21.03.2007
by Heber Brown, III
Category African American Christian, Beloved Community, Black Clergy, Black people, Christian, Darfur, Faith &/or Religion, Faith and war, Freedom!, International Focus, Politics, Religion/Politics, Young Clergy for Social Change, activist, africa, african american, annapolis, baltimore, baltimore politics, black baltimore, joe madison, maryland, mentoring, preacher, social justice, virginia union, walter fauntroy
Joe Madison is testifying for the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee. He drops stats, facts, and figures left and right. While half of my brain is listening to him - the other half is trying to organize my thoughts and sound half way intelligent while testifying.Â
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.Â
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?)
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12.03.2007
by Heber Brown, III
Category Black Clergy, Darfur, International Focus, My Story, activist, joe madison, social justice, walter fauntroy
7:11AM - racing down my street toward the main road. Yes - I’m a little above the speed limit and weaving a bit in and out of traffic, but I’m not driving recklessly. (I don’t think so anyway) I don’t drive crazy when I’m running behind schedule. I refuse to make hair-raising turns, ride people’s bumpers, or rush pedestrians through crosswalks. Driving like that is just rude to me.
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.Â
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:
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