Bringing Unity Back to the Community- #BlackLivesMatter
I was listening to Roland Martin’s show on Periscope a
couple days ago and was just floored at the mentality of some of the people in
his chat. One lady called in and was asking questions about Black Lives Matter
and about getting involved. As she continued speaking, she asked him about what
celebrities were getting involved, implying they were not doing enough. Roland
named off several but then went on to voice the very thing that was in my
thoughts… why should it matter if celebrities get involved or not. What are YOU
doing?
There was another commenter in the chat section saying he
was just waiting to see if it would be effective to determine if he would do
something or not. My reply to him was, if everyone sat around waiting, nothing
would ever get accomplished because no one would ever get started! Once again,
I was just floored at the things being said and felt had they really put
thought into it, maybe they would feel the way I did too. This is a reason I
think dialogue is important because sometimes people just don’t understand or
have not been able to see it from a different prospective and it causes them to
think. There is a difference however when you are trying to have a conversation
with someone who clearly has no intention of trying to understand or be empathetic,
there is no sense in wasting your time. Just move on. Those types of people are
just looking for someone to fight with. Don’t fall for it.
For weeks I have thought about how few people want to take
action in their own backyards and wondered when did we become people that
waited on someone else to come along to do something?
I thought back to the civil rights era and in my eyes, it
was about getting equal access and rights, not about leaving our own
communities. We were successful business owners, educated and the “village”
worked together. Even here in Florida where I live, I see the communities with
Vietnamese, Hispanics, etc… and they have their own stores. Why did we lose our
communities which in essence caused us to lose ourselves? Were we misguided? If
we knew what the outcome would be, what could we have done differently and how
can we get back what we lost?
Fast forward to today… our country has so many churches in
our communities. Churches that have people in poverty and despair just outside
their doors. When did the churches stop being involved in the communities and
become pew warmers?
Where I come from, there wasn’t much respect for the NAACP
chapter and it had a reputation for “doing
nothing”, not my words. I never personally used them, but that was the talk in
the town from even when I was growing up. As a result of that, when I moved further south, I just assumed
they were all like that. I was invited a banquet on the coast for their NAACP
chapter and was blown away, not just by the caliber of people there, keynote
was a former high ranking politician from PA, but the actions they were taking in the
communities. They provided computers for the kids once they completed a program
they had in place and also made sure they could go to college if they desired. I
was so excited, I couldn’t want to go back to my area and join. I was
disappointed when I was told it was inactive. This led me to believe that all
chapters are not the same. It’s the PEOPLE in those chapter that made the
difference. People who decided that more than a title, they wanted to make a difference
in the lives of our young people. That was years ago but has made an impact in
my life in a big way and showed me the possibilities and what determination and
commitment to a cause can do.
I am thankful that as God continues to direct my path and
order my steps, He also expands my mind while keeping my heart on doing what is
right wherever life takes me. As individuals, I ask, what are you willing to do? Those of
you in church, what is your church doing in your own community? Why are we
still waiting for someone when that someone is you and me. One person can make
such an impact. Just imagine what would happen if many people worked together.
Who is leading our children? What examples are you setting
in your own home? I see too many parents being friends and not providing
guidance. Maybe they didn’t learn themselves and need help too? If they wanted
help, what resources are in the communities? Our churches need to get back to
taking care of God’s people. No wonder attendance is on the decline. People
need love, not to be looked down on. If they feel you don’t care, why should
they come back? All of the things that are going on in this world are in
alignment with God’s Word. I firmly believe hearts are being hardened to get
the people turned back to God.
Many people down mega churches for whatever reason, but the
ones I am connected with are at least doing something to make a difference in
the community through food pantries, providing for the homeless, prison ministries, community outreach, education
and evangelism… what are you and yours doing to make a difference?
I see a lot of people downing people like Rev Al Sharpton.
Once again, instead of turning on leaders, support them, hold them accountable
but don’t discredit them as you do nothing. He has done a lot for all of us. He
is only one man. No one is perfect and we all make mistakes. What are you
doing? I watched him and others here on the ground when we were marching to get
justice for Trayvon. His mother died during that time. He went home to bury her
and was right back on the front line. No matter what anyone says, he truly
cares. If push comes to shove, many of the ones talking about him would be the
first ones wanting him on the ground fighting for them.
Our people are so misguided and turning on the ones trying
to help shine light on the injustices of
this country and world. Ever wonder why the people fighting against us always
embrace the ones that are out of touch with what is really going on in our
communities and speak the words they like to hear? They are the very people who
some of us feel have sold out? They call the people that choose to speak up
about the issues of this country affecting us race baiters to get us to shut up
and to keep from having to face the ugliness they have perpetuated. If nothing
is done, nothing will ever change.
Open your eyes. Open your hearts. Open your minds. If we are
to take back our communities, there is nothing the government or anyone else
can do better than those who live and work there. We have to love our young people
and bring back a sense of hope to them. When we left them to fend for
themselves, we left them to the streets to raise. It’s time to strengthen families
and get back to God. We as a people have been tearing each other down instead
of trying to build each other up. It’s time to break this cycle!
Where do you stand? I still have hope for a better tomorrow
for my children and grandchildren and will continue to use my pen and voice to
raise awareness and prayerfully open eyes.
The next step is up to you and you… as always, let me hear
your thoughts. Are we holding ourselves accountable? Will you hold your church
accountable?
Peace, blessings and love!
~MzV~
