Friday
Oct052007
Viacom to Pastor Coates...Get of Debra Lee's Front Lawn...OR ELSE! Debra Lee Sends Goons to Pastor's Church
Friday, October 5, 2007 at 2:36PM The Blogmother
Taking a page from J. Edgar Hoover, Viacom beginning an assault on Pastor Delman Coates in an effort to force Enough is Enough from Debra Lees front lawn. Suddenly member s from Debra Lee's security team are showing up at Pastor Coates Church. Pastor Coates also says that BET is transcribing his Sunday sermons and passing them around BET headquarters. Coates says that they've hired a public relations firm to come after him.
They've begun an organized campaign and have partnered with members of the African American media Elite Establishment including Courtland Milloy, Michele Martin, and Russ Parr to launch attacks against church going folks which from the video has been peaceful and consists of children, the elderly, and mothers and fathers.
Now Viacom and Debra Lee have even enlisted help from a "congregant" at Rev. Coates' church to launch an anonymous attack on Coates. But wait, if you had a problem with your pastor, wouldn't a "GOOD CHRISTIAN" confront him to his face or at least send a cc of the letter to the subject in question? Why send it anonymously to a blog? If God is on your side, step out into the light! Why all the subterfuge. What is done in the dark will come to the light.
I warned Pastor Coates that Viacom was coming after him. I mean Viacom employees crafted libelous statements about me and published them on the internet and Reginald Hudlin's message board. They even plotted out in the open on Hudlin's message board.
So it appears that Debra Lees's front lawn will be the site of one of the first skirmishes in the War Between Black Folks with Commons Sense and those without. We are clearly seeing which side folks are on.
So I have some questions...
Why is Debra Lee sending her security guards to visit the pastor? Why is BET transcribing the Pastor's Sunday sermons and passing them arond the office? Why has the Black Elite Establishment rallied to protect the woman who green lighted Hot Ghetto Mess, Hell Date, Read a M$^&*#ng Book, and Socially Offensive Behavior, and WHERE WAS ALL THIS OUTRAGE WHEN BET RAN 'Uncut' for SIX YEARS?
They've begun an organized campaign and have partnered with members of the African American media Elite Establishment including Courtland Milloy, Michele Martin, and Russ Parr to launch attacks against church going folks which from the video has been peaceful and consists of children, the elderly, and mothers and fathers.
Now Viacom and Debra Lee have even enlisted help from a "congregant" at Rev. Coates' church to launch an anonymous attack on Coates. But wait, if you had a problem with your pastor, wouldn't a "GOOD CHRISTIAN" confront him to his face or at least send a cc of the letter to the subject in question? Why send it anonymously to a blog? If God is on your side, step out into the light! Why all the subterfuge. What is done in the dark will come to the light.
I warned Pastor Coates that Viacom was coming after him. I mean Viacom employees crafted libelous statements about me and published them on the internet and Reginald Hudlin's message board. They even plotted out in the open on Hudlin's message board.
So it appears that Debra Lees's front lawn will be the site of one of the first skirmishes in the War Between Black Folks with Commons Sense and those without. We are clearly seeing which side folks are on.
So I have some questions...
Why is Debra Lee sending her security guards to visit the pastor? Why is BET transcribing the Pastor's Sunday sermons and passing them arond the office? Why has the Black Elite Establishment rallied to protect the woman who green lighted Hot Ghetto Mess, Hell Date, Read a M$^&*#ng Book, and Socially Offensive Behavior, and WHERE WAS ALL THIS OUTRAGE WHEN BET RAN 'Uncut' for SIX YEARS?
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Enough is Enough
Reader Comments (40)
When you say the black elite are rallying around Lee and BET (Courtland Milloy and the others you named) what exactly do you mean? Have they made statements about it or something? If so, I'd like to know where I can read them.
Thanks.
Also, can you post a link to Reginald Hudlin's message board where they were plotting against you?
"Sarah", if you go to my post on the Internet Ike turners, http://whataboutourdaughters.blogspot.com/2007/09/black-blogospheres-open-secret-violence.htmlit contains a link to Hudlin's page. It was viewable at the time, but sense my post, it is not password protected and you will have to join to view it.
It was on September 15th. They were clearly having an open discussion about how to disseminate the libelous statements on the board including saying we need to stop/expose her before she ends up on national television. They admit to th discussion on the board
Sarah, you can go back in the archives and read my previous post about the Black Elite Establishment. and then in the comments you can read about the NPR interview with Michelle Martin.
like i said, more on Sunday.
