None of this Should Surprise Us!

It hurts ~ its frustrating ~ its down right immoral, inhumane, egregious, barbaric, and heinous. The "it" I am referring to with intentionality is ills of the systems born out of these disunited states of America and her murderous ways. On July 4, 1776 we penned a declaration of independence and from July 5, 1776 until today, these words are just words on paper for we have be denied an inalienable right to LIVE. And yet, this country was in an uproar when the honorable Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright said G-d damn America.

America, who continues to slaughter Black and Brown bodies at will and with our recourse.
America, where race was born out of racism.
America, where "...for every 1 Oprah, a billionaire, you got five million Blacks who are out of work. For every Colin Powell, a millionaire, you got ten million Blacks who cannot read. For every Condoleezza Rice, you got 1 million in prison..." (Excerpt Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Sermon entitled G-d Damn America, 2003).
America, where the divide and conquer approach has been a mainstay since her inception where we, Africans, were divided from our families, home, and culture only to be dehumanized, desexualized, and deculturalized. America, where the lighter the skin, in other words, the closer you were to white, to more acceptable and tolerable you were.
America is doing what this country was built and designed to do. None of this should surprise us!

We, of the Black diaspora, have been murdered physically, emotionally, economically, educationally, and spiritually.  Even the "In G-d We Trust" should have a little "g" because the universal, loving, just G-d I serve doesn't have a dollar sign equated to Her power and presence.  Race was born out of racism. Racism is a form of false power and control manifested through classism, colorism, and White/money privilege.  We, as the Black diaspora, are even falling for this type of existence: "I'm not African American ~ I'm Bajan." (Please note, I only refer to those of Barbadian descent as an example because this is where some of my people are from.) The divide and conquer ~ the internalized shame ~ the embedded theology of a marginalized culture... we are living the lie this country has taught us and it is literally killing us.

I was indoctrinated into the black race. Forced to identify with the racist color black due to the racism in this country.  Because of my dark chocolate skin I was forced to identify as black; not Black as in the Black diaspora, Black power, Black culture (thank G-d for Ed and Rose Davis for teaching me of my powerful, divine and beautiful Blackness)... Speaking of Black Culture, we are good enough for our creative prowess, spiritual acumen, and powerful buying power but only when it is financially advantageous to White privilege. Otherwise, they kill us, villainize us, and continue to live with unalienable rights: the right to seek, kill, and destroy and live in pursuit of LIFE, LIBERTY, AND HAPPINESS! None of this should surprise us!

This has been going on all along. Just ask Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, Fannie Lou Hamer, Sojourner Truth... just to name a few pioneers, ancestors, Black leaders who called out White privilege long ago and not only forewarned but charged the Black diaspora to use our impeccable cultural, spiritual, economic prowess to DO SOMETHING! The killing of our Black lives appears to be heightened because of the global world in which we live. Same act different approach. Systems that were designed to kill us are still doing so and this should not surprise us. We are fighting a system that is doing what it was designed to do.

"Prior to Abraham Lincoln, the government in this country said it was legal to hold Africans in slavery in perpetuity...the government defined Africans as slaves, as property - people with no rights to be respected by any Whites anywhere.  The supreme Court of the government...said in its Dred Scott decision in the 1850's: no African anywhere in this country has any rights that any White person has to respect at anyplace, anytime...the military was segregated...Black segregation by the country...legal... prohibited Blacks from voting... it was Apartheid American-style..." (Excerpt Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Sermon entitled G-d Damn America, 2003) And it still holds true today. So none of this should surprise us!

I look forward to the day where we realize we as the Black diaspora are powerful beyond measure; where we demand an infusion of humanity and morality into new systems as we tear down the current systems designed to kill us, demand a respect contingent upon our humanity, and an create an opportunity at an inalienable right to live! A day were we love ourselves the divine Black diaspora G-d designed us to be: with our love of family, community, culture, music, spirituality, sensuality, and creativity! A day where I am truly my sister's and brother's keeper; a reckoning of Ubuntu where our Humanity is inextricably bound as the Black diaspora (African Proverb and paraphrase from the honorable Archbishop Desmond Tutu).  A day were I can look at a Black elitist and a Black gang banger and love with unconditional positive regard. A day where education becomes a part of our rights and we build schools to nurture our divine Black culture and experience.  A day where misogynist and egos are checked by spiritual intelligence and empowerment for all. A day of Truth and Authenticity in us, for us, and by us! This should not surprise us!

Finally, tell me to pull myself up from my own bootstraps...leave me (the Black diaspora) the hell alone and we will make the boots and the straps and do just that!

To the family of Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin and all of us killed literally and figuratively at the hands of White privilege and power, I stand in awe and honor of the martyred as I fight to lift up a standard as the enemy comes in like a flood. My heart is grieved. My soul aches. My head hurts. Yet, none of this should surprise us!

And we wonder why the Dallas Cowboys are Americas team...
#payattention
#staywoke
#BlackPower
#Blacklivesmatter

Never hopeless ~ always fighting...

Reverend Tawana Davis

"Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage.  Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are." St. Augustine of Hippo (a Black Theologian)

My World in the Moment

As I am learning the spiritual art of being in the moment I can't help but acknowledge the whirlwind of events happening in my life right now. In this moment of reflection, tears fall as I remember the life of my mom who would have been 80 years young today.  She succumbed to complications of multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone marrow which caused her kidney failure.  She was the epitome of Love: unconditional positive regard. She had a smile that lit up the entire world. She gave as if there was an unlimited amount of resources at her beck and call.

