Weekly Photo Story from the Archives

 

Every wednesday I lift up a blog post from  my archives that may or may not be listed in the featured posts line up found in the far right hand column of this blog.  Last week’s post was on Alicia Keys, highlighting her performance at the 2021 Billboard Awards and a lift up by former First Lady Michelle Obama. This week I go all the way back to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for election and a number of musical artists got together and compiled an album entitled “Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement” to promote his historic run for the White House. Click on the image in the Photo Story column in the upper right hand column of the blog to read more about it. You may also find the post by clicking on the link below:

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2008/09/music-for-obamavoices-of-grassroots.html?m=0

Enjoy the read.

Peace,

Cynthia Wilson,

Blog Founder and Chief Editor

...But to Do Justice, Love Kindness and Walk Humble: "Go Where the Need Is"

Pictured above: (1) Cynthia Wilson and Democratic Majority Whip, Congressman James E. Clyburn at Florida Ave. Baptist Church reception following sermon ;(2)Dr. Trent, First Lady of Florida Ave. Baptist, Congressman James E. Clyburn and Senior Pastor Trent, Dr. Earl Trent ; (3) Cynthia Wilson with friend and church member Iris Toyer at Florida Ave. Baptist Church reception for Congressman James E. Clyburn; (4) Cynthia Wilson and Dr. Earl Trent, Senior Pastor Florida Ave. Baptist Church; and (5) Cynthia Wilson looks on as Congressman James E. Clyburn greets and talks to reception guests and church members
Photos 1,2,3 and 5-Courtesy of Lonell Johnson-Founder-Director
Technology Playground

Photo-4- Courtesy of Gary A. Smith, Senior Partner,
Ivy Planning Group, LLC__________________________________________________

Today I had the opportunity to attend a special Sunday Worship service at Florida Avenue Baptist Church where the Reverend Dr. Earl D. Trent, Jr., is Senior Pastor. This morning's guest speaker was House Majority Whip for the 111th Congress, Congressman James E. Clyburn Democrat of South Carolina.

The Congressman exuded his usual statesmanship, authority and confidence, as he delivered an incisive and powerful word. He began by making a few clever remarks. He joked and easily broke the ice, warming the congregation prior to the sermon. He continued to lay a subtle foundation for the sermon and reception that would follow. When it was all said and done, the message in my opinion was clear. There are people in need of Health Care. Don't pass them up.
Start writing letters and making phone calls to your elected officials/representatives. Tell your friends to do the same. Pass the word and get the message out. Let your elected representatives and those in the media know that you support the President's Health Care Plan.

Clyburn's stern leadership qualities I have until this morning admired from a distance on the television screen or imprinted in a story on a newspaper page. I first observed his deft handling of the media during several of those politically charged incidents which transformed last year's Presidential race into one of the most grueling and challenging democratic primaries in the history of our nation. One that tested the soul of the Democratic Party and the mettle of Obama supporters. Somehow Clyburn always managed to inspire confidence and communicate in a manner that assured we were in good hands. No matter how edgy the situation got, our elected officials-- at least in the House of Representatives-- were on the job, aware of the issues and taking care of business. He was proceeding in the same manner today and I felt blessed to be in closer proximity, witnessing the commanding, yet humble presence live and in person from a church pew.

The table was set for his sermon, with a favorite Old Testament scripture Micah 6:6-8, which sets forth what God requires of man. Here is excerpted passage 6:8:

He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God?

He also chose Luke 10:30-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, his favorite scripture from the New Testament.

The gist of his message: Leaders have to get off of their high horses and go to where the need is. Meet people on their levels. Go into their communities and show them how to apply the word by both precept and example. Giving the word is not enough. You have to follow up by demonstrating it. This provided a segue into the Parable of the Good Samaritan and the gage for determining a good neighbor. A neighbor (1) does not have to be a member of the same church; (2) does not have to be of the same ethnicity: and (3) gets off of their "high horse" and goes to where the need is, demonstrating compassion to those needing help, as the Good Samaritan did. He emphasized that the Good Samaritan and the man in need of help were from different ethnic groups who were warring against one another.

Following the service there was an informal gathering which provided an opportunity to meet Clyburn and to listen to a brief talk about what each of us could do to assist in the Health Care Reform effort. He left the congregants with one last scripture, Hebrews 11:1. " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." He urged everyone not to give up, assuring us all that our elected officials would get things back on track. He told us to write in to the radio, television, newspapers and other broadcast mediums and voice our views, showing our support for the President's proposed Health Care plan.
________________

My Views:

(Revised 9.29.09)

I believe that quality health care is a basic human right and as such should be provided on a scale similar to that of public education. If you can afford to go to private school great. If you can't, but you still need quality education, public school is available. Now, substitute "health care" for public education. To make a solid quality public health program available to those in need, should not be up for further debate nor should the issue be vulnerable to continuous manipulation and distortion. Making health care available to all whether by public option or through other similar means is the direction in which the country should be headed.

