Saturday, as the keynote speaker for East High’s 45th high school reunion, I spoke on the theme of apathy within the African-American community. We are living out life like it is golden; going, doing, and accumulating more and more and never enough! We are focused on social climbing vs. the social climate in this country. Yes, have fun. Live life like it is golden (Jill Scott), but be aware concerning the social climate in America. Do not bury your heads in those proverbial sands you visit on 7-day vacations/cruises. But rather, be watchful, informed, and PROACTIVE!
Our jails are overflowing with African-Americans (over 70%), and we are only (12%) of the population. High school retention and graduation rates are extremely low for African-American youth in inner-city schools, whereas the pipelines to prison rates are extremely high. Let us not forget the danger in driving or walking while Black. We must engage, as a community, to combat racism, inequality, and genocide in America. The consequences of not doing so will affect us in a devastating way, as increasing number of hate groups (white supremacist, KKK, Neo-Nazi, etc.) are uniting and fortifying with strategies to maintain status-quo.
We cannot allow life to just happen to us, as we live out golden lives. We cannot simply observe from the sidelines. Our jails are overflowing with African-Americans (over 70%), and we are only (12%) of the population. High school retention/graduation rates are extremely low for African-American youth in inner-city schools, whereas the pipelines to prison rates are extremely high. Let us not forget the danger in driving or walking while Black. (Please do not have a cell phone in your hand.) We must engage, as a community, to combat racism, inequality, and genocide in America. The consequences of not doing so will affect us in a devastating way, as increasing number of hate groups continue to unite themselves and develop strategies to neutralize and/or take us out as a race.
These hate groups consider African-Americans (and other people of color) as ‘sub-human,’ who are lacking in intelligence. They believe we can be controlled with fear tactics. Know that this is not a physical war, but a spiritual warfare that requires whole-armor suiting (Eph. 6:12-19).This is not a time for passivity. Vote, protest, rally, mentor a youth, post (FB/Twitter), and contact local and state representatives. In doing so, we will see more victories as was witnessed, yesterday in D.C., at the Unite the Right-2 rally. Our nation was reminded that prayer and unity as a community IN God (black, white, Hispanic, American Indians, Jewish, etc.), will aid the struggle for justice/equality in America. Passivity and complacency will only assist white-wing (oops) ‘right-wing’ thinkers in “returning America back to the way it used to be.” I like what Jim Scott advocates in ‘Golden’ (4th Stanza):
I’m holding on to my freedom
Can’t take it from me
I was born into it, and it comes naturally.
I’m strumming my own freedom
[Living out] the God in me
Daily, representing His Glory [wherever I be]
I Know He’s proud of me!
Thank you for taking time to read this blog. Rev Dr. Dianthia Gilmore, Prophetic Pastor (Church without Walls)