Fear of A Black President

•February 2, 2007 • 6 Comments

Well its been the subject of many comics routines, fictionalized in movies and in television, yes, the first Black President of the United States. I assume that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. could have made a presidential bid, and probably intended to, unfortunately never had the opportunity.

I write this blog some 2 weeks after the country observed the birthday and celebrated the memory of Dr. King and I look at my generations first Black presidential candidate, Senator Barak Obama (D-IL). Plenty of self righteous, self serving, baseless Black presidential candidates, but they had a narrow focus, ‘lets just serve the black community’. Sadly, as a Black American, I realize that we are not a huge chunk of the population. Trying to win the highest seat in the land by catering to the small piece of the puzzle, never will cut it. We have been plagued with people like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and Alan Keys (sighs) making presidential bids but all it did was make a statement, a bad one. A really, really really bad one.  Thankfully, there is Sen. Obama to really show America someone dedicated to America and its improvement.

When I first heard the news that Senator Barak Obama(D-IL) was forming and exploratory committee to raise the funding a presidential campaign, I lit up. I heard about the security concerns and is the country really ready for a Black president. As a mature voter, and speaking from my generation, a political wonk of sorts, I see this as one of the Republicans ploys to cause uneasiness in the voters of this country and stir up old ideaologies regarding race. I am sure that Sen. Obama is the perfect person to lead our country back into the greatness it once was before Bush and his cronies screwed it all up. As time went on since his announcement, I began to realize that his running for president has the potential to heal the black community and give it something that it has been missing since 1968, purpose and hope. When Dr. King died, the Black community was shattered, left only with a dream and a roadmap. There has not been a national move applying his principals since he was alive, until now. He was the leader, he gave purpose, he gave love, lived fairness and equality for all Americans. I see the same characteristics in Sen. Obama and given the chance, he wont be just the first Black President, but the President of the United States. A president who is more representative of the people that live in these great states. Isn’t that what a president is supposed to be anyway?????

It is a breath of fresh air to finally see a politician that has the power to reach an entire ethnic group. His influence will no doubt be felt by Black Americans and if you have someone that looks like you in power, you will feel like you have power, power to really make a difference for everyone. I believe then it will be when you see more people from various ethnic groups and combined heritages step up in higher level leadership not in only in the name of diversity, but creating a better America for the people of America. Sen. Obama’s presidential run has much more impact, influence and relevance to an entire generation of Americans than any presidential candidate we have ever seen.

His presidential run is not a end all cure to the problems in the Black community. If we as a community, rally behind him and follow his mission on creating a better America for all Americans, then we will see changes because the nation as a whole will be better. I am fully aware of all the racial and cultural risks. I believe that if America is what it says it is, the “Land of the free and the home of the Brave” then his racial make up or any other garbage the Republicans, the Religious WRONG(ight), Fox News tries to spew forth to denigrate Sen. Obama, will be pointless and seen for the hatred that this country has been longing to rid itself.

The United States of the Middle East?

•January 15, 2007 • 2 Comments

While I agree with CORRECT American foreign policy and diplomacy, but it seems to me that our country is a little too deep into the Middle East.  Sometimes I think the foreign policy of Bush Administration is an attempt colonialize the Middle East into a new extension of America. In other words, there is no clear direction or reason for us in some of the issues that our President signs us up for, engages in war fare with or gives billions upon billions of taxpayers money in other countries. What return on investment will Americans see, because our President constantly tells us more troops and money is need it, but when will we collect?

Everyday I sit and watch the reporters, pundits and conservative puppets debate on the course we need to take against Iran and Syria, how to stabilize Iraq, creating a Palestinian state, and so forth. It has been this way for quite some time and it made me wonder, if our President and his administration were more focused on the Homeland and its security instead of leaving it in the hands of ..who ever is in charge…then maybe this country would see the prosperity and the peace it once had. Well we all know that our President is a bumbling idiot when it comes to foreign policy and this is evident by our presence in Iraq with no clear, implied or considered exit strategy proposed by our President.

