I was just wondering. Rev. Sharpton made a lot of noise challenging hip-hop/rap stars to show up but was less challenging to his fellow clergymen like Creflo Dollar, TD Jakes, and Eddie Long, so I wonder if any of them showed.
Did TD Jakes make it to Jena since he certainly made it to Dr.Phil
- Thread starter Upgrade Dave
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Sharpton made noise but only to those who focus on Sharpton speak. Not to mention those you mentioned can reach millions more where they are and don't need to physically be there. Besides, people have jobs and responsibilities and might not look at this issue as a pivotal point in our lives.
Which it's not. Its important, but not the end of the world. IMHO
It is an issue we need to get in and expose it for what it is and get it fixed. People are doing that. Lets not turn this into another us vs them type thing. We understand the stakes involved and this isn't the first racial issue we've ever had to confront, nor will it be the last.
-VG
I don't know who "us" or "them" would be in this circumstance.
Since they can reach millions, did they exercise that reach on this issue? If it's fair to ask President Bush and those seeking his office about it, then it's fair to ask those who are in position of authority in our community.
Again, Jakes found time to appear on Dr. Phil this week, did he find time to be in Jena? If not, why not? What did he have to do that was more important?
Since they can reach millions, did they exercise that reach on this issue? If it's fair to ask President Bush and those seeking his office about it, then it's fair to ask those who are in position of authority in our community.
Again, Jakes found time to appear on Dr. Phil this week, did he find time to be in Jena? If not, why not? What did he have to do that was more important?
Us and them refers to those who choose to march in Jena and those who choose not to.
In a free society, you may ask and direct whatever questions about whatever issue you like. I'm certainly not opposed to dialog. My point is just as I stated. And again, Jakes can manage this issue as well as his time in whatever manner he wishes.
It's not up to you or anyone else to decide that.
I am also saying that a person like Jakes would most likely NOT deal with this issue in the way foot soldiers like Sharpton or Jackson would anyway. Not that Jakes doesn't give a fuck about it, my honest opinion is he does, but he's one to work inside existing law as well as biblical bounderies and he doesn't have a choice in it.
His belief system doesn't afford those options.
Now you can knock his methods if you want but understand if you do, Jakes isn't the warrior you need and you will be disappointed. Foot soldiers like Jesse and Al should be able to get the kinds of results you're looking for. JMHO.
-VG
This should probably be in a separate thread, but I'm going to raise it here:
We complain when Jesse and Al jump on an issue; then we complain if they don't. Some say, "who appointed Jesse and Al as leaders, some say we need new leaders and some say we don't need any leaders, at all.
"Black Leaders" of course, aren't elected. Malcolm and Martin weren't elected neither were any of the others from the Civil Rights era. For whatever reason, those who have been either branded by the media as "Black Leaders" or accepted by our community as the same, have taken it upon themselves to DO SOMETHING about our plight. Al and Jesse may not be the best to articulate our issues and they might not be qualified to do so, but where are all those would-be leaders to take up the torch (or maybe they are, just using different methods than Jesse and Al). For whatever they are worth, we have Jesse and Al. But the door to leadership in our community isn't closed, in fact, its wide open.
Do we want Black people having national exposure, in our behalf?
If so, who are they?
If not, why not?
QueEx
We complain when Jesse and Al jump on an issue; then we complain if they don't. Some say, "who appointed Jesse and Al as leaders, some say we need new leaders and some say we don't need any leaders, at all.
"Black Leaders" of course, aren't elected. Malcolm and Martin weren't elected neither were any of the others from the Civil Rights era. For whatever reason, those who have been either branded by the media as "Black Leaders" or accepted by our community as the same, have taken it upon themselves to DO SOMETHING about our plight. Al and Jesse may not be the best to articulate our issues and they might not be qualified to do so, but where are all those would-be leaders to take up the torch (or maybe they are, just using different methods than Jesse and Al). For whatever they are worth, we have Jesse and Al. But the door to leadership in our community isn't closed, in fact, its wide open.
