Over the last few days, I have engaged other activists about responding to the murder of Jemel Roberson. Repeatedly, I’ve heard the same response… “Who?” “Who?” “Who?” “I got this.” Who was he talking to? It didn’t matter then. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that Jemel Roberson was dedicated to being the absolute best that he could be. When he arrived at Manny’s Blue Room Lounge in Midlothian, Illinois, he was ready to do... Read more
“My brother…what’s your name?” I don’t remember how I met Quincy…but I know I’d never met someone more familiar. Over the years, we talked about the future. There was something deep within us that made us think that we could will the entire world to right. We were wrong. “Check it…I need to talk this over with you…look at all of this shit you get…this might be my ticket.” I looked at all of the pamphlets Quincy pushed... Read more
*From Congressman Dr. Michael Burgess’ Townhall at Denton High School in Denton, Texas on 06/18/2018 JH: With all due respect Congressman, this is a town hall…where I question you…not you question me. I asked you a question Congressman. And sir and sir…I think it is again disgusting and despicable to tell me that in 2011 I didn’t care about immigration. I’ve been caring about the gospel of Jesus Christ the entire time. I’m asking you if you... Read more
Fog finds often finds us when the times are idle. I’ve known such times. Wetness drowns my soul. Darkness covers my spirit. Fear is all that I know. Even in the midst of such, I chose to walk. I chose to feel my way along. I chose to push through the suffocation. I chose…to open the door. I never looked back…although there was really nothing to look back to. Carpet gathers sediment unlike any other domestic surface. It... Read more
King’s Cabaret October 21, 2018 1am We have talked. We have met. We have done everything we can think of and more. We have been brought to the place of a fundamental question: “How long oh God…how long? How long? How long?” (A patron of the club walks through. Protestors tell him about the murder and beg him not to go in. He declares that he needs to go in. Turning away, he walks away smiling.) The nonchalant response... Read more
The Devil is a Mainline Protestant named Jonah Church. I hate getting up for that shit. I always stay up too late the night before. I guess Saturday night doesn’t lend itself to thoughts of Sunday morning. Regardless, I opened my eyes and started to get up. Something pulled at my ankles. I looked underneath the covers and I saw a red hand. As my grandmother used to say, “The devil don’t ever want you to go to... Read more
Rage is Salvation You shout peace…peace…and there is no peace. If I give all that I have to justice, but do not have rage, I am well intentioned. Rage is impatient. Rage is not kind. Rage is envious. Rage is demanding. Rage celebrates. Rage challenges. Rage champions. Rage rages. Rage keeps a meticulous record of wrongs. Rage delights in the destruction of injustice. Rage protects the oppressed. Rage trusts the oppressed. Rage hopes with the oppressed. Rage... Read more
There is power in prayer. Though I didn’t have a map, I knew which way to go. God was always speaking to me. Before I knew it, I was holding a cross high in the air. Jesus died for moments like this…to show us the way. I knew that my every step was being guided. There is power in realizing where power comes from. There is a wellspring of life there. In a small valley within a larger valley,... Read more
We sent our daughter to her grandparents. She’d been asking to go all week. To say that she loved it over there is an understatement. She felt alive there. Throughout the night, they watched movies and ate treats. Giggles and laughter filled every room. The house was a sanctuary. When it came time to go to bed, they had to convince her to go. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she was out. Her grandparents chuckled about the... Read more
In one month, I turn 35. The older I get the stranger it is to grow old. I have a dear friend that’s dying. He says he’s not afraid. I don’t see how that’s possible. I’m often afraid of living. Then, moments find me that save me. As the moss bounced up and down, I carried my cross. The mountains drew me. The rocks reminded me. The chill awakened me. The air gave me life. Every bounce pronounced... Read more
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