On this the 25th Anniversary of the national celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it strikes me that in the myriad discussions and analyses of King, his life and the manifestations of his efforts, that we overlook an obvious question--why did he do what he did? A simple answer lies in the environment of segregation and second class citizenship in which he came of age. While that clearly had an influence on King, methinks that there had to be something else, for there are many people across the human experience, including contemporaries of King, who find themselves in the midst of an unfair or unfortunate situation. So what made the good Reverend different? A simple word--L-O-V-E.
The presence of love operates on three levels--love for self, others and God. Now how you measure love I do not know, but it seems that inside King's soul lied a greater capacity for love than many possess, or maybe he just made the most out of the love he had. At any rate, it is his love for self that motivated him to make the most of his God given talents and to pursue his dreams and goals in a manner that demanded his best and one which lit the fire that ignited his passion and drive. His love for others is made clear in his willingness to pursue justice. Similarly, especially when one reads his "Letter from a Birmingham Jail" we see that his pursuit of justice--which essentially is simply about doing the right thing (not according to man's standards but God's) is rooted in his love for God and respect for the expectations HE holds of us.
I choose to remember Dr. King as a divine servant. It is from the wellspring of love that service emanates. After all, what is love if it is not sacrifice? And the root of serving others is sacrifice and submission. The example Dr. King sets for us, whether as activists, as Christians (who are required by Christ to serve), as humans, and particularly as a man, renders his birth a day worth celebrating. A quick note about King's manhood--it strikes me today that in a culture that often creates a deficient yet sadly rigid definition of what it means to be a man, King might be viewed as a punk, as soft, two words every man cringes if labeled. He didn't have swag, he eschewed material goods and big paychecks, and though he had a secret affinity for ladies, gave no indication that his legacy or identity was defined by his sexual prowess. Yet interestingly, the level of respect held for this soft dude is at an all-time high, and what do men crave more than anything? Respect--so maybe he was that guy after all.
Dr. King, as a man, a leader, an activist, a human, a Christian, embodies the very essence of how we who aspire to make a difference ought to pattern our thoughts and actions. Ephesisans 4:1-3 lays out for all of us what God expects:
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., you truly answered God's call. Thank you for demonstrating how one of the easiest things for people to exercise--love--is in and of itself a powerful force for making this world a better place.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Fearless predictions for 2011
I delayed this a few days due to the tragedy in Tuscon, didn't want my attempt at political humor to be viewed as insensitive in this time of mourning. Again, lets remember that everyday in this country, someone mourns. Jamison and Adrienne were sick as well, then they passed it along to yours truly. Sooooooooooooo without further ado:
January 12: In honor of the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, Americans take to time officially acknowledge that we have forgotten.
January 31: Time Magazine gives person of the year for 2010 award to Nancy Pelosi. Keith Olbermann smells a conservative conspiracy at play and gets into argument with the little man who sits on his shoulder. His show is cancelled. Democrats rejoice.
February 10: A little over a week into a seemingly non-existent Black History Month, Rush Limbaugh announces that since Blacks are lazy and responsible for the deplorable state of our nation, they no longer deserve neither a history nor a month to honor it. Sarah Palin, agrees, saying that "there are no Black people in Alaska, but those Black bears, man they are dangerous. Then again, so are Black men, even Black men who are 1/2 Black, 1/2 white and 1/2 Muslim. Thats ok though, gonna refudiate them and keep them in my crosshairs."
-When asked about their programming plans for the month, of which there appear to be none, ESPN says, "I thought our 3 part series on MLK Day counted"....but hey, "we'd be happy to carry Michael Vick's execution."
February 14: Due to the recession, American men only spend $9.7 billion on flowers and candy. The next day, the Khardashian sisters lead a march on Hollywood to protest this sharp decline. Along the way, they stop at Disneyland, never to be seen or heard from again.
February 15: Black athletes across America wear Black and get RIP Babygirl tats to mourn the loss of Kim.
February 16: Black athletes, having regained their senses, refuse to appear on ESPN, who in turn shifts all programming to curling and ice skating. OJ Simpson returns to the air waves as a new host on Sportscenter.
March 9: Filming for "Dinner with Schmucks 2" begins. Congress takes a three month recess to carry out their parts in the film.
