Today’s a new day!
January has been designated as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. But for me, human trafficking is a daily fight. In 2007, I became aware of this horrible crime. Since that day, I have dedicated my life to helping end modern day slavery. As we start a new year, I encourage everyone to become more educated on the crime of human trafficking. I believe by working together, we can end this crime that effects over 40 Million People. Will you join me in this fight? ~OC
As I scroll through social media, I see some post from Christians talking about fighting until “Our Team” wins. That would be awesome if these folks were talking about God winning. Which of course He already has. No, sadly these post are about a political party. A party that would rather win than be United. My prayer is that these individuals would be more concerned about truly living out the Gospel and less concerned about a political party or candidate. ~OC
With all the news about the upcoming elections, the economy and COVID19, let’s not forget the millions of victims of human trafficking. ~OC
#EndHumanTrafficking
As I scroll through social media and watch the news, I see a lot of pain and injustice in the African American community. I see my brothers and sisters hurting. It breaks my heart. At times it can seem overwhelming. I asked myself, how in the world can I make a difference? Can anybody relate? Even though I cannot do everything, I can do something. So, I have decided I will continue to stand up and do everything I can to help end racism in America. I will continue to lean in..,and get uncomfortable.
I will continue have real conversations about racism in America, with people wanting to truly make a difference in this world. Not just talk about the issues, but take real action. I will surround myself with others who want to fight the sin of racism. I will continue to get educated. I will continue to listen to my brothers and sisters of color, as they share their experiences. I will lean in..,and get uncomfortable. I will continue to take the time to see the pain of my brothers and sisters of color. I will not pass them by with a “I’ll pray for you.” No, I will stop and pray for them in that moment. I will not allow my brothers and sisters to walk through this unjust world alone. I will lean in…and get uncomfortable. I will continue to have uncomfortable conversations with my white brothers and sisters who believe racism is not a major problem in America today (That is a whole other blog). I will proudly stand up and say #Black Lives Matter. I will continue to challenge my white brothers and sisters to step out of their comfort zones, and sit down with people of color and truly listen to their life experiences. I will encourage them to study African American history and visit African American museums. I will continue to confront racism when I see it. I will continue to speak out against injustices even when it’s not popular. I will lean in…and get uncomfortable. I encourage you to join me. ~OC
Lately, as I watch the news or scroll through social media, I see some people are upset about some monuments being taken down. I hear people making the argument that people are trying to erase our history in America. Especially Southern history. Let me share a little about the history of Southern monuments.
Most people think these Confederate monuments have been around since the end of the Civil War in 1865. This is not the case. The vast majority of these monuments were built between 1895 and the 1950s. Why were so many Confederate monuments built during this time period? Well, it had nothing to do with celebrating these dead soldiers. No, the building of these monuments had more to do with hate and intimidation. Let me give you a little history lesson.
1895-1915: Jim Crow laws are alive and well during this time period. There is a resurgence of the KKK and other white supremacy groups. A large number of Confederate monuments are built during this time.
1915-1955- Jim Crow continues to rule throughout the South.
1955-1970- The Civil Rights Movement kicks into high gear with the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision. In the South, racist groups begin a reign of terror against African Americans and start erecting Confederate monuments again. The motivation was to continue terrorizing African Americans. Most of these monuments were placed in the middle of town and at courthouses.
So, when I hear my fellow Southerners complaining about “Our” history being washed away with these monuments being taken down, I wonder if you truly know the history behind these monuments. These monuments are not about history. These monuments are about hate. That is not the kind of history I want to celebrate.
Here is another history lesson for you. If you travel to Germany, you will not find monuments celebrating Hitler. If you travel to South Africa, you will not find monuments celebrating Apartheid. You will find museums remembering the victims of these horrible crimes.
Let me share one last thing. I do not believe people should be destroying these monuments. That’s just dangerous. Someone could get hurt. I think these monuments should be taken down by city workers and discarded. We need to stop celebrating a history of hate and intimidation. Those were not the good old days. ~OC
Today is National Loving Day. This celebrates the 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving vs. Virginia. The Court struck down as unconstitutional laws in 16 states that prohibited interracial marriages. ~OC
Today’s a new day! I will continue to pray this prayer and post on social media until there is justice for all in America. When a person of color cannot jog through a neighborhood without being killed, we all need to stand up and demand justice for all. If we care for justice, then we need to pray and speak out against all injustice.
Praying for my brothers and sisters of color. Praying that as you walk down the street, people will not clutch their purses or bags a little tighter. Praying as you visit a place of business, you will not be hassled. I pray if for some reason you’re pulled over by the police, you will be treated with respect. I am saddened that I have to pray this prayer every day for my brothers and sisters of color, but I will continue to lift this prayer up each day. I will continue to speak out against the injustices in this world. ~OC
I am once again writing about racial profiling in America. The only “Crime” these men committed was being African American in America. Sadly, I have posted similar blog post over the last year. A African-American man in Illinois is arrested for stealing medical equipment from a hospital. He was a patient at the hospital just going for a walk. A African-American man in Texas playing with his children is confronted by police after being mistaken for a fugitive. The only thing the two men had in common was they both had dreads. In Ohio, a African American police officer has a gun pulled on him by a white security guard in a IRS office. I am saddened and angry that we continue to deal with racial profiling, racist comments and racism in America. I will continue to pray the following prayer until there is justice for all in America.
Dear God, please be with my brothers and sisters of color. Be with them as they walk down the street, that people will not clutch their purses or bags a little tighter. Praying as they visit a place of business, they will not be hassled. I pray if for some reason they are pulled over by the police, they will be treated with respect. I am saddened that I have to pray this prayer every day for my brothers and sisters of color. I pray that one day, I will wake up and not have to lift this prayer up to you. Until that day comes, I will continue to pray for my brothers and sisters of color. I will continue to listen to their stories of injustice. I will continue to learn how I can help. I will continue to write and speak out against racism in America until there is justice for all. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 