Thursday, May 25, 2006

Pastor Can You Spare A Dime?


The good Reverend Herb H. Lusk II, a conservative preacher here in Philly who has pretty much sold his church to the Bush White House, had this to say back in January.

"My friends, don't fool with the church because the church has buried a million critics."

Really Reverend ? Well, you are going to have to make that a million and one, because I have some things to say about the church, and well, let's just say it aint all flattering.

Now before I start, let me get this out of the way in the spirit of true disclosure. I am a PK (preachers kid). My father was a preacher and a church administrator for as long as I can remember. And, he has probably ministered to, and baptized, more people than the population of most small towns within a hundred mile radius of here. Ergo, I know a thing or two about the church. While this doesn't make me an expert on religion, I believe the fact that I was born and raised in the church gives me some credibility on this issue.

Now back to what I have to say..... Recently I drove through North Philadelphia--one of Philadelphia's most depressed areas. As I drove pass boarded-up store fronts, torn down, dilapidated, decrepit homes, and burnt out cars, I started to notice an innumerable amount of churches on every block. FAITH DELIVERANCE, HOPE AND FAITH, THE FAITH HOUSE, THE DELIVERANCE HOUSE, THE HOLY TABERNACLE OF JESUS, THE HOUSE OF PRAYER, FAITH TABERNACLE, DIVINE TEMPLE, ........... well , you get the picture. On one block-no lie- I counted SIX, yes, SIX churches on both sides of the street. And while I am driving, I see junkies fidgeting to find their next high, unemployed youth pushing their dope on the corner, and mother's with messed up strollers pushing their babies to who knows where. I am not blaming the Church for all of this-- at some point black folks have to take personal responsibility for our actions. The church and the government, alone, can't help us. But I gotta think, that if I am a preacher driving past this every Sunday morning to get to work.... Wouldn't I say to myself, that there is something wrong with this picture? Shouldn't I feel some sense of guilt and shame for not doing more? If I am that preacher, I would have to look in my soul and ask myself, "what would Jesus do?"

I have nothing against religion, as without religion I honestly think that the souls of men would be even more depraved than they are now. Even gnostic writers such as Timothy Freke has had to admit that "Religion...has answered the profound human yearning to understand the mysteries of life and death. It has inspired peoples of all cultures to create sublime works of art, glorious cathedrals and temples, transcendental music and songs". On a personal level, my faith and church has made me healthier, given me a sound base, and given me lifelong friendships and a sense of being and moral clarity that I could not have gotten anywhere else. The church was instrumental with the Civil Rights Movement of the '50s and '60s, as well. Some of our great leaders, such as MLK and Malcolm X were men of the cloth. So, please don't view this post as a church bashing exercise on my part. But while driving through North Philly, and looking at the hopelessness all around me, I still have to ask myself: Just what's the point of all these churches if they can't do anything for the communities in which they sit? Is it just me, or does it seem like a lot of people are being called by God to lead congregations lately? I always like to joke with my friends, that if I ever want to make some real money I would quit practicing law and open a store front church in the hood. I know, I know, it's not right to make fun of God's chosen or the church. But are the so-called ministers of all these churches really chosen? Or, are they just taking advantage of black folks yearning for something, anything, to take their pain away? I guess only these men and their God would know the answer for such a question.

Readers of this blog know that I like to view things in a historical context. So let's look at the church for a minute. Except for the Quakers, every church in America during slavery, and I mean everyone, supported that institution. Blacks were not allowed to go to church in the south and when they did, they had to go to segregated churches. It's an old adage but a true one, that Sunday mornings is still the most segregated time in America. There is a reason for this, it's because religion is a very personal thing, and black and white folks tend to stick together or with those with whom they are more comfortable when things get personal. As slaves, we brought our own forms of religion and belief systems to America when we were brought over here. Africans, like the Indians believed in the force of nature and all sorts of magical spirits and powers. We believed in a supreme being and we were deeply spiritual. There were no distinctions between what was spiritual and secular, life was a continuum with both the living and the dead. But whites were afraid of the African religions like obeah, and the mystical nature of what came with them. So for many plantation owners, teaching the slaves the more passive acceptable Christian form of European religion, became a way to prevent insurrections on the plantations. The smart plantation owners used this to their advantage, to keep their slaves in check. They built huge chapels on the plantations so that their slaves could worship and take their minds off freedom and escaping.

