Blacks With Power| Make America Great Through Black Power

We could recreate the Garden of Eden from whence we were out-cast… We could indeed become the Beloved Community and forge A More Perfect Union, on earth as it is in Heaven… There really could exist a reality in tangible form where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” It could be possible…here in America. But White folk would have to repent of White Supremacy. Not just pass some legislation to grant Black people a few more rights until they take them away. Not just to add more Black people to their boards of directors. Not to do any of the myriad acts they could do and should do… But to repent of White Supremacy… Yet how will that ever happen unless Black folk compel them to repent? Will White people ever be able to read the Story of the Exodus - of the Hebrew people in slavery, in Egypt, and see themselves as the oppressor? Will White people ever be able to read the Exodus and see th

The people were in exile in the wilderness. They had been in bondage for over 400 years, but now they were free. They hadn’t yet arrived at the Promised Land, but at least they were free. Or so you’d think… Because the people craved the land of their oppression. They longed for the days when they were close to their earthly masters. Massa might have been mean and violent, but “we sat by the pots of meat and ate bread to the full!” The missed the comfort of their slave quarters. The reliability of their life in bondage. It was consistent and they could count on certain things to be a certain way. They desired security more than they desired freedom… I wonder about the Mind of Moses, watching his people stuck on stupid. No matter what, they clung to Egypt and the way of life they had in Egypt. They believed in the greatness of the land of their oppression. It was oppressive, yes…yet, in their eyes, it was still the greatest Country in the world. After being docile in subjugation and submissive

Even before the Grand Jury decided not to indict the murderers of Breonna Taylor, I already had to get my mind right... The Governor of Florida had just floated a bill to legalize the use of cars as an assault weapon for vitriolic White Supremacists who dislike protesters. I mean... The reality that people can even consider such inhumane actions... And why would I even want to reason with people who demonstrate such deft wickedness? Why reason with those who make it clear the lengths they're willing to go, in effort to be unreasonable? And I know many will say: "That's why you gotta get to the polls!" But really? I'm not saying people shouldn't vote. I would if I could... It's like Ice Cube asked, what are we getting for this vote? Voting for nothing makes no sense. They don’t just want your vote. They need your vote. pic.twitter.com/FjY0voUVjw— Ice Cube (@icecube) September 8, 2020 Do we really think that will make Black Lives Matter? Like after all this time of non-mattering to W

The ancestors ain’t wait for death like this… They knew no help was coming. Living in a Society that condoned their bondage… A Society that agreed with Black Inferiority, and the proper place of Negro Servitude… They could run… But running was extremely risky, especially from the Deep South. Seeing those who didn’t make it, mutilated and beaten to a pulp, served as a deterrent too many… So, they hoped for death. The Great By and By. Freedom in the sky. The only freedom on which they could rely. Death. Would. Come. Death wouldn’t disappoint. Death wouldn’t fail. White man couldn’t stop you from dying. Massa couldn’t stop Death from taking you to freedom…couldn’t snatch you from Death’s sacred embrace. So when all other hope of freedom had been dashed and become a distant memory they could barely remember, they hoped for Death to visit. Death: The Great Liberator… But we don’t hope for Death anymore. We take the liberation of Death for granted. We no longer hope for freedom so much

In the Black Church, we often speak of Social Justice. It is the component of the Gospel to which we most appeal. It is the thing we choose to use in order to distinguish ourselves from the White Church… Social Justice… But, is that the right distinction to choose? Yes, the Black Church is far more concerned with social justice than the White Church. The White Church can barely commit to social justice. They spend time arguing on whether Jesus had any social efficacy. As if Jesus’ Life in the Flesh did nothing to engage the social injustices of the day… I don’t know which Gospel they read… Yet, we go in the opposite direction. And the summum bonum of the Black Church is to “let Justice roll down like waters.” Justice, Justice, Justice… What do we want? Justice… When do we want it? Now… But what is Justice? It seems an ever-moving target. The minute we arrive at the Justice of our demands, the circumstance has changed and there’s a new imperative that Justice requires. We are scat

