I noticed several instances of the phrase, "AMERICA has not faced up to the question of slavery, etc. Who is America?

Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Answers

Pastor Paris,

I have been reading this board for quite some time now. And I am not going touch your question, as I believe from previous comments from yourself, you have a perception of America. Perhaps you would like to share what you feel America is.

In Christ, Carmen

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Yes, you are right. This land is my land and I dare anyone to take it away from me. When we were denied the vote, they were saying we were not Americans. When WWW II German POWS were afforded more freedom than black folk, they were saying we were not full citizens of this great land. Not perfect mind you, but still the greatest contry. I would not choose to live anywhere else. So our battle for civil rights, for tha ability to live where we chose, to send our kids to the best schools, was simply a battle to be treated based on our status as full citizens of this land. I think that is what MLK had in mind when he said that if one person is denied his/her rights all have been denied their rights. So as Americans who are black, we must see ourselves as full and complete citizens of this land and not allow anyone to treat us otherwise. No other American can give me anything that this country affords for indeed I have the title deed just as any other American. Therefore, I take what is mine rather than begging someone else to look beyond my color and see my character. Notice I said Black Americans not African Americans. To me, he term African-America is less offensive than colored but not much. When they called me the Negro, I did not answer; when they called me by the N-word, I fought; when they called me colored, I didn't answer; but when I called myself BLACK and left my hair nappy, I stood tall and answered, "Here I am." You see African-American is acceptable only because WE called ourselves black. Praise the Lord! Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 23, 2001

Rev. Paris,

I thank God for your question. I was thinking about this question last week before it appeared on this board. As an African-American, I am proud of my glorius African history as documented in the Old Testament and by other antiquities (Egypt,Ethiopia,Sumeria,Ancient Israel, etc.) I am also proud of the role my slave ancestors played in the history of this country. America knows that its democracy was built on the enslavement of my people. However, America does not like to be reminded of this dirty aspect of its heritage. You ask who is America. America is all of its people. However, all of its people do not have the power to make policy and enforce it. I would like nothing better than to have all African-Americans treated like all other Americans. However, America insists upon excluding us African-Americans. For example, why do we have the phrase "driving while black"? Why do we have victims like Rodney King, Amadou Diablo, Yusef Hawkins, Abner Louma? Why was Collin Ferguson, a man with paranoid schizophrenia, allowed to represent himself in a court of law? Why is that you as an African-American are more likely to be assaulted by the police than your white counterpart? You ask who is America. If all Americans are normally treated in this fashion, then we are Americans. Otherwise, we are not.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

My dear Jazzman. You speak as if you are not a part of that America. You need to fix your America. A good place to start is to stop alowing others to define you. You call yourself an "African- American", what is wrong with "black"? 2. The problems have been repeatedly defined, now is the time to stop being victims and do for ourselves. As long as one places himself in Rodney King's position, he should be treated that way. DO SOMETHING, stop bing a victim. Don't allow yourself to be excluded. Study black history and do as your forefathers did. Tuskegee University exists because blacks were not allowed to go to white school. Booker T. Washington founded that school. In those days, black folk were "doer" of the Word. Today's black folk want someone else to do it for them. South African blacks are liberating themselves, TAKING the power away from white South Africans. You mention the term, "Driving While Black". Here's the solution for that: Say nothing; refuse to permission the officer to search your vehicle, (go to jail if necessary), take the ticket and sign it, then get a good lawyer and SUE, SUE, SUE. A black woman sued the KKK and was awarded all of their property in a town in Georgia. Do something for yourself, otherwise don't complain. Blessings Paastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 26, 2001

Dear Rev. Paris, Thanks for responding to my post. Of course, I disagree with most of what you said. I am particularly confused by your statement " as long as one places himself in Rodney King's position, he should be treated that way". As I recall, Rodney King was beat 51 times by 4 policemen while 17 other policemen watched. Would you explain why any human being should have received this treatment as your comments imply?

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

I think history tells us men were doers, and men were united in a cause, and men had help and support from others outside (those who were and were not personally effected). People worked together for a common goal.

Today, blacks can still be as effective. Yes, we must do for ourselves, be united, and there is still a need for help and support, from the outside. Because until the stereotype is gone, the treatment remains the same. And I don't buy the stereotype, in fact I know, most of what the media portrays is as far away from my life and many of you who are on the board, yet it is believed my many. And as a result blacks are still being treated differently.

Rodney King, may have been in the wrong, but that is no excuse for him to have been treated in that manner. So why was he? Because they have always gotten away with treating blacks in that manner.