Now let's fast forward to 2006, and the many churches on the streets of North Philly. Is it a coincidence that the areas with the most churches are the most financially depressed? I don't think so. I am sorry, but when I see million dollar structures fronting as the house of God in the midst of abject poverty and despair, I can't help but think of the pastors leaving every Sunday morning in their European sedans and thousand dollar suits. This, while some poor old lady living on her husband's pension and her social security gives her last in the offering plate. I think that preacher should reach in the offering plate and give it right back. He should realize that she needs it a lot more than he does, and that the brand new church building and organ can wait. Now there are a lot of those little old ladies- and young ones too, in many of these churches all over our communities. And I guarantee you that they are faithfully giving to the Reverend every Sunday morning; and guess what, the Reverend aint giving back. Not to them, or to the community.

Now of course, not all pastors and churches are bad. There are many churches that are doing good things in the hood; offering pre-school programs, jobs, after school programs, and funding to many community groups. But far too many churches are sitting in communities which they don't give back to. They are too busy selling a dream of the future, when stuff needs to get done right now. Salvation is nice, but how about a little heaven right here on earth before it's time to go? I am afraid many of our so called preachers have taken a book from the old plantation owners, and are creating churches for their own benefit and not to save souls. The result is a kind of passive surrender to all the bad things happening in our neighborhoods. Let's just go to church and pray and hope that it gets better, have a faith in God and those wonderful sermons we hear every Sunday morning, and things will just kind of work its way out. Meanwhile, we are losing the battle for our communities one by one. Some of these preachers are selling out to the politicians (See the good Reverend. I quoted from above) on both sides of the political stripes. Here in Philly, our church leaders organize and line up with their hands out every election cycle, before they decide who to endorse for the next race. So their support is not based on Christian principles and what's best for us, it's based on who gave the most to the building fund or who did the most to line the good Reverend's pocket. Of course, us black folks are used to a certain amount of pimping from our preachers,- see the two Jessies, and Al- so we just kind of let it all go as par for the course. But at some point we have to step back and say enough. We have to hold the churches accountable and demand that they either help our community or go sell their salvation somewhere else. Someplace, where at least the congregation in the church can afford it, and the dream of salvation won't be quite as expensive.




23 comments:

Dangerfield said...

Yo Field great post. I believe the black church to be guilty of criminal negligence, hypocrisy and the dumbind down of the entire black community. The white church is guilty of some of these crimes, as well as others but my beef is with the churches that are supposed to serve our communities. The hypocrisy of peoplel claiming to be christians, helped to drive me away from the church long ago. Today I am 100% anti religion althoug I do believe in god and some form of spirituality. I read this book on black quotes one time this particular quote came from a gentleman maybe 20 years after slavery, he said " Lord working is so hard, and the sun is so hot I do believes Ive been called to preach". The church should be on fire spiritually and intellectually. Mark

field negro said...

Thanks Mark, I know I am hard on churches and our church leaders. But as I stated in my post, I grew up in the church, and I am really disappointed with the way some people have used the church for their own gain.

As far as organized religion, yes, at times I have struggled with it as well. Like you, I believe in a higher being and creator, but unlike you, I also believe that a certain amount of structure and tenents are good as well. I just believe that men who say they are called to the alter, should really be called, and not looking to hustle a bunch of people seeking the truth.

FN

Dangerfield said...

FN good to hear from, I thought you were avoiding me because you were afraid of intellectual battle, or your assimilated from the field as it is hot out. Just joking. LOL.

FN said: also believe that a certain amount of structure and tenents are good as well. I just believe that men who say they are called to the alter should really be called,


Mark said: YO I absolutely agree with you. I see religion as a skeleton up which the rest of spiritual beliefs are wrapped around. Without out that skeleton people would be all over the place. You are right, man including myself needs structure, the black church has been mandingo and mandinga warriors, they literal fought in an active way against slavery, lynching and a whole lot o other stuff. They are also directly responsible for a lot of the education, social, ect advances we have made. But having said that everyone in the black community knows that too many officials churches have been stuffing thier pockets without working the streets to change the community. Also to many people out to know that the preachers are milking the system and not sharing in the pain, and physical toil of improving the community. Buyt the fact is t the church is the only group with the infra structure to reach a large # of people very quickly. The church also has thousands of outreach programs going on that can be utilized.

1) I think we (black folk) should have a referendum on what our people need the most. This could
be done via the internet.

