Lift Every Voice...

By God’s grace we come to the close of another Black History month, I admonish you to forge on through this day and the days ahead recalling the significance of the many contributions by Black Americans to this country…the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Then I admonish you to realize with open eyes and open heart that we, as a people, have not arrived.  Many forward steps have turned into backward steps but we must push forward.

There are many pioneers currently striving for the end to racial tension and bulldozing down the racial divide.  There are many who are striving for voter equality.  There are many fighting for social service programs to care for our elderly and educate our children.  We need to stand with these pioneers and many others.

If your voice is a political voice, then by all means politic.

If your voice is an educator, then by all means teach.

If your voice is a caregiver, then by all means treat.

If you are a creator, inventor, artist, then by all means, do it.

If you are a child finding your way, then by all means listen, search, and explore.

Perhaps you choose to adorn yourself in the African brocade garments and elegant African dress and coat to represent your culture as we did on a Sunday during Black History Month.

Whatever your voice, lift it; whatever your gift, let it be heard, let it be seen.  Are you an athlete? Perhaps you are a strategic thinker? Does the power of your words motivate people to action?  Are you a great listener? Write down your dreams, your hopes, your talents.  Write it down so you can see it and work on it.  “And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, so he may run that reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2)

Never forget where we have come from and prepare for the journey that lies ahead.

Our struggles may not look great at the moment but through God’s grace we will come out shining like pure gold.

Use the gifts and talents you have to make a difference in your home, your community, your nation.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Black History

The scaffolding of division has come down in many ways but there is still a long way to go.  Thank you to Mr. Carter G. Woodson, historian and founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, the Journal of Negro History, for the establishment of Negro History Week in February 1926.  Then in February 1976, the celebration of Negro History Week was extended to a month, evolving into Black History Month.

Our month seems to be quickly coming to a close but there is still yet so much history to acknowledge, so many memories to bask in, and so much still be learned.  Regardless of the date on the calendar, we must continue our quest for knowledge and teach the history of our ancestors.

Why is Black History important?  One reason is the younger generation needs to know the historical lineage behind their roots.  Our history ought to serve as a motivating force behind our need and desire to succeed.

Won’t it motivate a young black woman aspiring to get her degree to know that Georgiana Simpson, University of Chicago; Sadie T. Alexander, University of Pennsylvania and Eva B. Dykers, Radcliffe College were the first black women to earn PhDs in 1921?

Would it motivate you, young black politician, to know that Carl B. Stokes paved a political avenue for you when he became the first black mayor of a major U.S. city (Cleveland, Ohio?)

Why not strive to be a successful physician or surgeon like Dr. Charles Drew who discovered blood plasma or Dr. Ben Carson, the first black surgeon to successfully separate twins joined at the head.

Are you a singer or musician?  Then sing, write, compose as you recall the struggles and successes of John Coltrane, James Brown, Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughn, Diana, Ross, and Donnie McClurkin…and the list goes on and on.

Perhaps you are an artist like the late great sculptor Elizabeth Catlett who made tremendous contributions to the art world.

Whatever your goal, whatever your aspiration, do it…be it with all your might.

Preparation=Education

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Reconvene in 2013

As we begin this New Year, I challenge you; I challenge myself to make 2013 a year of renewing.  First, by renewing your relationship with God.  Recall that initial encounter with the Lord and revive the freshness of the new relationship with Him, and draw even closer.

Renew your dreams, renew your plans.   Perhaps you had a plan; perhaps you started making that dream come alive.  That contribution you have is important.

Make 2013 the year to reconvene.  Get it started again.  Bring those plans back together again, stop procrastinating and make it happen.

If you have not done so already, make a commitment to be an instrument of change no matter how small or how large the change, do it.

