“Jesus is King”

Pictured below is the color photo I referred to in my linked Instagram post of the facade marquis of Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit, Michigan. I photographed it while outside of the venue on the evening Kanye West was performing one of his groundbreaking gospel concert/church services there on September 28, 2019. 

Check out my related Instagram post at this link.

Oscars So Inclusive

Regina King's Best Supporting Actress win, Black Panther's multiple technical wins including two black women for Best Costume Design and Production Design, Mahershala Ali's Best Supporting Actor win and Spike Lee's Oscar triumph, receiving his first competitive award after so many years was satisfying to witness. Then there was Roma and Rami Malek's win. From beginning to end the show appeared to proceed historically for blacks, progressively for women, Latinos, immigrants and LGBT at a swift pace without a host and without a hitch. I don't know what went on behind the scenes. Beginning with Queen's and Adam Lambert's "Rock You", diversity was the theme that ran through the show.

Despite having  no official host-Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Maya Rudolph did a humorous job as introductory hosts. It was a nice peripheral touch shining a light on  the band stand where Ricky Minor,  African American band director was briefly spotlighted.

Ruth Carter and Hannah Beachler made history as two of the first Black women to receive Oscars for Best Costume Design and Production Design. During Carter's speech she paid homage to her 97 year old mother and  also gave Spike Lee props for giving her a start in the industry.  Congressman John Lewis' introduction of the Green Book movie preview and Mahershala Ali's Best Supporting Actor win which forshadowed the film's surprising Best Picture win to Barbra Streisand's poignant introduction of Spike Lee's Klansman. Her acknowledgement that they were both from Brooklyn and his subsequent win for Best Adaptation of a Screenplay followed by a speech that exhorted folks to get to the polls in 2020 and "Do the Right Thing", was made in touching and exuberant homage to ancestors. Rami Malek's Best Actor win for Bohemian Rhapsody and portrayal of LGBT musician Freddie Mercury and his mention of his parents being Egyptian immigrants and Mexican director Alfoso Cuaron's win for Roma a tale about a woman who helped raise him were among a stream of highlights of last evening's inclusivity.

Rumblings of pre-show discord that filled the air concerning lack of a host for the show, Black Panther standing the risk of not being given its deserving accolades and other seeming diversions from the event, no host confirmed after controversy over #Kevin Hart and the lingering #Oscarssowhite matter initially concerning, were gently massaged and eventually resolved with a variety of brilliant performances, acceptance speeches and movie introductions by Jennifer Hudson, Barbra Streisand, Spike Lee, Samuel L. Jackson, Rami Malek, Mr. Key, Lady GaGa, Bradley Cooper and a host of others.

There were a few surprises as well. However, from the looks of things Glenn Close seemed to handle Olivia Colmans unexpected win for the Favourite with dignity and class.

Everybody's light seemed to be shining last night from the glitter,sparkles and shine of their fashions-Jennifer Lopez and Queen Latifah come immediately to mind- to the gleam in awardees eyes upon accepting their hard earned prizes. The brilliant 
speeches by Lady GaGa who gave a very  rousing message about her journey and the importance of not giving up on your dreams! That was very inspiring.

I enjoyed the show. This year was definitely an improvement over prior years in many respects. Evidence that people took concerns expressed to heart and worked behind the scenes to change perspectives and get good material I.e., scripts and stories into the hands of actors and producers. I was glad that the producers did not mess with the awards format and try and squeeze some of the awards in during commercial breaks.

Incidentally, the stage decoration was magnificent.

"This little light of mine. I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine. Let it shine."

Faith in Action

Today's word is from Mark 2:9-12. A reading of the entire second chapter, reveals the full story of the paralytic's desparate effort to be blessed by Jesus' healing power after he had returned home to Capernaum.

By the time Jesus returned home, he had gained superstar status. Word of Jesus' miracles had spread far and wide. He was someone that everyone wanted to get a touch from. He drew mass crowds to the places he came to teach and preach. On this particular day, there was a paralyzed man being carried by some men determined to get to Jesus. As they approached the place where Jesus was they realized the crowd was too large to get through. In their desperation to reach him, they eked out an alternate route, as it became clear they were not going to be able to navigate through the crowd and reach the place near Jesus and speak directly with him.

