The smoke is visible from Illinois capital and a Vice President has been chosen. This is an Olympic relay and we are in the final leg. We must finish the race to win Gold. I should have some insight ---- I was born in the world's fastest nation.
I arrived in the Mile High City today and went to work immediately as a member of the Rules Committee. There, the primary issue on the agenda was to decide on how to address the issue of timing of primaries and caucus and the influence of "super-delegates" on the nomination process. The Committee adopted a resolution to establish a Democratic Change Commission to address all issues systematically. You may view all documents, deliberations, and speeches at www.demconvention.com. Tune in.
Being here is surreal for me, the son and grandson of a hard working immigrant family from a country ( Jamaica ) that is accustomed to making the world out of very little. I travel to Denver with the voice and dreams of many others who are in pursuit of their slice of American life in my luggage. It dawned on me that this party nomination process is serious business. It is confirmed that the same folks who fight for CHANGE internally within the Democratic Party - also fight against CHANGE of the status quo from new forces. It is also resonated to me that we are dead set in the eye of a storm that has squarely to do with the distribution of POWER among stakeholders within the party and ultimately for the Oval Office.
We play a vital role in the equitable (if this is even possible) distribution of power in the best interests of the common good. You certainly cannot stand by and watch this happen from your verandah. For the next 73 days, you will watch TV ads, read newspaper Op-eds, view presidential debates, and the like -- all with the effort to help you make a personal decision for your own well-being and that of your family. You have the power in your vote.
Over the next few days, I will be reporting on my personal experience directly from the floor of the Convention floor at http://marlonhill.blogspot.com Join me in the experience.
Monday - Keynote - Michelle Obama
Tuesday - Sen. Hillary Clinton
Wednesday - Sen. Joe Biden
Thursday - Sen. Barack Obama acceptance speech.
Together, we will be part of the CHANGE we want and NOT part of the CHANGE that passes you by in the dead of the night. Thank you for being there from Day one or even yesterday.
Let's go for the Gold! Join us at www.barackobama.com --- Obama/Biden '08
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
This One is for Rosa
Last year, I shared that I was living in a divided family (and still am to some extent). The women in my family did not really buy my interest or enthusiasm for Senator Obama. However imperfect I am at times - they one by one expressed some faith in my judgment and at least gave me the benefit of the doubt at times on my rantings about the campaign. My aunt in New York is still supportive of Senator Clinton and I encourage her to remain steadfast. We do, however, agree on ONE thing --- CHANGE must arrive in Washington and it will not be in the form of a Bush-McCain third term.
I also share a kindred respect for a number of other women (friends and professional peers) who are both quiet and vocal supporters of Hillary Clinton. This is the bedrock of her support. It troubles me somewhat that some of these friends will not vote for Barack (or even choose McCain) out of any possible disappointment over Sen. Clinton's candidacy. I could not see myself doing the same if the tables were turned. I will work hard to build some trust.
I am especially moved this week -- due to the voice of a lady named Rosa. Every evening, this petite and jovial lady from Nicaragua comes to our office buiding to conduct her janitorial duties in our suite. She always greets me with a smile and a greeting in Spanish. Recently, I had a Obama campaign sign out --- and she commented in Spanish --- "Va a ganar." (He is going to win). She expressed her thoughts about him and simply repeated, "Va a ganar." She only said that she just liked him and that he appeared to have a trusting "alma" - soul. The following week, Rosa approached me and contributed $5.00 for his campaign. She gave me her address and phone number and expressed that she wanted to help him. I was moved. I know nothing more about this friendly and hardworking Nicaraguan woman - but I am sure she is likely the bedrock of some family here in Miami (as a mother, grandmother, or sister).
Whatever I am presently doing in this campaign - fundraising or volunteering - I will do it for all the hardworking people who sacrifice their single dollar --- for the ounce of inspiration or hope that they see in themselves through this campaign - including Rosa. And for my Aunt and other girlfriends who may feel somewhat discontented or dejected on the prospects --- I hope we can heal the political side of our relationship. We have more in common through our familyand friendship to uphold together.
