Boxer's Mistakes a Lesson to Us All

Charles “Duke” Tanner, a boxing sensation from Gary, IN recently received a life sentence for his conviction as a drug dealer. It pains me to write those words about another young black man, with a bright and unlimited future, who will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.

Many of us bristle at the fact that so many young black men and women end up behind bars for a good portion of their lives. By last count, there were over one million black men in jail in America. Regardless of how we feel about crime and punishment, or our political distinctions; we cannot in our right minds deny the affect this has on a people, families and communities. If you are reading this, then perhaps you care about this phenomenon enough to pause and consider the millions of children whose biological fathers will rear them because he is in jail for at least their childhood. Perhaps you will consider the millions of women who loved these men, believed in them and now face single-parenthood and the struggles attached to it as a way of life. Furthermore, maybe you will think of the millions of grandparents, having reared their own children, now faced with the unenviable task of spending their golden years rearing teenagers, because their children made poor choices.

Do these dire circumstances occur among other ethnicities? They certainly do. However, in my experience, the black community is the least equipped to recover from circumstances like these. Do you wish to know why? The reasons are many, but one sure cause is the retreat from value-based living over the last few generations within the black community. We used to be a people with values passed from one generation to the next, but now it seems that the conversation of “how we got over” ceases to exist.

When I read about circumstances like that of Mr. Tanner, I think of the times I could and should have been more direct with my own children concerning the values that prepare them for successful living. I know I could have spoken more of faith, truth, integrity and the like. It is a blessing that my children love God, in spite of my failure.

Yet, I do not write to justify or condemn my lapses, but to call attention to our collective failure to communicate successful living strategy to our children. As a Christian, I commit that the Bible contains the word of God, truth as it were.

The Scripture says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it”. This is the mandate for parents, to teach our children how to live. With the number of our kids in jail, before we can blame to mysterious system, we must confront and blame ourselves. These babies belong to us, and it is up to us to equip them for positive contribution to society. Abdication of this responsibility is the chief cause of our prisons overrunning with our children. Take authority as a parent, it is your job.

We must learn from Mr. Tanner and others like him, or we face certain ruin as a people. We can raise a child right, or raise a scourge; it is up to us.

Current Legal Activism a Danger to Democracy

In the Gettysburg address, then president Abraham Lincoln made the now famous remarks, “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This concept is now in danger.

Recently, our nation finds itself embroiled in several controversies regarding the action of Federal and State Supreme Courts. These courts render judgment that becomes law, without the significant input of the people’s will. For example, there has never been a national vote concerning abortion, yet it remains legal in our country. Likewise, the move is underway to redefine marriage in the United States of America.

The argument for same-sex marriage bases its premise on shaky logic. Without definitive evidence refuting homosexuality as nothing more than a lifestyle choice, those who support gay marriage find themselves claiming discrimination as basis for their agenda. The obvious logical problem is that choice of lifestyle brings with it consequences of that choice.

Of course, those who support gay marriage often believe that being gay is a result of nature and not choice. Therefore, as far as I can tell, they believe the right to marry is theirs simply because they say their sexual orientation is natural and personal choice.

Either way, the courts of this land face a serious dilemma. With a recent New York Times/CBS poll finding that 58% of American still do not support same sex marriage, the imposition of this practice by court decree in states like Iowa, is problematic.

How far do we allow the court to travel down this slippery slope of making law? I would be remiss if I did not admit that there were times in our nation’s history when Court mandate law was necessary to battle definitive cases of discrimination. As a black man, I can appreciate rulings like the 1954 opinion by the United States Supreme Court that struck down discrimination on our nation’s public school system. However, making law from cases where the idea of discrimination is much more ambiguous could put our nation on the road that ends with the loss of true democracy.

Again, supporters of same sex marriage argue that cases that outlawed discrimination against blacks are akin to their fight for equality. I disagree wholeheartedly and feel some degree of insult that the gay rights lobby compares their effort to the Civil Rights Movement in America. Since I am definitively black by birth, any discrimination toward me based on this would be beyond my control to correct.

The Courts of this country must recognize that their duty to protect liberty and justice should not be subject to rhetoric based on feeling and emotion, or even the prevailing winds of social activism. The court must rule on law based in the right moral choices. Whether or not we support it, the basis of all law is moral code to some degree. Laws against murder, thievery, perjury and personal property have their root in a moral code defined by our Creator. I support the right of people to do as they choose with their lives, but we demonstrate real intolerance when we ignore the right of the majority to disagree.