I imagine a day where we have a President dedicated to the people of America, and not the people of Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Somalia ( I’m guessing for the sequel to Black Hawk Down), Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I do believe there is work abroad to be done and America should clean it up, especially to repair our tarnished reputation with the global community. I wish sometimes I were a pundit, or a White House news correspondent to ask questions of this Administration. My first question would have nothing to do with Iraq, or terrorism not even the ever elusive Osama Bin Laden. What about the rebuilding efforts in New Orleans? Our President just pledged 1 Billion dollars to rebuild the Iraqi economy in an attempt to give them jobs and ensure stability to the area(  Full story–http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/08/bush.iraq.plan/index.html) . I have great issue with that, because this further re-affirms Kanye West’s radical statement regarding the president and his views on not only Black Americans, but Americans in general. This is a huge slap in the face for the tax payers of this country(who are not required by law to pay income taxes) to help rebuild the economy of another country, when New Orleans has still not been rebuilt. The leaves still are not finished and are no more capable of protecting New Orleans from a hurricane than a 700 mile wall built on our borders to keep Mexicans out. People are not even allowed to the property that they own and in some cases are still making monthly mortgage payments. The city has seen 9 murders and its only been 15 days in 2007. Something is wrong. If I were president, or someone with reasonable intelligence, I would send 20,000 Americans and 1 billion dollars  for the people in New Orleans to rebuild the city. After all…I do believe New Orleans is still an American city with unlawfully taxed income tax payers. Don’t they deserve their economy rebuilt? Don’t they deserve protection and stability? Doesn’t America deserve a regime change from its tyrannical, evil dictator we have elected and called President?

Yes. America deserves that and more. Out of all of the candidates who have expressed an entrust in a White House bid in 2008; Edwards, McCain, Clinton, Kerry(why?), none of them embody the type of personality and connection to the American people that has been missing since 2000 than Senator Barak Obama(D-IL). I constantly watch the political pundits on the various news networks, even the ones I do not agree with. It amazes me how Senator Obama is on any of these shows, he connects himself with every American no matter the political party and he offers solutions to the problems that Americans face.  He, as with the majority of Americans would agree that our foreign policy has been ineffective, destructive and planned piss-poor to say the least. America needs change in the way it treats Americans first, then we can focus on the issues abroad. First, America must vote for a candidate devoted to its people not its wars, skirmishes, corporate interests, and petty vendettas. America wants a candidate that is for the people of America, not the interests of Haliburton Middle East, which it seems that’s all what Bush Administration Foreign Policy is good for.

In Awe of Greatness

•January 7, 2007 • 1 Comment

It is a Sunday afternoon that I have devoted to designing my latest website. I sometimes look for music to draw inspiration. I saw ‘ Dreamgirls’ on opening day on Christmas–twice. I was and very much still in awe of the talent of Jennifer Hudson. I see her as someone with an uncanny gift to interpret words, lyrics, rhyme, soul into perfect pitch each and everytime, giving the listener a perfect audible rendition of beautiful prose.

So on this Sunday afternoon, I decided to listen to her version of ‘ And I am Telling You’ and I went back to the movie when she delivered this desperate plea for love and acceptance from her love interest in the movie. AND I WASSSSSS so inspired…lol… by her delivery. I hear in this song two voices. There is the voice of the character, Effie White, who is demanding the love and attention once promised by Curtis Taylor, Jr. Then I hear Jennifer Hudson, who is demanding the world to respect, love and appreciate her gift. When she was on American Idol, she was condemned for being too original and basically treated as if she had the vocal abilities of one Britney Spears. Even in hearing her story of auditioning for the part in the movie, and how she didn’t think she would be chosen for the part, shows me that every song in the movie is a reflection of Jennifer’s journey to the stage she belongs. She has a gift and I would only dream to be in the studio writing with such an awesome voice to interpret my words. I can only wait in great anticipation for Jennifer’s own words being translated in beautiful melody.

