Comments for First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens http://fbcsomerset.com/blog News and Events Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:49:00 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Sylvia L. O'Connor http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49625 Sylvia L. O'Connor Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:49:00 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49625 My heart goes out to this young man's parents. My mind can't even go to that place of imagining such a tragedy happening to one of my children. The saddest part about all of this is the fact that the Black male is devalued in all communities but most particularly and significantly in the Black community. I agree with Reverend Soaries that we appear to be back in the days when racism was the catalyst for violent crimes against Blacks with little or no consequences for the offenders because of the devaluation of Blacks. Now however, the Black community has a lot of the characteristics of the White Racist. There seems to have evolved so much internalized racism and hatred within the Black community that it's hard for outsiders to see the difference. What happened to Trayvon is horrible. What goes on in the Black community is worse. We should never be under the illusion that society as a whole is going to value Black lives more than we do in our own community. When White hatred causes the death of a Black person there is an uproar and it should be. When Black hatred causes the death of a Black person there is silence when there should be that same uproar. To do anything less is sending an awful message to society at large and apparently society has gotten that message. Some of us want to say that what happened to Trayvon has nothing to do with Black on Black crime; that they are separate issues. We have to look below the surface, dig deep and see what has evolved in our community. We have to fix it. Those in our community who stay silent are as much a part of the problem as those doing the killing against each other. Both components seemingly say it does not matter. Black life is not valuable. The Church has always been such a strong hold in the Black community. What scares me is the evolution of the Black Church from where it used to be. We have to be so careful that we don't allow what happens outside the church to begin to fester in the church. I have heard people say so many times that there are more hateful people in the church than there are those who want no part of the church. We can fix this. We can be the example that we should be and used to be. Let the community at large see that we can be loving, supportive, non-judgmental and compassionate to each other. Let our children see that we love each other and ourselves so that they can grow up to love themselves. The loss of real love and sense of community breeds hatred and indifference. We can turn a blind eye when it comes to Black on Black crime but eventually we will not have to see because we will be touched by the venom that is spewed. My heart goes out to this young man’s parents. My mind can’t even go to that place of imagining such a tragedy happening to one of my children. The saddest part about all of this is the fact that the Black male is devalued in all communities but most particularly and significantly in the Black community. I agree with Reverend Soaries that we appear to be back in the days when racism was the catalyst for violent crimes against Blacks with little or no consequences for the offenders because of the devaluation of Blacks. Now however, the Black community has a lot of the characteristics of the White Racist. There seems to have evolved so much internalized racism and hatred within the Black community that it’s hard for outsiders to see the difference. What happened to Trayvon is horrible. What goes on in the Black community is worse. We should never be under the illusion that society as a whole is going to value Black lives more than we do in our own community. When White hatred causes the death of a Black person there is an uproar and it should be. When Black hatred causes the death of a Black person there is silence when there should be that same uproar. To do anything less is sending an awful message to society at large and apparently society has gotten that message. Some of us want to say that what happened to Trayvon has nothing to do with Black on Black crime; that they are separate issues. We have to look below the surface, dig deep and see what has evolved in our community. We have to fix it. Those in our community who stay silent are as much a part of the problem as those doing the killing against each other. Both components seemingly say it does not matter. Black life is not valuable. The Church has always been such a strong hold in the Black community. What scares me is the evolution of the Black Church from where it used to be. We have to be so careful that we don’t allow what happens outside the church to begin to fester in the church. I have heard people say so many times that there are more hateful people in the church than there are those who want no part of the church. We can fix this. We can be the example that we should be and used to be. Let the community at large see that we can be loving, supportive, non-judgmental and compassionate to each other. Let our children see that we love each other and ourselves so that they can grow up to love themselves. The loss of real love and sense of community breeds hatred and indifference. We can turn a blind eye when it comes to Black on Black crime but eventually we will not have to see because we will be touched by the venom that is spewed.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by David Anderson http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49608 David Anderson Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:48:20 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49608 Dear Dr. Soaries, Your examination of this foul episode in America's chronic labor pain is right on. The "more perfect union" remains stuck in the birthing channel, prisoner to trans-generational virulent racism. Organized demands for justice bombard law enforcement officials, Yet, we, the descendants of Africans kidnapped into slavery, are hard-pressed to restore the unity that once, the many thousands gone, acted on the spiritual, "Woke up this Mornin' with My Mind, Stayed on Freedom; Hallelujah!" It was the standard, that we teach law and order in our homes, and wherever we gathered, that the such education be as an Underground Railroad, a safe passage to freedom. Sir, I have a request. Please find a bit of time and space that you might urge restoration of Watch Night, as it was in 1862. Our ancestors' prayer prevailed; a force superior to politicians, demagogues, and doubters—an Almighty power, compelled President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The unity of December 31, 1862, assured the passage to freedom, and our people took to it; their actions made it real. Dear Dr. Soaries,

