Clenard Childress
Black America's hope for a president - - at what price?
By Clenard Childress
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In less than 35 days America will go to the polls and choose a President to lead them for the next four years. Never in our history have we had an African-American candidate chosen to represent one of the two major parties and our nation as President. Never before have the Republicans chosen a woman to be Vice-President on the Presidential ticket. 2008 will be grafted into the pages of American history, and this generation's collective memory of it, for its groundbreaking accomplishments and drama like no Presidential race preceding it.
For all of that, there are other historic firsts in America's 2008 Presidential elections which should not go unnoticed by its citizens. We are witnessing one the most manipulative attempts by the media to orchestrate their subliminal choice for the office of President. The bias has been blatant, and journalism has now become more propaganda than objective information. I never thought I would see the mainstream media in America go to such great lengths to get a black man elected President. It has been something I could not get out of my mind.
It was while pondering this I realized this same media had already made the transition Dr. Martin Luther King prophetically spoke in his speech, "I have a Dream." They have gone so far past the color of skin they are enthralled with what they assume to be the content of his character. Here is an African-American who does not for one moment remind them of the Bible-centric religious leaders of our community's past; of those magnificent individuals who reminded us all of the horrific injustice of slavery and the demeaning Jim Crow Laws; of our amazing leadership who reflected upon the profound truths of the Bible, the importance of faith, and the love of our country despite its failures and indiscretions. Mainstream media says of Barack Obama, "Here is a Negro that depicts our belief system of a Martin Luther King without his God and his God-centered values...."
The Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, is not only the most liberal (anti-Bible) candidate in the Senate, but is also perhaps the most pro-abortion candidate in our nation's history. So we see that CNN (Communist Nation Now), MSNBC, and much of the other mainstream media has decided to manipulate the public into laying down their values and belief of, "In God We Trust." We hear their clarion call to bow down at Baal's altar of wealth; bow down to killing babies in and outside the womb; bow down to men marrying men, women marrying women — to a place where marriage is no longer a sacred vow between a man and a woman; bow down to the Teacher's Unions abandoning our inner-city children to an inept educational system which has absolutely and utterly failed them. And to top it all off, we hear this same media then seductively whispering in our ears, "... and oh, by the way, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain..." We soon find out this "Wizard of OZ" is more of the same old smoke and mirrors which has cashiered us before.
Never before since our inception in this country have we faced such a perplexing dilemma. Remember Adam and Eve? The Serpent got Eve to present something to Adam which wasn't so much an act of rebellion against God, but was a means of expediting the process of God. The fruit of this act was to give those desired benefits, but would circumvent the God who had created these same benefits. The lure was essentially, equal status with God — no longer second class citizenship — but in so doing, there would no longer be the need for God. It was a big mistake! The God that brought them into existence always planned for them to be just as He is. The fruit in the Garden would have one day been accessible but it was off limits to them for a season
Much like Adam and Eve we have been presented an accelerated means to achieve a goal we believe will dispel our own perceived views and those whom we have assessed as racist and biased. And so I ask you, my Brothers and Sisters...
I must ask another question: to all you who have lived a few years witnessing the triumphs of America and the success of the African-American community, has not the church and the values of the church been inseparable partners in each of our victories? Can we at this pivotal moment be so deprived of fellowship with our Creator we would exalt an image which defiantly chooses to exempt our Heavenly Father from our lives? This election is more about the state of the conscience of America than the War, Wall Street, or drilling for oil. African-Americans are especially under the microscope of an Omniscient God. Does this leader have the values of the God who brought you up out of Egypt? Does he uphold and exemplify the fundamental teachings of family and the sanctity of life? Is it so important to have a man or woman who looks like you, validate your worth? Or is it more important to have a person who has your values, your goals, your visions, your understanding of the Dream so masterfully stated forty years ago...? Which one is it?
On November 4, when you are in seclusion in the Valley of Decision and think you are all alone, remember God is ever present and all we do should honor Him and our history, for what we do in secret shall be shouted form the mountain tops. And remember, as well, that which we do in secret will be reflected in our personal lives and that's why God always tells us to choose life that you and your descendants may live.