Jesus and the Imperfect Church

Jesus and the Imperfect Church

This is a sermon preached by Pastor Raymond C. Dix Jr., Sunday April 26, 2009 at Berean Fellowship Church. May it bless you life in a meaningful way.

Urban America at the Crossroads

Years ago, the then popular Hip-Hop rap group, "Bone, Thugs and Harmony" released a song called "Crossroads". The opening line of this song says, "Tell me what ya gonna do when there ain't no where to run when judgment comes for you?" In reflection and at the risk of sounding less than spiritual, this line spoke prophetically about the need for direction in Urban America.

As we all know, many of the residents of our inner cities tend to be minority, either Black or Hispanic. The conditions of these communities affect residents on a spiritual, social and economic level. Many inner city residents struggle to make ends meet, have difficulty finding gainful employment and often live in areas where self-preservation is an everyday concern.

Honestly, this is not a new circumstance for urban areas. Urban decay and the decline into decadence, along with anti-social behavior appeared nearly forty years ago on the sociological radar of our nation. In the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War, the decline of basic human morality accelerated at an alarming rate.

All of this leaves American cities with a huge problem. One would need to be living on Mars to be oblivious to the fact that our cities are in ruin. Gang violence, hopelessness and despair produce a people hardened by life, crippled by dependency and seemingly indifferent toward changing their own lives. In addition, the emotional pathology of the city unravels before our eyes in the defense some city residents make concerning anti-social behavior. They say, "Lay off the dope dealers; poison for profit is all THE MAN has left them", while others defend the poor sexual choices of men and women as the result of society leaving them without hope, but with time to irresponsibly procreate.

I say the moment of decision for those in our cities is here. In fact, the call for decision rang for us long ago. We are, and have been at the crossroads in urban America.

It is time to decide just what we will be. If thuggish, moronic, predatory antisocial behavior is ok with us; then let us stop moaning and groaning when a young thug dies being a thug. After all, is not that what happens to thugs in the end? They go out in a "blaze of gunfire, true to the homeboys and the 'hood". Please show me the retirement home for thugs. Where does one go after a lifetime or mischief and miscreant behavior?

Factually, thugs come, they agitate and they often die violently. Sure, sometimes they look good with a mouthful of gold teeth and fake "bling" around their necks. Nevertheless, dead is still dead and the funeral business is booming.

Politicians seem to have no plan for the repair of our cities. The reason is they will not readily admit there is a problem. Most political leaders seem content to conveniently overlook these issues, or scold the federal government for not rearing OUR children strictly enough.

No doubt, in the cities of America we are at the crossroads. We must choose to be better, pray better, behave better, live better and vote better. We must rear our children better. This will bring needed change.

Judgment has come for us.

Say It Ain’t So, O-Bama

Our President is the most popular man in Europe. Unfortunately, that is not in the oath of office for the Presidency of the United States. President Barack Obama, in a stated effort to "rebuild" the American image abroad, called American policy toward Europe "arrogant" and "dismissive", implying that past Presidents followed a policy that did not win friends and influence neighbors, regarding Europe.

I listened to the speech, trying to frame the context of our President's remarks, and making the effort to give him the benefit of the doubt. As I know that being President must be a tough job, I also am sure that the Presidency of the United States requires the officeholder to place the security and interests of this country above all other issues. What I am less sure of is whether President Obama fulfilled this sacred duty.

Listen, the President is right about one thing. The America is a different place, but not in the manner in which he seems to believe. Global terrorism and the attack on our soil likely forever changed the nature of our relationship with enemies and allies alike. We can no longer afford to sit back and allow the virulent rhetoric of nations we support, with our generosity, to shape our global policy.

President Obama calls this strategy "arrogant" and "dismissive". The definition of arrogance is "an offensive display of superiority or self-importance; overbearing pride". Is he kidding? The key words in this definition are "offensive", "superiority", "self-importance" and "overbearing". One would have to either have their head in the sand for the last forty years, or simply be an American hating, unpatriotic blurb to call America arrogant in relation to the rest of our wonderful planet.