April 15: In a sign of protest, Tea Party loyalists board a ship in Boston Harbor and sail back to the place their ancestors immigrated from. With the state of Arizona now vacated by this sudden exodus of 98% of its non-Latino population, Mexico quickly reclaims the land that once belonged to it. It grants clemency to former Americans living in Arizona, giving them health care benefits. John McCain immediately announces his candidacy for President of the United States of....Mexico in order to stop the spread of socialism. Joe the Plumber, who now goes by the title Joe the Higher Education Lobbyist, once again asks what socialism means.
May 20: In an act of "true patriotism" the quitter who used to be governor of Alaska officially declares that she and four other Alaskans are seceding from the United States of America and joining Russia. Her logic: If you can see em, join em. When queried as to why she picked May 20th, the day North Carolina seceded (and nearly 6 months after SOUTH Carolina did so), she responds: oops, I meant South. She adds that Carolina blue is also such a pretty color.
June 12: On Russia's day of Independence, Sarah Palin appears on Public Access television interviewed by Jim Gray. Its "Decision Day: 2012." Here's the transcript"
Gray: Are you ready to go Sarah? Where is the Powder?"
Palin: I went potty before I sat down but the powder room is down the hall, ya' know.
Gray: How many people know about your decision?
Palin: Do bears count? All of em, any of em.
Gray: Who in this process, LeBron, i mean, Sarah, have you taken advice from and who has had the biggest influence?
Palin: OMG Lebron is so scary! Did you see that cover of...whats the magazine called? You know, I read em all. Anyshucks, I would say God but come on, God is no Todd.
Gray: You have everyone biting your nails. So I guess its time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question that everybody wants to know: Sarah, what is your decision?
Palin: Since I no longer have the support in the RNC from my favorite negro Michael Steele, can I say negro on cable? Anywhoo, I am leaving the Republican party to run for President of the United States as a member of the Bull Moose Party. Grab your birth certificate Obama, I'm aiming, oops, can I say that? I'm aiming for you.
June 16: Returning from recess, Congress enters into debate about gun control. After a passionate plea from members of the Democratic Party championing the need to limit magazines to holding 29 bullets instead of 30, Republicans take to the floor and pull out their guns. Pelosi pulls out a butterknife. Barney Frank pulls out a dictionary. Debate over.
June 19: Man of the year announced on Father's Day: John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford and Tiger Woods split award. they celebrate with mistresses at a Pancake House in Argentina.
July 4: On the steps of the Capitol, Rush Limbaugh and Rev. Al Sharpton announce both their marriage and candidacy for the White House on a joint ticket. Please send percocet or Dark n Lovely in lieu of flowers. With neither preferring men, their marriage is one of convenience as they hope to become the first spouses to share the White House. While on their honeymoon/first campaign stop, they appear on Dr. Phil where Rush reveals that he doubts Al will vote for him well, because Black people only vote for other Blacks.
July 30: Barack Obama seen in SE DC carry out. He is seen on videotape carrying the following: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2" VHS tape; a Chuck Brown CD; 2 FUBU sweatsuits, 3 orders of fried rice, a DVD titled "BabyGirl and the Seven Drawfs: the Journey to Space Mountain" and what appears to be a birth certificate.
August: NFL Lockout continues. Americans suffer from withdrawal. Staring at their televisions--somehow all tuned into BSN--a new news channel covering the 2012 election cycle, Americans are comatose and spend the entire month in mourning.
September 11: On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, another great American disaster occurs--there is no NFL on what would have been opening weekend. Obama gives an impassioned speech at the new Ground Zero--Fed Ex Field and urges that we shall get past this, together. Candidates Palin and Limbaugh accuse Obama of grandstanding and neglecting the real important historical, and equally tragic event in the history of this day--the introduction of the Ford Pinto in 1970.
October 13: Nine months after the season premiere of some show on BET a slew of babies are born at hospitals in DC, Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Philly and New York. Most common male baby name: Derwin. Female name: Melanie.
November 22: On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Republicans and some punk ass Democrats more interested in staying in office than doing the right thing, join forces and implement a phase of the Pay-as-you-go policy ushered in earlier by the new Republican majority in the House which allows Congress to cut taxes without cutting spending. Effective immediately no American will pay taxes. Ever!