So today, in honor of her beautiful soul, Soul 2 Soul LLC. was launched ~ two sisters living out loud through our unapologetic culture of Black Power and a love that transcends limitations ~ An organization designed to meet White privilege head on with a spirit of liberation for all ~ to meet our sisters in ministry to create a safe space of love, restoration, support, and strength. Thank you mommy (and daddy) for exemplifying Love, service, compassion, sacrifice, forgiveness, and  hope beyond reason and for instilling in me back then what has manifested into who I am today.
www.soul2soulsisters.com

July 19, 2015, I responded to a call of self-care, new opportunities, deeper prayer, meditation, Love, forgiveness, and faith.  I left, what at the time, was the most amazing fulfilling, inspiring, daunting, challenging, and demanding job experienced thus far.  I truly stepped out on faith and left my job with no income in sight.  As a PhD student, preacher, community activist, and most of all mother/grandmother/sister/aunt/friend, I had to reevaluate my life and the call G-d has on my life ~ rediscovering my purpose ~ relearning to Trust in G-d and not lean on my own comfort and understanding ~ taking care of self like never before ~ stepping out on unprecedented Faith.  From July 19th until today, G-d has cared for me and my family in miraculous ways due to obedience, stillness, prayer, and Trust.  Yes, things were rough; yet, I still have a roof over my head, food in my fridge, a car to drive with gas, clothes on my back, a cohort of amazing support... G-d truly showed me what it is to Trust in G-d. From April through July, I sought the Lord and experienced G-d like never before.

And since July 19th, I have been blessed with the opportunity to:

• Care for my Dink 
• Continue my quest to complete my studies with a PhD in Leadership and Change at Antioch University ~ my hope is to change the way we educate our young black girls/women in low income, marginalized, underserved public schools
• Serve at Impact Empowerment Group who found me and blessed me with the chance to serve young people who are at-risk; in other words, I not only have a job but I am continuing my ministerial career in a new and exciting way (Thank you Haroun Cowans ~ the best is yet to come!)
• Lead in the developing of a Moral Document created by faith leaders to address racial injustice in Colorado and beyond
• Co-Lead in the Restore and Rebuild Collective LLC which gathers groups who serve the gang population and their families through prevention, intervention, suppression, and diversion
• Continue to serve at Shorter Community AME Church as an Associate Minister
• Breathe, pray, and Love
• And of course, as previously mentioned, birth an ordained company with an amazing sister, Rev. Dawn Riley Duval, called Soul 2 Soul LLC.

Why share this today? Why share this at all? But G-d!!! On this very emotional day, what a great opportunity to reflect and just Be! What seems like craziness to some or foolishness to others has been the most liberating, exhilarating, divine experience thus far.  Loving me, loving life, loving G-d for the first time in my life ~ experiencing what it means to be and love my true self, my best self, and unapologetically Be!  This is nothing but G-d and how could I remain silent about what G-d has done, continues to do, and will continue to do for me AND others!

Thank you mommy for being the firm foundation upon which I stand! I am forever grateful!

May you rest in peace Rose Lee Davis 11/16/35 - 3/28/93

Be encouraged! 

Sharing in Love and Light!

Never hopeless, always searching,

Rev. T

No More!

Reverend Tawana Davis

#afacetodomesticviolence

The Preached Word ~ “NO MORE”

Shorter Community AME Church

Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday

October 25, 2015

Introduction

(Circa 2008) It’s Sunday morning, time to prepare for church. I don’t particularly feel like going.  I was up late due to a late night emotional battle with my husband who suffers from bi-polar disorder.  We have good days but more bad days and last night was rough.  I put on my Sunday best; all black is the attire as a licensed preacher on first Sunday.  I feel as dark as the color I have on.  But I must be in place by 10:45 to march in with the Stewards to sit in my rightful place.  I drive to church with tears in my eyes trying to “release” before I walk through the doors of the church.  I feel like I weigh 300 pounds due to the layers of garments (issues, stress, hurt, pain… drama) draped on me, my vision is blurred due to the well of tears, my mind is clouded with the replay of my husband’s tirade, my ears are on mute because all I hear is yelling and screaming, and as Thurman says I have the smell of life heavy on me.  I walk into the church, paste on the smile making sure the one dimple is showing, and begin to serve…. Church is over and as I bid peace and blessings to fellow congregants. I now have 500 pounds of garments draped on me and the status all of my other senses have not changed.  And now I have to go home and deal with my husband who may or may not be in a good mood.

Domestic Violence

According to PADV ~ Partnership Against Domestic Violence “Abuse is a pattern of hurtful and abusive behaviors used by one partner to systematically control and have power over another intimate partner. It is important to know that you do not deserve to be abused, nor are you responsible for the abuse.” (PADV.org) According to Nomore.org “Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.” (Nomore.org)

Hate is taught ~ violence is taught ~ abuse is taught: intentionally, unintentionally, consciously, subconsciously, unconsciously ~ these ills are taught on a national level, local level, personal level, and intimate level.

And when one is submerged in the same type of thinking it becomes an ideology that manifests as a norm and even the victim begins to think this is ok. 

Domestic violence was born out of this pandemic of violence. From 1619 to today, power has taught privileged human beings to seek, kill, and destroy in order to retain this false sense of power.  We have been dehumanized, deculturalized, demoralized, and desexualized through emasculation of our people by way of power.  And as we heard in the earlier definitions, domestic violence is about power and control.

Nationally, we are fighting for justice for Corey Jones, a 31 year old Black man in FL waiting on the side of the road for a tow truck and was gunned down by a plain clothes police officer riding in an unmarked car.  Corey Jones was a friend of my friend and seminary classmate Clarence ~ he wasn’t playing with a toy gun, he didn’t have on a hoodie, he wasn’t mentally challenged, he didn’t “charge” at the police, he didn’t challenge authority… Power, you are running out of excuses ~ you will soon have to admit that Corey Jones was killed because he was a Black man and power is taught to seek, kill and destroy instead of protect and serve soley based on the color of our skin!