2) Specifically what our families need the most.

3) A job training program to teach disadvantaged black youth (specifically males).

The NAACP, Core, Urban, Southern Christian leadership conference already knows how to test, do referendums, analyze and present the material to us in understandable ways.

All of his have came up with good Ideas ( including Ugz after me asking him seems like 400 times).
Here are a couple that Denise mentioned that I like.


Denise said:NAACP could easily set up entrepreneurial workshops and start-up capital for businesses...


Mark said: True. True . True. And they should. Just because there are stagnant does not mean that grassroots folk cant smack them on their hind parts to get them moving again. Smack them on their asses very hardly indeed.


Denise said: I think that someone like a Tavis Smiley can do such; but lately I have been feeling a little sketchy on Brother Tavis.

Mark said: You are right, you may not agree with everthing he does or says but he is trying to make a positive difference. Also he is the type of person who is accessible to people and groups who have provocative and innovative ideas.

Denise said: Denise said: 2. The NAACP spent millions fighting for Niggeroes to have a party in the Carolinas. The White folk and others didn't want them there.... they got some concessions and the Niggeroes had their party, gave the White folk and others millions of their dollars; and to spit in the eye of Our ancestors they has a confederate flag bathing suit contest.

Mark said: This is the type of foolishness that I would like to lead an army briggade of fed niggas against. Lets focus on ideas and problems that really affect our people.




As for Ugz I think he’s a good guy. But I don’t think I can do much intellectual business because I don’t think he is serious about coming up with solutions to move our people forward. Just whinning about the status quo without offering workable solutions, is and has never been enough. Mark

field negro said...

Mark, I haven't been avoiding you, I actually love the verbal battles and intelectual thought that goes into our discourse. I think it helps us come up with different solutions for the myriad of problems we face as black folks.

True confessions; I have actually been using some of the ideas that I have been getting from the posts that you guys put on this site. But it's all good, because here in Philly we need all the help we can get. And all new ideas are welcome.

I love the idea of the NAACP getting more involved with workshops etc.for financial empowerment. We have certain social agencies doing that here, but not enough.

As far as the churches are concerned, you are right. It's no longer a secret what many of our so-called ministers do, and that's why I had to talk about it. We can be enablers anymore and let them continue to pimp the hood.

BTW my brother, I didn't realize you were so young. You are way deep for your age. Keep it up, and by the time you reach my age you will be running this show called America :)

Peace!

Dangerfield said...

Yo Field I was just joking when I said that thing about you avoiding me. And to be honest it was denise's idea about NAACP.


Feild said: As far as the churches are concerned, you are right. It's no longer a secret what many of our so-called ministers do, and that's why I had to talk about it. We can be enablers anymore and let them continue to pimp the hood.

Mark said: FN thank you so fucking much for telling the truth about those bozo's who ran me out of the church. I wish we had some way to publicly expose the charlotons for what they are. I feel so strongly about this issue because I honestly believe thier deciet has cost a lot of black folks thier lives. I know this would never happen but my dream would be, we capture the charlotons and publicly FLOG (WHIP) thier asses. You, me Denise and even Ugz can have 10 smacks at thier asses with a whip. To be honest I dont think Ugz would ever take a shot at any black , so you, denise and myself would have to split Ugz shots up amongst us. The bottom line is this if you are a church, or Naacp official and you fuck with or decieve black people your ass would get 40 lashes on the hottest fucking day of the year. Then we throw a bucket of salt water on thier flogged back. This would cut out a lot of the bullshit. Mark

Anonymous said...

LOL @ Mark

Anonymous said...

Amen Brother! Great post. I've been away working and am just catching up.

I go to church regularly and the church I attend is socially active within the community. Canada in general doesn't really have U.S. style ghettos or "Black" areas/neighbourhoods, we all mostly live together... although the Native reserves are the closest thing we have to ghettos (I have been to a reservation in Arizona too - pretty depressing). The church I attend however is not perfect by any means, but the Pastor and the congregation as a whole, do work to better the community in many ways, focusing primarily on the less fortunate. That is why I chose to go there. I have been to churches that you have described FN, and instead of diminishing my faith, they strengthen it. It gives me a better appreciation that it is my personal relationship with God that drives me, and many others to "do good works", and not because we have the tag of "Christians". I understand but cannot empathize with those who claim to leave the church because of other people, "hypocritical christians" ... I am too strong and committed to let them affect me in that way... 'cause in the long run, those fake-azz christians don't matter... in the end what matters is what you do... that is what God will judge you on... Finally I must say I am disappointed with Jesse, Sharpton, Farrakhan (especially) and other Black preachers, religious, political and secular leaders in general for their silence and lack of action, when it comes to the Darfur issue. As so-called "Men of God", especially Black men who claim to advocate for the Black less fortunate, they should be ashamed of themselves. Although I don't judge them, any of them... that is for God to do... however the Bible does say that we will know them by their works (or lack of).