A staggering statistic was reached in Chicago in 2012.  There were over 500 homicides in 2012. (506 to be exact)  This is only the number from one city; however, the numbers remain high for gang-related homicides and mass shootings such as the most recent that has plagued our nation at Sandy Hook Elementary.  The question still unanswered is why?  Where do we start to find a solution? Why do some individuals have no regard for human life?  What is the best solution to keeping guns out of the hands of people with a known mental illness?  How do we stop gang violence?  What is the attraction to gangs and the violence they perpetuate?  We must get to the root of these and many other issues for change to occur.

Some of the answers to these and many other questions are still far away.  Part of the solution involves the media not sensationalizing the criminal and still another part of the solution involves penetrating the communities, the schools, the churches, and the homes with education.  We need to be aware of and act on the warning signs of potential violence and troubling behavior, particularly among our youth.  Be an instrument of change in your own home and then let it permeate into the schools, the community, and our nation.

I pray that 2013 is a wonderfully blessed year for you.  A year to reconvene the plans, the strategies, and the change that was started.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

The Honorable Molly Pitcher Award

 On Wednesday, December 19, 2012, I received the Honorable Molly Pitcher Award.  I am grateful for the opportunity to have made and continue to make a contribution to the Air Defense Community and the community at large.  As you will see in the story of Molly Pitcher, there are times when it is necessary to get down into the trenches in order to lend a helping hand.  It is with a great sense of pride that I share the following information with you:

People of the Revolutionary War: The Story of Molly Pitcher

The Honorable Order of Molly Pitcher is bestowed by the U.S. Field Artillery Association (USFAA) and the Air Defense Artillery Association (ADAA) to recognize women who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the U.S. Field Artillery or Air Defense Artillery Communities. The award is named after Molly Pitcher who distinguished herself during the American revolutionary war.

Mary Hays McCauly was a notable woman who made her mark in American history book for her legendary deeds in the Revolutionary War. She was known as Molly Pitcher because she provided water to soldiers who fought in the Battle of Monmouth Court House. McCauly was born on October 13, 1744 in New Jersey. In her growing years, she came to be known as Molly. When she became a teenager, she worked in the house of General William Irvine who lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. For several years, she was a family servant. During the summer of 1769, she met a barber named John Hays. They tied the knot in the same year. After they were married, John pursued his dreams of becoming a soldier, enlisting in Proctor’s First Pennsylvania Artillery. Stirred by her strong love for John Hays, Molly accompanied him, even unto the battlefield.

During the American Revolution, all wives of soldiers were left at home to take care of the children. The bold move by Molly was something that doesn’t happen all the time. In general, private soldiers took their wives with them. The wives would serve the soldiers by doing the laundry and cooking their meals. Women were normally assigned to sleep in wagons so they could be transported from one place to another.

Every account of the Battle of Monmouth would include the story of Molly Pitcher. The date of the battle fell on June 28, 1778. The British soldiers were headed by General Clinton. On the American side, General George Washington was the leader. The main battleground was an open field. Unfortunately, there was a lack of tactics on the side of the Americans. They became disorganized and broke their ranks. It was during this time that Molly played her inspirational role, lifting the demoralized American soldiers. Unfazed by all the danger and gore of battle, she possessed the presence of mind and courage to help the Americans.

John Hays was in charge of firing cannons. The day was very hot and the artillerymen were suffering from intense heat. Not far away, Molly gathered her strength and got a bucket. She began to bring the soldiers water from a nearby spring. When the soldiers were thirsty, they would call out “Molly Pitcher” and she would carry water to them. From then on, the term “Molly Bucket” was used on the women who carried water during the war. Other than that, Molly Pitcher also helped to nurse the wounded soldiers and even saved a crippled Continental soldier by carrying him out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, John Hays was killed in the battle. Molly Pitcher was running towards him but there was really nothing which could be done. Instead of going home to mourn her beloved husband, she fought in his spirit.  Just when the rest of the cannon crew was about to withdraw, Molly Pitcher grabbed the rammer from her husband’s hands, continuing his work. Throughout the battle, she handled the job very well, until the Americans won.