So I write this inspired. In awe of a person who is telling the world that she isn’t going anywhere. I share the same sentiment, I am not going anywhere! And YOU ARE GOING To Love ME!

For those who have not heard her rendition or would simply like to hear it again, I have posted the clip on this blog. Thanks YouTube!

If You Have Never Prayed Before, Now Is A Good Time

•January 5, 2007 • 5 Comments

I write this blog, with a deep sadness and pain in my heart. A huge part of me wants to deny the facts and pray that what is before me is reality. I was talking with my coworkers today and we came to the morbid consensus that the media no longer made up of citizens asking the right questions, but merely a group of secretaries working for the ‘powers that be’ who really control this country.

A friend of mine told me to look at a website promoting the documentary regarding America and its “Tax Laws”. Being a fan of documentaries–the last form of true journalism, I quickly jumped at the opportunity to see the truth uncovered. What I saw in 12 of the 15 minutes of the TRAILER was a discussion on how there are NO LAWS requiring us to pay taxes on our Income and how this country is slowly turning into a Fascist Regime. The website is http://www.freedomtofascism.com/. I have posted the trailer in this post for you to watch. I do advise you, this is disturbing. To all those reading, if after watching this, you have never prayed before, now would be the perfect time. We have trusted the government and man far too long, only to be proven they are not to be trusted, lets give GOD our every ounce of hope. I am not speaking of the ‘god’ that the religious right puts in the spotlight, but the only God that can save us. The true and the Living God.

The Double Standard for Murder

•January 2, 2007 • 4 Comments

Note: I am in no way a Supporter of Saddam Hussein or his practices. Neither George W. Bush. With that being said…..

Well, Saddam Hussein died on Friday Night, death by hanging. Now what?

I am sure I am not the only American who is asking this question. In fact I am sure that the world is asking the same question. In retrospect, I always ask myself this question after an execution.

Usually when someone does something in our country so heinous, they usually get sentenced to death. This sentence is usually fueled by the political and social pressure of the religious right. They call it JUSTICE, but I call it MURDER.  How much better is the executioner than the executed? Were the people of Iraq justified when Saddam was hanged, or did it only add fuel to the fire of political unrest in the country (started by the US)? Why is there a double standard for murder?

I was watching in awe on Friday the Death Watc…I mean News Coverage of the former dictator if Iraq, how the “Iraqi Officials” were hell bent on executing Saddam within hours of him being handed over to the masked ‘Iraqi Officials’ who led him to his death. People said, he was a horrible man and deserved to suffer. My question to everyone who agreed with the clandestine execution of Saddam is, how can you love God, but agree and celebrate with something that God clearly forbids, MURDER? Lets face it, we live in a country where a false concept of God is prevalent. False concepts of God are common place and just as the President creates laws to justify the malfeasance of his duties, the religious right and the media–its platform– has created new laws to justify the hypocrisy of this democracy which is turning into a theocracy giving a false sense of religious security only securing a place in hell. They have gotten the people to some how amend the commandment, ‘ Thou shalt not kill’ to ‘ Thou shalt not kill, unless it is someone that does a horrible crime, then its okay and to be celebrated’.