I love these "anonymous" comments.
Hey Lady,
It was fun playing "Austin's Next Top Model" with you today. I had fun. I hope to keep in touch with you. I look forward to the photo spread...even if I am not in it.
Until later,
Marchele
I suppose this is sad, but expected. I wonder how do the peeps at BET sleep at night. Viacom should be ashamed.
In my best Chris Croker impersonation, "LEAVE DEBRA LEE ALONE!!! IT'S BOB JOHNSON'S FAULT. SHE INHERITED THAT MESS. SHE IS TRYING. LEAVE HER ALONE!!" LOL
Attorney Mom, she DID greenlight THAT SHOW. I know you like the whole Read a Book thing, and yes, I give her credit for at least TRYING to bring original programming, but I reject her notion that her target audience is slow and dimwitted.
That is definitely th tone of this year's roll out. Have you seen MTV Tr3s? Its BET's latino cousin and it is light years away from BET and only a year old.
"I love these "anonymous" comments."
I know right. LOL!
Someone should start a list, "You know a commenter is not really a "commenter" when.........
This is really...just disappointing. Its like ordinary people don't have a say. Whenever we disagree with something someone starts the intimidation and schemes.
This tactic will backfire on Viacom in the end. I don't think that Debra Lee has anyone's sympathy on this.
These jack boot tactics only make them thuggish and violent. They need to rethink this one.
We should say a prayer for Pastor Coates. I'm not surprised at all by these tactics. After all, how dare we Negroes actually have an OPINION about OUR IMAGES, and not accept the poisonous, minstrel show that is now being sent forth AROUND THE GLOBE?
HOW DARE WE.
YES, we do dare.
We need to keep on calling out those who took their 300 Pieces of Silver to fully participate in our Global Dehumanization, and there isn't a better place to begin than with Debra Lee, who was in on the ground floor.
I mean to say that these tactices make them look thuggish and violent.
Is it me, or does someone have to be nuts to work at BET let alone a ceo?
Come on now, Attorney Mom,
Debra L. Lee is president and chief operating officer at BET. She has been at BET over 20 years. She is responsible!!!! She has no excuses. She does not believe for one second that BET is producing quality programming and she could care less. She is a business woman, period!!!
BET's programming is PURPOSELY cheap and low-grade because the less money spent on programming the bigger the profit margin when the show becomes a hit. I would have more respect for her if she would just admit it. It drives me nuts the continued insistance that BET is producing quality programming.
Name one show on that entire network that reflects the lives of educated and cultured African American women. Better yet, name one show on that network that POSITIVELY reflects the lives of African American women at all. I believe that request would be as difficult as discovering the Holy Grail.
If black folk can complain about Oprah as many of us do, what should Ms. Debra Lee be exempt?
Its also disappointing because this is a Pastor trying to do something about negative images in our culture instead of just preaching about it. This is what many of us want to see the church doing but we don't want media fat cats harrassing them.
Again, we are seeing what the real dividing line is and the real stripes of the Black media and the so called intelligencia elite.
They believe that we exist to provide a source of income for them, and unconditional support for their moral shortcomings.
In my opinion, this is why the ex-military still "connected" to people in the system African American's need to step up and offer their services for "security" when we protest and mobilize. Walk softly and carry an armored tank division I always say...
I am a member of Mt Ennon and I am not anonymous. Some of us who have been members for years really are tired of what we are hearing from the pulpit. I can pretty much believe and confirm that the letter was written by a member. You really need to hear the disenchantment from within from some of us members. I hope soon God will prevail and EVERYONE will get back on track.
Sincerely,
Sandra
Sandra,
I want to thank you for speaking out publicly and claiming your words. As long at folks are slinging anonymous arrows, we have no way of knowing who or what is behind them.
I just wish "Ms L" had issued that letter with her name on it. Are members being compelled to march on Saturdays?
Y'all know I have an allergic reaction to church politics(I can feel the rash now), so I have no interest in wading into an internal church fight, if there is one, but I do think it is important to highlight the fact that a major communications conglomerate is up to no good.
Thanks for chiming in and do come back again.
