In the aftermath of the Kerrick-Ferrell trial the verdict of a "hung jury" comes as no surprise. The make-up of the jury was a tale-tale indication that there would be no "guilty verdict." Seven whites, three African-Americans (one Black Man) and two Latinos made up the jury, with four white alternates.
The jury split 8-4 to acquit Officer Kerrick in the senseless shooting of Jonathan Ferrell, an unarmed Black man seeking help after wrecking his girlfriend's car and knocking on a neighbor's door, in the early morning hours.
African-Americans surely cannot be surprised at the verdict. Assuming that the 8-4 vote was along racial lines, I am pleasantly surprised that the African-Americans and at least one of the Latino jurors, stood their ground and refused to compromise their convictions, given the climate of white privilege and institutional racism in our nation.
Now what do we do? Do we go back to business as usual or do we force the hand of our city officials to review the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Use-of-Force Policy with citizen involvement? Do we simply sit back and go back to our old racially divided ways or do we come to the table of brotherhood and justice and truly confront one anothers' biases and racial phobias? Do we let the death of Jonathan Ferrell mean nothing or do we sit down together and challenge one another in our churches and business environment to deal with our racial divisions?
This verdict is not simply a verdict about a white police officer killing an unarmed Black Man, this verdict is about Charlotte and the nation's racial division...and it is no surprise!
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Occupy Your Destiny : The Kerrick Trail and The Eyes of the Nation
Occupy Your Destiny : The Kerrick Trail and The Eyes of the Nation: The eyes of the nation will be peering into the soul of the City of Charlotte in just a few days. On July 20th the manslaughter trial of fo...
The Kerrick Trail and The Eyes of the Nation
The eyes of the nation will be peering into the soul of the City of Charlotte in just a few days. On July 20th the manslaughter trial of former Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer Randall Kerrick will begin. Kerrick is charged with the killing of an unarmed Black man, Jonathan Ferrell, a college graduate, former football player at Florida A&M.
This will be one of the first trials of a Police Officer in a major city, in recent times. In Ferguson there was no indictment; in Cleveland there was no grand jury indictment although the clergy and other community leaders used an obscure Ohio statute to bring a judicial indictment.
I have been asked repeatedly by reporters and my white clergy colleagues, the question that is on the mind of most Charlotteans, "Will there be civil unrest?" "Will there be riots, looting, violence and destruction in our city?"
My response to that is, that the potential is present. What we must watch for very early and take note of is the make-up of the jury. If the jury is dominated by white men and Kerrick is found not-guilty, the probability of violence in the streets is almost certain.
The jury must be balanced and it must include Black men. If the jury is balanced and include Black men, I believe that regardless of the verdict, we will be able to have a civil discussion without emotional and violent reactions.
Let me know your thoughts.
Dr. P. M. Davis
Nations Ford Community Church
Charlotte, NC
This will be one of the first trials of a Police Officer in a major city, in recent times. In Ferguson there was no indictment; in Cleveland there was no grand jury indictment although the clergy and other community leaders used an obscure Ohio statute to bring a judicial indictment.
I have been asked repeatedly by reporters and my white clergy colleagues, the question that is on the mind of most Charlotteans, "Will there be civil unrest?" "Will there be riots, looting, violence and destruction in our city?"
My response to that is, that the potential is present. What we must watch for very early and take note of is the make-up of the jury. If the jury is dominated by white men and Kerrick is found not-guilty, the probability of violence in the streets is almost certain.
The jury must be balanced and it must include Black men. If the jury is balanced and include Black men, I believe that regardless of the verdict, we will be able to have a civil discussion without emotional and violent reactions.
Let me know your thoughts.
Dr. P. M. Davis
Nations Ford Community Church
Charlotte, NC
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Don't Lose Sight of The Issue - The Culture of Racism and White Privilege
The tragic massacre of nine innocent black people a week ago today, sparked discussions and dialogues about the reality of the racial divide in our nation.
However once again we have allowed the liberal left media; the moderate middle media; and the conservative right media, all controlled by white America, to slant and shift the dialogue and discussions away from the systematic, institutionalized culture of racism in America - to debates and confusing conversations about the issues of gun control; persecution of Christianity; and the Confederate flag.
While each of these subjects are important and have merit in the overall conversation to bring healing to the nation, let us not forget that our goal and thus our conversations and efforts should be about changing the culture of white privilege that is at the heart of racism!