I also share a kindred respect for a number of other women (friends and professional peers) who are both quiet and vocal supporters of Hillary Clinton. This is the bedrock of her support. It troubles me somewhat that some of these friends will not vote for Barack (or even choose McCain) out of any possible disappointment over Sen. Clinton's candidacy. I could not see myself doing the same if the tables were turned. I will work hard to build some trust.
I am especially moved this week -- due to the voice of a lady named Rosa. Every evening, this petite and jovial lady from Nicaragua comes to our office buiding to conduct her janitorial duties in our suite. She always greets me with a smile and a greeting in Spanish. Recently, I had a Obama campaign sign out --- and she commented in Spanish --- "Va a ganar." (He is going to win). She expressed her thoughts about him and simply repeated, "Va a ganar." She only said that she just liked him and that he appeared to have a trusting "alma" - soul. The following week, Rosa approached me and contributed $5.00 for his campaign. She gave me her address and phone number and expressed that she wanted to help him. I was moved. I know nothing more about this friendly and hardworking Nicaraguan woman - but I am sure she is likely the bedrock of some family here in Miami (as a mother, grandmother, or sister).
Whatever I am presently doing in this campaign - fundraising or volunteering - I will do it for all the hardworking people who sacrifice their single dollar --- for the ounce of inspiration or hope that they see in themselves through this campaign - including Rosa. And for my Aunt and other girlfriends who may feel somewhat discontented or dejected on the prospects --- I hope we can heal the political side of our relationship. We have more in common through our familyand friendship to uphold together.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Power of One: Time to Organize Your Field
- On March 9, 2007, a very small group of friends crammed into my office to discuss how we could support Senator Obama's candidacy. We had nothing in the room, but trust and hope in and for each other. We were and still are dreamers of both the possible and impossible.
Besides, how can ONE person change the world, a country, a state, a county , a city, a neighborhood, a block, a home, a family, or themselves? It is easy. It is a simple choice to CHANGE your own apathy or cynicism. It is the decision to stand for something as opposed to against something. For the last fifteen months, the Obama campaign has evoked a spirit that has brought light where there were shadows, smiles where there were frowns, and a bounce where there was a slouch. I have heard voices from some where there was nothing but a whisper. This is why we will not only change the content of our politics, but also the attitude towards our politics. I have learned fully that it is a choice.
Florida is about to be run over with this spirit. If you have not already asked yourself what you could do to contribute - here are some tips on how may begin to contribute to this tsunami of CHANGE (and some of these suggestions have been inspired by our friends working on the ground --- like the indomitable Orlando4Obama grassroots group):
Begin organizing your family and sharing information with them; - Build your field of support in your immediate surroundings (your work associates, social groups, sports clubs, place of worship, etc.) - and develop a database for yourself and the campaign;
- Build a team with specific roles and responsibilities (phone banking, fundraising, canvassing, database management, communications, voter registration logistics, etc.);
- Provide your team with the tools and resources to educate and support each other;
- Be persistent in asking people to do things; and then ask for help again;Praise those who volunteer --- they are after all, volunteers;
- Give your volunteer team a sense of ownership;
- Provide fun opportunities while volunteering (music, food, games, etc);
- Keep asking again.
For additional resources - go to the Grassroots Organizing Action Center: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/actioncenter
It is time to step out of your shell and to realize the power of ONE. This campaign was built from scratch - ONE brick at a time and every brick is a solid contribution - irrespective of size or material. Join US.
The campaign is presently dispatching Field Staff to assist us in organizing YOUR field. Be prepared to engage them (Miami – Alison Griffin, Broward/Palm Beach – Brian Brothman, Tampa – Adam Hoyer, and Orlando – Nick Buis). The cavalry is on the way.
Upcoming events or opportunities to volunteer or organize your field:
Voter Registration at Citizenship Oath Ceremony this Wednesday & Thursday, May 28 & 29, 9am & Noon. Meet at 1680 Michigan St., Miami Beach;
Phone Banks at campaign office or at your home (Call 305-442-7464);
Host a Primary Watch party for June 3 - to organize your field
We are almost there. HOPE. BELIEVE. CHANGE. Obamanos! Organizing cannot happen effectively without financial resources. Make your first contribution -- anything greater than $1 --- http://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/florida. To volunteer at any level - CALL Lynn Eisenberg at 305-442-7464. CHANGE begins with ONE.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Dear Clinton Supporters . . . the Real Superdelegates
Dear Clinton Supporters:
I am glad I have good blood pressure. I am sure we were all glued to the tele into the wee hours. As I watched the pundits psychoanalyze the exit polls and results, I wondered to myself whether they really understand us --- THE VOTER. What we feel . . . How we react . . . What really makes us angry . . .? But they speak for "black" voters or "white" voters as if we are inhuman without any ability to decipher the difference between the actual colors of black and white.