Your examination of this foul episode in America’s chronic labor pain is right on. The “more perfect union” remains stuck in the birthing channel, prisoner to trans-generational virulent racism.

Organized demands for justice bombard law enforcement officials, Yet, we, the descendants of Africans kidnapped into slavery, are hard-pressed to restore the unity that once, the many thousands gone, acted on the spiritual, “Woke up this Mornin’ with My Mind, Stayed on Freedom; Hallelujah!” It was the standard, that we teach law and order in our homes, and wherever we gathered, that the such education be as an Underground Railroad, a safe passage to freedom.

Sir, I have a request. Please find a bit of time and space that you might urge restoration of Watch Night, as it was in 1862. Our ancestors’ prayer prevailed; a force superior to politicians, demagogues, and doubters—an Almighty power, compelled President Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The unity of December 31, 1862, assured the passage to freedom, and our people took to it; their actions made it real.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Guest65 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49601 Guest65 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 09:08:33 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49601 I pray for Trayvon and his family as well. As a white man, I am appalled that Zimmerman was not immediately arrested and held until his trial in this: which is an obvious murder case, in cold blood. I am irritated at the complete inaction on the part of the Sanford polic department, and sympathetic for the hell Trayvon's parents must be suffering, and their anger in having to continue to wonder why. It's so senseless. Zimmerman has a record of violent behavior, from an attack years back on a police officer to a restraining order his ex-girlfriend took out on him. He is clearly unstable, he has a drinking problem, for which I question if his father - a retired judge - has weilded his power to keep Zimmerman out of trouble despite his obvious anger management issues. Trayvon Martin was no match for a crazy man who's drunk with a gun, and Trayvon could not have done anything to defend himself. On that note, I am also uneasy to see the mainstream media fanning the flames for race wars over this: From MSNBC: Zimmerman: This guy looks like he's up to no good (pause) He looks black. What Zimmerman REALLY said: This guy looks like he's up to no good, like he's high on drugs or something. Dispatcher: What race is he? Is he white, or black, or Hispanic? Zimmerman (pauses to get a good look in the dark): He looks black. ---- This is also following up a string of burglaries in the neighborhood Trayvon is new to, and Zimmerman is busy pestering the cops for that area like he always does (called them 60 times in one day, apparently). For this reason, I would expect the local police to be eager to take Zimmerman off the streets, since he's clearly a nutcase and a danger to others, which is why I think his judge father is the reason he is still roaming free. As the case unfolds I expect to see a lot of corruption going all the way up, and I'll bet that's why some on the police force are already stepping down, because they know about it and are sick of this. ----- I also pray for kids like Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian and their families, and it is cases like these that I worry about for my own daughter. I had never even heard of those two until the race wars over the Trayvon case started. I wonder if it is the media that always incites this kind of violence to happen. Zimmerman should be in prison, no question about that. His father is a retired judge with friends in high places, which is the reason Zimmerman is still free. The police need to stand up & arrest Zimmerman. He committed murder in cold blood. I pray for Trayvon and his family as well. As a white man, I am appalled that Zimmerman was not immediately arrested and held until his trial in this: which is an obvious murder case, in cold blood.
I am irritated at the complete inaction on the part of the Sanford polic department, and sympathetic for the hell Trayvon’s parents must be suffering, and their anger in having to continue to wonder why. It’s so senseless.
Zimmerman has a record of violent behavior, from an attack years back on a police officer to a restraining order his ex-girlfriend took out on him. He is clearly unstable, he has a drinking problem, for which I question if his father – a retired judge – has weilded his power to keep Zimmerman out of trouble despite his obvious anger management issues.
Trayvon Martin was no match for a crazy man who’s drunk with a gun, and Trayvon could not have done anything to defend himself.
On that note, I am also uneasy to see the mainstream media fanning the flames for race wars over this: From MSNBC:
Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good (pause) He looks black.
What Zimmerman REALLY said: This guy looks like he’s up to no good, like he’s high on drugs or something.
Dispatcher: What race is he? Is he white, or black, or Hispanic?
Zimmerman (pauses to get a good look in the dark): He looks black.
—-
This is also following up a string of burglaries in the neighborhood Trayvon is new to, and Zimmerman is busy pestering the cops for that area like he always does (called them 60 times in one day, apparently). For this reason, I would expect the local police to be eager to take Zimmerman off the streets, since he’s clearly a nutcase and a danger to others, which is why I think his judge father is the reason he is still roaming free.
As the case unfolds I expect to see a lot of corruption going all the way up, and I’ll bet that’s why some on the police force are already stepping down, because they know about it and are sick of this.
—–
I also pray for kids like Christopher Newsom and Channon Christian and their families, and it is cases like these that I worry about for my own daughter. I had never even heard of those two until the race wars over the Trayvon case started. I wonder if it is the media that always incites this kind of violence to happen.
Zimmerman should be in prison, no question about that. His father is a retired judge with friends in high places, which is the reason Zimmerman is still free. The police need to stand up & arrest Zimmerman. He committed murder in cold blood.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Diane Hawkins http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49567 Diane Hawkins Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:48:05 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49567 Pastor, I'm in agreement with you. Your comments both challenge and compel so many of us to be apart of the change that we would like to see here in America. As you've stated on numerous occasions, faith and prayer without works is dead. There's much work to be done to end this vicious cycle of black on black crime along with confronting and challenging the racist regimes among us and the subtleties of racism. You are a dynamic and powerful leader. God Bless you always! Pastor,