November 23: After a wild night of tea parties and all night shopping, Americans wake up. All schools are closed. Hospitals and ambulances have gone quiet. Police officers are noticeably absent (well, depending on what neighborhood you live in, cuz for some, they are always absent). The military swiftly discharges all members, leaving thousands stranded in Afghanistan. And the sign on the highway urging us to report suspicious activity now reads "America is closed. Please call 1-800-Uon-Uown. Calls to 1-800-432-TIPS reach an all time high of two, yet there is no answer. Happy Thanksgiving America.
December 26: A day after Christmas, doors to NFL stadiums still shuttered, Americans emerge from perhaps the most meaningful Christmas ever. Fathers once again are involved in their childrens lives and they pay attention to their wives. Church attendance is up. People visit the sick and the old. Kids can read again. Families have joined together to save schools. Doctors and the health industry are providing services to those in need and communities are policing their own neighborhoods. In a hastily put together press conference, Bull Moose leader Sarah Palin and the Bull $hit Party duo of Limbaugh and Sharpton condemn this new America. Thankfully, Americans are too busy enjoying their friends and family and embracing the meaning of service to listen.
January 12: In honor of the one year anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti, Americans take to time officially acknowledge that we have forgotten.
January 31: Time Magazine gives person of the year for 2010 award to Nancy Pelosi. Keith Olbermann smells a conservative conspiracy at play and gets into argument with the little man who sits on his shoulder. His show is cancelled. Democrats rejoice.
February 10: A little over a week into a seemingly non-existent Black History Month, Rush Limbaugh announces that since Blacks are lazy and responsible for the deplorable state of our nation, they no longer deserve neither a history nor a month to honor it. Sarah Palin, agrees, saying that "there are no Black people in Alaska, but those Black bears, man they are dangerous. Then again, so are Black men, even Black men who are 1/2 Black, 1/2 white and 1/2 Muslim. Thats ok though, gonna refudiate them and keep them in my crosshairs."
-When asked about their programming plans for the month, of which there appear to be none, ESPN says, "I thought our 3 part series on MLK Day counted"....but hey, "we'd be happy to carry Michael Vick's execution."
February 14: Due to the recession, American men only spend $9.7 billion on flowers and candy. The next day, the Khardashian sisters lead a march on Hollywood to protest this sharp decline. Along the way, they stop at Disneyland, never to be seen or heard from again.
February 15: Black athletes across America wear Black and get RIP Babygirl tats to mourn the loss of Kim.
February 16: Black athletes, having regained their senses, refuse to appear on ESPN, who in turn shifts all programming to curling and ice skating. OJ Simpson returns to the air waves as a new host on Sportscenter.
March 9: Filming for "Dinner with Schmucks 2" begins. Congress takes a three month recess to carry out their parts in the film.
April 15: In a sign of protest, Tea Party loyalists board a ship in Boston Harbor and sail back to the place their ancestors immigrated from. With the state of Arizona now vacated by this sudden exodus of 98% of its non-Latino population, Mexico quickly reclaims the land that once belonged to it. It grants clemency to former Americans living in Arizona, giving them health care benefits. John McCain immediately announces his candidacy for President of the United States of....Mexico in order to stop the spread of socialism. Joe the Plumber, who now goes by the title Joe the Higher Education Lobbyist, once again asks what socialism means.
May 20: In an act of "true patriotism" the quitter who used to be governor of Alaska officially declares that she and four other Alaskans are seceding from the United States of America and joining Russia. Her logic: If you can see em, join em. When queried as to why she picked May 20th, the day North Carolina seceded (and nearly 6 months after SOUTH Carolina did so), she responds: oops, I meant South. She adds that Carolina blue is also such a pretty color.
June 12: On Russia's day of Independence, Sarah Palin appears on Public Access television interviewed by Jim Gray. Its "Decision Day: 2012." Here's the transcript"
Gray: Are you ready to go Sarah? Where is the Powder?"
Palin: I went potty before I sat down but the powder room is down the hall, ya' know.
Gray: How many people know about your decision?
Palin: Do bears count? All of em, any of em.
