It happened as I approached the lunch counter exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I got this overwhelming feeling of sadness.  Becoming emotional, I asked God why did African Americans have to go through such horror and injustice to fight for equality in this country?  Feeling angry, I reflected on the current state of our political and social system, and thought, God, nothing has changed. We’re still fighting and in fact, it’s actually worse. Among the crowds of visitors and school kids, I heard God whisper, “No, the fighting will never cease and equality will never be achieved.  If that were to happen, future generations would never understand nor appreciate the sacrifices others made for their freedom.  The sacrifice I made for their freedom.”  I asked God, so what is my part in this struggle? He simply stated, “I need you to tell the story. I want you to use your words to share my thoughts.”

I’ve always had lots of opinions, and was eager to share them through my blog.  Of late, many of my opinions have been driven by the daily antics of our current president and his administration.  During the early days of Trump’s presidency, I avoided watching any news, because I literally cringed whenever I heard his voice.  As his lunacy became more evident it was difficult not to watch him.

One evening as I watched President Trump espousing more ‘alternative facts, God gave me a revelation that instantly gave me peace of mind. I thought back on the Bible verse Luke 12:2,  “There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.”  For all the lies President Trump has told, the promises broken, the verbal and sexual assaults he’s made to women, the unfounded and insulting accusations made, the unethical, immoral and illegal policies he’s tried to pass, those he has discriminated against and the unethical business practices he’s involved with, one day he will stand account. Congress may not have the courage to hold him accountable, but he, like all of us, must account for our actions to God.  What deeds he has done, will come to light.

As I said in an earlier post, I do believe that God allowed Trump to become President to show America’s true heart.  Since the beginning of this country and the institution of slavery, America’s heart has not changed.  Double standards will always remain. MSNBC’s The Last Word moderator, Lawrence O’Donnell believed that Congress nor the American people would have had the patience with President Obama as they have with President Trump. Congress would have been midway through the impeachment process if President Obama had attempted half of what President Trump has said or done, with little or no consequence.

Yes, the fight for equality continues. What will your part in the struggle be?

“For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”         Luke 8:17

 

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The 2016 Presidential election is over, and many are left dismayed, bewildered, and heartbroken with the outcome. Whether the outcome was the result of white lash, sexism, bigotry, fear or anti-Clintonism, we won’t know.

Regardless, he is America’s choice. If Trump is serious about healing this sharply divided country, he needs to start with an apology to the millions of Americans he has offended over the last 15 months through his hate filled rhetoric and social media attacks.

Maya Angelou said “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”  There’s nothing that can be done to change the election outcome. We can however, change our attitude about it and focus instead on the opportunities that have been presented to us:

1. God remains on the throne.   While Jesus is not a registered voter, he does allow situations to happen. I believe God allowed this seriously flawed, inexperienced and mean spirited individual to rise to this position so that we, as a nation will humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face. In one single night, millions of Americans became prayer warriors, committed to praying for our country, family and communities. God knows how to get His people on their knees!
2. No one should ever be able to tell us that we ‘don’t have the qualifications’ to perform a job for which we apply. As for experience, Trump has never governed anything nor held any type of      political office. He is famous for being a successful real estate mogul, but with four bankruptcies, and numerous suits against him for unfair business practices, I question his definition of success. Evidently America doesn’t think it requires any significant skill, knowledge, political influence or experience to run a country. It’s good to know that any of us are qualified to become president. Kanye, you can run for president and Kim will fit right in as First Lady!
3. We’ve been given new rules of engagement in which to live. Our country changed into Trump world overnight. In Trump world, we have been given permission to believe that hatred, bigotry, bullying, sexual harassment and violence are acceptable forms of behavior. The spike in violence in our schools and neighborhoods has already started.  Imagine dropping your 5 year old off to school and having them bullied for their skin color. The new rules of engagement in America mean people of color, the LGBTQ population and other minority populations must be vigilant to protect themselves and loved ones from the bullies that Trump has unleashed with his messages of hate. People of color and their children will learn quickly that they won’t necessarily have the same freedom opportunities as their Caucasian peers. They will learn that the laws in which they’re being governed may actually harm them instead of protecting them if the nationwide ‘stop and frisk’ policy Trump proposes is passed.
4.  We must take action and get involved in our community, along with local and state political affairs to motivate change. The progress made in civil rights over the last 60 years is at stake. With the Republican platform, Republican congress and Trump at the helm, this country could be thrown back into the 1950’s. Now is not the time to cut and run, but to stand and fight.
5. More than ever, people of color and other minority groups need to exercise their economic freedom by using their financial resources in a way that will build up and invest back into minority communities and businesses. Research and be mindful of the organizations and businesses you choose to support. If they do not support or benefit minority causes and communities, they don’t need your money.
6. Best of all, we get to demonstrate to Trump and the 49 million people that voted for him what love, respect, acceptance and inclusion really look like. They haven’t a clue.

Maya Angelou also said “You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.” We must remain encouraged, never losing hope. “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of a self-discipline. (2 Timothy:7)

Remember, we are not alone. God promised to fight the battle for us. All we have to do is show up.

 

OMG! I am so tired of hearing all of this election rhetoric. I can’t remember the last presidential campaign that was this negative, divisive and downright evil! November 8^th can’t come soon enough!

All presidential campaigns are composed of imperfect individuals trying to compete for the greatest position of power in the country. However, this campaign has been the beast of all campaigns. Considering the flawed candidates involved in this presidential election, I shouldn’t be surprised. What has been the most troubling about this election is that our country has shown its true colors, and I don’t mean red, white and blue.

As an African American, I am well aware that racism has always been prevalent in our country. The increase in the number of immigrants arriving in this country each year has exacerbated racism to a new level. The gradual increase in the number of minorities has created fear in the disappearing majority, as they see their communities, their schools and work environments becoming browner. A few years ago, this demographic change would have been viewed as an opportunity to learn and grow from one another and to appreciate differences. Today, it’s viewed as a threat and the country has been given permission and encouraged to speak out against and reject anyone that doesn’t look like the white Nationalist that founded this country.  Frankly, many Americans, especially many of our congressmen, are still angry that they’ve been under the leadership of an African American president for the last eight years. Their disdain was expressed from the day President Obama took the oath in 2009.

America, your true heart is on display, and it’s not pretty!

Regardless of who wins the election, gridlock, backbiting and political fighting will continue.  Racial tensions will become more aggressive as evidenced by the recent church burning in Mississippi. The genie is out of the bottle and it’s not going back in anytime soon!

What keeps me sane through this election insanity is remembering that God is on the throne and will remain on the throne after November 8. Fortunately, I’m not depending upon Hillary or Donald to solve any of my problems or to be my hope for the future. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment. He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.  The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of  trouble.  ~Psalm 9:7-9             

We need to be in earnest prayer for our country and its elected leaders. The world is watching us and so are our enemies. We are more vulnerable than we’ve ever been. God can’t possibly be pleased with what’s happening in our country and we will be judged for it. We must focus our eyes on Jesus. HE is our hope and the only one that can get us through the trying times that are ahead of us.