In my lifetime, no other country has lived the biblical creed, "to whom much is given, much is required" more than the United States. Nearly singlehandedly, we respond to the world's crisis with the utmost urgency and diligence. The tsunami in Indonesia is a perfect example. Two ex-Presidents came together and raised hundreds of millions of dollars from hard-working Americans; some rich, others middle class and many economically challenged, gave to the effort. Is this what our President says is "arrogance"?

No doubt, President Obama believes that we are "arrogant" and "dismissive" because we demand cooperation from those we support. Hello! How many of you currently have or have had adult children living at home? I know you feel some sense of responsibility to set direction for them. Of course you do, you are paying the bill. Why then is it wrong for the country that supports most of the free world, either directly or indirectly with cash and protection, to set direction? It is neither arrogant nor wrong for us to do so.

As Don "the Hair" King would say, "only in America" could we have a President apologize for our leadership when we are paying the bill to lead. The words of French President Sarkozy who says, "The world does not boil down to America and its borders", demonstrates an accurate view of a European sense of superiority. Of course, this position slaps the face of an America that carries the security, financial and economic burdens for the world.

Our President demonstrates and uncanny sense of guilt for a country that gives away more on foreign soil than perhaps it spends domestically. The French President, sensing this weakness in our President, lectures us on our tactics concerning Guantanamo Bay Prison. How did we position ourselves to get a lecture on values from the French? Just when you think it is safe to go back to calling those fried potatoes "French Fries" the French president scolds us on how to treat enemies who cowardly flew planes into our buildings, killing innocent people.

Therefore, it is critical that the Obama-nation know that our president demonstrates the vast difference between popularity and leadership. While the crowds adore him, leaders like Sarkozy think he is "immature" and "arrogant". One sure lesson for every leader, do not let popularity and public opinion guide your thinking. Real leaders lead, regardless of what others think. This was a quality belonging to George W. Bush, even when we disagreed with him, we could not accuse him of riding the tide of what was popular over what he believed in the best interest of this nation.

Of course, the Obama faithful will say that it is early, less than 100 days in office and that sort of thing. Sure, but they also claimed their man ready from day one to lead the free world. They scoffed at those of us who said executive experience was important to succeeding as President of the United States. Yet if this overseas trip is an example of our President's foreign relations, and I believe it is, then we should all just get to Wal-Mart and buy our "Give Me Metric or Give Me Death" T-Shirts before it is too late.

Seems like Hillary might be right about whom you would want to take the late night call.

Recent Killings Again Prove Urban Crisis

In 1982, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five uttered words that reflect my current feelings about violence in urban America. This said, "Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge, I'm trying hard not to lose my head. It's like a jungle sometimes it makes me wonder how I keep from going under."

Recently, in Chicago and Gary, two children and two young men are dead because of gun violence. The two teens lived in Chicago and were high school students. One of them allegedly died in a hail of gunfire while trying to protect other children. If true, he is now on my hero list.

The two young men died in Gary, one found in a field with multiple gunshot wounds, while the other died as the result of a domestic violence dispute. As one unfamiliar with all the facts, it would be unfair of me to pass judgment on circumstances. However, I do know one thing for sure; these four lives ended abruptly and violently with deadly force. How many more die before we get it?

By no means do I suggest that because these deaths happened locally that this problem of violence is germane to Gary or Chicago alone. Any big city newspaper has similar stories, turn on any local urban television newscast and see many a mother or grandmother weeping for their children, as they lie dead on the street.

Now before you think I am going say, "Let's take away all guns", that is not what this is about. We tend to blame inanimate guns for the actions of irresponsible morons who use then to kill, wound and maim their enemies, along with a good many innocent people. On the promise to "reduce" gun violence, we elect many politicians when in fact they have not executed a markedly successful plan to stop our kids from killing each other. Government and law enforcement proved they are unable to resolve this issue.

The solution to this is admitting the truth. Many inner city neighborhoods in America that were once decent places to live, inhabited by people with sound values and moral foundation, are now war zones controlled by thugs who prey on their own. A deeper truth is that we not only know who these "people" are, but we helped turn them into what they are; empty heads and empty souls who hate themselves and are incapable of respecting life.

If that shocks you, then so be it. I will not hide behind the "let's keep it to ourselves" hogwash, fed to us by those that somehow think if we are silent about this, it will go away on its own. The sad thing is these so-called urban leaders refuse to condemn the thugs, and audaciously complain that too many black men are in jail. If you are a criminal, then jail is where you belong; no matter your color.