God Bless you all!

field negro said...

Thanks asabagna, you seem to be a man of your faith, and that's a good thing. I know a lot of real deeply religious people who feel the same way that I do about faux preachers and churches. So this is definately about religion bashing, it's about calling out phonies. If we had more good men leading congregations, we wouldn't have young men like Mark becoming disillusioned and leaving the church.

I think Canada has a different population dynamic than here in the U.S. there doesn't seem to be the concentrated urban poverty that we have here, and so, I think the churches there might not have the same social mission that they should have here. Here in America, given the great challenges that we have, it's imperative that the church becomes more involved socially.

FN

Dangerfield said...

Fn out of curiosity to you have to work to get these post out, or do you just spit them out the Jay-Z spits out hits. Im asking you because you are doing a great job with posting frest and provocative contern. Keep up the good work. Mark

Anonymous said...

Field:

The first Picture, the church with Red Doors is straight out of FreeMasonic architecture-- look If it is a picture you took, look closely at the building, you will see freemason signs and symbols all over it.

field negro said...

It's actually a Baptist church here in Philly. When I go by there again I will pay closer attention. But that's interesting, I never noticed the Masonic symbols.

Anonymous said...

Field Negro,

Let me ask you a question? Didn’t I see somewhere on this site that your father was a minister. How dare you criticize organize religion especially in our black community! Is it only okay to have a black church when it’s putting food on your table and clothes on your back? Did the churches teachings harm you in some way? What we need more of is church and religion in our community young brother. 1/3 young black males will either be dead or in incarcerated by the time they are 25. We must have morals and discipline be taught in our churches and communities. If the churches aren’t around to teach our young who will? Lets be honest our black male peers are mostly deadbeat dads who wont take care of their children. We know the only guidance they will give their children is how to steal poor hard working people's cell phones after a long day of helping better our community! If we grade us black male parents on how many felonies our children can commit and babies they can have then black fathers would get an A+ Your father is the exception not the normal family structure. Maybe your father’s religious background had something to do with it. I honestly believe you are the Donovan Mcnabb of the black community. Nothing but a sell out! I will admit all religions have their flaws and their small share of crooks! Lets be honest field Negro I bet their are a lot less crooks in religion that in your crooked profession! You make me sick! You and your followers should be condemned to HELL!

field negro said...

Correct about my father, wrong about me criticizing organized religion. I criticized faux preachers not organized religion. If you read the post again, you will see that I actually praise religion for some of the things that it has given us. -Reading comprehension is key my brother-

Having said that, I still see a lot of churches and a lot of poverty. So obviously, somebody isn't praying enough.

As for me being a sell out, well if I am sell out for calling out phony preachers so be it. I don't have to justify what I do for my people to you. You just continue to do your part, and our people will benefit in the long run by us both doing the best we can. How is that?

And yes, I sure hope there are a lot less crooked preachers than lawyers. After all, preachers are supposed to be called by the man above. The last time I checked, God didn't call me to go to law school.

Anonymous said...

Field:

If you can spare some time, listen to this AMAZING story of:

"The story of Reverend Carlton Pearson (Precursor to TD Jakes and them), a renowned evangelical pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who cast aside the idea of hell, and with it, everything he'd worked for over his entire life."

http://thislife.org/pages/descriptions/05/304.html

Anonymous said...

I hope I am not repeating what anyone has said, as I am passing through; and by the way, my new blog will be up this weekend....so I will be sending u guys an invite; I am not going to make it public at the moment because We need to really discuss issues without interference and detractors... that is a waste of time and energy (even if they are ignored); plus my conspiracy theorist side is always cognizant of those who infiltrate to destroy, as that kind come in all kinds of disguises...

