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tOObiz shares his Political
Views... On Blackness On the subject of being called "black" I have to be cautious about how I explain my position. Honestly, I wish the term didn’t exist. In so much as helping to define who a person is, it introduces an unnecessary and rather misleading distinction. However, the term and it’s counterpart "white," are so entrenched in American culture, so much a part of our vocabulary, and for many, so much an active ingredient to self-identity, that we must be sensitive in how we deal with it. Personally, I enjoy conversations with people from all around the world about their culture, NOT what color that they or this country, consider them to be. I have personal friends who are loved, from all parts of the world and of all forms of religion (Armenia, Africa, Israel, Caribbean Islands, China and many other). When we get together, the LOVE is real. As a result, the color distinction becomes highly irrelevant. The cultural differences however, become highlights. As a Jamaican American, I find it so much fun to buy some beef patties and take it over to my Armenian friend’s party, then watch them bug out when they bite into one! Also, you will find that several people from other countries do not even know about such color lines and so they can be influenced in their thinking when they come here. Trust me, they WILL be indoctrinated…one way or the other (...I’m thinking about Bill and Camille Cosby’s son), so we must embrace foreigners when they come to America, with the right spirit…which from my point of view, is a Christian one. When at all possible, my strategy is to keep the color stuff on the back burner, and highlight culture. This usually invites discussion about belief system which can be involved as well. Now this is the part that sounds contradictory. I admit wholeheartedly, that given the history of race relations and struggles in America, there is a great and very healthy sense of cultural pride that I hold dearly in accepting my distinction, as a black man. The meaning of "black" as I see it, is a distinction that even the smallest portion of ancestral African blood makes you eligible for. This must be coupled with an attitude of mind that is akin to the preservation of such people through the conscience preservation and nurturing of its culture. I believe that as a Christian evangelist, it is far more fruitful for me to accept my distinction that I may be an effective minister. Every minister has a direct sphere of influence. That is, for each minister, there will be a natural affinity from those in his culture that exists - a group of people who can just naturally "feel you" because they share that minister’s culture. Some ministers may ignore this, claiming to be equally available to all citizens of the world. I can’t do it for the simple reason that even just starting out on the road to ministry, I encounter those in my direct sphere of influence who come with a HEAVY need to be ministered to. I ask then, what kind of spirit would I have, if I were to turn my nose up to those who seek my involvement, claiming to be in pursuit of a more worldwide ministry? Furthermore, I cannot simply assume that if I entertain a worldwide perspective, that the world will accept me. My resolve then, is to remain entrenched within the culture to which I belong…ministering as the needs present themselves. When opportunities to minister worldwide present themselves, which will happen because I am available on the World Wide Web, I will address them. I am confident that I will be useful to God in a way that can bless all people. However, I must stay focused on my family, and then my extended family…who are those of the Caribbean and African Americans. On the term "My People" Being of Jamaican descent, an inner city New York origin, and being black while looking nearly white will certainly entice people to ask me exactly who are "my people" and challenge me to articulate who they are. Since I seek to freely use these words, I believe it’s a fair question. When I use these words, they are usually spoken with a great deal of passion for those who share my cultural origins…namely, those from the islands of the Caribbean and African Americans. The purpose is usually with the intent to communicate the unique circumstances that members of my cultures experience such that they can be felt by members of other world cultures. Also, I might add, that when "my people" is used this way, it is in a non-spiritual context…I refer only to my national origin…and yes, because of the non-spiritual nature of this, I am including as my people, some who are of my cultural heritage but whom are evil in nature. Let’s just consider these peeps to be mine but whom I’d probably like to disown! On the other hand, I
have often thought about how to reconcile this notion with the fact that
as a Christian, in circles where we are led by the spirit of Jesus Christ,
members of my church have the ability to transcend the very carnal notion
of color lines. Are these dear people who are considered white according
to this color distinction, not also mine? My answer is, "absolutely!"
Those whom I can worship and fellowship with are my true brothers and sisters
in God’s family. However, we are now speaking within a spiritual
context which is a whole other thing. I must add however, that those
with whom I worship and fellowship, and whom I consider my brothers and
sisters in Christ, must also share my burdens…which leads us right back
to the discussion of the circumstances faced by low-income Caribbean and
African Americans. Of my church family, it still takes a very unique
individual to truly feel my burdens…that is why the distinction of color
at times, still manifests itself within the church. Sometimes there
can be a false representation of Christ like love which does not acknowledge
or treat matters of the heart which are cultural. The bottom line
is that we must not forget who we are culturally but must strive to reach
a spiritual level with people of all races and colors, such that we can
achieve the spiritual status of being colorless.
