On Sunday, September 15, 1963 during the Civil Rights movement in America the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed and four little girls were killed. 11-year old Denise McNair and 14-year olds, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley were murdered at their family church because of racism and because African Americans in the South wanted to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
​49-years later after Denise McNair, Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley lost their innocent lives because their community wanted the right to vote, today, September 8, 2012, states have passed the Voter ID law which suppresses the rights of the poor,former prison inmates, elderly, Hispanics, and African Americans to vote in local, state, and presidentialelections. The Voter ID law also makes it more difficult for college students, the disabled, immigrants and people of color to vote.
​In this day of the viral "empty chair," the church community and the interfaith community must speak to the "empty chair" and what it represents. The "empty chair" represents invisible racism and voter suppression in America.
​The spirit of God is love and justice. The "empty chair" of invisible racism disregards the meaning of God's love. As people of faith, we must ask ourselves, why is there an intentional invisible racism voter suppression movement to prevent eligible citizens the right to vote?
​As people of faith, we must be concerned about the least of these in America. All citizens 18-years and older must have the inalienable right to vote; to ensure that the homeless have a place to live, the hungry have food to eat, all children have access to quality education, former prisoners and their families can apply to live in public housing, and the elderly and all people in American can receive healthcare.
​Thousands of people, of all cultures and religions, marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr so that all people, no matter what their station in life could have the right to vote.
​Denise McNair Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, Dr. King, Viola Liuzzo, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner and other unnamed children, women and men died so that allpersons can experience the "American Dream." The Voter ID law dishonors the lives of children, women and men who died for the right to vote. It is time to unseat invisible racism in America.
We must unseat invisible racism because as long as it remains human rights and individual dignity will forever be under threat:
The invisible racism that leads to Voter Photo ID laws that suppress the democratic rights of the elderly, people of color and the poor;
The invisible racism that made targets of thousands of African American, Latino and working class households, as unscrupulous lenders caused them to lose their homes to foreclosure;
The invisible racism that drives a torrent of anti-immigration laws instead of legislation that provides paths to citizenship;
The invisible racism that allows tragedy as long as there is profit in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 4 million children, women and men have died as a result of "Blood Coltan" and other mineral mining operations; and
The invisible racism that has resulted in more African American men currently in prison or jail, on probation or parole, than were enslaved in 1850, before the Civil War began.
I petition to unseat invisible racism and to drive it from the dark corners of humanity, into the light, so that its true nature of injustice is revealed.
Quotes From Martin Luther King, Jr.
Loading Slideshow
"We shall overcome because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that."
"I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant."
"Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in."
"I oppose the war in Vietnam because I love America. I speak out against it not in anger but with anxiety and sorrow in my heart, and above all with a passionate desire to see our beloved country stand as a moral example of the world."
"If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective."
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits."
"It is not enough to say, 'We must not wage war.' It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war, but on the positive affirmation of peace."
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
"Every nation must now develop an overriding loyalty to mankind as a whole in order to preserve the best in their individual societies."
"We are determined here in Montgomery to work and fight until justice runs down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream."
"We must come to see that the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience."
"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice."
On Sunday, September 15, 1963 during the Civil Rights movement in America the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed and four little girls were killed. 11-year old Denise McN...
On Sunday, September 15, 1963 during the Civil Rights movement in America the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama was bombed and four little girls were killed. 11-year old Denise McN...
Clint Eastwood spoke to his local paper following his much-discussed speech last Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Tampa and revealed that he thought...
Chuck Norris has offered a dire warning to America, claiming that U.S. citizens face "1,000 years of darkness" if President Obama is reelected for a...
When seasoned actor and director Clint Eastwood was announced on Thursday as the Republican National Convention's "mystery speaker," nobody could have predicted that what would...
Mitt Romney probably hoped that surprise guest Clint Eastwood would make his day at the convention. Instead, the 82-year-old actor gave a rambling speech that...
As long as conservatives believe they can win elections by changing the ground rules, the battle over voting rights will continue. And as long as conservatives are weaponizing the Constitution for political purposes, progressives must aggressively tell our own story about the Constitution.
It's quite clear to me that my life now at Union is a clear gift from God, a lavish God who knows our most intimate yearnings and hopes, much more so than we ever might, and who is constantly arranging for us to have what we need and want.
How and why would God speak to me personally when there might be infinite other creatures on infinite numbers of other planets likewise seeking connection to the Divine?