Well, I can tell you that the Mt. Ennon family is compelled by Pastor Coates EVERY Sunday to join this rally on Saturdays. He opens his messages about it and he closes out all his messages with this same plea. I have been a member for several years (even prior to Coates) and while the writer of the letter may be anonymous (and realistically, we all can imagine why) the contents reflect great truth for many of us. So, do we focus on the anonymity or the fact that the contents are true? I can easily get many many more people from our church to visit this site and share their honest feelings - but in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't matter. Some people have even stopped coming to church until this passes. It is what it is until it ends - and I sure hope it ends soon.
Sandra
attorney mom is funny, lol.
Contents are true? Did you read the letter? and YES, you focus on the anonymity because if I recall correctly, GOD has not given us the spirit of fear.
Second that letter is full of a bunch of FOOLISHNESS. So even if it is true, it was presented in such a way as to strip it of all credibility. Especially the attack on Coates on the end.
I find it fascinating that the letter also appears to praise Debra Lee for being a successful executive, without questioning the root of that success?
Then the whole zero tolerance opening is FOOLISHNESS. You must be kidding me.
And when you say compel, has the pastor said that he is taking names and if you don't show up, he's kicking you out of the congregation or is he just preaching about what he thinks his mission from God is right now?
I can't say what God has called him to do, but neither can you or the anonymous writer.
And what is with begrudging him media attention? BET airs 24-7, he get a whopping 10 media mentions on his page. Jesus didn't just preach and teach at dinner parties and weddings, he also preached to multitudes and he fed them as well.The media is how you reach the multitudes in the modern age.
That letter sounds just like something a Pharisee would have written about Jesus. "Look at him, he just wants attention"
This is nothing but a bunch of psychological warfare. I got money that says "Ms. L" is either A. a BET Employee or B. a BET employee or C. A Member of the Bedside Baptist Bible Study
I have no desire to get in the middle of a church fight, if there is one.
"Church Folk" are notorious complainers. Folks complained to Moses even as he brought them out of bondage.
When I say "church folk" please don't think I am talking about Christians. Sitting in a church for years doesn't make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes you a car.
What exactly was the point of the letter other than to damage the credibility of YOUR PASTOR and my feeling is that if y'all think he is that far off and ain't preaching the word then go somewhere where they are preaching the word. Otherwise I can't understand how you could belong to a flock headed by someone you think so lowly of.
That is more a reflection of Ms L than it is of the pastor. Why would you attend a church were you were so intimidated by the Pastor that you couldn't have a conversation about teachings which you believe are not biblical?
The whole letter is laughable and you ought to be embarrassed to associate yourself with it.
Now I am the first person to believe in criticizing a Pastor and a preacher. I do it all the time, but that anonymous letter was so tacky and tasteless that THAT wasn't the result of anything of God because it certainly wasn't DECENT OR IN ORDER.
Confront your Pastor and stop being cowardly and going to a blog to air your grievances, if you truly feel the spirit has lead to to speak out then do it in the middle of Sunday service. I would! Believe you me, my former pastors knew EXACTLY what I thought of them which was not much!
Since folks want to run around using the name of God, phoniness and cowardice ain't of God and before folk even think about coming around here with some "Church Folk" foolishness, you are dealing with a Bible Sword Drill champion, I can meet you scripture for scripture, but then again...some folk love the Bible... until its time to actually quote it or live by it.
I just bet the Pharisees couldn't wait to have things go "back to normal" at their churches either.
@GEM:
You gotta understand, many "church" folk are about the "social" network that their churches provide, many members are happy going on Sunday, singing Kumbya and not having to enact their faith in a way to affect positive change in society (aside from the two times a year -Christmas and Thanksgiving- that they feel compelled to give away some old canned goods).
It amazes me these same folks don't seem too uncomfortable to support Rev. Jesse or Rev. Al in their politics.
Fact is, the degradation of Black Women and Black People in general that BET Passes off as "entertainment" should be challenged by those who claim they are followers of Christ, simple as that. At the least they shouldn't get upset that the pulpit is speaking out against it for once.
Greetings -
This is really a no win discussion as there are two different opinons coming together hard. I too am a member of Mount Ennon and have been for about 6 years (being a Minister there for about 3 years). The letter written was strong and probably not the best method to use. However, in reading it, you really need to know that it really IS a lot of the same stuff we already hear right inside of our own four walls. Some of these very concerns have been presented to our Pastor already - even in open floor dialogue - so it is not exactly a matter of not being able to or not going directly to him. I personally choose to just observe, pray and stay on board and ride this out. We have been through many transitions and this will pass also. Its easy being on the outside saying how things should be and how we should react - but only Mt. Ennon knows for sure. After all the busses and blogs have ended and no one is watching us, we will get through this just fine!