We speak of the Civil Rights Movement... Of the legacy of the struggle. Of how far we've come - by faith...leaning on the Lord. But have we really? Have we come this far because we've been leaning on the Lord? Or have we been leaning on another lord? Do we remember the God of our fathers and mothers? Do we remember the promises God made to them? Do we remember the promises God made to us? Do we remember freedom? Do we remember what freedom is? We damn sure should know what it isn't... With all that we've seen over the past few months: the explosion of vitriol, and the support for and encouragement of that vitriol from the highest seats of power in the land, we should know - unequivocally - what freedom is not. It ain't this... We need to go back and fetch it. #Sankofa. We need to return to the Hush Harbor and remember. We need to get "in the Spirit," be transported to that space and time with our ancestors, and re-member: knit together the Body that was dismembered by white supremac

If you understand this truth, you will also understand the ridiculous absurdity of Black people learning Church from Whiteness... The ridiculous absurdity of Black Church being subordinate to White Church...relegated to a sub-category of "Church," where we have to say BLACK Church, and simply saying "Church" becomes confused with being White. The very existence of a Black Church and White Church comes about because we fail to understand the point of this conversation. So, check out this episode and let us know what you think... What is the single greatest question you have about your conception of the Church and the Faith in light of the message of this podcast episode? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lnNMEI1Qr0&feature=youtu.be&sub_confirmation=1

Blessings beloved! I believe that if we move the Black Church, we move the Black Community...we move individual Black People. So, I continue my inquiry into what is needed for and from the Black Church in these times of heightened danger for Black Life. This time I speak to a fellow Episcopalian. Now, before you stop right there saying: "man, I ain't listening to two 'Black' Episcopalians!" Let me also say this: he's a fellow dread. #Rastafari And so you know the conversation gon be an irie meditation. LOL That said, we start as usual with my question: "what is the single greatest question you would pose to the Black Church in these times?" I want to know what other Black Clerics are thinking. I want to unpack what they are thinking. And I want you to engage with those thoughts... For surely, we need to be thinking...to be strategizing...to be engaged in thoughts that place our context into context with the Gospel...right? So, check out this episode with Fr. Dennis Patterson at Church

Man-oh-Man! It's been a journey getting back into the swing of things... The last episode of Blacks with Power came out in May of 2018. It's been OVER TWO years... I've forgotten a lot...how to set up all my equipment. How to record properly. How to post episodes... If podcasting is like riding a bike, I've fallen all over myself and skinned my knees! But, I'm back!!! LOL I couldn't NOT have something to say in these times. When Black Lives are being turned upside down, Choked out...shot dead in our sleep...or just waking from sleep. While the streets are streaming with people looking for Justice... Willing to disturb the peace. I had to do what I do. I wanted to do what I do. I missed you... I felt as though I had nothing to offer. So I went off into the hills...damn near literally. Started growing a garden. Became a hermit of sorts. I've been on "stay at home" orders for the past few years. Yet, we need to have some conversations my sisters...my brothers... We need to a

When it all comes down to it, the end came is dismantling White supremacy... There is no justice in this world... There is no Beloved Community, so long as White supremacy has breadth. Right? But how do we put White supremacy to an end? Can we just wait on White folk to end it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mggph8o_RNM&feature=youtu.be In this last episode for the Spring 2018 season, we'll explore why Black Power is the only thing that will ultimately dismantle White supremacy. If White supremacy is to come to an end... If the world is going to come from under this sickness... It's going to be because of Black Power.   This season, we've been focused on the foundational principles of my book, Black Power: Our God-Given Call to Make America Great. As we see society being tested and challenged in a major way by America's racial climate, it's important to consider solutions. This is the solution I offer... In hopes that humanity would "come to order," and return to God.   In the Facebook Group