© Clenard Childress
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In less than 35 days America will go to the polls and choose a President to lead them for the next four years. Never in our history have we had an African-American candidate chosen to represent one of the two major parties and our nation as President. Never before have the Republicans chosen a woman to be Vice-President on the Presidential ticket. 2008 will be grafted into the pages of American history, and this generation's collective memory of it, for its groundbreaking accomplishments and drama like no Presidential race preceding it.
For all of that, there are other historic firsts in America's 2008 Presidential elections which should not go unnoticed by its citizens. We are witnessing one the most manipulative attempts by the media to orchestrate their subliminal choice for the office of President. The bias has been blatant, and journalism has now become more propaganda than objective information. I never thought I would see the mainstream media in America go to such great lengths to get a black man elected President. It has been something I could not get out of my mind.
It was while pondering this I realized this same media had already made the transition Dr. Martin Luther King prophetically spoke in his speech, "I have a Dream." They have gone so far past the color of skin they are enthralled with what they assume to be the content of his character. Here is an African-American who does not for one moment remind them of the Bible-centric religious leaders of our community's past; of those magnificent individuals who reminded us all of the horrific injustice of slavery and the demeaning Jim Crow Laws; of our amazing leadership who reflected upon the profound truths of the Bible, the importance of faith, and the love of our country despite its failures and indiscretions. Mainstream media says of Barack Obama, "Here is a Negro that depicts our belief system of a Martin Luther King without his God and his God-centered values...."
The Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, is not only the most liberal (anti-Bible) candidate in the Senate, but is also perhaps the most pro-abortion candidate in our nation's history. So we see that CNN (Communist Nation Now), MSNBC, and much of the other mainstream media has decided to manipulate the public into laying down their values and belief of, "In God We Trust." We hear their clarion call to bow down at Baal's altar of wealth; bow down to killing babies in and outside the womb; bow down to men marrying men, women marrying women — to a place where marriage is no longer a sacred vow between a man and a woman; bow down to the Teacher's Unions abandoning our inner-city children to an inept educational system which has absolutely and utterly failed them. And to top it all off, we hear this same media then seductively whispering in our ears, "... and oh, by the way, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain..." We soon find out this "Wizard of OZ" is more of the same old smoke and mirrors which has cashiered us before.
Never before since our inception in this country have we faced such a perplexing dilemma. Remember Adam and Eve? The Serpent got Eve to present something to Adam which wasn't so much an act of rebellion against God, but was a means of expediting the process of God. The fruit of this act was to give those desired benefits, but would circumvent the God who had created these same benefits. The lure was essentially, equal status with God — no longer second class citizenship — but in so doing, there would no longer be the need for God. It was a big mistake! The God that brought them into existence always planned for them to be just as He is. The fruit in the Garden would have one day been accessible but it was off limits to them for a season
Much like Adam and Eve we have been presented an accelerated means to achieve a goal we believe will dispel our own perceived views and those whom we have assessed as racist and biased. And so I ask you, my Brothers and Sisters...
-
Adam, will a Black President change all that? Eve, will a Black President make you feel better about yourself? And if so, for how long?
I must ask another question: to all you who have lived a few years witnessing the triumphs of America and the success of the African-American community, has not the church and the values of the church been inseparable partners in each of our victories? Can we at this pivotal moment be so deprived of fellowship with our Creator we would exalt an image which defiantly chooses to exempt our Heavenly Father from our lives? This election is more about the state of the conscience of America than the War, Wall Street, or drilling for oil. African-Americans are especially under the microscope of an Omniscient God. Does this leader have the values of the God who brought you up out of Egypt? Does he uphold and exemplify the fundamental teachings of family and the sanctity of life? Is it so important to have a man or woman who looks like you, validate your worth? Or is it more important to have a person who has your values, your goals, your visions, your understanding of the Dream so masterfully stated forty years ago...? Which one is it?
On November 4, when you are in seclusion in the Valley of Decision and think you are all alone, remember God is ever present and all we do should honor Him and our history, for what we do in secret shall be shouted form the mountain tops. And remember, as well, that which we do in secret will be reflected in our personal lives and that's why God always tells us to choose life that you and your descendants may live.
© Clenard Childress
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