When Do Black Lives Matter?

Of course, the question itself will bring about backlash from those with 1 dimensional (1D) thinking because it is not part of their message.

Well, it should be part of the message for everyone living in a community where the murder rate is beyond understandable. And yes, I am talking about black-on-black crime. It is unnerving and painful to acknowledge that the black community seems to be more concerned about the black lives taken by police, than those in their own community. Let’s face it–more black people are killed by other black people than those killed by the police.

Don’t get it twisted! I’m not saying there should not be a movement against police brutality against black people, but when is there going to be a movement against black people killing black people? The fact that black communities have become so desensitized to black-on-black crime makes those entire communities hypocrites when they protest police brutality and march in protests with BLM banners and wearing BLM T-shirts.

Until the black community wakes up–I mean really wakes up–and deals with the issues in their own back yards, on their own streets, how on earth do they think the killing of black people is going to cease? Yeah, the black community has myriad issues to deal with–poverty, illiteracy, mental illness, and homelessness, but are any of these issues a pass to commit crime? The drug-related crimes are over the top–not just those selling illegal drugs, but those committing crimes to get a fix. And then there is the greed, not need aspect of criminality in “the hood.” Carjacking, car theft, home invasions, and robberies. Now, these crimes are committed by every ethnic group, but stay focused–this essay is about black-on-black crimes.

People in the black community complain about the lack of opportunity and diversity in various places, but no one wants to own the problem with black-on-black crime. Why is that? Is it that “black lives matter,” only when the police are involved? Why don’t black lives matter daily, in every community?

Every year, new organizations rise and say they are going to solve the problem. Some may have put a “dent” in the problem, but the problem has not been solved. So many pastors and school leaders have attempted to stem the tide of violence and yet, the violence continues. Has anyone stopped to evaluate why? Has anyone stopped to think about emphasizing the need to stop killing each other in a manner that they see themselves differently? Has anyone thought about effective appropriate parenting classes would be in communities where the kids are angry and rebellious because parents are not parenting? How about parents teaching their children their value and worth before they ever start school? How about parents demonstrating, in front of the children, what it means to be a productive member of society? How about the church leaders stop passing the collection plate long enough to be an effective servant of God in teaching their congregations how to mentor children in their neighborhoods? When we as a community stop being so self-centered that we only care about us and seldom care about others?

When we learn to “love our neighbors as ourselves” real change will occur because love makes a difference. But if people do not love themselves, they are certainly not going to love others. So, let’s start with teaching people how to love themselves–displaying integrity, honor, and compassion. Until we do, the Black Lives Matter movement will continue to be a hypocrisy when black people, keep killing other black people.

Now do not think for a moment that I am advocating dissolution of the Black Lives Matter movement; I’m simply trying to put some perspective into the situation. We need police reform and it needs to begin with how police officers are trained, and continue as review on a regular basis–especially for those veteran officers who learned things one way and are reluctant or even rebellious about learning something new. When we as a people learn to respect all lives–especially those of our sisters and brothers of like skin-tones, maybe, just maybe–we can convince everyone else around us to respect us and our lives. Unless a person is defending their lives–no one should ever be killed–black or white or brown or any other ethnic group simply because of anger and a lack of inability to think before doing. Whenever people “react” to situations without thinking, they lose the ability to control a situation. Learn to respond and respect the lives of all.

Become a 3-dimensional (3D) thinker–thinking beyond what one can see or from just one perspective. When we do, we can solve problems and save lives.

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We Shall See!

Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. Proverbs 17:5-9, 12 NIV

Political Commentary Alert!

Watching the events of this political cycle are a constant cause of me shaking my head in amazement.

Cutting taxes for the very rich–when most don’t pay their fair share and hide money overseas–will not eliminate debt or grow the economy–per the experts–not me. When President Bill Clinton raised the taxes, the economy grew and there was a surplus in the treasury, that was soon eliminated with President Bush and the war effort. How quickly some of us forget–with selective memory.

Childcare tax credits are already part of the tax code.

Praise from children–about parents–who are biased and blind to the truth is seen as a smokescreen by the wise who are able to discern truth from fiction.

Insulting the residents of the City in which a person speaks–beyond foolish and no matter what people think about Detroiters–they can spot a con man a mile away. The gloom and doom predictions for the City of Detroit did not go over well, since Detroit is overcoming deficits. Some problems are real–but most are being addressed and since Trump doesn’t have a clue as to what goes on in this city other than what makes the news, he really should have kept his thoughts to himself.