So they circumnavigated the masses, climbed the building and dug an opening in the roof above Jesus and lowered the paralytic near him. Jesus healed the man commanding him to get up and walk home.

The lesson from this story is that you have to often press your way in faith, moving and acting on your faith and determination to move around obstacles in order to reach the person who can really help you.

There is a blessing in the pressing.

Council of Baptist Pastors/Russell Street Baptist Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Day with the Community

 

       Rev. Dr. Dee Dee Coleman, Host Pastor and President, Detroit Council of Baptist Pastors

Rev.Dr. Dee Dee Coleman and Rev. Cynthia Wilson

                    Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan

 

Joy in the Morning

Joy Reid is excellent. Her punditry is impeccable. I have always been impressed with the incisive and well informed coverage she provides in combination with her special analysis of complex political issues. She is the only black female journalist to have a nationally syndicated show on MSNBC after Melissa Harris Perry's questionable departure. I look forward to her weekend show, follow her online and make a point of tuning in to any news show where she is a special guest host or panelist. I was thrilled to learn that she had been awarded her own show the Reid Report and her latest A.M. Joy, both well deserved.

By the same token, I was unhappy when I read a news article on the internet recently about her controversial run in or perhaps more accurately, misunderstanding with the Gay community concerning some remarks discovered on an old blog. This incidents brings to light some crucial issues of internet misrepresentation and fraud which is unfortunately running rampant on the web. Those who recognize and have the courage to call it out are often subtly  discredited and mocked.
As a blog owner with an archive of blog posts which have been tampered with from screen shot manipulation to removal of irreplaceable photos and posts, this stuff she claims does happen. I believe her not just based on her own credibility but based on my similar experience.

To Some, The Inscrutable Social Media Web

Social media titans and their vaguely remarked territory on the web is not as mysterious as some might think, especially our elderly statesmen, senators who are questioning Facebook's CEO with rudimentary inquiries that make them sadly appear unprepared. This is where their interns can rush in to the rescue. The ones who can supply them with 'whiz cred' in short order. By the way, where are they?
Because now they are needed.

While there are a few older folks who are
whizes themselves on the web, daily surveying and surviving mind boggling computer antics,
cryptic code play and keeping up with all else web in flying colors with code skills and old school temperament intact, millenials, a generation from which Zuckerberg hails, rule the internet. Facebook is the proof in the pudding. Collaborating with them to make the social media world more safe and equitable in the media data share arena should be top priority. Better preparedness could go a long way.

"Help Somebody"

Image Credits-ASM media

I happened to be watching Covenant Daughters Television Network this morning and one of Victoria Olsteen’s short inspiring word videos came on. It was on the subject of extravagant giving and how you can always have something to give when you call on Jesus Christ. She offered several examples of powerful giving, the beggar at the gate beautiful seeking alms from Peter and John(Acts3:1-9). They supplied his need with God’s word. They had no silver or gold but they gave the inspiring and powerful word of god, commanding him by faith in the name of Jesus to get up and walk.(Acts 3:8) She touched on how Jesus was able to give loaves of bread and fish that fed 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21).The point is you always have something to give and you are never empty handed if you have faith in God’s measure of giving which is not only the giving of money, but also time, talent and other intangible resources that may be at your disposal as well.

I am topping this Facebook post from five(5) years ago today. Helping folks in need is always on time...

Scripture-Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

This post was recently modified with a link to a Wikipedia post on  "Help Somebody", a song on Neo Soul artist Maxwell's 2009 CD release Black Summer's Night.
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Help your neighbor. If you have it to give why not help others? Of course our country is known for being the most generous in the world. Our giving strength should be reflected more in our cities and job offerings. If everyone has what they need, their heart's desire and dream what is the problem? No utopia,but at least it's a start in good gaining leverage in the world. Of course,not everyone wants to be a billionaire or millionaire. No one I believe chooses to live in poverty either.

I think the President set a good example in this recently by committing a percentage of his salary in a demonstration of solidarity with furloughed Federal workers. On a broader scale he has engendered a spirit of fairness and justice in his commitment to workers and their jobs by auto bailout. He has pushed successfully for affordable health care which gives everybody a fair shot at coverage. He pushes for urban empowerment by establishing millions in grants and appointed liaisons in six hard hit cities across the country including Detroit one of the hardest hit.