Gray: Who in this process, LeBron, i mean, Sarah, have you taken advice from and who has had the biggest influence?
Palin: OMG Lebron is so scary! Did you see that cover of...whats the magazine called? You know, I read em all. Anyshucks, I would say God but come on, God is no Todd.
Gray: You have everyone biting your nails. So I guess its time for them to stop chewing. The answer to the question that everybody wants to know: Sarah, what is your decision?
Palin: Since I no longer have the support in the RNC from my favorite negro Michael Steele, can I say negro on cable? Anywhoo, I am leaving the Republican party to run for President of the United States as a member of the Bull Moose Party. Grab your birth certificate Obama, I'm aiming, oops, can I say that? I'm aiming for you.
June 16: Returning from recess, Congress enters into debate about gun control. After a passionate plea from members of the Democratic Party championing the need to limit magazines to holding 29 bullets instead of 30, Republicans take to the floor and pull out their guns. Pelosi pulls out a butterknife. Barney Frank pulls out a dictionary. Debate over.
June 19: Man of the year announced on Father's Day: John Edwards, Elliot Spitzer, Mark Sanford and Tiger Woods split award. they celebrate with mistresses at a Pancake House in Argentina.
July 4: On the steps of the Capitol, Rush Limbaugh and Rev. Al Sharpton announce both their marriage and candidacy for the White House on a joint ticket. Please send percocet or Dark n Lovely in lieu of flowers. With neither preferring men, their marriage is one of convenience as they hope to become the first spouses to share the White House. While on their honeymoon/first campaign stop, they appear on Dr. Phil where Rush reveals that he doubts Al will vote for him well, because Black people only vote for other Blacks.
July 30: Barack Obama seen in SE DC carry out. He is seen on videotape carrying the following: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, Part 2" VHS tape; a Chuck Brown CD; 2 FUBU sweatsuits, 3 orders of fried rice, a DVD titled "BabyGirl and the Seven Drawfs: the Journey to Space Mountain" and what appears to be a birth certificate.
August: NFL Lockout continues. Americans suffer from withdrawal. Staring at their televisions--somehow all tuned into BSN--a new news channel covering the 2012 election cycle, Americans are comatose and spend the entire month in mourning.
September 11: On the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, another great American disaster occurs--there is no NFL on what would have been opening weekend. Obama gives an impassioned speech at the new Ground Zero--Fed Ex Field and urges that we shall get past this, together. Candidates Palin and Limbaugh accuse Obama of grandstanding and neglecting the real important historical, and equally tragic event in the history of this day--the introduction of the Ford Pinto in 1970.
October 13: Nine months after the season premiere of some show on BET a slew of babies are born at hospitals in DC, Baltimore, Detroit, Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Philly and New York. Most common male baby name: Derwin. Female name: Melanie.
November 22: On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Republicans and some punk ass Democrats more interested in staying in office than doing the right thing, join forces and implement a phase of the Pay-as-you-go policy ushered in earlier by the new Republican majority in the House which allows Congress to cut taxes without cutting spending. Effective immediately no American will pay taxes. Ever!
November 23: After a wild night of tea parties and all night shopping, Americans wake up. All schools are closed. Hospitals and ambulances have gone quiet. Police officers are noticeably absent (well, depending on what neighborhood you live in, cuz for some, they are always absent). The military swiftly discharges all members, leaving thousands stranded in Afghanistan. And the sign on the highway urging us to report suspicious activity now reads "America is closed. Please call 1-800-Uon-Uown. Calls to 1-800-432-TIPS reach an all time high of two, yet there is no answer. Happy Thanksgiving America.
December 26: A day after Christmas, doors to NFL stadiums still shuttered, Americans emerge from perhaps the most meaningful Christmas ever. Fathers once again are involved in their childrens lives and they pay attention to their wives. Church attendance is up. People visit the sick and the old. Kids can read again. Families have joined together to save schools. Doctors and the health industry are providing services to those in need and communities are policing their own neighborhoods. In a hastily put together press conference, Bull Moose leader Sarah Palin and the Bull $hit Party duo of Limbaugh and Sharpton condemn this new America. Thankfully, Americans are too busy enjoying their friends and family and embracing the meaning of service to listen.
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