When the Supreme Court of the United States issued its rulings on DOMA and Proposition 8, immediately my phone began to ring. Reporters from local television news outlets and newspapers, were calling and wanting to know my reaction.
I believe there is a difference between a reaction and a response. A reaction is an immediate emotional act that does not include reasoning; however a response is a reasoned reply that includes thinking the matter through. So my immediate reaction to the SCOTUS rulings, as I stated to one reporter, was that I will continue to pray for our nation.
However I would like to share my response. It seems to me that the SCOTUS rulings on Affirmative Action; on Voting Rights; on DOMA and on Proposition 8 reveal a major shift in what we have known for decades as Civil Rights.
In my opinion, African-Americans have once again been moved to the back of the bus. In my opinion, the move is a result of poor leadership in the African-American community. It seems to me that Black Politicians, Black Ministers, and Black Civic leaders really thought that by accepting and acknowledging Gay Rights as a Civil Right, it would somehow equate to less discrimination against Blacks and other minorities.
It seems to me that the President of the United States put his full support behind the Gay Rights Agenda and openly championed the cause of Homosexual Marriage rights and abandoned the DOMA, while at the same time he and his administration remained silent (at least publicly) in their support of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights.
It seems to me that the Gay Rights Advocates used the Black Community once again. The Gay Rights Proponents propositioned the Black leadership in our communities, using the "discrimination card" which cause many of the Black leaders to jump on the bus of discrimination. They bought lie and drank the cool-aide that claimed Gay Rights was indeed a Civil Right and that discrimination against any group is discrimination against all minorities.
The hope, it seems was that as the Black Community delivered its influence to support the Gay Agenda, that those Gay Rights Advocates and Activist with all their political; public relations; and financial persuasion would be able to deliver and help bring pressure to bear that would influence outcome of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights Act. And did they; they stole the show and gave the SCOTUS a great record of supporting Civil Rights and Black folk cannot cry discrimination!
When it all came down, those same Gay Rights Advocates did not deliver their political pull; they did not deliver their organizational pull; they did not deliver their financial support; they did not deliver their public relations pull and they did not deliver their most potent weapon, the POTUS. In short the Gay Rights Advocates left the Black community at the altar and walked away with the ring of Civil Rights!
So my response can be summed up in the words of Denzel Washington, as he played the role of Malcolm X in the move by the same name. Once again the Black Community has been "had; been took; you been hood-winked; bamboozled; led astray; run amuck..." and now we are no longer the leader in the Civil Rights movement, we have been moved to the back of the bus.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Thursday, December 6, 2012
You Are Who God Says You Are
One of the greatest challenges for the new believer is to understand the change of their identity. No longer are you identified with the first Adam, fallen man, guilty and born in sin. Now through Jesus Christ, you are identified with Christ (the last Adam), redeemed, righteous, holy, and accepted in the Beloved.
It is important that you train your mind to think from this moment on, from God's perspective. That is called wisdom. God thinks in terms of abundance not lack; success and victory not failure or defeat; prosperity and not poverty; giving and not receiving.
When you get a vision of being who God said you are, you will see yourself a being more than a survivor. You will see yourself as more than a conqueror...a world over comer.
So today begin seeing yourself and thinking of yourself from God's perspective; for the image of your new reality. See yourself as prosperous, successful, fulfilled and thriving. See yourself and speak to yourself each day with positive affirmations that you are blessed, to be a blessing!
Say this daily, "I am blessed to be a blessing; I have more than enough; I am blessed with gifts and talents so that I contribute and add value to the world around me. I love others as I love myself and I will add value to their lives. Because I do, I will never lack for any good thing in my life. I am who God says I am; I can do what God says I can do; I have what God says I can have."
It is important that you train your mind to think from this moment on, from God's perspective. That is called wisdom. God thinks in terms of abundance not lack; success and victory not failure or defeat; prosperity and not poverty; giving and not receiving.
When you get a vision of being who God said you are, you will see yourself a being more than a survivor. You will see yourself as more than a conqueror...a world over comer.
So today begin seeing yourself and thinking of yourself from God's perspective; for the image of your new reality. See yourself as prosperous, successful, fulfilled and thriving. See yourself and speak to yourself each day with positive affirmations that you are blessed, to be a blessing!
