This week BET’s “Meet the Faith” will take on homosexuality in Black America – how we view it, the frictions it causes in our community and how gays and lesbians themselves live their lives in the face of hate, prejudice and relatives and friends who misunderstand them. Who knew actress Sheryl Lee Ralph was such a staunch supporter of gay people? She came out swinging – shoulders shaking and full of emotion – arguing with Zoe Ministries pastor, the Rev. Bishop Bernard Jordan in support of gay right. Jordan, who leads Zoe Ministries, was the voice for African-American clergy opposed to gay rights and gay marriage. To be fair, he was the only one defending his position on the panel, so he was definitely outgunned by Lee’s star power and Boykin’s familiarity with the subject. But Jordan was neither persuasive nor passionate about his point. He insisted, however, that there’s nothing to debate: the Bible says homosexuality is wrong so it is wrong. Jordan says while he doesn’t oppose homosexuals just because of who they are he insists that the act of homosexual sex is sinful.Gay activist, author and attorney Keith Boykin (who also used to be a White House aide) was also on the show. Boykin reminded Jordan that the Bible was also used to defend slavery and discrimination against women. Boykin also argued that the whole “down low” syndrome is part of the larger right wing “conspiracy” against homosexuality. There are no stats to back the notion that high rate of AIDS in black women is a result of black gay men who bring it home to them, he says.

If someone were to remix one of James Brown’s classic soul hits, its new title might be “Say it Loud, I’m Black, Yellow, Red and Proud.”

Mixed race and mixed up is the subject of this week’s show. Host Ian Smith led an eclectic discussion on an issue most Black people have asked themselves: “Who am I and where did my ancestors come from?” Not surprisingly the answers, like the show topic, are mixed. What’s your take?

There seems to be growing tension between American-born Blacks and Black immigrants. Host Ian Smith examines the irony of a divided Diaspora on this week’s “Meet the Faith.”

West African comedian Michael Blackson, BET correspondent Jeff Johnson and Michelle Bernard, president of the Independent Women’s Forum, shared insights about relations between Black Americans and the 2 million foreign-born brothers and sisters who now call the United States home. “Coming to America for any African is like a dream come true,” says Blackson.

Unfortunately, Johnson suggests, ignorance is to blame for much of the existing tension. “What is the Diaspora? Many Blacks “don’t know what that means,” Johnson says. “It’s an education process.” What do you think?

They take an oath to serve and protect, but what happens when police protection crosses the line in communities of color and becomes police brutality? BET’s Ian Smith looks at law enforcement and police brutality in America on this week’s “Meet the Faith.”
Smith and the Rev. Conrad Tillard of Nazarene Congregational Church; Police Lt. Steven L. Rogers of Nutley, N.J.; and retired New York City Police Detective Graham Witherspoon debate the issue of “excessive force” in the Black community, citing various well-known cases from Los Angeles to the East Coast. Among the cases highlighted is the most recent tragic shooting of Sean Bell, who was cut down by New York City Police in a haze of 50 bullets while leaving his bachelor party on the eve of his wedding.

“This only happens disproportionately in communities of color,” states Tillard. Fellow panelist Rogers disagrees. “I think this idea that it’s only happening in minority communities is not true.” What do you think?

Rajan Says
Check out the latest editorial cartoon from Rajan Sedalia. Here’s his take on police brutality. “Violence has always been a quick solution in the U.S. It’s quick, efficient and empowering – kind of like fast food. If you don’t agree with me, let’s fight. Winner gets a happy meal.”

Guest Blogger

Making a return visit as a Meet the Faith guest blogger is Keith Reed. Keith is the creator of BlackPeoplesmoney.com is a business reporter at the Boston Globe. His work has appeared in Black Enteprise, Essence, Heart & Soul and King magazines, and he is also co-creator of “Brothersmanlaw” , a satirical blog written by and for urban males.

