http://2ndchronicles7v14.org/home/an_open_letter_to_african_american_men
Grant Coleman
BBA from University of Texas 1980
JD. Thurgood Marshall School Of Law 1983
Practicing Attorney for 21 years
Currently Municipal Court Judge for City of Houston 12 years
Minister of the Gospel and Founder of 2nd Chronicles 7v14 Ministries for Change
Conference Speaker\Teacher
Servant at Houston Praise and Worship Center under leadership of Bishop Frank Rush
Father of seven children
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Member of 100 Black Men of America
BBA from University of Texas 1980
JD. Thurgood Marshall School Of Law 1983
Practicing Attorney for 21 years
Currently Municipal Court Judge for City of Houston 12 years
Minister of the Gospel and Founder of 2nd Chronicles 7v14 Ministries for Change
Conference Speaker\Teacher
Servant at Houston Praise and Worship Center under leadership of Bishop Frank Rush
Father of seven children
Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Member of 100 Black Men of America
Subject:
Social Responsibility
In an era where social unrest is being displayed across the globe, we here in America may be entering another period of social unrest. As racial tensions increase many are taking to the streets. Some in staged protests, and still others in random acts of violence. Some are wondering when America will embrace all of its Citizens. Still others are wondering will this senselessness stop. All are wondering when does it get better? When does it change?
In an era where individuals no longer accept responsibility for their actions, accountability should be paramount. Communities need to demand it. No longer can we continue to turn a blind eye or turn a deaf ear to those tearing up our neighborhoods. It’s gone on for, far too long.
We should be angry at the turn of events. We should be disappointed about how things turned out. We should rebuke racism. We should demand justice and accountability...but it needs to begin with us. Too long have our misdeeds, bad acts, and bad actors not been held accountable for their actions. Too long have a few misrepresented and ...minimized the dignity, work ethic, core values, Christian principles of a proud community and those things that it holds dear. So much so, that those same bad acts, and bad actors are used by mainstream America to define a whole race of people. And that is wrong!!!
All blacks do not engage in criminal activity where they rob and steal. All blacks do not rape and commit carnage. All blacks do not display assaultive or aggressive conduct. All blacks do not commit violent acts. All blacks do not sell drugs!!! But there is a perception in main stream America that we all do. It might not be stated, but it is there. The click of car doors being locked when you pull up or meet at an intersection. The clutching of handbags when you get on the elevator. Being followed, immediately, when you enter a store. And unfortunately, the lawful profiling of a portion America’s Citizens by law enforcement. Should I go on? Need I go on?
We all know that it is true, but sadly, we respond in the wrong way to address it. We get angry at the ones who exhibit their fear, rather than at the ones who make them fearful!!! Truth be told, black folk are scared and fearful of black folk! Certainly there are instances of racism and as a people, as a community, we should address it. But I for one am tired of being misrepresented. As a Community, we all need to be tired of being ridiculed, labeled, and painted with such a broad brush because of the actions of a few! We need to begin an internal dialogue, and then take steps to demand change and accountability from those who commit the acts. Allow me to explain.
When I was little I learned early that when I exited my home I represented my family. I represented my father. I also learned that I represented my race everywhere I went. We all know what happened to those days, but wasn't it a lofty principle? Wasn't it important enough to pass on? Where today is our shame? Other Cultures know this, for they realize you are perceived and judged by the actions of a few, but the shame and embarrassment of the act(s) is applied to the whole. Again, where is our shame? Or more importantly, where is our racial pride that inspires us to do better...to act better? Where is our internal assessment of our problems and our circumstances that leads to a blue print for change? Too many times we have looked externally for our answers. I for one think it is time that we look to God for our answers rather than man....then as a Community,
solve our own problems under His leadership. It is time to be about culture, and as a Community to become socially responsible for each other. Another truth,
that needs to be told, is that we are in fact, our brother’s keeper.
bro.grant
2ndchronicles7v14.org
Social Responsibility
In an era where social unrest is being displayed across the globe, we here in America may be entering another period of social unrest. As racial tensions increase many are taking to the streets. Some in staged protests, and still others in random acts of violence. Some are wondering when America will embrace all of its Citizens. Still others are wondering will this senselessness stop. All are wondering when does it get better? When does it change?
In an era where individuals no longer accept responsibility for their actions, accountability should be paramount. Communities need to demand it. No longer can we continue to turn a blind eye or turn a deaf ear to those tearing up our neighborhoods. It’s gone on for, far too long.
We should be angry at the turn of events. We should be disappointed about how things turned out. We should rebuke racism. We should demand justice and accountability...but it needs to begin with us. Too long have our misdeeds, bad acts, and bad actors not been held accountable for their actions. Too long have a few misrepresented and ...minimized the dignity, work ethic, core values, Christian principles of a proud community and those things that it holds dear. So much so, that those same bad acts, and bad actors are used by mainstream America to define a whole race of people. And that is wrong!!!
All blacks do not engage in criminal activity where they rob and steal. All blacks do not rape and commit carnage. All blacks do not display assaultive or aggressive conduct. All blacks do not commit violent acts. All blacks do not sell drugs!!! But there is a perception in main stream America that we all do. It might not be stated, but it is there. The click of car doors being locked when you pull up or meet at an intersection. The clutching of handbags when you get on the elevator. Being followed, immediately, when you enter a store. And unfortunately, the lawful profiling of a portion America’s Citizens by law enforcement. Should I go on? Need I go on?
We all know that it is true, but sadly, we respond in the wrong way to address it. We get angry at the ones who exhibit their fear, rather than at the ones who make them fearful!!! Truth be told, black folk are scared and fearful of black folk! Certainly there are instances of racism and as a people, as a community, we should address it. But I for one am tired of being misrepresented. As a Community, we all need to be tired of being ridiculed, labeled, and painted with such a broad brush because of the actions of a few! We need to begin an internal dialogue, and then take steps to demand change and accountability from those who commit the acts. Allow me to explain.
When I was little I learned early that when I exited my home I represented my family. I represented my father. I also learned that I represented my race everywhere I went. We all know what happened to those days, but wasn't it a lofty principle? Wasn't it important enough to pass on? Where today is our shame? Other Cultures know this, for they realize you are perceived and judged by the actions of a few, but the shame and embarrassment of the act(s) is applied to the whole. Again, where is our shame? Or more importantly, where is our racial pride that inspires us to do better...to act better? Where is our internal assessment of our problems and our circumstances that leads to a blue print for change? Too many times we have looked externally for our answers. I for one think it is time that we look to God for our answers rather than man....then as a Community,
solve our own problems under His leadership. It is time to be about culture, and as a Community to become socially responsible for each other. Another truth,
that needs to be told, is that we are in fact, our brother’s keeper.
bro.grant
2ndchronicles7v14.org