Mike
Oh hell. it seems I waded into the middle of a church fight. Satan you got me! Hook. Line. and Sinker!
Though I go through pains to avoid "church folk" at all costs, it seems calling them on their foolishness was as good as an invitation for them to stop by, register for a Blogger account and chill. It is my own fault.
Folks. I'll be going away for a while while these folks try to justify that anonymous letter. I have an allergic reaction to their particular form of hypocrisy and alas I deserve their temporary intrusion as I was foolish enough to comment on their typical church folksiness. Since I am well versed in these matters I predict that more are soon to follow and the only way to deal with their ilk is to let them have the last word.
So y'all have the floor.
Talk about WWJD. Can't you imagine these folks saying "I'll be glad when all this healing the sick and raising the dead were over!" So we can go back to the good old days because after all, the ministry of the church should be limited to the four walls of the building. None of that radical social justice movement leading nonsense.
The reality is, Debra Lee IS successful. No programming disagreement we have can negate that. I read up on her and one of my friends met her recently at a Howard event. Before she came to BET she was Brown and Harvard educated and was consistent in her endeavors to move to the top. Our philosophies may differ in terms of programming, but you can't take away success - you can only talk about it. I majored in Broadcast Communications at Howard and the reality for many of us is that we aspire to attain some of the things she has attained. Please don't misconstrue my statement as me being a BET Employee. LOL. The fact of the matter is - I WISH! As far as the matter with the Pastor and the church and the protest - I don't know all the details but I can tell that's internally a hot mess!
Kimmie of Washington, DC
HowardUniversityChic, you know you are tying this from BET headquarters right now! hahaha. No one ever said she wasn't successful at being a peddler of multimedia crack. I mean drug dealers are successful entrepreneurs. And plenty of bad folks got Ivy League educations.
Regarding the church folk...Ain't it mess though? And I am sooo mad at myself for even getting within ten feet of it!
As an expert in Church Folkology I should have known that commenting on it would be like trying to have a fight with a crate full of fly paper. Church Folk are my Kryptonite.
Heck sometimes in a tug o war, its just best to let go of the dad gum rope.
Regarding "success", what profit a (wo)man to gain the whole world and lose her soul? Alfred Nobel was extremely successful, so was Howard Hughes.
When you break it down, I have always maintained that talking to BET was like talking to a brick wall. Don't bother. I just love seeing ordinary people taking to the streets. I find it inspiring. It means we're awake.
I find BET's tactics to be pitiful and sleazy. I found the letter to be classic church folks mudslinging where you try to shoot folks in the back and then hide behind a rock. I got sucked in, but the letter worked because now people are talking about dissension within the church instead of BET's belief that Black people are stupid and childlike and need to be taught to do such things as read books. So BET knew exactly what they were doing in this case.
I want to invite all of the the disillusioned to Bedside Baptist next sunday where we are lead by Pastor A. Larm Clock, Sr.
What I want to know is how in the heck these church folks discovered this blog was talking about one of their purported congregants. You know they burning up the phone lines right now.
I forgot to add that I invite all of th eMt. Ennon member that are gong to make their way over to this blog to read about the Dunbar Village gang rape in West Palm Beach, FL. A 35 year old single mother was gang raped by ten African American teens for three hours while they beat her son. Though the mother an son screamed and screamed, none of their neighbors, who had to have heard them, bothered to call 911. The attackers eventually forced the mother to perform oral sex on her own son. They forced them to lie naked together in the tub before pouring cleaning solution on the mothers skin and in the son's eyes, burning the mother's skin and blinding the son. They would have set the mother and on on fire, except they could not find a lighter. You can find more about it by clicking on the link called Dunbar Village in the right hand sidebar. Scroll down.