How much better is the executioner than the executed? Once they have executed, have they not also taken a human life? Are the people who support such vigilante acts, just as guilty as an accomplice would be? Aside from the moral questions, I shift to the political and social issues that will arise from this execution. First, there are a lot of Iraqi’s who still wanted Saddam in power, so they have just created a martyr and his ideals will still continue through his supporters–not all Iraqi. Following the thinking of the people behind his execution, you must execute the people who will carry on his legacy, otherwise democracy in Iraq will never work. Then again going down the path we are on now, democracy in Iraq will never work. I believe people in power, feed their followers with their ideals and encourage them to keep the work going once they have died. When used for positive, the world benefits I.E. Jesus. When used for evil, it will wreak havoc on the world leaving it a horrible place for future generations, I.E. The Bushes, the Religious Right, Terrorists, Saddam, etc. The second most important issue that arises from this execution is the regional impact. Iraq is oil rich and now with Saddam gone forever, it is that much easier for Iraq’s neighbors to attempt to take over. It would be nothing for those countries to overthrow the weak democracy that is being built. If this happens, then we have a regional war in the middle of a civil war which can easily turn into another World war. All for what? I forgot, the president did tell us in 2002. “After all, this is the guy who tried to kill my dad.”- The President. (http://archives.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/09/27/bush.war.talk/)

Lets bring the execution closer to home. Recently, the president wanted more troops to be sent to Iraq. Now we have to send more troops to Iraq to protect it from its neighbors and also to keep the violence down and to win a war with no clear objective. This execution effects every American in the armed forces, because now they are at an even greater risk of dying in combat. Which touches all of their families and those who support the military. So we have a leader here who is willfully sending American troops in a war where he knows the only objective is to secure the oil fields for himself and his ‘base’ and to kill Saddam. Well we have done both, but at the cost of 3003 American Soldiers lives.(http://icasualties.org/oif/) Not to mention the innocent Iraqi’s caught in the crossfire, trying to live life the best they can. What is really sad, is that there is no real end in sight. Everyday our troops are risking their lives, with very little to profit from. We took over a nation that never attacked us, killed its leader, enabled a civil war, and took over the oil fields so a group of 100 men can make billions of dollars. And we call this victory? A cause for a happier new year ? I think this is the biggest crime against humanity, and those involved need to be held accountable. As Americans we need to stand up to the injustice of this war and its conspirators, because the masses are not benefiting only suffering from this genocide we call the war on terror. Only more chaos and disorder will follow, if we continue to believe killing people and not the ideals they live and die for is the key to winning the war on terror.

Oh…whatever happened to…what’s the guy’s name…Osama Bin Laden?

50 Cent and Oprah…….

•December 7, 2006 • 3 Comments

Popular mumbler and butcher of the English language, 50 cent in the latest version of Elle Magazine (no not a typo, Mr.Masculine is in Elle magazine) made even more disparaging remarks about, talk show host Oprah Winfrey. In the article, he again targets Oprah by saying,

“started out with black women’s views but has been catering to middle-aged white American women for so long that she’s become one herself.”

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This boggles my mind. If anyone reading this has heard any of this ‘rapper’s music, you will know that he got shot nine times, he likes to pick beefs with any rapper to talk about them, shoot outs, etc. Well this time it looks like the only person who does not continue with the useless debate, Oprah is yet again one of his targets. What is even more strange, in watching the clip of the story on CNN(http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/showbiz/2006/12/06/anderson.oprah.vs.the.rappers.interscope) Bow Wow supporting these ignorant comments, as if 50 Cent is Martin Luther King, leading a movement to end the social injustices imposed on the world by Oprah for rappers to have the right to interviewed on her show. I have a few questions for 50 and my first is ‘Why do you want to be on her show so bad?’ Unfortunately, I have been subjected to the punishment of listening to his music, besides the lack of talent that he carries so much of, he stands for nothing worth talking about on Oprah, 20/20, Dateline, 60 Minutes…not even Maury.