It is this Power that glorifies a NFL player punching his then fiancée, knocking her unconscious, and then demonizing her for living out the real and true cycle of domestic violence. Power that causes men to live with internalized shame because Black men and men of color are already emasculated by society ~ then to add domestic violence on top of it is downright shameful and embarrassing. Because men are supposed to be able to stop a bullet, or a knife wielding partner, or can withstand psychological abuse and can’t possibly be victims of domestic violence. Power that says one must have power while the other do not.  Power that beats someone into submission. Power that abuses over and over and over again until one believes this is the norm.  Power that has become an ideology of hate, degradation, and humiliation.

The next time you’re in a room with 6 people, think about this:

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience violence from their partners in their lifetimes.
• 1 in 3 teens experience sexual or physical abuse or threats from a boyfriend or girlfriend in one year.
• 1 in 5 women are survivors of rape. (and yes there is a such thing as marital rape)
• 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men were sexually abused before the age of 18.

Some warning signs include:

·         Checking cell phones, emails or social networks without permission

• Extreme jealousy or insecurity
• Constant belittling or put-downs
• Explosive temper
• Isolation from family and friends
• Making false accusations
• Erratic mood swings
• Physically inflicting pain or hurt in any way
• Possessiveness
• Telling someone what to do
• Repeatedly pressuring someone to have sex ***

Our silence, church, is hurting and at times killing our sisters and brothers. The guilt and shame is eating us alive ~ destroying our minds, bodies, and souls. The challenge with this epidemic is the internalized shame and the external ignorance and judgment that comes along with it. You cannot identify a victim just by the way she/he looks. You cannot say she/he is too smart, strong, beautiful, and handsome… to be a victim. You cannot say she/he cannot be a victim because I never saw a black eye or bruises. Oh she/he seems to love their partner so much ~ she/he always calls, is always around, always right there… they cannot be in a domestic violence relationship.***

SHAME ~ To cover literally or figuratively. It is a state of mind/being which may result in embarrassment, disgrace, and/or humiliation. Internalized shame is when you become the aforementioned: I am a disgrace ~ I am shame ~ I am embarrassed... Domestic Violence victims are stuck in this toxic web of internalized shame resulting from life experiences coupled with their abusive situation. Some are so stuck they don't realize the situation they are in is toxic, unhealthy, and dangerous. Mental, physical, emotional, financial, spiritual forms of abuse (overt or covert) are toxic. Talking about DV helps to reduce (and prayerfully obliterate) the shame, enlighten the victim, and provide the tools needed for deliverance in one way, shape, and/or form. Let us uncover DV and expose it for what it really is ~ too many of us of suffering in silence; at home, work, church... We must talk about it!

My story

Moving from victim to survivor is difficult. On average, it takes a victim seven times to leave before staying away for good. Exiting the relationship is a most unsafe time for a victim. As the abuser senses that they’re losing power, they will often act in dangerous ways to regain control over their victim.  And once you have safely become a survivor, one must learn to deal with the physical, mental, social, spiritual, and residual memories:
When I see the scar on my hand
When I walk down the stairs (I envision him waiting in the cut like he used to)
When I see someone with his body type
When a strange number calls my phone
When I see a 678 number
When I am going home alone I continue to remain alert and watch my surroundings
I don't answer blocked calls
The list could go on and on...

One of the biggest challenges is preaching on this particular Sunday.  Being transparent and vulnerable in front of hundreds of people is not an easy assignment.  It becomes further complicated because one has to truly rely on G-d to speak to the masses including the perpetrator or abuser as well as the victim and survivor.  Without judgement, it is through our stories we raise consciousness and awareness by exposing the truth which prayerfully will lead to healing, deliverance, and transformation. 

Many of you know I am a survivor of domestic violence. But, growing up, I have never witnessed domestic violence.  Not from my parents, grandparents, immediate family members.  I saw violent acts in my family and my community but nothing labeled as domestic violence.  There were no patterns of abuse for control and power.  So when I was in a domestic violent marriage, contrary to popular belief, I did not know I was in one. I made excuses for my then husband.  I didn’t know. I blamed it on the drugs, his bi-polar disorder, questioned whether he was on or off his meds ~ I blamed stress after my miscarriage (just to name a few excuses.) I wanted to change him, help him, and heal him.  I loved him and he was my husband. I turned to the scriptures for help. I read the scriptures that said a woman is bound to her husband as long as she lives (I said oh no, I’ve got to fix this ~ I can’t live in this hell forever.) ~ Then, I read another scripture that actually says G-d hates divorce ~ what was I to do? I love G-d and didn’t want to disappoint G-d. I didn’t know about cycles of abuse: tension building, the incident, reconciliation or forgiveness, calm ~ Only to return to tension building, the incident, reconciliation or forgiveness, calm ~ only to return…

I did not know about domestic violence and the cycles until I was sitting in my Pastoral Care class in seminary.  My professor Rev. Dr. Carolyn McCrary invited a guest to speak with us about domestic violence, the awareness and the pastoral care thereof.  I sat, listened, visualized me in the midst of his teaching, and realized I am a victim of domestic violence.  I cried right there in the middle of class.  My class rallied around me, prayed for and with me while my then husband was waiting for me in the apartment.