I know that you are all about you right now, but there is a Victim's Assistance fund to aid this impoverished mother and her son.
g-e-m2001 If you have any connections or a way of getting me in the door, let me know and I will e-mail you my resume right away! I know you probably have some pull at BET because of your close relationship! LOL. Now you know that was funny!!! LOL. Take care
Kimmie
Man this is a trip! I ain't no church girl and I go to Mt Ennon - I have to cuz my people make me. Me and my friends love BET and all this stuff is crazy. Why don't people just change the mofo channel?! It ain't dat deep. Man, me and my girls said we were gonna send BET letters telling them that we go to this church and we still watching and loving BET! We only went to the first march to see the CEO's house and after like 15 minutes, we got in our car and left that place. Oh and her house is off the chain - hands down! Don't hate! LOL! For real though, I do like some of the videos (not all of them) and 106 & Park and I like Sunday's Best. Some of y'all are so mad that you sound like a fired Postal, I mean BET worker! LMAO! Its all good though. Sometimes its best to talk about what we KNOW about instead of talking about what we THINK about. It'll help truth spread faster and stop the violence! LMAO! PEACE - and turn the channel - don't watch and get enraged! It's not dat deep!
"Tahmika and her girls from Mt E forever loving BET"
Makes me embarrassed that I didn't feel like going to class today. In fact, makes me want to RUN RUN AS FAST AS I CAN to class today.
Symphony, don't get it twisted. I write like that to catch the attention of the audience that understands and relates to that lingo. Maybe you would call it uneducated, but that is the dialogue I felt this whole matter called for! You see, I can adapt and communicate based on where I am and who I am dealing with. If that's what I deem the audience easily relate to, I give them that. That is so necessary today - to make sure your audience understands and feel you. While everything I said was true, I can easily re-write it and say the exact same thing. I really did desire to see the CEO's home and my friends and I did go for that purpose - and I do like some of the videos and shows. Symphony, with your response, you felt you were smarter than me - didn't you? Just so you will know and possibly be at ease, I am WELL educated with honors and even skipped a grade in school. My take on the matter is still the same - if you don't want to see it - turn the mofo channel -LOL.
Tahmika and her friends from Mt Ennon
It had NOTHING to do with thinking I was smarter than you based on your lingo. I adapt as well; most Black people participate in code-switching everyday.
Symphony, don't get it twisted. I write like that to catch the attention of the audience that understands and relates to that lingo.
And exactly who, on this blog, did you think needed that lingo to understand you?
I was particularly relating to my girlfriends whom I told to visit this site soon - and obviously relating to you. It got your attention, didn't it - so much so until you were prompted to leave a statement indirectly addressed at ME and not the MATTER. Also, just so you will know, switching up to capture an audience is not a "Black people" thing. God help us. I release you to RUN ON to class now. It's all good - really. I am not mad - I am used to it and I handle it accordingly and move on. Now, let me go turn on the TV and see what is on BET.
Tahmika
First. Folks we have been invaded by BET trolls purporting to be Mt. Ennon members, but are not.
BET and BET TROLLS, not only are you morally bancrupt, but you are stupid.
So don't engage with all these alleged Mt. Ennon members. Let me know when a group of yall stand up in Sunday service and challenge the pastor and some newpaper takes pictures. Until then, I'm not buying it.
Y'all really should have been tipped off my ministermike who claims to be a minister but came on here saying he was just going to ride that out. That whole comment has DEMON spirit written all over it and so does the anonymous letter from Ms. L.
So bring it Viacom trolls. Pathetic and sad.
And all of you purporting to be member of a Body of Christ in order to carry out some foolishness are instore for some extra special cosmic crispiness.
God don't like ugly!
So because I said Black people participate in code switching you took that to mean that I was saying only Black people code-switch? The more you speak...
I'm sure no one else came to that conclusion.
My attention has been on this issue before you and will continue to be once you leave.
And all of you purporting to be member of a Body of Christ in order to carry out some foolishness are instore for some extra special cosmic crispiness.
God don't like ugly!
Stop! LOL
Gem...
Girl, I'm reading this blog on the 9th of October, and let me just APOLOGIZE for not being around to seriously blast some of these hypocritical posts up in heah!
Blame it on me shopping for my new place... I'm moving, y'all! But I digress.
I come from a long line of ministers and have seen the best and worst of church folk, so none of this surprises me. But let me just say this: if you don't like what your pastor is doing, GET THE HECK OUT and go to another church. Simple! Problem solved!
There is NOTHING worse than church folk whining about actually being expected to do the Lord's work. If you want to be a drone in Kingdom of God, then go ahead an be one by buzzing off.
Come to think of it, you're probably right about these supposed 'members' being BET trolls... which is probably a good sign; they know that damage is being done here. Keep up the good work!