Now; the Black Church has been one of my pet peeves for at least 3 or 4 years.
Let me just list some things:

1. A $60 - $100 billion dollar a year entity.

2. Mega Churches in dying communities.

3. Prostituted itself publicly for Faith Based Funds... that many have misappropriated for mercedes, mansions, and lay-a- way plans at Jacob the Jeweler...

4. Many have mimicked the White Church base of hatred... this hatred is bourne of hypocrisy, 'cause from where I am looking and down the memory lane I am traveling... I vividly remember my parents and others talking in quiet tones about this or that Decon who was "sweet"... or this of that Reverend who was "sweet"... and don't even get me started about choir directors... yet, for some silver they are running anti - gay hate camps?
I am not saying that they have to endorse homosexuality; but to be the poster children for a hate campaigne against their own is beyond me...

The Black Church has become a joke... and is speeding it's way straight into the fiery pits of hell - and maybe that is where it belongs.

There is no debate as of the significance of the Black Church in the Black Community... I pray every day and night; sometimes I catch myself in prayer - subconsciously.... I believe there is a God; and that finding some solace in that God is one way for Us, as a community to come back to where We could have been long ago... but like many in Our Community I find it hard to separate the Whores from the Godly... So, I don't attend any churches... on Sunday mornings I get on my knees in prayer and meditation... my tithes are the monies I give to people who are working in and around the community; and the time and energy I give to my community to uplift Us to where We should be. I think that if a significant number of Us would do the same; We could do some real changing for the better.

Where I am right now. I groan everytime I see a new church being built... recently, I bemoaned what I thought was a new church being built right outside Our neighborhood... but found out that it is a new gym, for Us... the grand opening is tomorrow... and this is Godly - for I am getting back into running shape; next year I intend to get into the Boston Marathon; now how Godly is that?

p.s. How much do you wanna bet that within the next few years, many of the Faith Based Whores are going to be fighting audits? How many are going to be going to jail for embezzlement? Misappropriation of Funds?

How much you want to bet that these Whores are going to be portrayed as Hate Mongers; and users of Tax Payer Funds; and watch as there will be Congressional Debate about the relevancy of Tax Exempt Status for Churches - especially Black Churches.
??????????????????????????????????

Any takers?

Ugz, bro, this is what I mean by Us doing for Us....

p.s. A bunch of Pastoral Whores have linked up with the likes of Star Parker - a welfaremammy - babykilling- criminal- republican toddie... How hypocritical and dangerous is that!

field negro said...

Good post Denise, my sentiments exactly. BTW, I am looking forward to your blog. (The More the merrier)Make sure you get me the URL and name so that I can check in.

I like Mark's site too; I am in there all the time.

FN

Dangerfield said...

Denise glad to see you out blogging again missed you. I read your post loved it and thought you spoke the sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet badasss truth. Lawd Have Mercy you validated a particular annoyance I have been suffering from. That is the hypocrisy and bafoonery of the black church. Like you guys said the black church have historically been mandingo warriors. They have truly held it down. Having said that they choose that life and that life is not about the glamour or the position. It is about the work they do in the community and whether or not they are sweating like Jesus to make positive change in our community.


denise said: Now; the Black Church has been one of my pet peeves for at least 3 or 4 years.
Let me just list some things:

Mark said: Denise I feel 100% the same way. Id even say they are guitly of criminal neglicence. Because they knew that black folks sexual behavior was way out of control, they knew because thiers (church officials), behavior was out of control as well. Please do not forget all of the affairs in the church.


Denise said: Many have mimicked the White Church base of hatred... this hatred is bourne of hypocrisy, 'cause from where I am looking and down the memory lane I am traveling... I vividly remember my parents and others talking in quiet tones about this or that Decon who was "sweet"... or this of that Reverend who was "sweet"... and don't even get me started about choir directors... yet, for some silver they are running anti - gay hate camps?
I am not saying that they have to endorse homosexuality; but to be the poster children for a hate campaigne against their own is beyond me...


Mark said: This is some crap that truly makes me sick to my stomach. So many people in the black community act as if they had never known anything about homosexuality. You are right lots of singers, and choir people are gay. But the church is acting like homosexuality just started recently. Thier acting like they havent been seeing it in thier church regularly for the last 50 years. Such sweet hypocrisy.