I’m in agreement with you. Your comments both challenge and compel so many of us to be apart of the change that we would like to see here in America. As you’ve stated on numerous occasions, faith and prayer without works is dead. There’s much work to be done to end this vicious cycle of black on black crime along with confronting and challenging the racist regimes among us and the subtleties of racism.

You are a dynamic and powerful leader. God Bless you always!

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Special http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49558 Special Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:13:18 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49558 I totally agree. Before this tragedy happened with Trayvon, I have been upset with murders of young black men at the hands of another black male. I am so fed up. How can we as black people expect another race of people to show respect and value our lives if we do not value and respect our lives. It's as if we are saying that it's okay if we kill ourselves but no other race can kill us. I am so tired of seeing my black men murder and become incarcerated behind senseless act. I have literally cried over what I have been seeing from my own black people. I believe that Zimmerman murdered Trayvon and justice should be served. However, I also believed that until we value our lives and stand up against violence in our black community we cannot raged over Zimmerman and others like Zimmerman who may murder us. I am more fearful of my son being killed by another black male then I am of a white person/non white person killing my son. I truly believe that God picked Trayvon for a greater purpose. Trayvon is special. I totally agree. Before this tragedy happened with Trayvon, I have been upset with murders of young black men at the hands of another black male. I am so fed up. How can we as black people expect another race of people to show respect and value our lives if we do not value and respect our lives. It’s as if we are saying that it’s okay if we kill ourselves but no other race can kill us. I am so tired of seeing my black men murder and become incarcerated behind senseless act. I have literally cried over what I have been seeing from my own black people. I believe that Zimmerman murdered Trayvon and justice should be served. However, I also believed that until we value our lives and stand up against violence in our black community we cannot raged over Zimmerman and others like Zimmerman who may murder us. I am more fearful of my son being killed by another black male then I am of a white person/non white person killing my son. I truly believe that God picked Trayvon for a greater purpose. Trayvon is special.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Linda Jackson http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49465 Linda Jackson Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:43:51 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49465 I could not agree more. Amen to all that you said Pastor. I could not agree more. Amen to all that you said Pastor.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by judy Lanigan http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49462 judy Lanigan Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:42:14 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49462 I am also disturbed over the killing of Trayvon Martin. Growing up in Montclair I had friends of all colors and backgrounds . My children grew up in a very white town and I always taught them that you never judge someone for the color or background. I now have children in the work world who deal with people from all races and economic backgrounds , I can only hope and pray that they treat all peoples fairly. My two youngest children are doing volunteer work with people who are from disadvantaged backgrounds ; whether it be economic abuse hiv/ aids. They have repeatedly told me how much the lord's teachings and mine have helped them see beyond the color dress etc. to see the people they really are. We are horrified at what is happening in Florida. Trayvon's parents are not being allowed to grieve the loss of their son. They have lost a son and the world has lost a child who