Do we want Black people having national exposure, in our behalf?
If so, who are they?
If not, why not?
QueEx
I had a long, drawn out response on the responsibility of public people like Jakes, Dollar, and Bynum to be more involved in affairs that they could make a difference in (even if they do go physically, those boys' lawyers still need to be paid). But it's been a long day.
No, I wouldn't be disappointed, they've all lived down to my expectations.
There are never too many foot soldiers.
I just had this discussion with someone not-too-long ago. Here locally, a conservative radio show host finally talked about the Jena 6 but only because "Al and Jesse had parachuted in". After I got over my irritation with his inference that they were only just now getting involved, I thought about how people call them opportunists and media-whores but when something bad happens they bash them if they aren't front and center. They really are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
I may not agree with every stand they take but at least they take a stand and if the police busted my son's head open, I damn sure wouldn't turn them away if they wanted to help.
I can't speak for anyone but me but if I complain it's because I think their are fuckin' up. For instance, back in 1999, Jackson organized a march in Decatur, Illinois. This was about a big ass fight that took place in the stands of a football statium at the high school. Zero tolerance rule at the school kicked those kids involved the fuck out of school, some of which had been in high school for 8 years.
We all saw the video tape.
Jesse went into the town, bussed a bunch of folk in, staged a march and tried to excuse what those idiot kids did and blame the school system for throwing their asses out. Some of us remember that, and don't excuse it or him.
Al Sharpton with the very bogus Twana Brawley case and that bullshit game he ran in Viacus, Puerto Rico. Most of us remember that and don't excuse it either. Shit like that tends to make MOST thinking people scruntize more of the shit they get involved with especially when he uses our culture as his rational for doing to.
So it's not as simple as your question suggests that we are a monolithic people or at least should be on issues of particular importance where race is conserned.
-VG
wow, ------ hating on black people. Why am I not surprised?
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JENA 6= This is a major situtation that is testing the young black community and we are not approching this thing seriously. TD Jakes and Mr. $ should have been there with all their "SHEEP"! Also, all these self pro-claiming Ballin Rap Stars, Movie Stars, and ETC. These situtations like these are test, Test of the black strength in America. Times like these are when we should show our strength in together-ness! They rode with nooses on their trucks while we were there. Y? Because they know that Negroes are a joke most of the time. WAKE UP BLACK MAN! The fight isn't against me and myself, but against all that is trying to hurt me.
maybe they didn't come because its considered an ISOLATED situation. The best thing the "black man" should do is try to better ourselves. So we can afford the proper legal care for shit like this can happen.
*btw que, no need for you to edit what I had to say. I was only speaking the truth about the situation.*
My question made no such suggestion. What it did do was question Pastor Jakes priority; his own fame or young, Black boys and their families that would appreciate his and his flock's support.
Yes, Revs. Jackson and Sharpton at times overplay their hand but at least they play. It's almost to the point where we expect more of jocks and entertainers than these men and women "ordained by God".
Here's the real question, should Bishops interfere with political situations? Bishop knows that Al, and Jesse have some sort of animosity towards him because Bishop Jakes has a friendship with the Bush family. Plus, whats good would come if Bishop shows up anyway? He clearly do not want to be in the middle of anything racial *since his church has a mixed crowd*. Religion always trumps politics.
Since we are on this subject, what is really fair about the jena six situation?
In my eyes, I feel that EVERYONE should of been charged with something. Bottomline....
If the boy is charge with a 20 year felony, the white dude should get at least a concealing an illegal weapon charge. I do agree that the 20 year was a bit excessive.
You ae entitled to your opinion where spirituality is conserned but you can't discount for him or for me the value of prayer. Looks to me like in spite of them not showing up, the Jena boys case has been moved to juvvy.
All things considered, and for all those involved, we got a great deal of what was needed in that case thus far.
Their is playing and there is playing Upgrade Dave. You'll have to determine for yourself which play was the play that worked.
-VG