From that point on, in summary, it was a yearlong struggle with court dates ~ being escorted everywhere I went because he was always lurking in some dark corner waiting for me to be alone ~ he moved right across the street from campus ~ I had to move off campus and hide my car ~ I had the security guards, stewards and trustees keep a picture of him in the event he followed me to church ~ missed my daughter’s baby shower in NY because he sent a message that he was back in NY and would be waiting for me.  I finally pressed charges and it was time to appear in court. My mother in ministry Rev. Carolyn Habersham was with me.  As I was sitting in front of the judge, I was facing her on her right and my abuser was on across from me on her left.  The judge gave specific instructions: do not talk to each other ~ address your comments and concerns to me. What does he do, he talks to me the entire time. He is in his orange jumpsuit with handcuffs and shackles, looking at me and talking to me. The judge does nothing. The court officer does nothing.  As a matter of fact, I was further victimized the entire time.  Fast forward, he went to jail for terroristic threats and harassment and was sentenced to one year in jail after threatening to kill me and bury me next to my father among other things.  

Domestic violence is not about the weak against the strong.  It is one sided power and control.  And the more strength or power the “other side” exhibits, the more volatile the abuser, perpetrator, agitator, power-hungry becomes. I attended a domestic violence support group every Wednesday for a year. This was a part of the process of healing. Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown says trust the process ~ not only did I have to trust the process I had to trust G-d in the process.

Speaking of G-d ~ where is G-d in all of this?

G-d

This seems to be one of those valid questions especially when you are at wit’s end.  All up in your flesh. Trying to rationalize the irrational ~ make sense of the nonsense. Listening to other condemning, demeaning, judgmental voices in one’s head instead of listening to G-d’s voice, feeling G-d’s presence.

I found myself believing the answer to this question comes to life through G-d’s promises and my actions.  Both happening simultaneously ~ inextricably bound together ~ one cannot manifest exclusively without the other.  For 1 John 4:4 states “Greater is G-d who is in me than you who are in the world.”

Learning to see G-d in the midst of***

Deuteronomy 31:6b ~ I will never leave you nor forsake you***

Matthew 28:20 ~ I am with you always to the end of the age***

In Genesis G-d says, and I paraphrase ~ I created you to be stewards over my creation ~ to make loving, communal, compassionate, firm, rooted decisions.  I was not concerned about the manifestation of evil because Good existed before evil and the stream rises no higher than its source (Anna Julia Cooper) ~ so I knew that my creation would choose Good over evil. And even when they didn’t, I the Lord Your G-d can turn evil into good, tragedy into triumph, mess into miracles, despair into hope, hate into Love…

(Genesis 1:27) I made you in my image and likeness.  I did not create puppets ~ (Psalm 139:14) I created fearfully and wonderfully made human beings with the power of choice and some unfortunately chose evil!

Some chose to hurt with their fists ~ Others with their words ~ some hurt using the very words in the sacred text ~ some exploit and abuse the very emotions G-d created ~ others use the blessings of finances, home, family, and security to be the very thing to keep you fearful and in bondage. 

G-d created the very systems that should bring justice for all ~ to protect you and keep you ~ Yet, the world has infiltrated G-d’s creation, my teachings, and uses them to perpetrate hurt, pain, misused power and control.  This intrusion may come in the form of domestic violence.

II Corinthians 4:8-9 ~ We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; ⁹persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

***I am a survivor by the grace of G-d ~ In Isaiah 43:18-20 ~ The Lord said forget the former things for I am about to do a new thing... G-d created us as supreme beings therefore it is difficult to totally erase things from ones memory. I believe the scripture is encouraging us not to get caught up in the past, good or bad, but to use our experiences to propel us forward which is why I stand before you to tell my story ~ don't get stuck on the good and think more highly of oneself and don't get stuck on the bad and neglect to see the good work G-d has begun in you and will complete! For Philippians 1:6 states I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.

To the perpetrator, victimizer, abuser ~ David said in psalm 51:10 create in me a clean heart and renew in me a right spirit*** ~ psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.

I pray for the abuser who here right now ~ for, awareness toward healing is for you too! Your power lies in the Almighty and not in abusive, controlling, manipulative, degrading, and aggressive behavior. Awareness is about learning to love yourself so that you can love others in a non-abusive manner; making the necessary life changes to create a space for this healing and love to manifest.

Which brings us to Romans 8:31-39 ~ ³¹ What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? ³³ Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.^[a] 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
    we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through G-d who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No More ~ will we edge G-d out of our situation and circumstances

No More ~ will we allow evil to infiltrate the plans G-d has for me

No More ~ will we stand idly by and watch our babies be slaughtered like sheep

No More ~ will we judge that which we don’t understand

No More ~ will we allow the church to remain silent on issues such as domestic violence

No More ~ will we allow the degradation of our people through hate, racism, sexism, phobia, and ignorance

No More ~ will we be of the world but will be transformed by the renewing of our minds

No More ~ will we turn a blind eye to hate and violence for it takes a village to combat these pandemics and epidemics plaguing us in insurmountable numbers

No More ~ will we love others more than we love ourselves

No More ~ will we allow power of the world to kill and destroy

No More senseless murders

No More self-hate

No More silence

No More judgment

No More abuse

No More domestic violence!

No More!

***

Your charge for today is the see yourself in the sacred text.  To see your story in the scriptures.  To see the liberating, encouraging, empowering word of G-d in your life.  To seek for you shall find the liberating word of G-d for G-d’s word says where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty (not bondage.) A freedom only you and G-d can define and it will take you and G-d to manifest this freedom.  Find your voice in the scripture. Find your peace in G-d’s word.  Then look around and use the support systems in the village to allow this peace, strength, and freedom to become a reality. Prayerfully the church is and/or will be that safe space of support toward your freedom. 

(*** Additional moments that could not be captured in writing)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

To learn how to help someone in an abusive relationship or to get help for yourself, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit domesticshelters.org, the largest searchable directory of domestic violence service providers in the United States.

