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.

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.

Time for New Approach to Old Problem

Over the past several months, I conducted an informal, non-scientific poll concerning the degree of racism people still believe exist. My questions interrogated white and black Americans alike. I began this effort following the election of President Obama, because I was curious as to whether people believed America moved past racism as a barrier to success.

What I discovered is regrettably the expected answers from both whites and blacks. Nearly to a person, the whites I questioned believe that, in part because of the election of Obama, racism no longer is a valid excuse for failure among blacks or other minorities. Conversely, nearly every black person remarked that while they believe Obama's election is a positive step to ending racism, enough exist to deter and even derail the progress of Black Americans.

To those of us who truly wish to see America progress into a post-racial society, I believe necessary the adoption one very important factor as mantra. We must conclude that the definition of a "post-racial" culture will not include the eradication of racism as a personally held belief. If blacks and whites together believe, that the elimination of racism is necessary in order to "prove" we truly live in a new age; then they may be sadly mistaken.

In his book, "Winning the Race", author John McWhorter quotes Pennsylvania Law Professor Amy Wax who says regarding racism, "In seeking solutions, we must look forward rather than dwell on the past because the way out of the present dilemma may not resemble the path in". What Wax means, and McWhorter supports, is the fact that past racism did leave many black Americans without opportunity and vulnerable to social ill temptation. However, her statement suggests that progression from this state will require work from the victim. If you hit me with a car, leaving me crippled, you can pay me damages, but walking again requires my own effort.

It is this belief, that black Americans must shoulder responsibility for moving beyond the damaging effects of racism, that gives many blacks, especially prior generations, the greatest pause. Many I spoke to ask, "How can we move past racism when it is still so prevalent?" When pressed for examples, not one of them could provide me with a concrete, verifiable example of the virulent racism of which they passionately spoke.

For sure, the question I now pose will leave some uneasy and others angry, but here goes, "Does the fact that many blacks are unable to articulate verifiable virulent racism of which they claim exists mean that racism or its effect is more emotional and mental, rooted in occurrences long past?"

I know we are on a slippery slope here. In fact, I will concede for argument sake that isolated instances of racism exist. However, even these instances, when juxtaposed against the deep emotion surrounding the degree of racism in current culture; fail to support the reaction.

I contend, that for blacks to benefit from the move to a post-racial society, we must purge from our consciousness the idea that until conditions are perfectly equal, then whites don't care about blacks. We must add to our thinking that our success is the best remedy for past pain. This requires a conversion experience of the mind and heart. That is real change.

Strangers in the Land

With the election and subsequent inauguration (or coronation, depending on who you ask) of Barack Obama as the 44^th President of this nation, every person of color will be tempted if not motivated to feel an overwhelming sense of pride concerning this accomplishment. Yet for some, like black conservatives, the ascension of President-elect Obama generates a degree of uncomfortable conflict between ethnic pride and personal life principles.

Most black conservatives adhere to principles rejected by the President-elect as valid tools for governing this great nation. Ideas like smaller government, traditional family values or structure, economic freedom and educational choice are not the tenets of the Democrat Party, represented now by the incoming president. This leaves black conservatives in somewhat of a quandary. On the one hand, black conservatives remain proud that a person of color, who identifies himself as a black man, is the next President of the United States. While conversely, true black conservatives remain ideologically opposed to most of which President-elect Obama so vehemently supports.

Personally, when I think of this circumstance, it reminds me of the great Christian hymn "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah", which reveals that we are "pilgrims" in a "barren land". For many like me, the shift of this country toward more government, less individual freedom and less responsibility, leaves a feeling of disconnect from that which makes this country great. Furthermore, to add insult to injury, black conservatives are often subject to the cruelest forms of ridicule amongst our own. In the minds of most black democrats, any black conservative who votes Republican is crazy, an "Uncle Tom", "house Negro" or a combination of these and other descriptively derogatory terminology.

Many times, for the black conservative, family gatherings tend to be sessions filled with constant defense of their beliefs and values. Our parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles all want to know "what happened to you?" Did someone drop you on your head or did you actually choose to be "like that"? What should be a time of social enjoyment often leaves the black conservative feeling more disconnected than ever, especially true in this historic election cycle.

In addition to the conundrum of being alone amongst family and our own ethnic group, black conservatives, face the real possibility of marginalization by the political party of their choice. The GOP appears disengaged from the black voting populace, including, to varying degrees, black republicans. The evidence of this is the continued unheeded cry of black conservatives to GOP leadership for real efforts of connection toward the black community and not the simple lip service about being the "party of Lincoln". In the words of one of my good friends, "most black folk do not care about the record of the GOP in 1863; they want to know why they should vote for Republicans today". Perhaps if Lincoln were a candidate, perhaps his record would be more relevant to an ever-increasing populace unaffected by the major tenets of Untied States history.

The truth is that most black people fall prey to the incredulous Democratic PR machine. By electing blacks, Democrats are consistently able to support claims that they favor the minority cause in America. In spite of the fact that when pressed, many black voters, in reality, do not support the positions of the party for which they cast their vote. Of course, there exist exceptions, such as the labor unions to which blacks belong. They tend to support Democrats because of wage issues.

Where then does the black conservative turn? With little empathy from blacks, and largely ignored as a viable constituency by the GOP, black conservatives are psychologically alienated and may feel like "strangers in this land". The solution is that black conservatives must come together across America, building a network and constituency that becomes a force with which to reckon. From raising capital to help elect black conservatives, which places an authoritative face on being black and conservative, to the mundane but necessary task of spreading the message among black Democrats that any vote outside of their interests is a wasted vote.

Black conservative movement organizations like Republicans for Black Empowerment, National Black Republican Association and the new Move-on-up.org are catalysts for shepherding the process from fringe interest to real constituency within the conservative brand. I support a National Summit of these organizations and their leaders to demonstrate unity of purpose and goals in charting the course for black conservatives now and beyond.

While black conservatives remain a diverse group, far from being monolithic within the conservative ideology, there still exists much room for agreement and unified action within the GOP. As black conservatives, now is the time for us to take a page from the President-elect's playbook and convey a message of "Yes We Can", regarding our impact within the Republican Party and Conservative movement. The children of Israel hung up their harps and refuse to sing the Lord's song "in a strange land"; black conservatives cannot afford to do so.