His intent was clear, he wanted to kill black people! His motivation was clear, he was motivated by racial hatred, bigotry, and white supremacist ideology. Thus our debate, conversations and dialogue should be focused on the issue of dismantling the accepted culture of systematic institutionalized racism that exist at core and in the heart of America.
It just so happened that he chose to enter a church in order to carry out his intentions. He entered a church because as he stated in his manifesto, “I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is [the] most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country."
But let's not get sidetracked, Dylann Roof's attack was an attack on black people and black culture as he stated, not on Christianity as such. There were plenty of white churches he could have entered and killed Christians if that was his intent. No, his intent was to kill blacks in hopes of starting a race war. This intentional racist act was born out of fear, hatred, and a culture of white superiority and white privilege.
In the words of Pastor Kevin Cosby, "Culture is the unique way in which a people do life and experience reality." Whites since the founding of America have done life and experienced reality as a people who believed that they were privileged, superior and thus supreme compared to others. White supremacy sought to dismantle Native American culture and way of life and to dismantle black culture and way of life because they were perceived to be inferior and pathological.
The White liberal racist says, "I care about you and because of my privileged position and superiority to you, I know what is best for you, and so if you want to experience my reality, do what I say and follow my lead."
The White conservative racist says, "Because of my privileged position and superiority to you, I don't really need to care about or be bothered with you, but if you want to experience my reality, watch me and try to do what I do."
In either case, black culture is viewed as a threat to the privilege position and superiority that whites believe are inherently theirs. This mindset and culture has permeated every sector of society, business, education, criminal justice, legal, medical, entertainment and sports, and yes, even the Church and Religious communities.
This is the mindset, the culture that we should be discussing, because this is the mindset and culture that Dylann Roof took with him into Emmanuel AME Church a week ago and killed nine innocent black people with no remorse.
However once again we have allowed the liberal left media; the moderate middle media; and the conservative right media, all controlled by white America, to slant and shift the dialogue and discussions away from the systematic, institutionalized culture of racism in America - to debates and confusing conversations about the issues of gun control; persecution of Christianity; and the Confederate flag.
While each of these subjects are important and have merit in the overall conversation to bring healing to the nation, let us not forget that our goal and thus our conversations and efforts should be about changing the culture of white privilege that is at the heart of racism!
His intent was clear, he wanted to kill black people! His motivation was clear, he was motivated by racial hatred, bigotry, and white supremacist ideology. Thus our debate, conversations and dialogue should be focused on the issue of dismantling the accepted culture of systematic institutionalized racism that exist at core and in the heart of America.
It just so happened that he chose to enter a church in order to carry out his intentions. He entered a church because as he stated in his manifesto, “I am not in the position to, alone, go into the ghetto and fight. I chose Charleston because it is [the] most historic city in my state, and at one time had the highest ratio of blacks to Whites in the country."
But let's not get sidetracked, Dylann Roof's attack was an attack on black people and black culture as he stated, not on Christianity as such. There were plenty of white churches he could have entered and killed Christians if that was his intent. No, his intent was to kill blacks in hopes of starting a race war. This intentional racist act was born out of fear, hatred, and a culture of white superiority and white privilege.
In the words of Pastor Kevin Cosby, "Culture is the unique way in which a people do life and experience reality." Whites since the founding of America have done life and experienced reality as a people who believed that they were privileged, superior and thus supreme compared to others. White supremacy sought to dismantle Native American culture and way of life and to dismantle black culture and way of life because they were perceived to be inferior and pathological.
White privilege is a way of living which consciously and unconsciously imposes cultural conformity. Simply put, white privilege says, "You must do life like I do life and experience reality as I do, because yours is inferior and pathological."
The White liberal racist says, "I care about you and because of my privileged position and superiority to you, I know what is best for you, and so if you want to experience my reality, do what I say and follow my lead."
The White conservative racist says, "Because of my privileged position and superiority to you, I don't really need to care about or be bothered with you, but if you want to experience my reality, watch me and try to do what I do."
In either case, black culture is viewed as a threat to the privilege position and superiority that whites believe are inherently theirs. This mindset and culture has permeated every sector of society, business, education, criminal justice, legal, medical, entertainment and sports, and yes, even the Church and Religious communities.
This is the mindset, the culture that we should be discussing, because this is the mindset and culture that Dylann Roof took with him into Emmanuel AME Church a week ago and killed nine innocent black people with no remorse.
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Another Perspective on Charleston Shooting - Adam Where Are You?