For teens and youth, call 1-866-331-9474 or text “loveis” to 22522 or live chat at www.loveisrespect.org.

NOMORE.ORG

Together we can end domestic violence

Shorter Community AME Church

Hotline: 720-663-0227

And Still I Rise: Partnership Against Domestic Violence meets every 2^nd Monday ~ call the hotline for additional information.

Never hopeless... forever searching!

Rev. T

#afacetodomesticviolence 

Dare We Speak of Hope!

Reverend Tawana Davis
September 27, 2015
Dare We Speak of Hope?
The Colorado State Capital

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NRSV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.

In framing this reflective moment I offer a few contextual definitions:

Things ~ not referring to material inanimate objects but the manifestation of the divine in something or someone or an object we can see, experience, and/or comprehend

Invisible or not visible ~ the divine that exists which is universal, transcendent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent

So for these remaining 7 minutes we will focus our reflection on the theme “Dare We Speak of Hope!”

Dr. Allan Boesak authored the book “Dare We Speak of Hope.” He played a major anti-apartheid activist role and is considered a liberation theologian.  Dr. Boesak states “Standing for justice and hope is not for the faint-hearted, or for the seekers of a comfortable life, innocent of the risks of faith.  The lives of the true prophets, from the ancient faith traditions to those of our own day, offer testimony to that.” (Dare We Speak of Hope, p. 28) Hope is not just some easy thing to come by. It takes a passion, love, desire and an awareness of a G-d who speaks and things come into existence ~ a belief in the One who makes a way out of no way.

In this book Dr. Boesak goes on to quote St. Augustine of Hippo ““Hope has two beautiful daughters; their names are Anger and Courage. Anger at the way things are, and Courage to see that they do not remain as they are.” (Dare We Speak of Hope, p. 43) With this powerful definition of hope St. Augustine goes on to say: “Hope was not the product of that hypocritical, hand-wringing Christian quietism that so many in the church have acquired and made into a spiritual skill: standing idly by, crying ‘peace, peace’ where there is no peace, while the earth is being ravaged and G-d’s people are being destroyed by greed, selfishness, and rapaciousness. That Christianity, in a perverse understanding of reconciliation, seeks to remain piously neutral while the battles for life and justice and truth are raging across the earth, straining to please the powerful and to pacify the oppressed, and calling it ‘creating hope.’” (Dare We Speak of Hope, p. 45.)

In other words hope has radical demands ~ for instance hope is BLM ~ the radical demand of an affirmation of who we are as a divine diaspora of G-d’s people who knows and affirms our fearfully (aka reverently) and wonderfully made selves with a defined self-worth, value, and divinity with a demand for a moral code that treats us as such!

It is our hope that fuels our faith in the assurance that what we see does not have to remain the same. And if the worlds were prepared by the word of G-d and G-d is still speaking today then our hope is that things will change and our faith is the assurance of this change.

Without hope how do we fuel our faith? Without hope how do we exercise our faith? Often times we focus on this scripture as the definition of faith.  Today, I offer, let us not ignore the pivotal, powerful, radical, extreme role hope plays in faith.

Alongside her radical demands, hope is the desire, the longing, the expectance, the heightened anticipation for things such as healing, transformation, deliverance, peace, love, provision, safety, security, opportunity ~ Faith is knowing, having the assurance that these things can manifest only from the invisible.

Our faith calls us to justice work (see Amos 5:24 ~ But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.)

Our faith calls us to love (see Mark 12:30-31 ~ you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Our faith calls us to serve (ask Pricilla the wife of Aquila and friend of Paul who purportedly wrote the very book of scripture we are reflecting on today.)

It is our faith that affirms, confirms, exclaims, posits, deposits, re-affirms, and/or reminds us that BLM.  Faith is the radical manifestation of hope that fuels or faith. It is our faith that is born out of a hope that makes visible the invisible.

Dare we speak of hope? According to Hebrews our faith says we must! Dare we have the unmitigated, uncompromised countenance to speak, live, and breathe hope?

Hope!
To a community that is grieving from two murders at 3:00 in the afternoon

Hope!
To underserved schools that don’t have books nor state of the art equipment

Hope!
When the unemployment rate is exponentially higher in communities of color, especially AA communities

Hope!
When mass incarceration impacts communities of color especially AA

Hope!
In creating a moral document that holds unjust, immoral, evil systems accountable

Hope!
For our mere stance of faith tells us we have no choice because without hope, in who or what do we have faith?

So, dare we speak of hope!
Only if we address the woundedness toward a faith in healing

Dare we speak of hope!
Only if we address the systemic racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, marginalization, and degradation toward a faith in liberation, equality, and opportunity

Dare we speak of hope!
Only if our faith speaks peace in our violence-ridden communities: gang violence, gun violence, domestic violence

Dare we speak of hope!
Only if we learn to dream again ~ Daring to dream and dream big ~ dreams of loving my neighbor as myself: my Black neighbor, my white neighbor, my gang banging neighbor, my economically challenged neighbor, my privileged neighbor ~ Daring to dream where we all err on the side of love ~ daring to dream that one day we will all be angry enough at the way things are and collectively garner the courage to see they don’t remain this way

Dare we speak of hope!
As people of faith we must

Dare we speak of hope!
As people of faith we must speak truth to power

Dare we speak of hope!
As people of faith we are called to speak life and not death

Dare we speak of hope!
As people of faith we must speak for the voiceless, love the unloved, offer hope to the hopeless

Dare we speak of hope!
As people of faith, how dare we not?

Never hopeless... forever searching...