Im telling you guys If I had my way I would publicly flogg some of these hypocrits. Check out this scenario. You have black preachers many of them who cant speak decent current english. Yet, they can translate literal from metaphor and even tell which things which things are important. Reading english from 500 years ago and understand it well enough to see nuance in it. But on the other hand after seeing all of the crazy sexual behavior by black people( the knew full well about all of the out wedlock births in our community)but they did not have enough fucking sense to make condom use and safe sexual behavior a major point of focus. You have got to be kidding me. Our situation with aids is not 100% the fault of the church, but it is thier job to be on top of issues of concern to black folk. They knew that our (thiers) sexual behavior was out of control. An exemple is Jesse Jackson, this guy is having unprotected sex with a woman who was not his wife. At the same time hundreds of thousands of black american were infected each other through having unprotectect sex. If it were in my power I would publicly flogg Jesse Jacksons ass, I dont care what anyone say's about that matter. I just would like to know what was Reveren Jackson thinking of, it certainly wasnt not infecting his wife with aids. And this guy has been called to preach by god. Nigga please. Instead of shuting up, he's still flying around doing his thing ( collectign money). This is truly some hypocrityal shit. Sorry to go off on a tangent but as you can see, I dont have a lot of respect the Reverent. Yep this guy should be tied to a log and some really strong brotha should whip his ass as hard as he posibly can. Mark

Anonymous said...

LOL @ "Black Folks Sexual Behavior is way out of control"

I realize that what Mark says is what's served on the plate. Black folks sexual behavior is way out of control-- which is the bottom line, even though I can argue WHY it is like that but the truth is the truth.

Mark-- dont come at me with your sword out now, all I am saying is you spoke the plain general truth in that statement.

How much you want to bet that these Whores are going to be portrayed as Hate Mongers; and users of Tax Payer Funds; and watch as there will be Congressional Debate about the relevancy of Tax Exempt Status for Churches - especially Black Churches.
??????????????????????????????????
Any takers?
Ugz, bro, this is what I mean by Us doing for Us....


I lost you somewhere there Sis, but I wanna understand whatcha mean?

Dangerfield said...

To the entire blog world just because I call black folk on certain things we do does not mean I dont understand some of the historical reasons.Just because I point out certain behavior does not mean that I dont think thier arent historical contex for it, or mitigating reasons for that behavior. It also doesnt mean that I dont think white folks have some of the same, if not all of the same problems that we do. Whatever behavior I criticize about black people I do because I feel like that behaviour hurts us finacially, morally, spiritually, ect. When I talk about us not taking education seriously, I am not talking about you guys, or your peers, Im not talking about all black people. But when you have china and india graduating over 500, 000 engineers a year, and america graduating 80, 000 engineers a year, with black people bieng under represented in that 80,000, I start wondering how are black people going to compete in the future. No doubt thier are blacks who are serious about education, but is anyone going to tell me that black people are as serious about education as everyone else in this country. AS far as Im concerned every last person on this and every other blog can tell me up and down. Yo Mark, your focusing on the most negative aspects of our culture we are as serious about education as everyone else. And I will never, never believe that. Although lots of communities in america are not serious about education, I think its more than obvious that our (black) community is not as serious about education as we need to be to compete with all other americans. I wont even entertain a conversation about us bieng anywhere near as serious about education as the Japaneese, the Chineese, or the folks from India. But we still are going to have to compete against all of these folks who take education more serious than we do. Whatever it is we need to do to change some of these self destructive attitudes we have, that is the place I would like to spend my energy moving towards. Here are some others things needed to compete that we are behind in as well. At least in my oppinion.
1) Having 2 parents households
2) Having a father actively contributing to the welfare of his kids and the community they live in
3) Savings,
4) Preschool, afterschool, weekend and summer programs that teach kids, music,art, math, writing, reading, ect.
5) A community that encourages excellence and hardwork when it comes to education.