My name is Minister A. Colette Rice and I serve as Assistant to the Pastor at the Mt. Ennon Baptist Church. This can be verified by going to the church website. I have been a member of Mt. Ennon for 18 years and every step of the way I have witnessed the mighty hand of God upon this very blessed congregation. I do not purport to speak on behalf of the entire membership at Mt. Ennon, nor to provide a defense for Pastor Coates because I do not feel such a defense is necessary. I am however compelled to weigh in on some of the exchange here about the mood of the church in light of the Enough Is Enough Campaign lest anyone be deceived.
Pastor Coates has served as the pastor of Mt. Ennon for three and a half years. Under his leadership, we have been nothing but blessed. Over 2000 new members have been added to the body, and as he preaches and teaches the Gospel, the congregation has grown spiritually, as Pastor Coates challenges the church to embrace a larger role in the community and in our world.
I would like to say a few things about the remarks made by “members”, “Ms. L,” “Sandra Whitlock,” and “MinistryMan (Mike).” The perception being painted that there is a significant and growing movement within the church that is dissatisfied with Pastor Coates’ leadership is just simply not the case. Those of us who are in the church know this quite well. Additionally, Pastor Coates has always made it clear to the membership that he is approachable and available for members to express ANY concerns they might have. He welcomes the opportunity to meet with members whose opinions or views are different from his own. He is certainly not a dictator. He is a compassionate pastor with a heart for the people. With a membership in excess of 4,000, I certainly would not imply that all of the members agree with or fully understand the reason Pastor Coates is so passionate about the issue, but I can say that to date, not one actual member of the church has called and/or scheduled a meeting to express their fundamental opposition to the campaign or to Pastor Coates’ leadership. He did receive an email from “Ms. L” on September 19 to which he replied that he respected her difference of opinion and welcomed her to meet with him to discuss her concerns about the church’s involvement in the campaign. She never replied to Pastor Coates invitation to meet with him, and instead chose to cloak herself in anonymity. The next thing we see is her Open Letter to Pastor Coates on various blogs. The substance of the letter doesn’t really need to be addressed because it lacks coherence, logic, and the facts. However, it should be noted that regarding the National Harbor grants program; Pastor Coates recently commented from the pulpit that while he was asked to be on the committee, he had nothing to do with the allocation of its funds, and at no time does the Washington Post infer, allege, or implicate Pastor Coates in the issues surrounding that program.
“Sandra Whitlock’s” suggestion that Pastor Coates “compels” members “EVERY SUNDAY” is simply false. It is not his leadership style to compel anyone to do anything, let alone participate in the weekly rallies. It is a complete falsehood and fabrication that he opens and closes all of his messages with pleas to join the rallies. It has always been his custom to mention upcoming activities for the week just before giving the benediction and so the Saturday rally may be included among the other church activities for members to voluntarily consider whether they will participate without coercion.
Also the notion that “people have even stopped coming to the church” since the campaign belies the facts. We have actually seen more people coming, especially men and younger people who appreciate a pastor who has the Godly courage to address a problem that is outside the four walls of the church. The view that Mt. Ennon is only about the Enough Is Enough Campaign is erroneous. The campaign is merely a part of a holistic approach to ministry, worship, and evangelism that are at the core of Pastor Coates’ ministry. It should also be noted that of the 4,000+ members that we have at Mt. Ennon, not one according to our records has the name “Sandra Whitlock” we have absolutely no record of her as a member of the church. .
My guess is that MinistryMan (Mike) is a fictitious character as well. No such profile, no such meetings as he implied.
Lastly, I believe that God has given Pastor Coates this vision and this mission. He seeks only to make our communities and our world a better place. I know without a shadow of a doubt that Pastor Coates has been ordained by God as a 21st Century prophet who represents the Church of the Living God called out to change the World. As we chant each week,
“What do we want? CHANGE!….When do we want it? NOW!”
Dear Colette:
Thank you for the clarification!
I, for one, am extremely PROUD of what your church is doing, and relatively ashamed that more churches aren't taking a stand this issue.
Although I live two hours north of you, one Saturday soon, I plan to join your church the march against the propaganda wars against black women and youth.
Just look for me... I'll be the sister with the most indignant expression in a 5 mile radius.
Please do not underestimate the pernicious, underhanded tactics that BET will launch against your Pastor and church. Greed (the love of money) is one of the most offensive vices -- and one that attacks at the slightest provocation. Believe me when I say they will try to disable your movement by assailing your character.
"Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might..."