I applaud 50 for going after a target like Oprah. It shows the world how ‘tough’ he really is and also the depth of his ignorance. I venture to say that 50 is one of the nations leading white supremacists. A friend of mine who attends the University of Pennsylvania. shared a quote by one of his professors, “The bear of white supremacy is hibernating in the psyche of black America.” This is so true, especially in the case of 50 Cent. Why is being educated enough to sit in a room with Presidents, Rhodes scholars, Nobel prize winners considered to be ‘white-only’? Why is using your influence to promote health, literacy, spiritual growth, positive entertainment, a thing that only ‘middle-aged, white women’ can relate ?I am assuming that being educated, encouraging literacy, building up ravished communities, exposing global social injustices ,making ordinary people with extraordinary struggles dreams come true, building schools in Africa, giving millions and millions to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, consistently giving money to our nations HCBU’s(Historically Black Colleges and/or Universities) is what most ‘middle aged white women’ do. I do not know many ‘middle-aged, white women’, but I do not think that this is what they do with their spare time. (No offense). Who knows, maybe 50 Cent knows a lot of ‘middle-aged, white women’. What is really sad is that most black Americans, believe this foolishness. We all know Oprah’s story, she came from nothing and God gave her the position she holds today. She the black communities first female billionaire. I have heard out of my own ears, ‘Oprah is always doing stuff for white people, forget her, she ain’t never done anything for me’. My question is, why should she. She started in reporting for what she pays for shoes now, but she kept going and worked hard for the position she is in. I am inspired to know that she was not given that show, because ABC needed a black talk show host, but because she was able to use her gift to gain influence and use it for the improvement of all Americans. I am even more inspired about the works she is doing in Africa using her money and influence to build schools, providing access to health care, AIDS treatment and prevention. It could be very easy for her to use all of her riches and fame, and not do anything, like 50 Cent and the many other rappers championing this attack on Oprah.

I am not trying to single 50 Cent out, but I want those who think like him to stop. Why as blacks do we tear down the few people who actually are trying to do something to better the community and the world and exalt foolishness like 50 cent? Its sad, because the black community seems to be a glutton for punishment, we put our trust, our esteem, our support behind people who are paid to tear us down. They nearly crucified Bill Cosby for saying that our children are illiterate and ill mannered, but know the lyrics of rappers who them selves are illiterate(50 Cent being one). Cosby was wrong for that, but Bow Wow and Ludacris are right for tearing down a talk show host for not having them on HER show? Come on black people, its time to wake up.

BTW…Bow Wow, Luda, 50, Ice Cube, the hip hop community called me and they are saying the fans are begging for Oprah to be on your next critically acclaimed, groundbreaking, earth shattering, record destroying, widely bootlegged, worthless, not worth a quarter, ridiculously tired, freezer burned, not worthy to clean dog feces, LP. They said, call them back when you have a POINT and a decent 16 bars!

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The 95 Thesis (Remix)

•December 6, 2006 • Leave a Comment

This blog is not really contain a modern version of the modern day ’95 Thesis’, but it is written in the spirit of someone who thinks it is time for the church to come together for issues of debate. Martin Luther was not a big dissenter, but someone who wanted the people to come together with attempt to get them on one accord by sparking debate.

The bible speaks of a people being on one accord and miracles happened. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”Acts 2:1-4. This happened after Jesus ascended back to heaven forty days after his Resurrection. Remember this. (There will be a point later).

I write this as someone who grew up in church. I sang in the choir, ushered, prayed, Sunday school, vacation bible school, danced, wrote and edited the newsletter, operated cameras and microphones, youth day, mens day, taught bible class. I have done a lot. All of this was in me and it got me to know who God is at an early age. In that, I got lost in the mindset of good church behavior was good Christ-like behavior. And that as long as no one saw, then it was okay and I can ask for forgiveness. As I got older and really began to need God like never before, i did not know what to do. I knew to pray, i new to take it to the alter, but I did not know how to really call upon the power of God.

I got to the point where I knew that I needed to get rid of religion and get into a relationship with God. I joined a new church where my pastor was teaching about the Kingdom of God. And how we are to be building the Kingdom of God here. This got me to thinking about a lot of the ‘church’ i had been in all my life. Ill never forget when Hurricane Katrina hit he posed the question, “Why didn’t the church have a fleet of buses to give aid to the victims?” God has kept the ‘Kingdom’ in my mind, my heart and my meditations. I now think what I can do in order to help build God’s Kingdom, serve God’s people, and minister to the people of God the importance of building a relationship with Him.