Rev. T

My Inalienable Right to Live

Reverend Tawana Davis

October 11, 2015

Shorter Community AME Church

Sermon Theme: My Inalienable Right to Live!

II Corinthians 1:3-4; 2:1-4 NRSV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. So I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained?  And I wrote as I did, so that when I came, I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice; for I am confident about all of you, that my joy would be the joy of all of you.  For I wrote to you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Focus Verse: For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 

In other words as Desmond Tutu says "My humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in yours."

Introduction

Out of distress Paul pens this open, truthful, transparent, heartfelt letter to the people of Corinth.  A reminder of our inalienable right to live. To love is to live. To feel anguish and distress is to live. To shed tears is to live. Paul reminds the people of Corinth of his love for them and his desire for them to live and live life abundantly as he taught them to do. 

Move I ~ Background

Paul, who at the time moved to Ephesus after ministering in Corinth, heard of the continued problems in Corinth.  The Corinthians were known for their licentiousness – just wilding out and out of control.  Now while Paul was in Corinth, he developed a love for the people.  He wanted them to experience a conversion to follow the teachings of Jesus the Christ.  He was affected by them; he loved them so much that when they hurt, he hurt.  He was encouraged by them.  He stayed for some time feeding off of their desire to learn and want to change.    So when he was in Ephesus continuing his missionary journey, he received word that the people where in bad shape again.

Therefore, Paul writes to the people of Corinth ~ he is writing to them not to hurt them but to describe his level of hurt and disappointment.  But evidently this was received by the Corinthians much differently.  So here we are at the point where Paul in his aggravation, pain and sorrow, writes an explanation to the Corinthians; an explanation of why he had to stay away and why he wrote such harsh letters.  Paul’s anguish caused him to act.  His hurt and tears moved him to a place of action, change, forward movement, forgiveness, accountability, maturity, initiative, and love.  Sometimes the very thing that does not feel good is the thing that moves us toward transformation, learning, progress, and liberation.

Paul experienced anguish, tears, hurt and pain.   Which don’t necessarily make us feel good.  So why would G-d create feelings that don’t feel so good? When we were little kids and our parents and/or guardians told us not to touch the stove because it is hot and what did we do, we touched the stove, burned our hands and said “Ouch, hot!”  Although the feeling of slightly burning oneself does not feel good it served as a warning to stay away from the stove.  If we did not have this warning in place we could end up being seriously hurt.  Why would God create feelings that don’t feel so good?  When Richard Allen, the first consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was dragged off of his knees in St. George’s church, a Euro-American church, I am sure this was hurtful, humiliating, and painful.  Out of this pain, Richard Allen decided to never experience that type of pain again and started African Methodist Episcopal Church. Why would God create feelings that don’t feel so good?  I am sure Jarena Lee the first female preacher in the AME Church was heartbroken when she was 1^st denied a preaching license and it was this disappointment that fueled her work preaching to hundreds and thousands traveling thousands of miles to preach the Gospel anyway and still inspires women preachers to this day!   

My uncle was very ill prior to his death in 2014.  He couldn’t take 10 steps without his oxygen tank due to various health challenges.  When I was in NY I had an opportunity to spend some time with him.  He said to me “Tawana I have never been happier.  What you see, I did this to me.  I led a rough life and made some crazy decisions in the process.  But what you see is not what you get.  I am happy.  I am at peace.  What you see is mine (as he pointed around his one bedroom apartment).  I have food in my refrigerator and that is big for me because you know I love to cook.  I have money so if anyone comes to me for help I am in a position to help.  I got my family and my friends.  But most of all I have God.  Despite my choices and what I’ve done to myself, God still loves me and allowed me to experience peace, love, and joy.  It was in my pain and anguish that I have come to a place of peace and serenity.” God gave us these emotions so that we could respond accordingly – G-d gave us the feeling of hurt and pain so that we could respond differently – a defense mechanism in order to do better, do differently, and to keep one safe.

Out of Paul’s distress and anguish came this letter ~ a letter that speaks life into a dying and dreadful situation. Paul could’ve stayed in Ephesus and ignored the cries of the people in Corinth.  He could have said my job is done and I am over them. Yet, out of his hurt he speaks healing and hope to a licentious community. This is what we do, especially has an African American culture: we make bricks without straw, we love beyond measure, we create greatness out of pain and distress.  Out of pain came amazing musicians, artists, philanthropist, civil rights leaders, abolitionist, freedom fighters, legislation, and brilliant pioneers.  Out of anguish Black educational institutions were built during a time when we were still enslaved. Out of suffering Black churches and business were established. Out of hurt, despair, frustration, anger came the Black Lives Matter Movement. And quite frankly (if I may pause right here,) I am not going to argue with you about White lives matter or all lives matter ~ you can have the hastag/slogan/movement because truth be told this means that it is your children that are being murdered by law enforcement, it is your children that have substandard education, it is your children who are disproportionately incarcerated in mass number! I pray this never happens as I pray for the killing of my people, mind/body/spirit, will cease. 

Paul allowed his hurt and anguish to move him out of a space of separation to a space of reconciliation.  Therefore, it is not what we are dealing with, it is how we respond.  Paul is showing us how to be accountable, compassionate, and exhibit unconditional positive regard for our sisters and brothers.  Paul said “For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears…” Accountability – liable for one’s own actions; I did it and I acknowledge my part in this situation.  “…not to cause you pain…”  Operating with good intention – What I did is not only on me but my intention was not to hurt you or cause you any pain.  And since messages aren’t always received the way they were intended – I apologize.  “…but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.”  The agape love of God and Jesus the Christ – unconditional love – a great deal of love - I love you even though you are upset with me and I am disappointed in you – I love you.  I love you anyway!