In my book, the real SUPERDELEGATES are the actual voters --- those of you who support Obama and those who support Clinton (I am not going to address McCain just yet). I don't think Senator Obama necessarily needs to win the support of the "elitist" elected delegates to secure and SUSTAIN the nomination. In reality, he needs to connect with and reassure supporters of Senator Clinton of a number of concerns or their own trepidations. You are the real super-delegates --- both in the short term and long term. You have been loyal and committed as I have been for all the right reasons. As far as I am concerned, Senator Clinton is qualified to be president on a number of accounts. And for this reason, you deserve to fight for her right to make her case. Without this process, Senator Obama would not have been able to make his own case. And I would not have been able to reciprocate my loyalty.
For the record, I personally would like to see all voters have their say and I would definitely like to see a fair resolution to the votes in Florida and Michigan. What a mess! Which "superdelegate" was responsible for such a mess? Many of you have voiced your frustrations to me that your vote should be counted. I agree. As superdelegate voters, we need to make sure that the Democratic Party remedies the rules to ensure that this does not occur ever again.
Now comes the most challenging period for the candidates, but more importantly, for us. Do we have the ability to debunk and demystify these invisible barriers of ethnicity, class, race, and religion to move towards a more perfect union? Each time our candidates win or lose, we share the same emotions and dreams. These emotions and dreams are not black or white, fortunate or poor. We cheer and sulk with the same demeanor. A white working class person is not more invisible than a black working class person (and vice versa). We are trying to choose a leader that should has to ability push beyond this threshold. This is what we are fighting for together.
We are the true SUPER-DELEGATES, the few, proud. The party rules simply have it twisted. Don't trick it!
Together, CHANGE will never occur without you. John McCain has no idea what is about to leave the train station.
Let's finish the voting as we have done for the last four months (including a fair resolution of MI and FL) --- then we can talk about what REAL CHANGE is all about. Until then, the race for the real SUPER-DELEGATES continues.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, May 10th, 10am, National Voter Registration Drive - go to www.barackobama.com/voteforchange --- to find the nearest location to you to volunteer (Vote for Change Registration Event at Facebook as well). Join us at the American Legion, 6445 NE 7th Ave, Miami, FL at 10am. Call 305-442-7464 to VOLUNTEER
To continue support to the campaign - go to http://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/florida
Strength and Honor,
I am glad I have good blood pressure. I am sure we were all glued to the tele into the wee hours. As I watched the pundits psychoanalyze the exit polls and results, I wondered to myself whether they really understand us --- THE VOTER. What we feel . . . How we react . . . What really makes us angry . . .? But they speak for "black" voters or "white" voters as if we are inhuman without any ability to decipher the difference between the actual colors of black and white.
In my book, the real SUPERDELEGATES are the actual voters --- those of you who support Obama and those who support Clinton (I am not going to address McCain just yet). I don't think Senator Obama necessarily needs to win the support of the "elitist" elected delegates to secure and SUSTAIN the nomination. In reality, he needs to connect with and reassure supporters of Senator Clinton of a number of concerns or their own trepidations. You are the real super-delegates --- both in the short term and long term. You have been loyal and committed as I have been for all the right reasons. As far as I am concerned, Senator Clinton is qualified to be president on a number of accounts. And for this reason, you deserve to fight for her right to make her case. Without this process, Senator Obama would not have been able to make his own case. And I would not have been able to reciprocate my loyalty.
For the record, I personally would like to see all voters have their say and I would definitely like to see a fair resolution to the votes in Florida and Michigan. What a mess! Which "superdelegate" was responsible for such a mess? Many of you have voiced your frustrations to me that your vote should be counted. I agree. As superdelegate voters, we need to make sure that the Democratic Party remedies the rules to ensure that this does not occur ever again.
