"Juneteenth: A View on the Emancipation of the 21st Century Black Man"
Today is Juneteenth. A day that is celebrated across the United States in memory of General Granger's announcement that slaves were finally free!! After years of exploitation, servitude, and prayers enslaved men, women, and children were finally freed. This day is commemorated with picnics, parades, fish frys, red soda water, praise dancing, presentations, and so much more.
Today is also Father's day. The day was first celebrated in 1910 and finally became a national holiday in 1966. It is also a day to remember and honor the father's in our lives.
As I was texting, praying over, and encouraging the father's that I know, I became burdened with a question. How many black families can truly celebrate Juneteenth, but can NOT celebrate Father's day?
To answer my question I began to look at several statistics. The most daunting being from the National Kids Count Data Center which says that 67% of black children are raised in single mother households (2009). 67%!!!
The data, the daily teenage pleas for the fathers they never had, and even the cries of my own heart are signs that it is time for black men and fathers to be set free. It's time for a new Emancipation!
As we remember the stories, lives, and music particularly the negro spirituals during this time of jubilaton and celebration of Juneteenth; another spiritual is being hummed by this generation.
It is a spiritual that rings for black men and fathers to be set free from the dissonant chains of selfishness, lack of ambition, laziness, adultery, irresponsible sexual habits, lying, pornography, cheating, lust, disrespect, and fear. It is a spiritual that petitions for our black men and fathers to once again play the harmonious chords of manhood...of fatherhood.
May G-D raise up a community of men who have the spirit of Caleb, in Numbers 14, in remaining loyal to G-D. May G-D enable our men to accept, project, and reflect the example of Yeshua. May He strengthen our men to LOVE...LEAD...and LIVE as men fortified by the Spirit, encouraged & respected by the women in their lives, and esteemed in the eyes of their children.
Remember S.W.A.G. "It's all about the way you walk." ("How blessed is everyone who walks in His ways.")
Today is also Father's day. The day was first celebrated in 1910 and finally became a national holiday in 1966. It is also a day to remember and honor the father's in our lives.
As I was texting, praying over, and encouraging the father's that I know, I became burdened with a question. How many black families can truly celebrate Juneteenth, but can NOT celebrate Father's day?
To answer my question I began to look at several statistics. The most daunting being from the National Kids Count Data Center which says that 67% of black children are raised in single mother households (2009). 67%!!!
The data, the daily teenage pleas for the fathers they never had, and even the cries of my own heart are signs that it is time for black men and fathers to be set free. It's time for a new Emancipation!
As we remember the stories, lives, and music particularly the negro spirituals during this time of jubilaton and celebration of Juneteenth; another spiritual is being hummed by this generation.
It is a spiritual that rings for black men and fathers to be set free from the dissonant chains of selfishness, lack of ambition, laziness, adultery, irresponsible sexual habits, lying, pornography, cheating, lust, disrespect, and fear. It is a spiritual that petitions for our black men and fathers to once again play the harmonious chords of manhood...of fatherhood.
May G-D raise up a community of men who have the spirit of Caleb, in Numbers 14, in remaining loyal to G-D. May G-D enable our men to accept, project, and reflect the example of Yeshua. May He strengthen our men to LOVE...LEAD...and LIVE as men fortified by the Spirit, encouraged & respected by the women in their lives, and esteemed in the eyes of their children.
Remember S.W.A.G. "It's all about the way you walk." ("How blessed is everyone who walks in His ways.")
Comments
Post a Comment