What’s love got to do with it? Not a thing, according to rising separation and divorce rates in today’s Black community. On this week’s “Meet the Faith,” BET host Ian Smith sifts through the main reasons Blacks are calling it quits and surprisingly, it’s not for a lack of mutual affection.

Guest panelists Rev. Jamal Bryant, Founder of Empowerment Temple, Sharon Epperson, author of “The Big Payoff,” and Dr. Tiy—E, author of “Secrets Men Keep,” also share their views about marriage, divorce and why they believe Black couples are not staying true to their vows “for better or worse.” So, what do you think?

Rajan Says

Check out editorial cartoonist Rajan Sedalia’s latest drawing. Here’s his take on the subject.

My fiancé and I attended a 10 year anniversary party yesterday. We were
talking to a couple who were enjoying 40 years of marriage. As they were
telling us their wedding day details, it was interesting how simple the
reception was by today’s standards. No $600 budget for customized M&M’s, no
elaborate sign-in contraption sheet. It reminds me of a how a little less
can lead to more satisfaction.

Guest Blogger
This week’s guest blogger is Valerie Steele. Ms. Steele is a writer, broadcaster and educator. A graduate of Seton Hall University, Ms. Steele was born in New Jersey, but now resides in Connecticut with her family where she is writing a book about relationships. Valerie has hosted a number of Gospel radio programs over the years, published many articles about education and has served as a professor of English and writing at a Connecticut college.

As I wrap up my week of guest blogging, I want to thank those of you who left such profound posts to my blogs. I agree with all the comments that have been made and I think the idea of boycotting Christmas is a good idea. I think the idea of boycotting anything to protest an issue afflicting the black community is a good idea and I can’t think of two better ones than job discrimination and police brutality.

I think if we realized just how many opportunities we missed out on the minute we showed up to a job interview and someone saw the color of our skin–that’s assuming our resume wasn’t trashed after the employer saw on it a name that was presumed to be black or perhaps even that we graduated from an historically black college–we would take to the streets and revolt. If we saw a statistic of how many black men are stopped, detained, or arrested unfairly by the police compared to white men we’d storm the Justice Department. Or would we?

Black people have evoked tremendous change to improve our conditions, but in the past 20 years, greed, a lack of cohesiveness, and living in a nation with an increasing intolerance for claims of racism, has lulled us into passivity. We look the other way when yet another unarmed brother is shot by a police officer. We tell ourselves that there’s always a logical reason when we see highly skilled black folks (particularly men) who can’t seem to get or keep a job.

We seem to think change ended with the Civil Rights Movement, but we actually have more power now to evoke change than we ever did. The buying power of the black community has made companies wealthy. Black consumers spend more money per capita than any racial group. Granted, that’s a problem considering too many of us don’t own property, have more than $50,000 in savings, or are able to leave an inheritance for our children. But as long as we’re putting our money somewhere, we might as well put it where our mouth is.

It doesn’t have to be Christmas, in fact, with so many consumers during the Christmas holiday I don’t know if doing a boycott then would have as much of an impact. But I say we have a “Black Out” day and show the world just how much power we really have. Let them know that, despite the fact that we are no longer the largest minority, we’re still here, we still matter, and we want better. Who’s down???

If you caught August 12th’s “Meet the Faith,” you no doubt remember the show flashing portraits of white party goers costumed as “ghetto” black people. Every once in a while I’ll catch the reality show “Girl’s Next Door,” a show which showcases Playboy magazine mogul Hugh Hefner and his three blond girlfriends. The youngest one—Kendra—has a pimp cup and loves to drink from it while walking around with her pimp cane (which is ironic, considering Hugh is pretty much their pimp). Even Paris Hilton was videotaped pretending to be “ghetto” with her friends. 

Now I know that African Americans have been major trendsetters in this country and have made an impact on much of pop culture. But can some trends backfire on us? What are the ramifications of ghetto going main stream? Some of the replies to these posts have been quite provocative. So I’m asking you, when someone slaps on a braided wig and stuffs a pillow down their pants to make their butt look big, or sports a pimp limp for the camera, do you think they’re poking fun at the stereotypes of black people…or at black people? Or, does ghetto just belong to everyone now?