Now comes the most challenging period for the candidates, but more importantly, for us. Do we have the ability to debunk and demystify these invisible barriers of ethnicity, class, race, and religion to move towards a more perfect union? Each time our candidates win or lose, we share the same emotions and dreams. These emotions and dreams are not black or white, fortunate or poor. We cheer and sulk with the same demeanor. A white working class person is not more invisible than a black working class person (and vice versa). We are trying to choose a leader that should has to ability push beyond this threshold. This is what we are fighting for together.
We are the true SUPER-DELEGATES, the few, proud. The party rules simply have it twisted. Don't trick it!
Together, CHANGE will never occur without you. John McCain has no idea what is about to leave the train station.
Let's finish the voting as we have done for the last four months (including a fair resolution of MI and FL) --- then we can talk about what REAL CHANGE is all about. Until then, the race for the real SUPER-DELEGATES continues.
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, May 10th, 10am, National Voter Registration Drive - go to www.barackobama.com/voteforchange --- to find the nearest location to you to volunteer (Vote for Change Registration Event at Facebook as well). Join us at the American Legion, 6445 NE 7th Ave, Miami, FL at 10am. Call 305-442-7464 to VOLUNTEER
To continue support to the campaign - go to http://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/florida
Strength and Honor,
Monday, May 5, 2008
Are We One Nation Under God, Indivisible . . . ?
This weekend, I went to Mass alone at a visiting church to hear from the retiring Archbishop of Roman Catholic Church in Jamaica, the Most Rev. Lawrence Burke who was visiting to attend alumni events related to my former Jesuit high school in Jamaica. As I took my seat at this unfamiliar sanctuary, I sat next to two unknown parishioners. Let's just say that both parishioners were not of my same race. But one thing was for sure - we were there primarily to partake in the same spiritual tradition (In the Name of the Father - en el nombre del Padre, the Son - y del Hijo, and the Holy Spirit - y del Espiritu Santo) and to take communion together in the name of a mutual God.
In his homily, Bishop Burke spoke profoundly about the singular faith we shared with each other from all walks of life. As he expressed his struggles with chemo treatment for cancer, he called on the bond we shared to uplift him. Then, the congregation participated in my most favorite part of the Mass where we shared peace with each other. I turned to my congregational neighbors - we shared peace with each other - we became one under God.
Unfortunately, given the current shape of the electoral demographics, it is worrisome that we are moving away from the loyalty to our Pledge of Allegiance. The pundits in the media are now experts on what type of voters will swing in a particular way based on their race, class, or religious leaning. We have been distracted away from the primary purpose why we are called to a particular faith. I hope that we will uphold certain truths as self-evident --- and the bond that we have with each other ---- indivisible under our "respective" God with liberty and justice for all.
Let's see how our allegiance plays out tomorrow in NC and IA.
Upcoming Events:
PRIMARIES IN NORTH CAROLINA AND INDIANA - TOMORROW
Saturday, May 10th, 10am, National Voter Registration Drive - go to www.barackobama.com/voteforchange --- to find the nearest location to you to volunteer (Vote for Change Registration Event at Facebook as well). Call 305-442-7464 to VOLUNTEER
To continue support to the campaign - go to http://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/florida
Peace be with you,
In his homily, Bishop Burke spoke profoundly about the singular faith we shared with each other from all walks of life. As he expressed his struggles with chemo treatment for cancer, he called on the bond we shared to uplift him. Then, the congregation participated in my most favorite part of the Mass where we shared peace with each other. I turned to my congregational neighbors - we shared peace with each other - we became one under God.
Unfortunately, given the current shape of the electoral demographics, it is worrisome that we are moving away from the loyalty to our Pledge of Allegiance. The pundits in the media are now experts on what type of voters will swing in a particular way based on their race, class, or religious leaning. We have been distracted away from the primary purpose why we are called to a particular faith. I hope that we will uphold certain truths as self-evident --- and the bond that we have with each other ---- indivisible under our "respective" God with liberty and justice for all.
Let's see how our allegiance plays out tomorrow in NC and IA.
