The Smith Boys November 15, 2008

March 12, 2008

It was morning
Not early
Not late
That is when I saw it  
My eyes were distracted from the narrow stretch of country road
To find a perfect white circle hovering over the distant trees
A gentle haze quieted its intensity
So that I could gaze into its supposed fury
It seemed this entity had woken up late
Too late to [...]

My Brother’s World: Perceptions of Race February 22, 2008

     The warm rays of sunlight penetrated my epidermis as I sat watching a young boy of color prance in and out of a spewing fountain. The water must have been refreshing for him, but it could not have been as refreshing as seeing the smile on his face. His bare feet, rolled jeans, and [...]

Undestroyed Walls III December 13, 2007

       Reverend Gaines admitted that Lexington possesses ministers, both black and white, that he cannot “walk with” because of their lack of conviction regarding these issues. He said, “We are weak in the social aspect of the gospel…the key is to carry out the social gospel while remaining theologically anchored.” Many have failed in their [...]

Undestroyed Walls II December 10, 2007

       One must not dismiss the irrefutable presence of divergent cultures as they formulate their convictions regarding segregation in the church. Our cultures, black and white, are alive and well. Although “well” may  be a stretch at times, the cultures that permeate our existences play a major role in nearly every facet of the human [...]

Undestroyed Walls I December 4, 2007

           Do not be mistaken…segregation was not entirely uncomfortable. The indisputable knowledge of truth, that all men were created in the image of God (therefore equal), made segregation uncomfortable in the minds and hearts of the oppressed. But despite it being a colossal injustice, the societal manifestations of segregation were never truly uncomfortable. Blacks and [...]

Preferred Segregation, the beginning November 30, 2007

It was my understanding that Mandela murdered apartheid and King killed segregation. If this is so, why do I see these doctrines still defining my world?
            For two hours, I sat in the back of a brightly lit sanctuary as six-hundred fellow worshipers sang, danced, shouted, and even screamed in an effort to connect [...]

Race: The Preface November 16, 2007

For the next month or so, I will be compositionally wrestling with a deep-rooted passion of mine: RACE. My prayer is that these posts will serve as a catalyst for enlightened, socially enriching discussion. Though I ask for sensitivity, I also request honesty.
As a preface to this conversation, I would like to declare RACE to be two [...]

Conquerors November 12, 2007

To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God (Ephesus).
The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death (Smyrna).
To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, [...]

I am NOT FOR SALE October 30, 2007

Two things you need to know about Smitty right now:
#1. He has worn the same shirt for a month and a half – and will continue to do so until November 10th (for the record…he always wears an undershirt).
#2. He was duct-taped to a light pole yesterday for two hours - hands behind his back and [...]