To be or not to be “Ghetto?” That’s the question Host Ian Smith will examine on this week’s “Meet the Faith” on BET. Historically, “ghetto”
referred to the areas where Jews were confined to during World War II,
but now it is used mainly to describe the predominately Black, usually
poor, urban core.

For many African Americans, the terms “ghetto” and “ghetto-fabulous”
are used to describe unsavory or shameless Black attitudes and actions
in the same way that “red-neck” is used to describe similar behavior
among White folks. So, tell us what you think. Is being ghetto a good thing or a bad thing?

Rajan Says

Thank God for the Ghetto!

Check out editorial cartoonist Rajan Sedalia’s latest drawing. Here’s his take on the subject.

“What’s ghetto – spending money on gold teeth instead of paying your utility
bill? Or, spending $30,000 on a wedding instead of putting that money down
for a new home? In relative terms, the behavior is the same. Only the
financial quantity is different.

Later this week, I’ll be in Beverly Hills creating a graffiti piece. If it
weren’t for the ghetto, how would people in Beverly Hills know that graffiti
is now cool? Creativity in the ghetto is a necessity when you’re forced to
make ends meet. If it weren’t for the ghetto, I’d be out of a job later this
week.”

Guest Blogger

This week’s Meet the Faith blogger is Nancee Lyons. Nancee is a public affairs specialist for the District of Columbia government and also a freelance education writer. She is currently working on a book of essays that provide a somewhat quirky perspective of the gentrification of her Capitol Hill neighborhood. Some of her essays and viewpoints can be found on her blog at www.myhill.wordpress.com

Beyond the images of bow-ties and bean pies, the Nation of Islam has grown significantly since its founding nearly eight decades ago . In what could be his last television interview Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke exclusively to “Meet the Faith.” Minister Farrakhan urges Black people to do better. Farrakhan, who has led the Nation for the past 26 years, says, “I’m fearful for our people’s future.” Do you agree or disagree? Will the Nation of Islam remain relevant without its againg leader? Here’s your chance to let everyone know what you think?

Rajan Says

What do you think of Meet the Faith’s editorial cartoonist Rajan Sedalia latest drawing? Leave a comment.

Guest Blogger

This week’s Meet the Faith blogger is Precious Rasheeda Muhammad. She is an author, award winning speaker, poetess, publisher, and Harvard trained researcher, is nationally known for her ability to educate, inspire, and empower live audiences and readers of diverse racial, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds about the growth and development of Islam in America and the Muslim American experience.

 

it boils

this mountain God could have chosen to move

remains stagnant… if beautifully monumental

but therein lies something

beneath the layers

even more special

kept secret

for all the stubborn belief

of what should and should not be

but is.

would understanding it do anything

but save us

from our own ignorance?

 

someday it will quake

draw attention to blind eyes turned away

like a mountain, resilient and steadfast

in its faith

that there is reason for this…

and so it has survived

maimed and silenced

stomped on and poked at

neglected and taken for granted

it is still here

 

there is so much we’ve needed to know

so much that we shut ears and eyes to

preferring the ruse peace in the valley

stubborn to our fear

of how burdensome it is

how it should change

so we don’t have to

but it is not this way for nothin

is almost always

beyond what we see

with naked eyes

 

turned out

fed up and forced to vent

it will someday erupt

will burn and send ash flying

into the hearts of anyone

who preferred to pretend

it was not, too,

a perfect creation of God

with purpose, if seeming incidental

 

cyclic

it will remind

will burn cities

an inevitable destruction

a (re)cleansing

for those who have forgettenn humility

playing God rather than simply praying to God

forgetting

there is absolutely nothing not of God

and this will be so

as it has always been

until there remains

nothing at all

as it was in the beginning

and again…

until we get it right.