I then moved away and I am in a place full of tradition and traditional church. Doing the same old same old. I am young and I want my talents to be used by God in a grand scale, not for notoriety, but the Gospel of Jesus is so great that it is bigger than Sunday service. It starts with the church changing its whole mind from being the ‘ social club’ to the Kingdom. Everything we do as followers of Christ, must line up with the Kingdom. It is time for the Kingdom church, not the church still bound by tradition, or denomination, to rise up and take its position in this nation. Its when people of God with the mind of God to serve people and not judge people’s lifestyles, but offer them a divine alternative one to prosper them. When the people of God have the attitude of God when he says in Jeremiah 29:11″ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil,”. It is the people who want to make a difference in the lives of everyone, regardless of race, background, credit history, social class, income or family ties. This is what kingdom is about, getting people connected with God and not just the church building.

I also thought about the way the church does some of its out reach. I have been in and experienced both extremes. When I was growing up our out reach had a three block radius inviting people to Vacation Bible School or the Mens Conference. Thats not too good circulation. We prayed before we went out, but most of us were young in age and in maturity. We did not have the burden for Kingdom, because we weren’t taught Kingdom. Then there are those ministers who have the name and power of God all over them, but there is a registration fee for the Gospel. In some ways the way we have been witnessing has been a little pushy instead of inviting. We will offer someone to church in a heartbeat, but will we invite someone to intercessory prayer on behalf of college students? There is this national movement of the church being more stern and judgmental than most conservative judges. Excluding everyone that God wants included.

In my thought of out reach I was thinking, about all the gifts that God has given man since the beginning of time. Look at the advances in medical, computer, automotive, aeronautical, technology. Information is sent in a mere matter of seconds where centuries ago, books were rare and in short supply. I am sure that there are many people of God who are doctors, lawyers, politicians, entertainers, and artists. They all have a place in the kingdom and reaching out to people in a non judgmental, hypocritical, condescending way. The church needs to first band together on ‘One Accord’ as the early church did. Gather together all the doctors and form hospitals ran by the church, providing free health care for God’s people. Imagine knowing someone who has the gift of medicine can reach a non-believer through health care. Just knowing that you can get healed physically and spiritually, thats a real hospital. Outreach. God’s people should be given access to a network of attorneys that they can trust that will make wise legal decisions. The internet is a great medium in which to share information and the traditional church is sitting back and saying its evil, but the Kingdom mind set is to bombard the love and compassion of God via the internet to let people know that there is an alternative. I believe that true people of God, who know really follows the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus, should be in legislation, representing the people of God making sure His will be done from the pulpit to Capitol Hill.

This is my 95 Thesis. I challenge the church to put aside denominational divisions and band together for the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The bible that we all read is so clear in Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” I encourage you to read Acts 2, because it paints a clear picture of what God wants to do in this season with the church. It shows us what happens when we get together regardless of mortal prejudices and divisions to seek instruction from God. The two verses in Acts 2 says “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” This is what happens when the church gets together for the glory of God. No where in this chapter was it mentioned that the church was having an ushers anniversary. They were not on JNN (Jerusalem News Network) waisting words and debating moot points. They were not out selling their stories to get a book deal to capitalize on their experience from walking with Jesus. They were together, seeking God and preaching Kingdom. They even made sure that everyone had enough food, clothing, and money just because they had it to share. No one had to do anything but work in the Kingdom. Thats Kingdom, and thats where the present church needs to be.

Once we get on a true accord, things in this world would drastically change. I am not talking theocracy, but people using God’s gifts for God’s purpose and His people.

–Mark Terrance II

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How Much Does It Cost To Be Called A Nigger?

•December 6, 2006 • 7 Comments

WARNING: I use the word Nigger in this blog. Please do not boycott me or get offended!(If you call Jesse and Al I would like to speak to them)!.