I am not attempting to find blame at all in this post. What I would like to do in this post and my life is start to do whatever it takes to modify behavior we all know is killing us and hurting us. Here are just a few stats to make my last point

Here is the murder rate for certain places in america. I got these murder statistics from this wwebsite. http://www.benbest.com/lifeext/murder.html#usa



TEN WORST STATES FOR MURDER, 2003

(1) Louisiana 13.0
(2) Maryland 9.5
(3) Mississippi 9.3
(4) Nevada 8.8
(5) Arizona 7.9
(6) Georgia 7.6
(7) South Carolina 7.2
(8) California 6.8
(9) Tennessee 6.8
(10) Alabama 6.6





TEN SAFEST STATES FOR MURDER, 2003 STATE PER 100,000
(1) Maine 1.2
(2) South Dakota 1.3
(3) New Hampshire 1.4
(4) Iowa 1.6
(5) Hawaii 1.7
(6) Idaho 1.8
(7) North Dakota 1.9
(8) Oregon 1.9
(9) Massachusetts 2.2
(10) Rhode Island 2.3

I would assume that the ten most dangerous states have a higher black population. And a higher population of people living in poverty. I would also assume the safest have a smaller black population and a smaller population of people living in poverty. MB


TEN WORST LARGE CITIES FOR MURDER, 2002 CITY PER 100,000
(1) Washington, DC 45.8
(2) Detroit 42.0
(3) Baltimore 38.3
(4) Memphis 24.7
(5) Chicago 22.2
(6) Philadelphia 19.0
(7) Columbus 18.1
(8) Milwaukee 18.0
(9) Los Angeles 17.5
(10) Dallas 15.8


TEN SAFEST LARGE CITIES FOR MURDER, 2002 CITY PER 100,000
(1) Honolulu 2.0
(2) El Paso 2.4
(3) San Jose 3.1
(4) Austin 3.7
(5) San Diego 3.8
(6) Portland 3.9
(7) Seattle 4.5
(8) New York 7.3
(9) San Francisco 7.3
(10) Oklahoma City 8.5

Same thing goes for the cities. MB


GENDER RELATIONSHIP OF KILLERS AND VICTIMS RELATIONSHIP PERCENT
Male kills male 61.1%
Male kills female 22.6%
Female kills male 9.9%
Female kills female 2.4%
Total 100%

This goes for all races.MB


MURDER VICTIMS, 2002 VICTIM PER 100,000
Black male 100
White male 13
Black female 11
White female 3

I dont know how accurate this statement is. But lets say that the media is exaggerating to the tune of 50% cent this stil would mean that. For every 58 times a black family has to deal with loosing a child in such a brutal way. A white family has to deal with it 16 times. A lot of this can be traced to the break down of the of the family. Which is why it is important that black men be reprogramed immediately to get back in the family. If we had as many black men in the homes or a part of thier families then just the murder rate alone amongts black folk would drop drastically. Thier would still be and is lots of work to be done but you folks should get my point. My bottom line is, I want to began to stop it and I would like to focus large amounts of brain power, into figuring out ways to reverse these insdious trends that have developed amongst us. I have to warn you guys making this happen will be just as painful as making the civil rights movement happen and it will require committment. The murder rate ( and other things) amognst black folk is an affront to humanity I find it totally unacceptable. Whatever needs to be done to change it that is the place I would like to go.Mark

P.S Sorry for getting out of control on this post

Anonymous said...

Ugz said, "I lost you somewhere there Sis, but I wanna understand whatcha mean?"

Hello fam; Ugz, what I am saying is that your running thesis is that America has to be held accountable for what it has done and does to us... I don't think anyone with an iota of intelligence argues that point with you; but what I am saying by that statement is that We cannot and should not wait for America to make amends; or like Our folk like to say, do right by Us.

Faith Based monies have propositioned an unwholly cadre of holy rollers and to Our demise...

Anyone knows that We are not hateful people... but if you see these fools, standing representing Us; you would think that We were... They are being used to propagate the EVIL desires of people who hate Us - voluntarily...

If We get Reparations.... what will We lose, my militant brother?

Let's do if for Us, Ugz....

I was reading about the uproar White America is having with this guy in L.A. with his charter school.... from reading I see nothing wrong with what he is doing.... but I have read at least 4 websites that stated some racist view he has against Us - African Americans.... which if you read for yourself is not truth. He just stated that he doesn't care about Brown v. BOE; and why!!!! Now, it remains to be seen if he will keep his school! By the way, and not wanting to questions those who came before Us and made so much for Us possible... but integration stemming from Brown devastated Us. Plus he voiced that he(they) did not want what Whites had(have)... maybe inferring that We do... I don't know.... but the way he thinks of salvation for the Hispanic Community; is the same way I think of salvation for the AA community.

But, having those thoughts for his community; and putting them into action - well he is operating on the taxpayers dime... and it can all be taken away!!!!!