Interfaith misunderstanding is a contagious disease. Misunderstanding among "us" begets hostility against "them," and hostility against "them" begets more hostility. As the global fever of interfaith hostility rises, everybody potentially finds himself in somebody's crosshairs.
On June 14, I spoke at a naturalization ceremony. In that brief moment, and since, I have been able to reflect on what the oath that was taken by those people from 33 different nations means to me, someone that was lucky enough to be born an American citizen.
Ryan's party affiliation -- and his seeming political shift from his days of crossing the racial divide and rocking to Rage Against the Machine -- got me thinking. Have attitudes about interracial dating changed for the new generation?
What stayed with me the most from yesterday's interviews was that everyone took for granted that religion would play a major role in the election and assumed that regardless of who the candidates were, you would still see religious people vote the way they've always voted.
To ask for an id to vote is racist. To dislike our presidents agenda is racist. To use the words Chicago, socialism, TelePrompter, and/or articulate is racist. And To be a tea party member is racist.
OurWorldFallen: Is this really true? To ask for an id to
If we can’t guarantee that our voting system is trustworthy then the whole democratic process is at risk. There has been much, much more evidence that voting has been compromised by fraud than by voter suppression because someone is asked to bring an ID to vote.
You talk in platitudes. If you are going to write an article on this topic I would expect a little more data to support your stance.
veryradiant: If we can’t guarantee that our voting system is trustworthy
Christians you need to read about the Egyptian God Horus. You'll be interested to know that it is the exact same story and details of Jesus, only 2,000 years earlier. Jesus was not the first God on the block and actually he plagurized Horus's life apparently.
The_political_pulse: Christians you need to read about the Egyptian God Horus.
There is a book called the Big White Lie that is worth a read
Suffice that racist and racism are provocative words in American society. To some, these words have reached the level of curse words in their offensiveness. Yet, racist and racism are descriptive words of a reality that cannot be denied. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans all live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism.
Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans believe that race is the primary determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (white people) ???
. In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of race or ethnicity. As a consequence, people of color are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly racist.
Hate me or love me but read or watch
stillstandingkickingbutt: There is a book called the Big White Lie that
There is a book called the Big White Lie that is worth a readSuffice that racist and racism are provocative words in American society. To some, these words have reached the level of curse words in their offensiveness. Yet, racist and racism are descriptive words of a reality that cannot be denied. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans all live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism. Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans believe that race is the primary determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (white people) ???. In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of race or ethnicity. As a consequence, people of color are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly racist.Hate me or love me but read or watch
stillstandingkickingbutt: There is a book called the Big White Lie that
Well this should keep the pot stirred. "Invisible racism".
I am continually amused by those who preach victimhood and dependancy and offer no solution.
The term "justice" is often used by the "reverends" along with the term social as in social justice.
The word social is not in the bible. The word justice is not to be found in the new testament. Hence the need to mix "love and justice" in an article to confuse. I speak to the empty chairs in my community, the reverends, the right reverends, the most holy high reverend. The reverends with TV shows who preach victimhood and diversion. The ones who stick up and blackmail companies with the threats of black boycotts. There is only one to be revered and that is the Almighty. Stop the nonsense and bring all people together with solutions. If you have none keep your mouth shut so you do not lead yet another generation down the path of perpetual dependancy. Be a Pastor and servant to all people.
oldpreacherman: Well this should keep the pot stirred. "Invisible racism". I
you are right known of those words are in the bible, but community is, and you wanna know what else is not in the bible, Individualism. Your bible commands that you treat others as you would to be treated, it also commands that you sell all your material wealth and give it to the poor. Wow i know its shocking a heathen knows your bible better than you oldpreacherman, start living the life your Christ commands you tired played out old man.
need2know: you are right known of those words are in the
Saying all republicans are racist is well.....racist. Abraham Lincoln-republican, KKK started by southern democrats. First civil rights act passed since reconstruction passed by a republican president. There is more then enough blame to go around and things like this don't make it any better.
doctorspa: Saying all republicans are racist is well.....racist. Abraham Lincoln-republican, KKK
You can NOT vote if your name is Shaniqua.
You can NOT vote if your name is Jesus.
You can NOT vote if your name is Akmed.
You CAN vote if your name is Bubba.
You CAN vote if your name is Betty Lou Thelma Liz.