Of course, it would have made more sense to actually know the history of a region before spewing nonsensical data that is easily refuted. Some experts have determined that in the hour plus speech yesterday, Trump’s facts were negligible 9 times. Had he spent more time preparing for the day by doing some research on the task at hand–the economy–than he did in attack mode–what he had to say may have made an impact, but as it is–it didn’t.

Having to play by the rules is not a comfortable place for Trump and that was evident as he struggled to stay on point with a  (gasp) “teleprompter,” the device used by most intelligent pubic speakers–especially in political arenas–to keep them focused. And since Trump has denounced President Obama for using one, we can see just how he hates it because he thought he was so superior to the President.

The detractors and the haters online–were running true to form. One lady–even warned people to not respond to me because, “I was just a nice woman who had drunk the liberal wine.” Actually, I enjoy having a dialogue with people who have differing views and no matter what they say–I won’t engage in the name-calling or other negative behaviors that most won’t hesitate to use. In fact, I’ve had a few people commend me for my open-mindedness and staying classy–refusing to engage in the hate-baiting. I’m so glad that I allow Holy Spirit to guide my fingers when I comment on an article and later–if a poster responds to me directly, I will respond.

Who makes the most sense in this election cycle? Those who are waiting to hear an actual plan and policy presented–not talk about plans and policies–we want the details before the election!

The more Trump talks, the more we see those in the conservative arena–back away.  It’s as though they smell something foul and don’t want the stench to become embedded in their clothes. Unfortunately, it may be too little too late for them to put forth a candidate who could actually turn this around in their favor.We need someone to govern the nation, not entertain us. That boat has sailed.

As an independent –in thought and pragmatism–I’d vote for Kasich, but it may be too late for any reconsideration.

I’m not big on promoting hate or spewing absolute nonsense–on the part of either party–but I’m convinced that whatever plan God has for this situation–we’ll all just have to live with it. So, we shall see!

Lord, we know You know the end from the beginning, and we trust You in all things, and no matter what happens, it will be for our good.

I’m Coming Down Front Street

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Special Consideration!

“To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress” (Proverbs 28:21).

Just when I thought I had just about heard it all, I discovered that I had not.  When the media is bored and there is nothing else to report, why must they deliberately set out to ruin a person’s reputation?

My reference is to the story which has garnered much discussion both on a local and national level regarding Pastor Marvin Winans http://www.christianpost.com/news/is-famed-pastor-marvin-winans-wrong-for-refusing-to-bless-womans-baby-before-congregation-because-she-is-not-married-106950/ .  The story about the woman in question has been appeared on Huffington Post, Fox News, Washington Post, and other venues.  Why? After reading the aforementioned story, I can only say that there has to be more to this story than is being told.

Churches, like any other entity, have a right, no—an obligation to establish certain policies of procedure and they should be enforced. No one should receive special treatment or expect the policies to be ignored. Since the church’s policy (not Winan’s specific policy) was explained and an option offered, I fail to understand the uproar.

I’ve had this conversation with a few people and some of them disagree, but that notwithstanding, I do not understand why people think a “policy” should be ignored, whether fair or not.  Is it a “just” policy intended for everyone, across the board or are exceptions being made?

If this mother did not like the church’s policy, it would have been so simple to go to another, without all the whoopla! Since church attendance anywhere is a volunteer event, with no strings attached—just leave.  Find a place that will accommodate your lifestyle and leave others out of the drama. The real question is—why make a big deal of this unless she wanted to be given “special consideration”? What makes her think she deserved special consideration? And since she claims, she simply wanted the child to be dedicated to God, why not accept the private dedication service offered? For Christians, those who profess to be true believers, to support this kind of behavior (respecting persons), is a mockery of God’s Word.

An EM for Detroit

An Emergency Manager is supposed to solve problems in the environment for which they are appointed.  So why is it that the EFM for Detroit Public Schools has attached a $1 million budget with his name on it?  If an EM operates on the same level as Roy Roberts, the City of Detroit is in for a very long, rocky ride and the only person benefiting from the deal will be the EM (whoever that is).  I can imagine the tongues hanging out as they salivate–ready to pounce on getting their hands on “easy money” as yet one more person helps themselves and not the purpose for which they were hired.  Come on people!  Wake up!  This is what happens when people don’t vote and don’t vote with wisdom.  An EM for Detroit will be around for a lot longer than the 18 months being touted–just look at other cities in Michigan and other school districts (including DPS) and see what is happening.

Check out the DPS Budget on their website (www.detroitk12.org).  Why does Roy Roberts need $1 million?  There are employees whose salaries have been cut so deeply that after 38 years of employment, they’re making less now than they did ten years ago.  That’s a shame and a disgrace that is attributable to all those who came into the school district with a sole purpose of ripping it off.  That is the future of Detroit with an EM!