Mark, I wouldn't say Black people have a crisis with sex... The crisis was that We seen this disease as a gay only disease... and didn't educate Ourselves about it... and didn't look at all the aspects of it... but I do agree that the Church should have been out there... but so should have all the politicians and politicos who claim to speak for Us... All of them were missing in Action.

Dangerfield said...

Denise said: Mark, I wouldn't say Black people have a crisis with sex...

Mark said: Denise Im seeing people get skinny left and right, Denise Im a man, and I know how I and some of the other brothers at jobs I have worked. And I can truly say there is a signifigant portion of them that spend a lot more time talking about who thier banging ( war stories) as oppose to getting ahead on the job or thier families. This is nothing most people dont know about, or have expeirnced a lot of relationships are conducted with coworkers, during and at the job. And in private life. But the way some of these brothers acted was out of control even by liberal standards. You have fault the women who have sex with these, because it takes two to tangle. Anyway Denise I got major love for you but on this one I think you are wrong, or in denial. If black people werent regularly using condoms with people they deffinately didnt plan on getting married to. That alone qualifies as out of control sexual behavior. When I mention us not taking education seriously this is only one of the things Im talking about. Densise there is a population of men who claim to fame is that they have screwed a lot of women, and thier are to many women who seem not to really care when and who they get pregnant by. All these out of wed lock births says we have a crisis going on. Come on Denise you have Jesse Jackson making babies outside of marriage in the time of aids. Do you believe that was the first time he cheated on his wife, do you believe that he went out of his way to use condoms when he was stepping out on his wife. During all of the talk about how to get pussy that I have heard and participated in funny thing is I didnt hear a lot about condom use. I remember hearing some not all brothers emphatically say " I dont like to use condom, I will not use condoms". This was in the 90's they were heavily promoting the idea of safe sex. How come we can seem to learn that lesson as well as some other people. As far as believing it was a gay problem, that just proves my point about education. We had a protest at udc back in 90. Hundreds of unsuppervised kids were together. To qoute one brother everybody was getting thier man. Fucking was going on left and right. Amongst people who did not even know each other. There was also drinking. One girl said she was raped, another girl who got pregnant then later told her boyfriend she was raped. But who wasnt she just had unprotected sex with someone other than her boyfriend she didnt know. The guy told me " I didnt even know her name" . Denise I know all black people dont behave this way, but no one is going to tell me that way to many black people dont behave this way. Mark

P.S As for Ugz. That brother is not serious about comming up with solutions to help us as far as I can see. The # one thing we have to do is take responsibility for our actions, if we do not we are doomed. Did any of you guys check out those murder results amongst black males, that shit is offensive. Peace

Hate Philly Hypocrisy said...

Very interesting. I was one of Reverend Lusk's tenant in Society Hill Towers where he owns at least 2 condominiums. You might be interested in my experiences. I do not believe for one minute that Reverend Lusk is the holy man he pretends to be. What about all the drinking and late night noise emanating from his apartment ? The man never sleeps.
Does Christianity condone alcoholism ? The Reverend loves his money and $1,000 suits and all the extras that he enjoys.
Trust me. Not to mention the bodyguards and other shady characters he surrounds himself with.
I also saw his message of hate on youtube. Whether one agrees with homosexuality or not---gay bashing is not the way to go. Nor do I think Jesus would preach hatred against them or anyone else for that matter. "Forgive them, for they now not what they do" ?
Interesting that he is revered in the buidling.
PS numerous persons have rented from him and moved out as fast.
Does anyone know of a public forum where the true Reverend can be discussed ?

Hate Philly Hypocrisy said...

Very interesting. I was one of Reverend Lusk's tenant in Society Hill Towers where he owns at least 2 condominiums.
You might be interested in my experiences. I do not believe for one minute that Reverend Lusk is the holy man he pretends to be. What about all the drinking and late night noise emanating from his apartment ? The man never sleeps.
Does Christianity condone alcoholism ? The Reverend loves his money and $1,000 suits and all the extras that he enjoys.
Trust me. Not to mention the bodyguards and other shady characters he surrounds himself with.
I also saw his message of hate on youtube. Whether one agrees with homosexuality or not---gay bashing is not the way to go. Nor do I think Jesus would preach hatred against them or anyone else for that matter. "Forgive them, for they now not what they do" ?
Interesting that he is revered in the buidling.
PS numerous persons have rented from him and moved out as fast.
Does anyone know of a public forum where the true Reverend can be discussed ?