Righteous folks, peace heroes and Don Imus

Frank Talk

By Frank L. Solomon

Given the usual tone of my writing, one might think I'm being sarcastic. In fact, a lot of folks might even call me a pessimist. The truth is, I'm the eternal optimist. I have an unshakable faith that there are some good and godly people in this world. They aren't perfect, but they at least are working toward a sense of humanity that approaches perfection. Experience proves that to me on nearly a daily basis. For example:

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down with Dave Lambert, Cliff Kindy, James Cooper and Nick Kauffman, members of an area peace movement. The latter three were arrested March 29 for "praying for a miracle" in front of the office of Senator Richard Lugar. After talking for a bit, we all stood outside in front of the office when Dr. Junius Batten Pressey Jr. showed up, on his way to get a haircut across the street. They all talked about being bold in the truth, like the disciples and apostles of old. All four are such men who act on their beliefs, without fear or reservation. They are good and godly men, who pursue peace through faith and action.

Sister Dorothy Word is another one of those folks who reminds me that all is not gloom and doom. She came in today to write one of her lovely informative historical pieces that she regularly shares with Frost Illustrated readers. She has dedicated herself to teaching people to pursue knowledge that will uplift them. And, her comments today reminded me that?despite what we see in the mass media?there are good folks coming along in the next generation. Mrs. Word is a good and godly person, who pursues peace through education and knowledge.

Speaking of the next generation, I was blessed with a daughter like that. Wise beyond her years at only 19, she's already spent a major part of her life helping and comforting others in need. Her insights are colored by a budding spirituality that is rare and valuable in today's world and take on a healing mission for many. I got an essay of sorts from her yesterday talking about the value of life's true friends and the eternal beauty of God's creation when you view it in proper light. She too is a goodly and godly perso, who pursues peace through compassion and understanding.

No folks, everything I think about isn't gloom and doom. But, I caution?such is what we will inherit if we do not set our priorities straight. It is a shame when people who champion peace and help oathers are branded malcontents, obstructionists, deluded and, in some corners, even traitors. It's amazing that so many people love to tell you they value peace and that "war is hell," but attach so much glory to it. Think about it. Can you name any "peace heroes?" When was the last time you saw one decorated by the U.S. government?or any government, for that matter?

It is sad, but probably true that we will be afflicted by wars for as long as mankind embraces its violent and aggressive nature. But, I'd like to think that a real human being, faced with the necessity of having to take life to defend others, does not glory in it. Such a noble warrior, in my mind at least, reluctantly picks up the sword and mourns each life he or she is forced to take. There is no glory in death. As David said when asked to be spared from death:

"Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?"

Where is the glory in death and of what service is it to God? the writer asks. And, later, the Christ explains:

"Blessed are peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God."

?Matthew 5:9

You know, I searched through that passage of scripture known as the Beatitudes the other day and I saw blessings for the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake and those who reviled and persecuted as the result of false claims. I did not see a reward for those who kill?even those forced to kill out of the "necessity" of war. Hmmm. Speaking of the meek. Didn't it say something about them inheriting the earth?

?speaking of Imus?

Once again, black folks are collectively outraged, as well they should be. This time, it's over shock jock Don Imus' reference to the NCAA Championship runnerup team from Rutgers University as "nappy headed hos."

Condemnation from the black community has been swift and strong. A number of folks, including renowned Bishop T.D. Jakes and National Urban League President Marc Morial have weighed in on the subject. As a result of the protest, which drove advertisers away from the highly-rated talk show, Imus' show has been pulled off the air.

I've read some of the online comments who say black folks should just get over this and that we are just whiners and complainers. Perhaps some of us are, but those who speak out against hatred and hypocrisy in this so-called melting pot have a different role?they are the conscience and soul of this nation. And, if the nation refuses to hear the lamentations of the conscience and the soul, death can only follow.

Interestingly, a lot of white pundits have claimed that folks like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are operating under a double standard because they refuse to protest against rappers and others who use such language. The truth is, both Jackson and Sharpton, along with conscious black folks such as C. Delores Tucker and Atlanta attorney Roy Miller, have been fighting to get the N-word and other racially and sexually charged language off the air. But, it's like anything else?folks don't care much about "black on black" issues, so that story rarely gets covered in the so-called mainstream press. Of course, the Black Press has been covering the story all along. Just ask Attorney Miller and others like him. Of course, pointing that out doesn't suit the folks who want to accuse black folks of having a double standard.

Truth is Imus was fired because his latest rant threatened to lose CBS and others advertising money. Yes, it's all about money. When folks fighting against the same type of language on these so-called urban stations learn this, and start putting pressure on advertisers instead of begging station managers to cease and desist, they'll be more successful. Perhaps they should start cleaning up the minds of our youth and nation by approaching the advertisers of BET and MTV's vile video programs.

And, for those of you who claim it's okay because black folks say derogatory things about each other, understand there are a lot of us who don't play that! I, for one, don't tolerate racial jokes from anyone. Also, I refuse to hear "Pollack" jokes, Mexican jokes or any of that, because I know when the white man telling me the joke is with his "friends," it becomes a nigger joke. Besides, many of us value our roots and the roots of other hardworking folk and brought with them the honored traditions of their ancestors who tried to make a better way for the following generations. We therefore don't tolerate the denigration of any race or ethnic group in such stereotypical fashion. Besides, it's ungodly. And, yes, I'm offended by rap and other music that uses the N-word and other terms that denigrate black people. (Let's face it, Imus didn't come up with the term "nappy headed hos" on his own. He obviously heard some ignorant black folks say it somewhere, so we too must bear some responsibility in this madness.)

And, there are those who talk about "freedom of speech." What about "home training," folks? Remember when there used to be such a thing?

This is part of the April 18, 2007 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.