Move II

It is during the times of pain and distress and anguish we find our purpose, peace, strength, and creativity.  It was Paul’s anguish caused him to move through his space of hurt into a space of restoration and reconciliation which is indicative of African Americans and/or the Black diaspora:  When the Euro-Americans said we could not worship ~ we had to steal away into the brush arbors and create our own worship experience!  When the powers that be said that we would never be free and Harriett Tubman, who was beaten and whipped and even suffered a traumatic head wound when she was hit by a heavy metal weight thrown by an irate overseer, responded to her pain by freeing slaves and could have freed hundreds more if they knew they were enslaved.  The AME Church and her struggles since its inception produced the likes of James Cone, black theologian and professor at Union Theological Seminary in NY; Renita Weems, biblical scholar, author, and powerful preacher; Hallie Q. Brown educator, writer and activist; and Jacqueline Grant pioneer in the womanist movement and theologian. Out of the struggle, hurt, pain, oppression, anguish, pain, tears we must have the wherewithal to move out of our current situation, be accountable for our actions, and take the necessary steps toward liberation and transformation. 

(Allow me to pause again.)  I am not waiting for someone to give me or my people a hand out.  I am not waiting for someone else to honor who we are as beautiful, creative, brilliant, spirit-filled children of G-d, I am not waiting for my 40 acres and a mule.  What I am waiting for is an opportunity to live! To live and to live life more abundantly.  To live as a human being with human rights with human dignity.  I am waiting for the equitable and fair opportunity to live.  And if I blow it, that is on me.  Yet, when I accept it, flourish, and prosper, I will then live out the statement promised to me in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable: that all men (humans) are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness:…” And from July 5^th, 1776 to date, we have not been afforded the unalienable right to live!

Move III

Unalienable ~ unable to be taken away from or given away by the possessor ~ regarded as too important to be interfered with ~ not qualified or diminished in any way ~ never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored (google)

Live ~ to remain alive ~ living not dead ~ the existence of a human being or an animal (google)

Liberty ~ the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views (google)

Pursuit of happiness ~ The pursuit of happiness is defined as a fundamental right mentioned in the Declaration of Independence to freely pursue joy and live life in a way that makes you happy, as long as you don't do anything illegal or violate the rights of others. (your dictionary.com)

From slavery, to the emancipation proclamation, to civil rights, to Jim Crow, to mass incarceration – substandard education – unemployment – crime – policing – according to Justice or else 45.3M people in the USA are living in poverty ~ 2x Black unemployment is twice that of Whites ~ 60% of people in prison are Black and Latino ~ 32.4% of Native American youth under 18 live in poverty ~ 28hrs from now police will have murdered someone Black. From then until now we have been denied this unalienable right to live!

And before I move on, please let’s talk about: “Well he should’ve been…” “Well if she hadn’t…” “We I did it so why can she or he…” I am not excusing bad, illegal, immoral behavior.  What I am troubled by is the disproportionate penalties levied against our people, the targeting of our Black and Brown men and women; boys and girls ~ what I am troubled by is folk telling us to get it together, pull yourselves up by your own boot straps and my response is “we will but you are maliciously, intentionally, and deliberately taking and keeping my boots with the straps.” ~ Distress, anguish, frustration, disgust!

Move IV

For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 

Paul writes the letter out of distress and anguish through his tears for the people of Corinth whom he loved dearly.  What is God calling us to do in the midst of our distress, anguish, and tears?  Is God calling us to stay separated from those we may have had a disagreement with?  Is God calling us to stay angry at those who misunderstand us?  Is G-d calling us to degrade and demean others in the name of Jesus?  Or is God calling us to be like Paul ~ to take initiative, to make a change, to be accountable, to be loving, forgiving, hopeful, and communal.  To love beyond measure ~ to exhibit unconditional positive regard. To live and to live transcending our own biases, egos, and adverse feelings.

What Paul does here is a powerful example of how we come to understand and acknowledge our inalienable right to live for our humanity is inextricably bound regardless of the situation or circumstance.  Paul also exemplifies the fact that we do not have the power to change others yet we have the power to change how we respond especially in the midst of our anger, frustration, and distress.  We must understand that our humanity is inextricably bound in one another. Ubuntu ~ I am because we are ~ we are therefore I am. This means if Blacks need to be liberated from oppression then Whites need to be liberated from White privilege. If the poor are meeting their basic needs by any illegal or immoral means necessary then the rich are just as immoral, unjust, and uncompassionate by turning a blind eye. If Public Education is failing and another school in the area is thriving shame on both for not reaching out to one another learn and to share so that all might be successful.

Paul exemplifies this unalienable right to live through the love, care, compassion, forgiveness, repentance, and hope shown in this letter which is rooted in a cross bearing relationship.  Paul states this perfectly in the opening sentences of this letter.  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the G-d of mercies and the G-d of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. Consoled means comfort and if the Holy Spirit, the paraclete, is our comforter then it is spirit that bounds us together through our shell of humanity.  As much as you try to ignore it ~ as much as you try to deny it ~ as much as you try to pit us against them ~ we are all children of G-d and if you hurt I hurt ~ If you fail I fail ~ If you are dying then I am dying.

This shift in kingdom building is nothing new nor is it some grand idea I came up with.  We (as in the world) got it twisted when we began to conform to the ways of this world instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds. Paul makes it very plain. When you hurt I hurt but thanks be to G-d we have a Comforter who will console US unto reconciliation and liberation from our ailments and free us from our licentiousness so that we might live!