This is not new. The "Help America to Vote Act" passed by a Republican Congress and signed into law by a Republican POTUS, G.W. Bush, should have been more properly called the "How To Keep Black and Poor People From Voting Act".
In Georgia (2008) 500,000 LEGALLY REGISTERED voters were removed from voter registration lists. Almost all of those removed from the list had either Black, Hispaninc, Arab sounding names.
Anarchy_For_All: Here is the GOP plan in a nutshell: You can
The 'Help America Vote Act' requires any voter who registered by mail and who has not previously voted in a federal election to show current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Do you maintain that even the elderly or those who don't have a drivers license can't produce any of the above? I'll also not rehash the argument that you'd have to be pretty independent to have NONE of the above proof of residency. You also intentionally neglected to discuss provisional ballots for those with none of the above. Provisional ballots typically are counted at about a 65% rate.
I'm a Georgia voter - show me your statistic where 500,000 voters were removed from the rolls, out of the 5.8 million voters in the state. Taking a look at census data and comparing that to voter demographics (State is 31% Af-American and 30% of registered voters are Af-American and 63% White, with 60% of registered voters listed as white), makes your claim pretty far-fetched.....
DevilDogOz: Shrill, and not accurate. The 'Help America Vote Act' requires
Illegal immigration is NOT about racism; there are plenty of White folks who are here illegally. The church Rev. Moss heads is the same one where Rev. Wright preached at. They should know better than to champion illegal immigration, since it adversely impacts BP much more than the average WP in America! And the bit about Black men being incarcerated is a bit of a crock since if it was really about racism, why are not Black WOMEN being jailed, as well? Don't compare it to slavery because there is also a MENTAL slavery. Like the Eagles' song says: "So oftentimes it happens/that we live our lives in chains/and we never even know we have the key" --"Already Gone"
Winter_Skye: Illegal immigration is NOT about racism; there are plenty of
Of course, it's a sign of progress that America can elect a black man as president. However, there remains a hard-core evil element that is bending heaven and earth in their efforts to discredit and unseat Obama no matter how much they try to pretend it's not "racial." The lies they tell about him are real whoppers. I pray that the rest of America, of all races, can see through them and is not influenced by them. The American voting process is very clear cut and transparent, but these evil ones are making false claims of "voter fraud" and seeking to legislate "voter ID" laws to prevent certain categories of Americans from voting. We must keep our eyes open and stay on top of this. As Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."
Aesthete: Of course, it's a sign of progress that America can
Correct, and most know that if you are BI-RACIAL (like myself) you are considered Black.
On a lighter note, everyone that can, PLEASE get out and Vote. It would be nice if Obama was re-elected perhaps with more time...he can do more. We'll just have to wait and see.
"REMEMBER TO BE KINDER THAN NECESSARY TO PEOPLE, MOST OF US ARE FIGHTING SOME KIND OF BATTLE"
Moondove444: Correct, and most know that if you are BI-RACIAL (like
You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, we live in a society that considers anyone legally black if they have even "one drop" of subSaharan African ancestry, a ridiculously outdated concept. I have been using the term "black" in a generic way in hopes that most will understand what I'm talking about, but perhaps I should start using the term "bi- or multi-racial" as a means of re-educating people. In fact, at least 80% of America's "blacks" are of mixed-race ancestry. Furthermore, in a scientific sense, "race" does not actually exist except as a social construct. The human family, regardless of skin, hair, and eye colors, comes in a great number of phenotypic variations. There are at least 46 such variations among subSaharan Africans alone. Mother Nature does not recognize "race" as a viable entity.
Aesthete: You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, we live in a society
We have a Constitutional separation of Church and State. The use of God's name for a political football is blasphemous! Those who scream the name "God" the loudest act with disregard towards all that is holy and sacred: the divinity that resides in all that exists.
1Truthseeker: We have a Constitutional separation of Church and State. The
The debate over the use or non-use of God's name is misguided and misses the point. God wants to live in the HEARTS of men rather than simply having His name tossed about in ways that are essentially meaningless and self-serving. It is written that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Many with hearts of stone have uttered God's name for political gain, to trick the gullible into voting for them. There is a line from an old Negro spiritual that says, "Everybody talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin' there." Or to quote Shakespeare's "Hamlet, " "Words, words, words." The utterance of God's name without a sincere heart is nothing more than noise. When people have God in their hearts, they will DO the right thing.
