.  I peek at my clock and realize that I have to go.  The Darfur press conference is calling me.

I bid everyone adieu and race to the vehicle.  I have to pick Dr. William Calhoun up from the church.  As the president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Baltimore & Vicinity, he was asked by Senator Jones to be present at the press conference.  I offered to pick him up and serve as his chaffeaur.  I looked forward to the time.  We needed to catch up on IMA stuff being that I am the 1st vp and we hadn’t been in dialogue in a few weeks because of busy schedules. 

Of course it was 11:40 when I picked him up at the church and of course that meant that I would be racing once again down toward Annapolis.  I keep a calm, cool, and collected outer shell as I push the gas and race the streets to get that man to the mic. 

That day his church operated a food kitchen so he brought me a sandwich.  I had an extra water so I gave him a drink.  See – intergenerational partnership….lol.

I got him down to Annapolis in time and rushed him to the front door.  We stood together during the press conference with the MD’s Leutienant Governor, state comptroller, state treasurer, Joe Madison, and others.  Dr. Calhoun spoke wonderfully as usual and put religious significance on this political event. 

On the way back to Baltimore we chatted for a bit and then I pulled out my ipod and together we listened to a classic sermon entitled “Seeing our hurts with God’s eyes” preached by Dr. Calhoun’s good friend, Dr. Gardner C. Taylor.

As I cruised up the road and Calhoun enjoyed a highway nap, the soothing yet provocative sound of Taylor’s preaching served as inspirational benediction to a long day of advocacy.

We pulled up to the church. 

“Alright, buddy.  Thank you for testifying this morning and for coming to pick me up.”

“It was my pleasure, Doc.  Thanks for coming.”

He returned to his car and I drove off into the sunset thankful that God decided to use me in that way that day. 

When the situation in Darfur looks to bleak to change and frustration with American apathy swells in my soul, I’ll remember days like this and encourage myself not to get weary in well doing for in due season we all will reap if we faint not. 

Thank you for riding along with me and sharing my story of a truly fascinating day for Darfur.

Day for Darfur Pt. 1

Day for Darfur Pt. 2

I’m making pretty good time.  I’m praying as I approach every traffic light and yes – God is answering my prayers.  All I see is a long line of “greens” – allowing my foot to remain heavy on the gas.  It’s early so there’s not too much traffic on the road. 

I’m in downtown Baltimore now and about to get on 95 headed toward Annapolis.  I’m sitting at a red light eating my peach flavored oatmeal when a white woman with a blue coat and a cardboard sign begins to walk down the aisle of vehicles.  Her sign reads: “I am homeless and hungry.  Can you help me?  God bless you.”  I don’t feel too good about giving the homeless cash these days, but I knew that I could help.  I rolled down the window:

“Good Morning Sis – do you like turkey sausage? ”

“Sure – oh yes.”

“Here you go.  My wife made it for me this morning.  I didn’t even touch it yet.”

“God bless you thank you so much”, she said showing her yellowing teeth, but a true smile in her eyes.

“No problem.  Have a good one.”, I said wondering if I just gave an angel a piece of turkey sausage.  Light turned green.  Back to the road.

 I realize that the longest part of my drive is still ahead of me.  It’s 7:35AM.  I’m speeding down 95.  When I’m pushing it on the highway I don’t drive in the “fastlane”.  My Dad taught me that when I first started driving.  Officer Friendly (also known as “PoPo”, “5-0″, and “Jake”) tends to sit on the shoulder looking for speeders and the thought is that they start their search in the fast lane.

It’s 7:45AM. 

I’ve not even hit 97 yet.  I’ve come to the realization that I’m going to be late.  I pick up the cell and call the staff assistant to get an estimation as to when I’m slated to speak.  No answer.  I call another number – no answer.  I’m hoping that the council will have other business to attend to before getting to the Darfur bill. 

It’s 8:00.  I ring the phone again.  “Hello?”  There’s an answer! Thank the Lord. 

“Good Morning Sis. E. This is Rev. Brown and I’m running a bit behind schedule, but I wanted to know where the bill will be placed in the hearing.”