Upcoming Events:
PRIMARIES IN NORTH CAROLINA AND INDIANA - TOMORROW
Saturday, May 10th, 10am, National Voter Registration Drive - go to www.barackobama.com/voteforchange --- to find the nearest location to you to volunteer (Vote for Change Registration Event at Facebook as well). Call 305-442-7464 to VOLUNTEER
To continue support to the campaign - go to http://donate.barackobama.com/page/contribute/florida
Peace be with you,
Friday, May 2, 2008
Obama Yes
I am going to begin to turn up the volume of my Blogs to signal that we are approaching the finish line of selecting a leader. Here is a recent article from a family friend and one of the most profound voices in contemporary society. Period. Thank you for reading, listening, and acting on your voice.
Obama Yes
By Edwidge Danticat , May 2008 Issue
Edwidge Danticat is a Haitian-American writer living in Miami. Her most recent book, “Brother, I’m Dying,” won the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography.
http://www.progressive.org/mag_danticat0508
Because, as you may have possibly heard, the Democratic Presidential candidates did not campaign in Miami, where I live, and they, as of now, are not having a revote here, I am one of a handful of people with an Obama ’08 bumper sticker glued to the back of my car. In a city filled with exotic SUVs and flashier automobiles, my small Toyota Echo inspires conversation wherever I go. Though I have published a few books, I am not used to so much attention. In addition to the occasional supportive honking and thumbs-ups, these are the five most frequent inquiries to my bumper sticker and my now, oft-repeated responses to them.
Q: Wherever did you get it?
A: It was smuggled across state lines.
This is true. My bumper sticker came to me via a friend who’d been telling my husband and me to prepare to campaign for Obama soon after the Senator spoke at the Democratic National Convention four years ago. The day Barack Obama declared his actual candidacy and the stickers were printed, my friend got a bunch of them sent from the Obama headquarters in Chicago and distributed them to a few of us down here in Miami. Who knew my bumper sticker would be campaigning harder than I would?
Q: Did you know that his middle name is Hussein?
A: Quick, what’s your middle name?
Usually, it’s something embarrassing that the person does not want to share with a total stranger. Those who do own up to their own middle names eventually admit that their parents could not be expected to be seers and predict that it might one day become unpopular. I then add that my middle name is Rosa, and then say, “Look, I’m not exactly blooming in Spanish, am I?”
Q: We’ll have a race war if he wins.
A: Does that mean we can look forward to a gender war if Hillary Clinton turns out to be the nominee and the President of the United States?
No one’s ever really sure what to say to that one, even though one teenage girl fidgeting at her mother’s side in the supermarket parking lot did say, “A gender war might be kind of cool.”
Q: He’s all talk and no substance.
A: Look at what the “substance” that people voted for the last two times got us into: A disastrous war. A looming recession, if it isn’t already here. And we got mispronounced words on top of it.
“Oh the horror!” as Joseph Conrad might say.
Actually one woman in a mall parking lot turned her nose up at me and pointing at my bumper sticker actually shouted, “The horror!”
Q: He will be killed if elected.
A: I can’t be glib about this one because the people who say it to me are always so earnest. Often they are older men and women, many of whom have lived through the civil rights era and its many assassinations. “There are ‘Who Killed Obama?’ sweatshirts being sold in one shop in Manhattan,” one woman tells me. We have to hope, I say, that we live in a truly different age, where these other deaths paved the way for this dream to live.
All know is that whether or not Senator Obama captures the Democratic nomination, my sticker is here to stay. I am supporting him because this country desperately needs a change of leadership and that change needs to be ground-breaking. We need to be stirred out of our current apathy in a way that our neighbors’ foreclosures and a nearly $4 gallon of gas still hasn’t managed to.
I am supporting him because the prospect of my daughter’s grandchildren having to show up for that hundredth year in Iraq terrifies me. At least Obama had the sense to oppose the war even when doing so risked getting painted by the unpatriotic brush.
I am supporting him because, frankly, the win-at-all-cost mentality of the other side disgusts me. I am a feminist who is bothered by the double-entendre of the 3 a.m. phone call, which leaves hanging in the air the not so subliminal suggestion that one has a more experienced spouse who might also answer in the dead of night should terrorists attack. To use fear-mongering to win a primary suggests to me that it might erode a Presidency, and we have had enough of that.