Now I know the "blame the victim" crowd hates this kind of free talk, but so what. Too many parents do not do their jobs. I will continue to insist that parents be responsible enough to demand their children respect life. It must begin early, not during teen years. If you cannot do at least that, stop having kids because you are just raising Cain.

Does Obama “Hate” the Rich?

I did not really want to believe it. It was something in the outer quadrants of my mind and I wish it would stay there. Still, I can no longer avoid the question that confronts me every time I read an article or see a news report detailing our new President's latest budget plans. I need to know, "Does President Obama hate rich folk?"

Now I know "hate" is a strong term, no doubt invoking many to the defense of our President's noble demeanor; yet when I examine his efforts to "act in the best interests" of Americans, he notably singles out rich people as the "financiers" for this effort.

Just recently, I spoke to my brother, himself an Obama supporter, and he declared to me that he was "disappointed" that the so-called "Stimulus Package" did not include any funds for homeowners like him who would like low interest loans to invest in the improvement of their property. Instead, as we discussed, the package seems to reward those who bought more than they could afford and now, as our fearless leader suggests, must receive a "bailout" paid for by those who "got the money" or in laymen's terms – the rich.

As my brother lamented his plight and the plight of many hardworking Americans who struggle and do what is necessary within the boundaries of the law to pay their bills, I said to him, "While you will not get any stimulus money, it could be worse – they could have sent you the bill". We laughed as brothers do, but I thought within myself that somebody who worked perhaps equally or even harder than my brother to gain wealth would get the bill for this bailout.

Each time someone in the press core has the temerity to ask our mercurial Commander in Chief l who will pay for the massive spending in this so-called stimulus, he answers, "Didn't I say on the campaign trail that we would send the bill to those making 250,000 dollars a year and up?" I can imagine him thinking, "gosh, weren't they even listening? When I say 'spread the wealth', it was code for 'the rich must pay'.

Therefore, I told my brother that if we keep billing those who invest in the creation of wealth and jobs in this country, soon they would stop investing. Has anyone seen the Dow average lately? He quickly shot me a look and line that said, "Hey the rich can pay, they have more disposable income". Never mind that it is incredibly immoral to take a person's money simply because they have a lot of it. I am not sure if I want to win the lottery now.

After recovering from my brother's remark, I emphatically stated that rich people would do whatever it takes to stay rich, up to and including keeping investment dollars in their pockets; thereby depriving our economy of that necessary to foster growth. In fact, a family earning above the dreaded $250,000 rich people barometer are very likely to reduce contributions to 401(k)'s and other investments in order to maintain their lifestyle. They are unlikely to say, "Well since the President thinks we are rich and our taxes have gone up, let us put more money in the stock market and sell the Benz". No, the reality is that Fido will go before the Benz.

Armed with this evidence, it dawned upon me that maybe our President does not really care for people that labor to attain wealth. In fact, how rich is $250,000 per year? Is it Rockerfeller or Roc-A-Wear rich? Is "two-fiddy" 50 Cent or P-Diddy (Sorry, I mean Sean Combs) rich? Alternatively, does the President's barometer of wealth simply mean that two married adults, who stayed in school, completed their education and landed good jobs, attained some comfort in life, perhaps even blessed by their Creator; are now rich? Hello Mr. President, is there anybody home? Is not this the definition of the American Dream?

Of course, our silver-tongued leader of the free world would easily defend his actions toward rich folk by taking us to the pulpit and reeling of his best Jesse impersonation, saying, "These folks got to pay their fair share. They got rich in America, so they owe America. You who struggle to pay bills and have tough times deserve some of their success. Can I get an Amen? These wealthy folks making over $250,000 must support those of you who quit school, committed crimes, made irresponsible relationship choices, had the Man keep you down and best of all voted for me. I know I got a witness here!"

Sure, my satire here may anger you if you support our President's policies, but beyond that, try to understand that our leader does not encourage you to build wealth through that business idea you have. I am not against helping poor people, as I undoubtedly some will accuse me; I am simply against any idea that starts and ends with "giving people a fish" instead of "teaching them to fish". Perhaps you should just shelve your entrepreneurial plan for personal success and hop aboard the gravy train of government. We could all sing "We Are the World" holding hands instead of our wallets.

If you do decide to try to get rich in this Obama-nation, make sure you only make about $249,999.99. Anything more than that, you will be off Craigslist and on the government's list of those who can pay for our stuff.