I am proud of the woman who got a lawyer and sued the KKK. Everybody ain't able. I am not familiar with the case, but I am sure she had some people who would stand united with her. We have got to stand together. The problems that are faced in the world are not just somebody else's problems. They are ours. White, black, Jew, Gentile, global; they are our problems.

The other day a thought came to me. How do we deal with the problems facing our world. They seem so big and out of control. And something on the inside said We should have treated every threat like is was part of our own household, because eventually it will be.

Look at AIDS, as long as it stayed in the gay community is was not a big issue, then the drug users, well they deserve it, but soon as it hit in someone's neck of the woods that could stir some compassion from the world, it became a serious issue. When in fact, that dreaded desease was always serious problem. The same with all this killing and violence amoung our youth. Gang violence has been rampant in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, LA,... you name it, but now that young white children are shooting each other, it is now time for some compassion and let's look into what's troubling our youth. When in fact, it was always a major problem. And there are other issues, that are now coming to the forefront because it has comes close to the homes of the powers that be.

I believe blacks have learned quite a bit. We didn't start out as hostile, thieves, murderers. Now I would hate for our children to pick up this mass murdering spirit. So we need to be proactive, and talk to our children about everything that is on their minds. Tell them not to pay attention to the hype. Teach them how to deal with their anger and frustration while in school. And by all means tell them the truth. Don't even think about going to school with a gun or the thought of killing. Because we can have blinders on if we want to; but our black children in the system, will not be treated the same.

I'm sorry, I got off unto a whole new subject. But my heart grieves for all youth of all races. My heart grieves for this nation and the world. Because we have become a people that are so far removed from life's problems.

God help us,

Carmen

-- Anonymous, March 27, 2001

Let me clarify. We have a certain amount of resources, for example, our time is 24/7, that is all. Part of that MUST be used for rest and recreation. The remainder then must be budgeted among the many things calling for our attention. That is also true of our money, our compassion, we can't do it all. Someone else has to do some and some will be left undone. Jesus said we ought to be wise stewards of the Lord's (our resources. That is why I say that Rodney King is not my number 1 priority. I have compassion for him in his situation but I can't use the resources God has given on someone who does not want to be healed. Jesus asked the man by the pool, 'Do you want ot be made whole." Some folk demonstrate by their actions that they do not want to be healed and we must go on. To go to battle over a Rodney King is wasting the Lord's resources. That is not to say he deserved what happened, he did not. There is one who stands with you at all times, Jesus, the Christ. Each of us must fight the battle in his/her own way at the place where God has placed us. Even Rodney King as an example of what happens when you live outside the cpmmandments of God. Who are we to say that God did not allow that to happen to him? God diciplines His own, and if King is a Christian, God may have been using these rogue policemen to discipline him. (Hebrews 12) Sometimes we are out of the will of God trying to fix something God does not want fixed.

AIDS: No one deserves AIDS. But when one knowingly engages in a lifestyle and behavior that causes them to become infected, and then chooses to continue in that situation, what can you do? About ten years ago in Fort Worth, a doctor working with indigent AIDS patients was accidently stuck with a needle she was using to draw blood and is now HIV positive. She was innocent, trying to help. That is why God hates sins so much because the innocent suffer the consequences as well as the guilty. They don't deserve it. But that is the way of this sin-flawed world.

Our children is the most valued resource we have. We have to use all of our time and energy to save the children.

Blessings Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001

When I am asked the question "Who is America" I say we all are. Regardless of our color, gender, or age. If we live in this country we are americans. There are so many social and economic situations in this country that need to be addressed. I believe as Christians we are all called to respond. Christianity has always been about justice and liberation. Jesus and the great prophets of the old testament repeatedly address these issues. Rodney King and other victims of hatred, whether they are black or white are God's children. Bad things happen to good people. But as Christians we will have the strength to weather lives storms with faith. The Aids epedemic is rampant on the continent of Africa. And Aids is not just a gay disease, it is a baby's disease, heterosexual disease, an old person's disease, a hemophiliac disease, white, black, jewish etc. In other words it affects humanity. At the on set of the disease. church's often times turned it's back on those with the disease. I was an Aid's Chaplain in the 80's in an hospice for those in the last stages of the disease. And at a time when they needed the church the most they were alone. Christ calls us to go to the sick and the sinners. And to do that it means giving of ourselves. Christ will give us the strength to do his work if we ask. We can not fix every problem in the world, but we can begin where we are. God is busy working all around us. Stop, look and join him in his work. Start an after school program, babysit for a single mom, pay a utility bill for someone who has aids, write a letter, make a phone call. All of these things do with love and your reward will be great. So who is America, we all are!

-- Anonymous, March 29, 2001