Obama Yes
By Edwidge Danticat , May 2008 Issue
Edwidge Danticat is a Haitian-American writer living in Miami. Her most recent book, “Brother, I’m Dying,” won the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography.
http://www.progressive.org/mag_danticat0508
Because, as you may have possibly heard, the Democratic Presidential candidates did not campaign in Miami, where I live, and they, as of now, are not having a revote here, I am one of a handful of people with an Obama ’08 bumper sticker glued to the back of my car. In a city filled with exotic SUVs and flashier automobiles, my small Toyota Echo inspires conversation wherever I go. Though I have published a few books, I am not used to so much attention. In addition to the occasional supportive honking and thumbs-ups, these are the five most frequent inquiries to my bumper sticker and my now, oft-repeated responses to them.
Q: Wherever did you get it?
A: It was smuggled across state lines.
This is true. My bumper sticker came to me via a friend who’d been telling my husband and me to prepare to campaign for Obama soon after the Senator spoke at the Democratic National Convention four years ago. The day Barack Obama declared his actual candidacy and the stickers were printed, my friend got a bunch of them sent from the Obama headquarters in Chicago and distributed them to a few of us down here in Miami. Who knew my bumper sticker would be campaigning harder than I would?
Q: Did you know that his middle name is Hussein?
A: Quick, what’s your middle name?
Usually, it’s something embarrassing that the person does not want to share with a total stranger. Those who do own up to their own middle names eventually admit that their parents could not be expected to be seers and predict that it might one day become unpopular. I then add that my middle name is Rosa, and then say, “Look, I’m not exactly blooming in Spanish, am I?”
Q: We’ll have a race war if he wins.
A: Does that mean we can look forward to a gender war if Hillary Clinton turns out to be the nominee and the President of the United States?
No one’s ever really sure what to say to that one, even though one teenage girl fidgeting at her mother’s side in the supermarket parking lot did say, “A gender war might be kind of cool.”
Q: He’s all talk and no substance.
A: Look at what the “substance” that people voted for the last two times got us into: A disastrous war. A looming recession, if it isn’t already here. And we got mispronounced words on top of it.
“Oh the horror!” as Joseph Conrad might say.
Actually one woman in a mall parking lot turned her nose up at me and pointing at my bumper sticker actually shouted, “The horror!”
Q: He will be killed if elected.
A: I can’t be glib about this one because the people who say it to me are always so earnest. Often they are older men and women, many of whom have lived through the civil rights era and its many assassinations. “There are ‘Who Killed Obama?’ sweatshirts being sold in one shop in Manhattan,” one woman tells me. We have to hope, I say, that we live in a truly different age, where these other deaths paved the way for this dream to live.
All know is that whether or not Senator Obama captures the Democratic nomination, my sticker is here to stay. I am supporting him because this country desperately needs a change of leadership and that change needs to be ground-breaking. We need to be stirred out of our current apathy in a way that our neighbors’ foreclosures and a nearly $4 gallon of gas still hasn’t managed to.
I am supporting him because the prospect of my daughter’s grandchildren having to show up for that hundredth year in Iraq terrifies me. At least Obama had the sense to oppose the war even when doing so risked getting painted by the unpatriotic brush.
I am supporting him because, frankly, the win-at-all-cost mentality of the other side disgusts me. I am a feminist who is bothered by the double-entendre of the 3 a.m. phone call, which leaves hanging in the air the not so subliminal suggestion that one has a more experienced spouse who might also answer in the dead of night should terrorists attack. To use fear-mongering to win a primary suggests to me that it might erode a Presidency, and we have had enough of that.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Dear Uncle J
Dear Uncle J:
Blessings to you. I hope God will continue to uplift your spirit as you do his work. I always wondered what you were thinking and feeling in the weeks following the looping soundbites of your sermons. You must have been and probably are still upset or troubled. It is clear that most people are unable to take the time to listen to the entire sermons and decide for themselves the full body of your work and that of your church and denomination. That is our bad, especially the media.