had so much to give. My heart goes out to those parents. We all need to take a step back and realize we are all God's children and to treat one another as such. I am also disturbed over the killing of Trayvon Martin. Growing up in Montclair I had friends of all colors and backgrounds . My children grew up in a very white town and I always taught them that you never judge someone for the color or background. I now have children in the work world who deal with people from all races and economic backgrounds , I can only hope and pray that they treat all peoples fairly. My two youngest children are doing volunteer work with people who are from disadvantaged backgrounds ; whether it be economic abuse hiv/ aids. They have repeatedly told me how much the lord’s teachings and mine have helped them see beyond the color dress etc. to see the people they really are. We are horrified at what is happening in Florida.
Trayvon’s parents are not being allowed to grieve the loss of their son. They have lost a son and the world has lost a child who had so much to give. My heart goes out to those parents. We all need to take a step back and realize we are all God’s children and to treat one another as such.

]]> Comment on Are we angry enough about the killing of Trayvon Martin? by Z. Wayne Johnson http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326&cpage=1#comment-49459 Z. Wayne Johnson Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:29:12 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4326#comment-49459 Rev. Soaries: could not agree with you more! Our silence and acceptance of youthful Black on Black crime undermines the gains made, our acceptance by others, our safety and our legacy! Racist actions like Zimmerman's, take us back to our culminating struggles in the 60's, our shared days at Livingston College and beyond! We must fight them with intense, non-violent vigor, but address our own with no less intensity! A call to action, not debate! Rev. Soaries: could not agree with you more! Our silence and acceptance of youthful Black on Black crime undermines the gains made, our acceptance by others, our safety and our legacy! Racist actions like Zimmerman’s, take us back to our culminating struggles in the 60′s, our shared days at Livingston College and beyond! We must fight them with intense, non-violent vigor, but address our own with no less intensity! A call to action, not debate!

]]> Comment on March 08, 2012 newsletter is now online by Aron Hall http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4230&cpage=1#comment-49149 Aron Hall Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:50:27 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4230#comment-49149 Thank you for your wonderful News Letter that keeps me abreast of what is happening at our church and in our community . I appreciate the article about the Pastor's relationship with Whitney Houston and the light that hid the darkness of her character . I thank Pastor Soaries for letting others know about the spiritual side of Whitney and her giving . I enjoy being part of a church that shed the light of God's word and not the abstract light of tabloids . It is great to sit under such leadership . Thank you for your wonderful News Letter that keeps me abreast of what is happening at our church and in our community . I appreciate the article about the Pastor’s relationship with Whitney Houston and the light that hid the darkness of her character . I thank Pastor Soaries for letting others know about the spiritual side of Whitney and her giving . I enjoy being part of a church that shed the light of God’s word and not the abstract light of tabloids . It is great to sit under such leadership .

]]> Comment on The Job of the Black Politician by Cheryl McLeod http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4226&cpage=1#comment-49080 Cheryl McLeod Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:16:55 +0000 http://fbcsomerset.com/blog/?p=4226#comment-49080 Thanks for your article. In some form, The title could also be "The Job of the Black Executive. Many Blessings Thanks for your article. In some form, The title could also be “The Job of the Black Executive.

Many Blessings

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