I write this blog with a heavy heart. Kyle Doss and Frank McBride were attending a comedy show in LA when, Michael Richards better known as ‘Cosmo Kramer’ went ballistic and starting referring to a few of the black men in the audience as ‘niggers’. He made other poor and tasteless comments regarding lynching and forks being stuck in unholy places. If I were there I would be upset, offended, hurt and ready to fight.

In watching the tape, it is obvious that the gentlemen who were called—the ‘ term of endearment when we use it’ but a cause for reparations when anyone else uses it….I mean; N-word (for those who don’t know it or never said it, Nigger)—were not the only ones offended. When my mother broke the news to me about what happened I was like that’s messed up, then went about my day. It would not leave me alone and I decided to write what God placed in my heart.

Of course when Black Americans get offended, they call Jesse or Al and they rally up their followers and demand an apology and boycott. Now, they are asking us to stop using the word ‘nigger’ or ‘nigga’. They even got the legendary comedian Paul Mooney who is notorious for using the word ‘nigger’ in his comedy. He has made me laugh many times using the word. My question is, ‘why?’ Why does it take Michael Richards to say ‘nigger’ for me to have change my life and stop saying ‘nigga’ because Mr. Doss and Mr. McBride are offended? Jesse and Al call themselves reverends but if they had only read the word of God that they say they preach, it will tell us that this whole boycott and apology is completely moot( a word that Jesse made ever so popular during his presidential run…lol…). The word of God that sets the captives free and heals the wounded souls says in Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh”

I am not saying Michael Richards is a bad man, but that anger that spewed forth that night was in his heart and it came out. Okay…the boycott is moot. (I’m not even going to touch hip-hop) Or the fact that here in Tallahassee Farmers and Merchants Bank to this day close from 4pm-5pm to observe the time where they used to take off work to go watch niggers get lynched. I don’t see us boycotting those establishments.

Later on I find out that Mr. Doss and Mr. McBride have hired an attorney and filed a lawsuit. Of all people they hire, they hire Gloria Allred–who in my opinion, has referred to one Mr. OJ Simpson nigger many a times and probably came close to saying it on television—to represent them. Peter Hartlaub, a journalist for The San Francisco Chronicle had this to say about Allred and I thought it was best fitting:

“The lawyer shines the most brightly when there’s absolutely nothing to say, and she manages to draw a crowd anyway. Allred is perhaps the only person on the face of the earth who can call a news conference to announce that her client has no comment, and still command headlines.”

Also Peter, the lawyer who shines most brightly when there is no case either! In an online chat after the acquittal of Michael Jackson, Ms. Allred has this to say after all the damning evidence was delivered about the mother, the inconsistencies in the children’s testimonies, children who said nothing happened at all:

“I feel that there was sufficient evidence by which they could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt on the child molestation charge if they had chosen to do so.”(Read it for yourself – http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- dyn/content/discussion/2005/06/07/DI200506070
0638.html)

I wish I were the judge hearing this case because I would like to know, ‘how were any civil rights violated by Mr. Richards comments?’ Yes the words were wrong, ugly and offensive, but how were the two gentlemen denied access to the venue? Were they allowed to attend but not allowed to choose the seats they could purchase? Were they allowed to use the same facilities as the whites who were in the club as well? Did they get denied valet parking? What civil right was violated by referring to them as niggers? I am no lawyer, there is no proof of discrimination or civil rights violations so I draw the conclusion that the lawsuit Mr. Doss and Mr. McBride in the words of Jesse, is effectually moot.

If I could ask one question to all parties involved in this fiasco, it would be, ‘How Much Does it Cost to call us Niggers again?’ Mr. Doss, Mr. McBride, Jesse, Al, NAACP, I urge you to drop this lawsuit because what it is saying is, that its okay to call us niggers again, you will just have to pay for my hurt feelings. I’m sure Michael Richards is not broke and probably can pay whatever dollar amount they are seeking. So what if this happened again, and someone wasn’t so apologetic, but had enough money to pay whatever the offended party asked for, would it then be okay and acceptable?