It is also clear to me that we are one screwed up family (poor v. fortunate, black v. white, man v. woman, believers v. non-believers, red states v. blue states). We say one thing and do another. We worship the same God in different places on Saturday and Sunday. We talk past each other. We glorify everything else but our God. We identify with every other human quality, except the one that matters the most, the relationship with a common God. How did we end up this way, Uncle J?
Certainly, Uncle J, you have to do what you do as a pastor, but I wonder what do you expect from us as you stand up for yourself and the (our) "black" church? Are you going to just leave us out there like that? Uncle J, honestly I find myself uplifted by the clarity of your pastoral sense of purpose and troubled by shallowness of our society to embrace the underlying issues of your comments. Likewise, Uncle J, it is difficult for me to fully identify or connect with to some of your comments or conclusions (an AIDS conspiracy? Is that metaphorical?). But, now that we have placed these on our dinner table, who will pass the salt and pepper?
America has not acheived its full global purpose because it has failed to directly address issues of race and class. For this reason, the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama takes on a higher metaphysical meaning. Who is better prepared to call the country together to address the economic hardships, access to healthcare, improvement of our education system, the list goes on. Let's stay focused on the leadership needed to not only solve our core daily challenges, but also to amend and reconcile the soul of America. The question is, Uncle J, do we have the courage to own up to the core values of America and to ourselves?
I recognize that you will continue to be present for a number of upcoming dinners and get-togethers at home. Uncle J, you are a part of us, whether we celebrate you or cringe on the bite of your words. Now that we have heard from you, Uncle J, in all forums of the house, would you please allow us to get back to the order of finishing our dinner? I have enough on my plate (keeping my business afloat, prescriptions for my wife, a Mom without employment and a rebellious diabetic, a veteran brother, living in the poorest city in the nation . . . ). You get the picture.
We promise to own up to the root of our family pain. I personally promise. May God be with you and the family.
Until the next,
Marlon
Blessings to you. I hope God will continue to uplift your spirit as you do his work. I always wondered what you were thinking and feeling in the weeks following the looping soundbites of your sermons. You must have been and probably are still upset or troubled. It is clear that most people are unable to take the time to listen to the entire sermons and decide for themselves the full body of your work and that of your church and denomination. That is our bad, especially the media.
It is also clear to me that we are one screwed up family (poor v. fortunate, black v. white, man v. woman, believers v. non-believers, red states v. blue states). We say one thing and do another. We worship the same God in different places on Saturday and Sunday. We talk past each other. We glorify everything else but our God. We identify with every other human quality, except the one that matters the most, the relationship with a common God. How did we end up this way, Uncle J?
Certainly, Uncle J, you have to do what you do as a pastor, but I wonder what do you expect from us as you stand up for yourself and the (our) "black" church? Are you going to just leave us out there like that? Uncle J, honestly I find myself uplifted by the clarity of your pastoral sense of purpose and troubled by shallowness of our society to embrace the underlying issues of your comments. Likewise, Uncle J, it is difficult for me to fully identify or connect with to some of your comments or conclusions (an AIDS conspiracy? Is that metaphorical?). But, now that we have placed these on our dinner table, who will pass the salt and pepper?
America has not acheived its full global purpose because it has failed to directly address issues of race and class. For this reason, the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama takes on a higher metaphysical meaning. Who is better prepared to call the country together to address the economic hardships, access to healthcare, improvement of our education system, the list goes on. Let's stay focused on the leadership needed to not only solve our core daily challenges, but also to amend and reconcile the soul of America. The question is, Uncle J, do we have the courage to own up to the core values of America and to ourselves?
I recognize that you will continue to be present for a number of upcoming dinners and get-togethers at home. Uncle J, you are a part of us, whether we celebrate you or cringe on the bite of your words. Now that we have heard from you, Uncle J, in all forums of the house, would you please allow us to get back to the order of finishing our dinner? I have enough on my plate (keeping my business afloat, prescriptions for my wife, a Mom without employment and a rebellious diabetic, a veteran brother, living in the poorest city in the nation . . . ). You get the picture.
We promise to own up to the root of our family pain. I personally promise. May God be with you and the family.
Until the next,
Marlon
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