After the war, General Washington personally awarded a warrant as a non-commissioned officer to Molly Pitcher so she became known as “Sergeant Molly”. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized her bravery, granting a yearly pension of $40. In 1832, Molly Pitcher died. Fittingly, she was buried with military honors reserved for heroes. Molly Pitcher was buried in the Old Graveyard located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There are two monuments built in her memory.

 SharB~TTSD

#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

Take the Scaffolding Down of Scaffolding...

There was a story in the news recently about a homeless man that had no shoes in the frigid cold state of New York.  His reply to the officer who questioned him about his shoes was that it’s ok I never had any shoes.  For the officer that answer was unacceptable so he went to the nearest shoe store and requested the best pair of all weather boots and thick socks for this homeless man.

This random act of kindness was caught on film by a passerby and is now on display across the avenues of media.  Although intended to be a quiet moment on a cold New York evening, this officer’s actions now speak volumes for the world to hear.

Can you hear the message?  Can you feel the warmth?  What can you do to tear down the scaffolding of your own scaffolding?  Perhaps there is a random act of kindness you can impart on an unsuspecting soul.

There was a story many years ago about a man traveling to a town and the path of his journey took him through a particular part of town that was avoided by all traveling in that area.  While traveling, he stopped for water.  The woman at the well wondered why a man of his repute would ask a woman of her ill repute for water.  That drink of water served a paramount purpose.  It gave that man an opportunity to offer that woman an encouraging word, a word of faith. (This story is found in John 4)

We are now in the holiday season of 2012 and gift giving, canned food drives, turkey giveaways and more are often part of the theme.  Let u go an extra step and maintaining that pattern now and throughout the coming year.  Let us take the scaffolding down of our own scaffolding and reaching out a helping hand through a kind deed, a word spoken, or perhaps something tangible.  Then allow that pattern to carry over into the coming year.

Again I ask what barriers prevent you from offering an encouraging word?  Tear them down.

Strive to be the one that makes a change…it is your move.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

What are you doing Tuesday?

Your answer needs to be yes to one of these questions. 

Did you vote during early voting?

Are you going to vote on Tuesday?

You MUST vote. It is your right. It is your privilege. It is your responsibility.

This afternoon I had the distinct honor of meeting Senator Connie Johnson of Oklahoma.  She facilitated a conversation with the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus sponsored by the Cameron University Campus Ministries.  It was informative, enlightening, and reinforced how critically important it is to be a voice not only in this election but also in the days after the election.  As we prepare to go to the polls (if you haven’t already), we need to also prepare to continue working together to achieve the change that is needed.

In spite of the obstacles in place to block our vote, we must persevere.

It’s wrong to take your right.

Do what’s right.

Stand up.

Speak up.

…and vote.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown

A Word of Encouragement

Life presents us with numerous challenges.  We often face times when a tough decision must be made, when hardships face us, and sometimes just our basic day-to-day life adventures are challenging.  Sometimes we look for someone we can turn to who can provide us with wise counsel, encouragement, or just a shoulder to lean on.  What if that person is not there?  What if there is no one to take that person’s place?
What if no one is around to say hold on, don’t quit? 

It is at that moment, you have to encourage yourself.

There comes a time you have to tap into what is already inside of you, what you have already learned, and what you have read.  When encouraging yourself is the only way, be sure to stand strong even in the face of weakness.  I personally have learned to stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might because the Bible says that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Sometimes you may go through a battle, it may seem to stretch on and on, and one reminder that should come to mind is that God promised that joy would come in the morning.  In the middle of a battle, the question becomes how long is the night?  Where are the people that promised you friendship and support?  Even though we know to stand strong, we do sometimes need a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on.  Maybe you can be that shoulder.

Don’t run away now, do what you can to help your fellow man, fellow woman, fellow boy, or fellow girl.

Matthew 25: 42-45 reminds us to take care of each other. 

“For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

What may be a little to you may be a lot for the one you do it for.  You can turn someone’s breaking point into a place of breakthrough.

SharB~TTSD
#TakeTheScaffoldingDown