All the talk about racial reconciliation ignores the role of Black redemption. And, without Black redemption there is no way to achieve racial reconciliation that is anything more than further conditioning Black people to become reconciled to their own oppression. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85e0LZH4_4g I'm sold that racial reconciliation can only happen as a result of Black redemption. That's why, when people ask me what I speak/present on I say: "Black redemption and racial reconciliation. The two go together. There's a third part that's particular to White people - but, that's not the point of this piece... But from our perspective - as Black people - we're concerned with our part. And that's redemption. Without it, we can't really reconcile. All we can do is position ourselves for further oppression. Without redemption, we are left hoping that White folk will be good to us. Aren't you tired of that?     So, I'm presenting a different approach and invite you to consider it. In this episode

Wakanda forever was the cry... But forever is such a very long time. And our attention spans are so short. Yet, there's such hope in Wakanda-mania. It shows us the great potential of when a myth becomes reality... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRfXhazPdS8 I enjoyed Black Panther... And by box office numbers, it seems most of us did... Beyond the movie, what was very powerful was the countless Black folk proclaiming "Wakanda Forever!" Especially coming from the Black elite... I mean, you expect certain folk to have been all decked out in their African garb. You know: those who go to poetry spots & underground hiphop clubs. Those who fight for reparations and the few who remember Old Marcus Garvey... But those who work in the halls of power? Those who been working hard to advance in White spaces and have to be concerned for what White folks think? I ain't know most of them even had dashikis... Wakanda did a number on us Such power...such prestige...such undeniable Black excellence... You couldn't

Black Christianity is different from White Christianity... Shouldn't be...but it is. It's the reality created by the sin of White supremacy. But more than simple conjecture...beyond simply throwing out some charged statement, what is the basis of this claim? What makes this claim undeniable? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB8nad-vSJ0 "Slaves be obedient to your masters..." That's the legacy many of us think belongs to Black Christianity. And when - even in 2018 - I see Black Christians celebrating America's Founding Fathers with religious devotion, I can't help but think: We're still being obedient... But is that a true accounting of Black Christianity? Is Black Christianity really the docile faith that White supremacy gave us...or is there something more? Growing up in the Caribbean, I could never vibe with the weakheart identity of the Black Church. It was completely foreign to the Caribbean experience. Partly because most of the Caribbean was either liberated by revolt or has an undeniable legac

Ancient Egypt, the Sphinx, the Pyramids... They are incredibly fascinating and draw us back to the greatest civilization. All "great civilizations" of the West have modeled themselves after Egypt. Ancient Egypt serves as the foundation for the idea of greatness. And it's greatest lesson for Black Identity might also be the most disturbing... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9JelHgDWgA But what else do we learn from Ancient Egypt? What do we learn about ourselves as Black people in America and about Black identity? Yes - as the world's greatest civilization, Ancient Egypt is a testimony to the ingenuity of Black people. The relics of Egypt stand as reminders of that greatness, dispelling the myths of Black inferiority. We love to - and should - look to Ancient Egypt for African pride. But there's a perspective on Egypt that is even more powerful, yet often ignored... This perspective is one that is of great benefit to understanding our position and place as Black people in America. It helps us to resh

In publishing my book, Black Power: Our God-Given Call to Make America Great, I ended up taking a hiatus from producing this podcast. And that hiatus has helped reframe the show in transformative ways! And in this episode, I share how those changes will be transformative for you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA2tC8AvyWo We've got to be more intentional about everything, if we're going to be prepared for the political and economic struggles facing Black people in America and beyond. And I have to practice what I preach. So, I spent some time asking myself questions to clarify the Black Power Mission. What would really make a show entitled Blacks with Power resonate with you? What would make the concept of Black Power more embraceable? I know, many of us have a touchy relationship with Black power. White supremacy has made us afraid to embrace it. The narrative on Black power is that it's somehow dangerous and therefore undesirable. In America, to embrace Black power is essentially to ostracize you