Aesthete: The debate over the use or non-use of God's name
I don't think this election is so much about race as I do class. Next time they will suppress the poor whites from voting. The republicans don't care anything about them either. They just use them and then they will push them aside. People better wake up and vote their own interest.
blitzen: I don't think this election is so much about race
Race and class are inseparable. Race is used to deflect the rage of the poor, disenfranchised and discontent onto those that look different, for the protection of the exploiter. End the economic exploitation of the workers by their bosses and you will see racism vanish without a trace. It will have lost it's function.
1Truthseeker: Race and class are inseparable. Race is used to deflect
You're right. This has been going on since the end of the Civil War. Blacks and poor whites are actually in the same boat economically. Those with positions of power use race to divide and conquer.
Aesthete: You're right. This has been going on since the end
To ask for an id to vote is racist. To dislike our presidents agenda is racist. To use the words Chicago, socialism, TelePrompter, and/or articulate is racist. And To be a tea party member is racist.
You talk in platitudes. If you are going to write an article on this topic I would expect a little more data to support your stance.
http://www.egyptianmyths.net/horus.htm
http://www.pantheon.org/articles/h/horus.html
Hardly the exact same.
Suffice that racist and racism are provocative words in American society. To some, these words have reached the level of curse words in their offensiveness. Yet, racist and racism are descriptive words of a reality that cannot be denied. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans and Asian Americans all live daily with the effects of both institutional and individual racism.
Race issues are so fundamental in American society that they seem almost an integral component. Some Americans believe that race is the primary determinant of human abilities and capacities. Some Americans behave as if racial differences produce inherent superiority in European Americans (white people) ???
. In fact, such individuals respond to people-of-color and whites differently merely because of race or ethnicity. As a consequence, people of color are injured by judgments or actions that are directly or indirectly racist.
Hate me or love me but read or watch
I am continually amused by those who preach victimhood and dependancy and offer no solution.
The term "justice" is often used by the "reverends" along with the term social as in social justice.
The word social is not in the bible. The word justice is not to be found in the new testament. Hence the need to mix "love and justice" in an article to confuse. I speak to the empty chairs in my community, the reverends, the right reverends, the most holy high reverend. The reverends with TV shows who preach victimhood and diversion. The ones who stick up and blackmail companies with the threats of black boycotts. There is only one to be revered and that is the Almighty. Stop the nonsense and bring all people together with solutions. If you have none keep your mouth shut so you do not lead yet another generation down the path of perpetual dependancy. Be a Pastor and servant to all people.
You can NOT vote if your name is Shaniqua.
You can NOT vote if your name is Jesus.
You can NOT vote if your name is Akmed.
You CAN vote if your name is Bubba.
You CAN vote if your name is Betty Lou Thelma Liz.
This is not new. The "Help America to Vote Act" passed by a Republican Congress and signed into law by a Republican POTUS, G.W. Bush, should have been more properly called the "How To Keep Black and Poor People From Voting Act".
In Georgia (2008) 500,000 LEGALLY REGISTERED voters were removed from voter registration lists. Almost all of those removed from the list had either Black, Hispaninc, Arab sounding names.
The 'Help America Vote Act' requires any voter who registered by mail and who has not previously voted in a federal election to show current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. Do you maintain that even the elderly or those who don't have a drivers license can't produce any of the above? I'll also not rehash the argument that you'd have to be pretty independent to have NONE of the above proof of residency. You also intentionally neglected to discuss provisional ballots for those with none of the above. Provisional ballots typically are counted at about a 65% rate.
I'm a Georgia voter - show me your statistic where 500,000 voters were removed from the rolls, out of the 5.8 million voters in the state. Taking a look at census data and comparing that to voter demographics (State is 31% Af-American and 30% of registered voters are Af-American and 63% White, with 60% of registered voters listed as white), makes your claim pretty far-fetched.....
It is OPAQUE, OVERT racism !!!!
On a lighter note, everyone that can, PLEASE get out and Vote. It would be nice if Obama was re-elected perhaps with more time...he can do more. We'll just have to wait and see.
"REMEMBER TO BE KINDER THAN NECESSARY TO PEOPLE, MOST OF US ARE FIGHTING SOME KIND OF BATTLE"
Give me a break !!!!!!!!
Give me a break!!!!!!!!
"We have a Constitutional separation of Church and State" and " the divinity that resides in all that exists."
So how can God be separate from government? Isn't the cry of "fair share" driven by Him?