Say this daily, "I am blessed to be a blessing; I have more than enough; I am blessed with gifts and talents so that I contribute and add value to the world around me. I love others as I love myself and I will add value to their lives. Because I do, I will never lack for any good thing in my life. I am who God says I am; I can do what God says I can do; I have what God says I can have."
Friday, November 23, 2012
Do You Need Help?
Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there and what is the significance of the picture?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and begin to think that they are so wonderful, or begin to feel proud of myself; I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and I am reminded that he did not get there on his own. He had help."
That my friend, is the basis of true thanksgiving and the basis of an attitude of gratitude. It is to always remember that you have what you have and you have gotten to where you are thus far...with the help of others. Perhaps family; dad, mom, grandparents, siblings or others. Perhaps friends; co-workers, mentors, or close childhood friends. Perhaps instructors; teachers, professors or coaches.
However the most valuable and consistent help any of us have ever had, has come from the Lord our God. The Psalmist said, "My help comes from the Lord...He will neither slumber nor sleep." Meaning that we can count on God's help any time day or night!
God has provided you with the kind of help that no one else could; the help you need for your inner man; for your soul. Again the Psalmist says, "God is a very present help in the time of need." You can be thankful not just during this season of the year, but each and every day because God is every-present! And He is present to help you!
God is the provider of every good and prefect gift and He has given us all things richly to enjoy. So enjoy the life; the family; the friends; and the great future that God has prepared for you. Remember God is already present in that future and He is prepared to help you fulfill His calling and your destiny!
Visit us at www.nationsford.org
That my friend, is the basis of true thanksgiving and the basis of an attitude of gratitude. It is to always remember that you have what you have and you have gotten to where you are thus far...with the help of others. Perhaps family; dad, mom, grandparents, siblings or others. Perhaps friends; co-workers, mentors, or close childhood friends. Perhaps instructors; teachers, professors or coaches.
However the most valuable and consistent help any of us have ever had, has come from the Lord our God. The Psalmist said, "My help comes from the Lord...He will neither slumber nor sleep." Meaning that we can count on God's help any time day or night!
God has provided you with the kind of help that no one else could; the help you need for your inner man; for your soul. Again the Psalmist says, "God is a very present help in the time of need." You can be thankful not just during this season of the year, but each and every day because God is every-present! And He is present to help you!
God is the provider of every good and prefect gift and He has given us all things richly to enjoy. So enjoy the life; the family; the friends; and the great future that God has prepared for you. Remember God is already present in that future and He is prepared to help you fulfill His calling and your destiny!
Visit us at www.nationsford.org
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Chic-fil-a Joke
Okay, I tried not to wade in but there is something in me that just can't remain silent when the LGBT proponents and their liberal friends continue their hypocrisy. As I have read what Mr. Cathy is quoted as saying, not one time did he say anything "against" gay-marriage. He stated his position "for" traditional marriage as defined by the Bible.
Why is it that liberal pro-gay agenda business owners like the CEO of Amazon and others can fund and openly support the gay agenda and not be attacked or villianized? Why isn't there a call for boycotting Amazon or Levi or Target and other businesses that support the gay agenda? Why aren't these and others business owners and executives like them being called, 'bigots' 'hate-mongrols' etc. since they support the gay-agenda?
Here is the joke. The LGBT community loves to compare their "struggle" with the Civil Rights Struggle of Black people in America. As an African-American, what I want to know is that if they put Chic-fil-a out of business or substantially weaken their sales to the point the company has to lay-off workers, what happens to all the Black youth and Black workers who might get laid off? Will the LGBT community get them jobs? Will the LGBT community help finance them through high-school and college? Will the LGBT do anything to help? I doubt it...what a joke!
I went by a Chic-fil-a on Friday and could barely get in the door the line was so long and this at 2:30 in the afternoon. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 1st, I plan on buying my entire staff Chic-fil-a meals.
Why is it that liberal pro-gay agenda business owners like the CEO of Amazon and others can fund and openly support the gay agenda and not be attacked or villianized? Why isn't there a call for boycotting Amazon or Levi or Target and other businesses that support the gay agenda? Why aren't these and others business owners and executives like them being called, 'bigots' 'hate-mongrols' etc. since they support the gay-agenda?