Afro-Latinos...how many times do you consider the in the equation of #BlackLivesMatter? When Hispanic groups ask for Black American assistance in their fight for equality, do you take stock of the issues from the perspective of Afro-Latinos? It's a conversation we definitely need to have... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kSuOVaYvj4 When I worked on Capitol Hill, I focused heavily on the issues affecting Afro-Latinos. So, I'm familiar with the issues. And it's always been baffling that Afro-Latinos don't seem to fit in anywhere. Black Americans rarely consider them; the Hispanic community rarely considers them. I mean: remember the murders of Diego Ortiz and Miguel de Jesus? Probably not...no movement was birthed to seek justice for the two Afro-Latinos. Not from the Black community...not from the Hispanic community. There was one rally in support of the two men, which drew only about a dozen people. So, the strange thing is: Ortiz and de Jesus are part of both communities. Where's the Place for Afro-L

Public Health concerns are a critical piece to understanding the complexities of the Black experience. It's part of the issue that keeps us from creating a cohesive socio-economic political agenda to advance the Black community. Consider it like this: who can think straight when they are sick? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v0SSqC2XmA And like Malcolm said, Black people in America are "sickest of all politically." That sounds hyperbolic...sounds like exaggeration. But, look at our social condition and our place in American society. And yes, White supremacy is the root of that. But by now, shouldn't we have come up with a strategy to trample down white supremacy? I believe so...and that's why I look at our struggle as deeply rooted in public health. We have to be sick...and maybe if we heal the sickness, we might be able to create a winning strategy to bring Liberty and Justice to our people - and to this Country. I've read enough sociological works to attest to this premise. My favorite is Post Trau

Black identity has always been threatening to American Society. It's long been debated and suppressed. Black folk ourselves are the worst purveyors of this fear of a Black identity, because at several checkpoints in our American sojourn we have - en masse - encouraged each other to deny our Blackness in favor of the "American melting pot." And this fear is the subject of a recent FBI report that should have us concerned. (Article continues below) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zJi2pTVuLo Yes - there was the Black Power movement of the 70s and who could forget James Brown imploring us to "say it loud" that we are Black and proud? But then we must also understand the only reason that song was necessary is because that statement was not something that was usually proclaimed loudly - if at all. And yes, we must remember the "Ideological Origins of Black Nationalism." In those early days of struggle, before emancipation and before Frederick Douglass helped shift the perspective of Black Americans, establish

Some Doitall to be the Chief Rocka, and that's certainly cool. But once you've established your position as one of the illest to rock a mic, what's next? Once you prove you can move the crowd to uncontrollably nod their heads and shake their bodies, what's the next challenge for a true Emcee? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dneyrzknTrw Back before hiphop had the club going up on a Tuesday to pop bottles and skeet all over the walls, the art form was known as the Black CNN - informing the community of those things that the media wouldn't cover. The Emcee would narrate the culture or comfort those wounded by life's struggle. Folk knew when they grabbed the mic it's "All eyez on me." And they'd embrace that reality, telling the masses to "listen up, I got a story to tell." Even when they fell victim to the system and the stereotypes, they were clear on the enemy. And through their posture of protest they built hiphop - brick by brick - into a billion dollar empire. These pioneers and the soldiers who followe

Pledging is the answer for everyone, when that is the choice. No one wants hazing, right? But surely skating isn't the answer either. Both skating and hazing have produced lackluster brothers and sisters incapable of living up to the high moral standards of our various Fraternities and Sororities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXSbvMemylA In these days of racial turmoil, we need strong leadership that has been prepared for the battles we must face in the fight for freedom and justice. But skaters lack the tenacity and endurance to commit to a fight that is bigger than themselves. And those who've been hazed lack the unity...the brotherhood and sisterhood needed to move as one. In the Name of the Lord, I stand firm in my belief in pledging as being an important part of the process for making men and women with the tenacity and endurance for the battles we face as a people, and the ability to form like Voltron to benefit from the strength in numbers. (If you don't know what it means to "form like Voltron