So I propose a call to action for all Black Americans.

1. I don’t propose a boycott on the use of the word, because it’s MOOT. We cannot allow publicly exposed hypocrites to be the moral majority and determine what people can and cannot say. (This includes the Republican Party and Fox News). Instead, we need to stop giving that word power and playing ‘poor civil rights victim’ when someone says it. Here you have two black men on TV as if they were treated so poorly, so unjustly. Yeah right! Try walking off the side walk and bowing your head when a white person walked down the street. Or having to drink out of a separate fountain. Or pay the same fair that everyone else pays, but sit in the back. All while being called a NIGGER! Just try living anytime prior to 1968 and then let’s see how the civil rights of Mr. Doss and Mr. McBride were violated. That is someone to be defended.

2. Fire Jesse and Al. They are more self serving than a gas pump. They champion these celebrity causes, march on streets singing ‘We Shall Over Come’ and demanding an apology because a comedian referred to two gentlemen as ‘Niggers’. If they were reading their bibles, then they would know that ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; …’ Revelation 12: 11 We need not to boycott a word, we need to bind the enemy that is in not only in Michael Richards, but in every person who uses that word derogatory or as a ‘term of endearment’. (Including my self). By giving this word so much attention, these ‘Reverends’(whatever that is) give more glory to Satan, because I haven’t heard – Jesus, Pray, or anything of the sort. God has to be first or none at all. I write this as prophetically as I know how, to Jesse and Al and any other ‘black leader’ that every boycott you do from hence forward, If it does not include God and it is not used to build the Kingdom of God it will be effectively MOOT!

3. Please don’t attack me for writing this, as I only write under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

4. Stop walking in offense. The bible calls says ‘They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony…’Revelation 12:11. The ‘him’ refers to the enemy; God has delivered us out of slavery into equality in America, so we do not need to champion these petty causes because he has already delivered us from that. God doesn’t deliver someone out of prostitution for them get out of that lifestyle, rejoice, tell their story and then deliver them back into the same situation. When God took us out of slavery, lynching, blatant racial discrimination, he didn’t want us to continually fight the same fight he has already won. The second part of that verse says, ‘the word of their testimony’, so not only has God given us the victory through Jesus Christ, but also the history we celebrate.

5. Since we are boycotting words, have we considered the words that we use to refer to women? Hmmm…

6. Stop holding people to standard by which you do not live. If you say ‘nigga’ a lot, don’t expect anyone else to stop saying the word because you feel its so morally reprehensible. If it bothers you that bad, don’t use it or allow your children or anyone you have influence over to use the word.

7. Look at Dave Chappelle, he made millions on his popular television show on Comedy Central. He made use of the term ‘nigga’ in almost all of his episodes. He was riding high with fame and he alone generated (in my opinion) about $200 Million Dollars or more. The media was outraged, not because he used ‘nigga’ in more controversial ways than Richards (in my opinion) but when he walked away from it all. All the money, fame, television show, he left. Now I know why, and we should realize this, that there is no price for our dignity and if we continue to call one another that, then the world has no intention on discontinuing using the word. Mr. Doss, Mr. McBride, trust me if you collect anything, it will not be nearly the amount of money that Dave Chappelle earned, commanded and walked away from. So understand that money will not solve or change the fact that Michael Richards made those comments and that we as a community need to stop using it in order for the world to respect us.

Please pass this on. I pray that this foolishness stops and we can come together as a country and combat the real issues. Poverty, AIDS, war, terrorism (no I don’t drink the Republican/Fox News Terrorism Kool-aid, but it does exist) those are the issues we need to rally together as a country, under God to combat. Stop fighting last century’s battle, this century.

I can be reached for further comment at mterrance911@yahoo.com. Please be respectful. No death threats. Thanks and God Bless!

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