Here is the joke. The LGBT community loves to compare their "struggle" with the Civil Rights Struggle of Black people in America. As an African-American, what I want to know is that if they put Chic-fil-a out of business or substantially weaken their sales to the point the company has to lay-off workers, what happens to all the Black youth and Black workers who might get laid off? Will the LGBT community get them jobs? Will the LGBT community help finance them through high-school and college? Will the LGBT do anything to help? I doubt it...what a joke!
I went by a Chic-fil-a on Friday and could barely get in the door the line was so long and this at 2:30 in the afternoon. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 1st, I plan on buying my entire staff Chic-fil-a meals.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Black History and The Elephant In The Room
Black History Month is generally a call to celebrate the history of accomplishments and the tenacious spirit of triumph over trouble has sustained African-Americans through the centuries.
Recently I was listening to one of the Talk Shows on Radio and the conversation centered on the question “Why Males are Falling Behind?” “Why are less and less young men going to college; being equipped for leadership; and simply becoming men of character?”
On another occasion I was sitting in my office at home…praying, meditating and let me be very candid with you – I was also murmuring and complaining, about what I had just heard. What I had just heard – was the news report about some young Black boys who had been involved in shoot-out in broad daylight driving up one of the busiest streets in a predominately African-American section of the city.
How do I know…because I was one of those young boys? Like me, most of them are simply high-potential/low opportunity young boys who are in need of a structured learning environment, designed to teach them what it means to be a man and academically challenge them to greatness.
For more information on how you can get involved in the movement to Save The Seed visit www.savetheseedcampagin.org.
What a rich and proud history we have to celebrate. We should take time to honor those who have come before us and on whose shoulders we now stand. However there is a glaring obvious giant elephant in the room that we simply cannot continue to ignore or walk around. It is not going away and in fact it is getting bigger and bigger with each passing day!
The elephant is the declining education of young Black boys, across the country and specifically in the urban centers of our nation.
Recently I was listening to one of the Talk Shows on Radio and the conversation centered on the question “Why Males are Falling Behind?” “Why are less and less young men going to college; being equipped for leadership; and simply becoming men of character?”
As with any of the Call-In Talk Shows everyone had a theory; an opinion; tons of statistics, research, and reasons for the problem - but no one offered any solutions. Surprisingly during the time that I was able to listen – each of the women who called in, suggested that the problem stemmed from the way in which we educate and what we expect from young Black boys.
On another occasion I was sitting in my office at home…praying, meditating and let me be very candid with you – I was also murmuring and complaining, about what I had just heard. What I had just heard – was the news report about some young Black boys who had been involved in shoot-out in broad daylight driving up one of the busiest streets in a predominately African-American section of the city.
I also had just heard news about some young Black boys, elementary students, being suspended for taking guns to school…and one of them, a 10 year old, was selling crack. Now mind you, none of this was reports from New York City or Los Angeles or Chicago…but in that peaceful place called Charlotte, NC.
Then I got word of three more young men who had robbed a pizza store…and one of them had been shot and killed, he had just turned 21. This hit home a little closer, because I knew him and would have to eulogize him.
The issue is that more and more young Black boys are falling further and further behind educationally until their options for success and contributing to society are getting ever so slim. Today in most major cities, less than 50% of young Black boys graduate from high school.
The long term effect is they become unskilled and unemployable, thus unprepared to successfully care for a family and contribute to a community. The more immediate challenge is that these young boys are more likely to resort to anti-social behavior and criminal activity, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and wasting their God-given potential.
Yes…their God-given potential. What we must understand is that these young boys are not dumb, stupid, nor ignorant – they were misguided and they lacked an education that challenges them to become men of character.
How do I know…because I was one of those young boys? Like me, most of them are simply high-potential/low opportunity young boys who are in need of a structured learning environment, designed to teach them what it means to be a man and academically challenge them to greatness.
So while we celebrate Black History Month with all of the accomplishments of the past and the success of the present. Let us also consider the elephant in the room and make a commitment to prepare for a future that does not leave the conditions of the urban Black boy to chance.
For more information on how you can get involved in the movement to Save The Seed visit www.savetheseedcampagin.org.
Dr. P. M. Davis
The Male Leadership Academy
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