One week ago, we as a nation felt the horror and the pain of hearing about nine innocent people being brutally massacred at a church prayer meeting and bible study. As ugly, vicious and vile this hate crime was, I cannot help but wonder what could have prevented this? Is there anything that could have stopped this horrendous and cowardly act of hatred?
Each time I ask myself that question, I keep coming back to the same thing. There is something that could have stopped this. There is something that could have prevented this sick soul from walking into the church and killing nine precious saints.
You might disagree with me, but I believe that this specific incident could have been prevented by the same force that can prevent much of the black-on-black killings and much of the crime and violence we experience on a daily basis in our communities and throughout the nation.
That fact that in this small gathering of people, there were six women and three men killed causes me to ask, "Men where were you?"
I can't help but to believe that the presence of more men at the church prayer and bible study, would not have made a difference. This is not to place blame or to excuse the act itself, however I simply believe that with more men present, this coward would not have taken the liberty to eliminate the lives of so many. When men are not present in church and in our families in numbers resembling our presence at sporting events; concerts; and in clubs or even at work, we leave a void and we leave our families, our churches and our communities unprotected from the evil one.
God asked Adam in the garden, "Adam where are you?" Today I believe God is asking once again, "Men where are you?"
Dr. Phillip M. Davis is Senior Pastor of Nations Ford Community Church of Charlotte and author of the soon to be released book, "The Untapped Power of A Man"
www.phillipdavisministries.org
www.nationsford.org
Each time I ask myself that question, I keep coming back to the same thing. There is something that could have stopped this. There is something that could have prevented this sick soul from walking into the church and killing nine precious saints.
You might disagree with me, but I believe that this specific incident could have been prevented by the same force that can prevent much of the black-on-black killings and much of the crime and violence we experience on a daily basis in our communities and throughout the nation.
That fact that in this small gathering of people, there were six women and three men killed causes me to ask, "Men where were you?"
I can't help but to believe that the presence of more men at the church prayer and bible study, would not have made a difference. This is not to place blame or to excuse the act itself, however I simply believe that with more men present, this coward would not have taken the liberty to eliminate the lives of so many. When men are not present in church and in our families in numbers resembling our presence at sporting events; concerts; and in clubs or even at work, we leave a void and we leave our families, our churches and our communities unprotected from the evil one.
God asked Adam in the garden, "Adam where are you?" Today I believe God is asking once again, "Men where are you?"
Dr. Phillip M. Davis is Senior Pastor of Nations Ford Community Church of Charlotte and author of the soon to be released book, "The Untapped Power of A Man"
www.phillipdavisministries.org
www.nationsford.org
Occupy Your Destiny : What The White Church Must Do
Occupy Your Destiny : What The White Church Must Do: What The White Church Must Do Dr. Phillip M. Davis Nations Ford Community Church The tragic, senseless and cowardly act of violence...
Sunday, June 21, 2015
What The White Church Must Do
What The White Church Must Do
Dr. Phillip M. Davis
Nations Ford Community Church
The tragic, senseless and cowardly act of violence that we
witnessed this week in Charleston, SC is just the tip of the iceberg! Let’s be frank and open, this was a vicious
act of terrorism and this massacre; this slaughter of nine innocent, loving
people who prayed with the killer and held hands with him…was a racist act! However, Dylann Roof, while being the lone gunman,
did not enter that Holy Sanctuary alone.
He entered that sanctuary to kill black people, while
standing on the shoulders of those who indoctrinated his mind and the institutionalized
Confederate heritage that shaped his racist attitudes. He drove his car on streets named after
Confederate Generals who fought to keep blacks slaves and saw blacks as subhuman
and inferior. He entered that sanctuary
under the cover of a Confederate flag that is proudly displayed officially over
the state of South Carolina.
Dylann Roof, killed The Charleston Nine…The Rev. Clementa
Pinckney; Cynthia Hurd; The Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton; Tywanza Sanders;
Ethel Lance; Susie Jackson; Depayne Middleton Doctor; The Rev. Daniel Simmons;
and Myra Thompson. He killed them for no reason other than racial hatred and the
ignorance and evil that filled his heart.
He had come in his short lifespan, to hate black people and like so many
white males, he had come to fear black people!
In the wake of this tragic event, many of my white brothers
in Christ, especially those who are evangelical Christian pastors and leaders
of large and mega-churches are still deafeningly silent! Sure some have written blogs about how terrible
this act of violence is and others have used Social Media to express how heartbroken
they are over this event and I do believe that we all are broken by this
bloodshed. However, I will say again,
Dylann Roof is the tip of the iceberg and he did not enter Emmanuel AME Church
alone and he did not act alone! Dylann
Roof had the silent permission of white pastors and white men and women of
goodwill, who have remained silent about the sin of racism for centuries!
