Today’s a new day! Just because most of the media has jumped to other stories, do not stop having true and meaningful conversations about racism and injustice in America. It’s still real and still happening. Keep the conversations going. ~OC
Monuments of Hate
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
Celebrate Juneteenth
Happy Juneteenth! Today we celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. Take time today to learn more about this holiday and its history. Take time today to learn more about African-American History and Culture. Take time today to have conversations about our history (the good, the bad, the ugly) with our African-American brothers and sisters. But, do not make this just a one day celebration or conversation. Let’s use today as a launch to have more conversations about the beautiful history of African-Americans and the ongoing issue of racism in America. -OC #Juneteenth
LOVE
Today’s a new day! People need to feel your love and concern, before they hear your words. ~OC
The Madness
Today’s a new day! My brothers and sisters in Christ, maybe our prayers should be less God rescue us from all this madness and more God please use us during this madness. ~OC
Celebrate Diversity
Today’s a new day! Most people that know me, know I love to wear t-shirts with a message. Something to make others think or to help start a conversation. My amazing wife bought this shirt for me yesterday. It’s from a great organization called The Happy Givers (www.thehappygivers.com).
I am not a fan of the phrase “I don’t see color.” That is just a false statement. We all see color, unless you were born with an eye issue. But if not, then stop saying you don’t see the color of someone. I believe it’s disrespectful to that person and most importantly it is disrespectful to God. Yes, it’s disrespectful to God. God created color. God created diversity. God loves all the different colors He created. God loves all the diversity He created. You should too.
So stop saying you don’t see color. Instead say I see your color, but that does not determine my feelings and opinion of you. Your beautiful color was created by God. I love you because you were created by God. Let’s talk and get to know each other. Let’s celebrate diversity. ~OC
When The Media Leaves
Today’s a new day! Here are some question for the Church and the Nation:
*When the media leaves Minneapolis, will you still be standing up and speaking out for the rights of our brothers and sisters of color?
*Will you still be having conversations about racism and injustice in America?
*Will you remember all the African-American men and women, who were simply murdered because of the color of their skin?
*Will you just go back to regularly scheduled programming? ~OC
Challenges
Today’s a new day! You will face challenges today. Some will be small, but some will feel overwhelming. I encourage you to overcome those challenges. I encourage you to look at past victories. You have overcome challenges before and you can do it again. It will not be easy, but I believe you can make it. Don’t back down. Don’t give up. Keep believing. Keep pushing forward. God is in control. He will be with you every step of the way. God can turn your challenges into opportunities. Embrace those opportunities. Keep Overcoming! ~OC
Memories
Memories. They can make you smile, laugh and cry. Sometimes memories just make you sit back and reflect. That happened to me this morning, as I scrolled through my Facebook page and a memory from May 13, 2009 jumped out at me. It took me back. On this date in 2009, I went back to work after a month in the hospital and recovery at home. I did not realize at the time that life would never be the same.
As I went back to work that Wednesday morning, I thought things would go back to normal. Little did I realize that my life would never be normal again. Several days after going back to work, I would end up back in the hospital. This scene would play out many times over the next few months. I would work a few days and end up in the hospital for a few weeks. Finally after seeing this Groundhog Day moment several times (Google the movie Groundhog Day), my medical team shared it was time for me to retire and go on disability. Retire? Disability? I was only in my early 40’s. I was not real excited about this new normal. But this new normal was now part of my life. Little did I realize what a crazy beautiful journey God would allow me to experience.
As I have walked this new normal since 2009, I have become a full time Abolitionist, a Missionary and a published Author. I doubt any of my teachers or professors would have ever guessed I would write a book. During this new normal, my faith became so much stronger. My wife Laura and I have experienced so many amazing adventures. I definitely would not have chosen this new normal, but I would not change a thing. My new normal has become a beautiful gift. Thanks Facebook for the memory. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 