On the Marches As passionate people in general, we must march peacefully to draw attention to our needs. As the Reverend Jesse Jackson said, "Moses did not lead the people out of Israel and then part the red sea with a remote control." As Christians whom are African American, we march because we seek God’s help in dealing with problems imposed upon our people (defined previously). Christians whom are not African American should march because they are bearing their brothers burden. This perpetuates the spirit of Christ like love and ensures that such vicarious heart felt involvement will be reciprocated (there will be times when we will have to stand with a white brother as well).We must avoid the temptation to cease and desist from these activities because they are organized by the Muslims, claiming that they do not embody the right spirit. Keeping away from the marches would keep us highly ignorant. It also renders us incapable of relating the truth to the youth in a way that is real and ministering love to the Muslims which is necessary to bring about healing. My Experience at the Marches I have marched in the
Million Man March in Washington DC and at the Million Youth March in Atlanta,
GA and I have marched with the Promise Keepers. The Million Marches
were heavily populated by African Americans who are Christians. There
was not a very strong representation of African American men at the Promise
Keepers gatherings. Each time I march, my sense of purpose is renewed.
I come away with determination to make a difference in the circumstances
faced by low-income Americans. Marching with the Promise Keepers,
I also felt strengthened - in this case, my resolve was to make the difference
in a Christ like way.
Marching from the Christian Perspective As a Christian, I march with the African American movements of these times. Like the men of Issachar, knowing the seasons is very necessary. My intent is to stay informed with the issues of the streets. It is necessary for some Christian men to be at the marches, in the jails, in the high schools, and wherever it is necessary to make our physical presence known to the kids who are growing up in the ghetto. Remember, "the streets is watching," and our kids can detect phonies very easily. There are MANY Christian soldiers out there doing the right things. However, we are not united under one cause…we are fragmented…like crabs in a barrel. The Promise Keepers is the right idea! However, it needs to recruit more street evangelists, and take on much more of an inner city charter. Imagine the power of a completely multi-racial Christian task force of Christ dedicated men…all wearing the same Tee shirt…and marching on the ghetto, blessing and witnessing to everyone in need…giving out food, the word, Tee shirts, caps etc. On Hip Hop and Christianity Hip Hop has the potential to be extremely useful to God. In order to be effective in ministry, an understanding of the times and seasons is necessary. We must actively pursue those tools which make minds more penetrable. Hip Hop is for me, the tool I need to effectively and much more easily make my way through to the hearts of today’s youth. In order to make important points about how God would have them to live, I must creatively make use of the same scenarios, phrases, metaphors, and similes that the youth are familiar with. I must then follow up with an active presence in their communities. Ultimately, the true test is ministry. If I can successfully produce Hip Hop that makes it easier for God’s wisdom to flow, it should have the effect of bringing souls to Christ. It should be the combined effect of the music having been impressive enough to capture attention and the testimonies of the people who create the music having been real enough to believe. On the Black Circus Near the end of 1997, I had the pleasure of attending the Black Circus in Harlem. It was a beautiful experience. It was a nice day…the fam and I drove uptown, parked and walked to the site. The first thing we saw was the elephant that was giving little kids rides on its back. Seating was a little tight because everyone wanted to be right up front. Bugsy, from Hot 97 was there and so was Johnny Depp. We enjoyed every minute of the show. We had to keep reminding ourselves that this was a completely Black owned and operated event and each time the reality hit me, I just had to smile. I was truly proud to be supporting it. We saw a young lady that could bend her body every way she wanted, a guy taming lions, a fire eater, and some brothas who played full court hoops on unicycles. 2BZ Media fully endorses the Black Circus as a trend setting, true representing new cultural phenomenon. We should be very proud of it. On Leadership It’s funny how when you look at a Black History book, it has the same content for years, as if there is no new Black history to add to it. Who are those heroes who are doing work now? Will the content of such books ever be updated? If so, what are the criteria by which we evaluate great African Americans in these times? Besides Jesse, who will be inducted into this Black History Hall of Fame? We need to see the formation
of new leaders right now. The new millennium is here. Jesse,
Mfume, Al need a break! They are excellent mentors but they need
to feel like they can take a break. They need to feel that they can
depend on young leaders to come up behind them. 2BZ Media endorses
the Million Youth Movement.
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