“Good Morning Rev.  I think the bill will be heard first (I think: “Oh great”), but don’t worry we have a few other speakers before you.  You still have time.”

“Ok.  Can you sign me up to testify?”

“I sure will.”

Good.  I’m signed in and there are others that are speaking before me.  My foot is still heavy on the gas.  I concentrate on lowering my stress level.  What will be is what will be.  It’s not the end of the world, bruh.

You’re right.  I’ll get there and if the hearing is over – it’s over.  I tried.  The people of Darfur won’t know I tried, but God will know I tried. 

Cruising along 97 now and all of a sudden I see my worst fear.  Brake lights on the highway.  Followed by a long…and I mean LONG line of cars inching along.

“LORD, HAVE MERCY!” 

Well, I can’t do anything about it.  I can’t get off on an exit and I can’t turn around.  I re-familiarize myself with the brake pedal and begin inching along like everybody else.  OOOO K.  Radio time.  Donnie Simpson – Nope.  Tom Joyner – Nope.  Russ Parr – Not today.  Steve Harvey – Sorry, no.  92Q? – Definitely not.  Radio off.  Silence is golden and needed.

It’s 8:15.  I’m confident now that I’ve missed the hearing for the Darfur Divestment bill so I begin thinking about what other things I can do while I’m down in Annapolis. 

I inch a long until I see what caused the morning commuter’s bottleneck syndrome to flare up.  A fender bender on the shoulder.  Ok folks, move it along – there’s nothing to see here. 

I find that gas pedal again and I’m gone.  It’s 8:35AM.  I finally drive into Annapolis and whip around to my parking section.  I find a spot back the vehicle in and I’m out of the car before the engine can shut down all the way. 

Running across the street toward the Senate Building.  Security guard at the door is my buddy.  “Good Morning, Bruh” “Hey now.”

Keep moving – I race to the elevator – get to the 3rd floor and hear testimony coming over the speakers about Darfur. 

“Hot Dog!  Thank you Lord.”

I’m in the hearing room now and as nonchalantly as I could; eased into a seat next to a senator friend of mine.  We exchange silent “heys”.  “What are you here for?”, she asked.  “Darfur bill.”

Tap on my left shoulder.  “Hi, Rev. Brown, I’m Sis. E.” 

“Hey Sis.  How are we doing?  Did I miss my turn?” 

“Nope you’re right on time.  Do you have a copy of your testimony?”

I hand it over and she goes to make copies.  While she’s out of the room with the only copy of my testimony that I had the Chairwoman of the committee says, “Alright, next up to testify on the Darfur Bill is Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Mr. Joe Madison, and Rev. Heber Brown, III.” 

SHUUUUT UP!  Did she just say Walter Fauntroy and Joe Madison were testifying along with some guy named Heber Brown??  I’m instantly on cloud 1 million.  These two guys are legends to me and men that I greatly respect.  Fauntroy preached the baccalearate when I graduated from Seminary.  Madison has been a champion for Darfur for years using his radio show as an instrument of information and mobilization on this issue.  I had no idea in the world that I would be sitting next to these two giants testifying about Darfur! 

God whispers, “Why are you surprised?  You said you wanted to be “great” and this is what “great” people sacrifice and do – testify at 8 something in the morning concerning an issue of social justice on the behalf of people that they will never meet.”

I guess you’re right, God.  If I’m going to study great women and men in society and try to make my life parallel to theirs in many respects, I shouldn’t be surprised that our paths cross. 

As Joe Madison is testifying it hits me.  I don’t have my testimony in front of me?  Oh goodness.  I immediately begin assembling my thoughts – remembering the main ideas – rehearsing how I’m going to say it in my head.  Why did I give Sis. E. the only copy of my testimony?!  Lord, when will this rollercoaster end? 

Would I sound like a stammering fool sitting next to Fauntroy and Madison without my testimony?

What did the committee ask me to do right before speaking?

How did God BLOW MY MIND after the hearing?

Find out the answers to these questions and more in the upcoming final installment of A Day for Darfur.