Because in the final analysis, it is not really about partisanship, being Republican or Democrat. It is really not, or at least, it should not be about race, nationality or national origin. I know the issues are complicated. Some don't want a public option. There is also concern that the Republican movement against it will result in a watered down version of Health Care Reform caused by the big financial interests that stand to lose most. However, Congressman Clyburn in his sermon facilitated my understanding of it to more than a political question. In my opinion, he broke it down to a question of ethics and/or morals. If you follow the scripture parable of the Good Neighbor, its about helping those in need. To some this may seem like an oversimplification. But think about it. Are you going to just pass your neighbor by? The charge has been given in the word delivered.

So friends, I say don't be confused by the misinformation which seems to be flooding the internet and other media nor be intimidated by the number of venomous protests, demonstrations, outbursts and/or Town Hall meetings. Now is the time to ban together and engage in a unified effort to establish a program that many in need will benefit from. It may even save some lives. Giving Health Care Reform the attention it deserves is part of the hard work of which we were forewarned before and after the election. President Obama is not resting on his election victory. Nor can we. He is out there working hard to make affordable coverage a reality for all. So is the House Majority Whip. Now is the time to make your voice heard...once again. Get busy doing justice and loving kindness...

Thanks to my good friend of over 30 years, Iris Toyer. She is a long time member of Florida Avenue Baptist Church. Thanks also to Pastor Trent for keeping the church relevant and engaged.

Acknowledgments to Deacon Lonell Johnson and Gary A. Smith for taking and sharing with me their photos.

Thank God for blessing with friends in high places who are busy raising the bar.


Peace,

Cynthia

Listening to: Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement


Reading:

The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better,Cheaper and Fairer Health Care by T.R. Reid

Music for Obama:Voices of A Grassroots Movement-"Yes We Can"

Photo Source

I believe, and have for some while, that music serves as a catalyst for positive change, as it heralds in ,while also galvanizing meaningful social transformation. Inspired by this notion, and the music of my favorite musicians,I spearheaded a radio broadcast--Heavier Octaves-- which morphed into a broader internet broadcast utilizing playlists, which I dubbed "music sculptures",videos and programmed inspirational messages to give voice to that notion. An enthusiastic and hopeful Obama supporter, very much rooting for, and seeking to be tuned in to "the change we need" and the "change we can believe in",I am thrilled to bare witness to this CD compilation. I look forward to promoting the songs innovatively on the broadcast and among my friends throughout the social networks of which I am a part.

Many artists have been inspired by Obama's campaign,which has been fired up by not only the "audacity of hope",but by the sheer enthusiasm that the internalization of this hope has generated in our communities. Just navigate your way to the Obama store on the main site or look at some of the folk art exhibits,boutiques or street vending booths in your local neighborhoods to view further evidence of how artists have been inspired.

That Obama has inspired so many artists and laypersons to express themselves creatively about their hope for the change which is needed in our political system is clear. That such inspiration has flowered into a movement is nothing short of phenomenal. It speaks volumes for an idea whose time has come,if not of a gift for motivating and activating others--bringing out their best qualities.

This CD compilation demonstrates the power of inspiration. As a music lover and fan of several of the contributing musicians, I view it as a harbinger of powerful community expression that results when people come together and unify around a common purpose. That coupled with the creative power of love and music can surely motivate and stir the populus to good works.

Let's keep that spirit of expression alive as we make our way to the polls on election day. Get out into the neighborhoods,speak to people and help them make their way to the voting booths, if you need to. Help make their hope and inspiration count.

Let the music's source of inspiration take you higher. "I'm fired up and ready to "vote".

That said,I hope to see you out there showing how much you love your country and making a meaningful difference during the days leading up to November 4,2008. I trust you will make your voice heard on election day as you sing the tunes of change all the way to the polls.

This is a link to the song samples streaming from the Heavier Octaves Radio broadcast player which you can embed on your website.

Blessings,

Cynthia

This compilation contains the following tracks:

1. Eternity - Lionel Richiie
2. Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
3. Waiting On The World To Change - John Mayer
4. American Prayer - Dave Stewart
5. Battle Cry - Shontelle
6. Make It Better - Los Lonely Boys
7. Pride In The Name Of Love - John Legend
8. I Have A Dream - BeBe Winans
9. Am I All Alone - Suai
10. One Is The Magic # - Jill Scott
11. Love & Hope - Ozomatli
12. Looking East - Jackson Browne
13. Out of Our heads - Sheryl Crow
14. Promised Land - Malik Yusef with Kanye West and Adam Levine of Maroon 5
15. Hold On - Yolanda Adams
16. America The Beautiful - Keb’ Mo’
17. America - Ken Stacey
18. Wide River - Buddy Miller

The digital download or CD can be ordered HERE.



Through their musical contributions, the artists seek to mobilize voters in the final stretch before the November election. Many of the artists involved will also be volunteering their time to promote voter registration. For more information on registering to vote or requesting an absentee ballot, go to: www.VoteforChange.com