Conclusion

My inalienable right to live, then, is rooted in the word of G-d. Not my feelings which are temporary. Not my damaged ego. Not my need to control others.  Not in what others might think of me. Not rooted in politicians ~ not in the constitution or the declaration of independence ~ not rooted in the 13^th amendment that states that slavery by way of mass incarceration is legal.

My inalienable right to live is rooted in the word of G-d which states: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

My inalienable right to live is rooted in Psalm 139:14: I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (Black Lives Matter is reminding Black folk of this very fact)

My inalienable right to live is rooted in Genesis 2:7: then the Lord God formed human from the dust of the ground, and breathed into the nostrils the breath of life; and the human became a living being.

My inalienable right to live is rooted in the life of my sisters and brothers ~ despite status, race, employment status, educational prowess…  

My pain and promise

My hurt and healing

My worry and worship

My suffering and salvation

Paul reminds us of this inalienable right to live by speaking life to what seemed to be a dying situation ~ speaking love to the unloved ~ speaking hope to the hopeless ~ showing unconditional positive regard a sister or brother just because our humanity is inextricably bound.

For I write to you, Shorter, out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears because our people are dying, our people are unemployed, our people are receiving substandard education, our people are poor, homeless, hungry, in despair.  I write to you not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. And with this love I implore you to love the Lord our G-d with all your heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.  That is your pew neighbor, your community neighbor, your work neighbor, your Black, White, poor, rich, homeless, gang member, drug addict, lost neighbor.  For it is this love that speaks life and this life is inalienable.

A life that is rooted in Jesus Christ ~ Therefore, my inalienable right to live is rooted in Jesus the Christ ~ G-d’s only begotten son and WHOSOEVER believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life! Jesus the one who paid it all ~ the one who died and arose from the dead so that we might live! Jesus the one who suffered: was ridiculed, ostracized, marginalized, despised, falsely arrested, falsely accused, could’ve been killed in custody but the oppressor didn’t want blood on his hands, was beaten, spat on, a victim of mass incarceration, abused by the enforcers of the law who are called to protect and serve and not seek, kill, and destroy; Jesus, the one who was forced to carry His cross to his own execution (a cross that looks like Arizona and Skittles, a hoodie, the failure to signal, a cross that looks like the color of our skin.) Jesus, the one nailed to the old rugged cross, hung high, stretch wide, murdered on Friday, handled his business behind the scenes on Saturday ~ and on the third day, despite evil, despite the oppressor, despite racism, classism, sexism, marginalization of poor communities, failing schools, broken families, increased violence… Jesus got up with all power in his hands so that we might have an inalienable right to live!!! 

#BlackLivesMatter

Never hopeless, forever searching...

Rev. T

Street Gangs ~ Police Gangs

STREET GANG	POLICE GANG
Very protective of identity	Called to protect and serve others but protecting and serving their false sense of power
Will defend their color	Will defend their uniform by any means necessary
Protection of family/territory	Protection of the blue
Will kill when a perceived threat manifests	Will kill when a perceived threat manifests
Will judge by the color you wear	Will judge and make assumption by the color of your skin
Must join and conform to the code	Must join and conform to the code
Hard to get out	Conform to feed my ego, my family and/or racist beliefs and won't get out
Gang members and gang bangers	No such thing as good cop/bad cop
Born as a child of G-d with a purpose for good	Born as a child of G-d with a purpose for good
Born out of response to a marginalized system designed to oppress	Born out of a racist system designed to continually perpetuate White power/privilege
Kill or be killed	Kill or be killed OR be exposed

As I was reflecting on the peace work we are doing in the Denver community, my heart was suddenly grieved by the continuous shootings and murders by gangs and by the police.  Then it hit me, yep at 3:30 in the morning, there is not much difference between the two systems.

I must add this caveat here.  I know great police officers.  I have family and friends who are police officers.  I have family and friends who are gang members, hustlers, repeat offenders... At the same time, I must acknowledge this system, this way of system thinking that forms to protect a given group/mindset (good, bad, or indifferent.) This system of desensitization has proven fatal and systemic.  We must bring humanity back!

The same way we are addressing gang violence is the same way we must address the police gang.  We must be strategic in tearing down these oppressive systems from the top down and from the bottom up.  We cannot address one and not the other and there must be a simultaneous approach to combat these adverse systems. We must know Black Lives Matter whether you are in a blue uniform or wearing the color red or blue. We must not villainize the street gangs and ignore the police gang (police gang bangers) who are killing and arresting our people. 

In the worldview, just like organizational development, systems thinking and design, team dynamics, relational learning, redesign, restructure; transactional, transformational, relational, and values based leadership we must use these human resources and strategic gifts to build new systems and relationships. 

In a spiritual view, as Christians, religious people, spiritual leaders/members, community leaders/members, we must peel back the onion, beyond the system, to impact the person who was created for good.  We have the power to build systems of Love and not hate; systems of Life and not death. 

Speaking of the power to build ~ I am grateful for Pastors Haroun, Jason, and Age and the remnant of others who picked up the mantle to do the work others opted not to do. I am grateful for the weekly prayer walks. I am grateful for those who stepped out on faith believing that prayer changes things.  And most of all I am grateful for Trey, a former gang member, who in front of the Mayor and approximately 60 faith leaders said "...if you don't put G-d first you ain't changing nothing!" Trey has been an inspiration to this effort and an amazing leader in bringing peace to our communities.  

So I say all this to say, we have a lot of work to do.  There is more than enough work for everyone to play their part.  This is the only way we are going to tear down these oppressive and evil systems to build better, life-giving communities for the greater good.  This effort includes addressing the system of street gangs as well as the racist, oppressive, murderous system of police gangs.  

My blog! My thoughts! 

Reverend Tawana Davis

Never hopeless ~ always searching...