When white pastors and white people of good will remain
silent about the sin of racism, while shouting about the issues of abortion; the
radical homosexual agenda; and other causes that are held dear to the
evangelical right…by default they sanction the bigotry and injustices perpetrated
routinely under the cover of institutionalized racism.
If Dylann Roof were black he would not be a “troubled young
man,” he would be called a “thug.” If
Dylan Roof were from the middle east, he would not be a “troubled young man,”
he would be called a “terrorist.” If he
were anything other than white he would represent his race or ethnic group, but
because he is white, he is “troubled young man,” and he does not represent all
white people.
Just as our African-American teenagers and young men who are
slinging and blinging, just as those who riot and burn our neighborhoods
represent the worst in us; Dylann Roof represents, not the best in white America,
but the worst!
And the sooner white America acknowledges this truth and stop
distancing themselves from it and owns the sin of racism, the sooner we can
move toward healing. I had a white
brother in the Lord say to me, “I did my research and there have been more
white church vandalized in the last ten years than black churches. This is not an attack on race; it is an attack
on the church.” I could not believe his
apparent ignorance of the racial issues of our day. I shared with him the fact that Dylann Roof did
not go into a white church and vandalize it; he went into a black church and
murdered nine people!
I believe we can begin healing that racial divide, when white
America owns the racial problems and cease seeing race as a problem for black
people to simply “get over.” This shift in attitude toward the racial divide, has
to start with leading white pastors who are bold enough to challenge the status
quo and who are humble enough to follow in the area of racial reconciliation,
rather than leading the way, as is their cultural custom.
It begins with the church breaking the stronghold of “Christian
White Superiority,” only then will we be in a position to show the nation and the
world, that we are one in the Lord! Until that day, I believe that we will
experience more and more Dylann Roof’s because he is just the tip of the
iceberg.
Dr. Phillip M. Davis, Senior Pastor
Nations Ford Community Church
Charlotte, NC
Friday, June 19, 2015
Occupy Your Destiny : IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston
Occupy Your Destiny : IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston: In Times Like These… Over the past 24 hours, I have been asked by those in the media and frankly have asked myself, “How could this be?...
IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston
In Times Like These…
Over the past 24 hours, I have
been asked by those in the media and frankly have asked myself, “How could this
be?” “Why such a senseless tragedy?” “How can God allow such brutal and
viciousness in the house of God to occur?”
The truth of the matter is, as I
sat with reporters through interview after interview, I found myself answering the
same way, “We live in a fallen world and sin is all around us and in us.” As I spoke with those seeking answers and understanding,
I continued to hear one after another, say things such as, “Good people have
to stand up,” or “When good people of all races unite and come together we can
solve the racial issues of our day.”
However every time I heard those
words I was grieved in my spirit. The
Word of God came to me from Matthew 19:17, where Jesus said, “Why do you
call Me good? No one is god but One, that is God.” The reality is that, in our flesh there is no
good thing! There are no good people,
but there is a good God! When we have
the living God within, then and only then can His goodness gets revealed
through us.
Therefore I understood that in
times like these the best we can do is to rely on the goodness of God and trust
in His unconditional love to comfort those who are hurting. In times like these we must remember:
First, God's light is greater
than evil's darkness. Our heavenly Father is our hope, comfort, and joy and we
must rely on His truth now.
Second, our concern has to be
eternally grounded, not temporally focused. We must not allow our concern,
anger and frustration to lay dormant and unproductive. It is our imperative now
to ask the question “How can God get the glory out of this?” This is
the time for us to transform these painful events into fruit that demonstrates
God's love, bears the truth of who God is, and reflect His goodness.
Third, we must love deeper. In
times like these, let us honor the lives of our fallen brothers and sisters by
loving each other with sincerity of heart, and truly living out the scripture, "They
will know us by our love..."
Now is the time to reach out
across racial, economic, denominational, gender, and all other barriers and “do
good” give a hug, speak well of, and build relationships with your neighbors,
relatives, co-workers, and greater community members in meaningful ways.
In times like these let’s
remember that there have always been times like these and God is able to do
exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us.
Dr. Phillip M. Davis, Senior
Pastor
Nations Ford Community Church,
Charlotte, NC
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