Just Thinking

Teenage students are shot Mumford High School and shooting outside of the football game in St. Petersburg, Florida. A scheduled burning of the Koran in Gainesville, Florida and those endless arguments regarding a Mosque being built in lower Manhattan. It is truly a ‘ball of confusion.’ I realize that many will view my comments as those of a heretic or non patriot citizen. However, I am compelled to ask those questions that few if any are willing to address. Religious radicalism in all forms is counterproductive. A society that has prided itself on inclusiveness is doom to fail because it is truly afraid of diversity. All of us know or have friends who have opinions that are divers from our core principals. The question is simple, why are we so focus on those issues that truly have nothing to do with our daily lives? What does affect each of us in a more direct fashion is the violent nature of our children. Consider the obvious; at some point this violence nature of our children will destroy all of us. It is noble to pray, but it is time to do something. I believe that each of us have been given all the tools that are required to make the words of the constitution meaningful: “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal.”
90 years ago W.E. B. Dubois spoke of the ‘Talented Ten’ as those individuals who would provide a pathway of success for African Americans. Did you know that 17% of all African Americans have advance college degrees. So many PHd’s, yet so little mentoring. 50 years ago most of our religious leaders were actually teaching what Howard Thurman characterized as a “Gospel of Social Justice.” It seems that our religious leaders are teaching a “Gospel of Prayer” and just wait for God to do something.
78 years ago we elected a president who faced the worst economic crises in the history of this country. The same issues were present: violent young people and they became the mafia. Immigration was issues and we put Japanese Americans in internment camps. Yes, we had those religious zealots who taught the ‘fire and brim storm’ doctrine that actually preached hatred towards African Americans. A great poet states best why I am writing this essay: “In battling evil, excess is good; for he who is moderate in announcing the truth is presenting half-truth. He conceals the other half out of fear of the people’s wrath.” My friends it is well to give when asked but it is better to give unasked.