*What are you going to do?! Yes, you men and women who stand boldly in pulpits across the nation. I’m talking to YOU! About this voting issue. You stand boldly, fearlessly speaking with authority in your Sunday services because you say God ordained you to tell His Truth. Your pulpit seems a safe place—and you, the ordained one, display courage as you spout Holy Words, often changing lives, claiming complete faith as you speak—and later, expect tithes and offerings. You look good. You speak well. Your devoted followers hang onto your every word.
What words are you telling them, though? Are they alert to the words from your Bible and how they relate to the world they are experiencing right now? And a world they are likely to experience soon—as the world cracks beneath the spirit of so much wrongdoing? Wrongdoings that you’re possibly not fully addressing. Are you addressing and pointing out the impending new world? America’s world?
Pastors, HOUSES OF GOD, the churches … those were once the places of safety for Black folks. Once upon a time. When we were afraid—often for our very lives—you provided truthful information, and your church buildings were our safe houses. When we needed truthful and bold answers regarding the things that would affect our lives, we poured into your buildings where you informed us, and told us the truth about impending changes, both good and bad.
Yes, sometimes we had serious, urgent meetings in the wee hours, where men of God shared all kinds of things—like how to stay ALIVE!! How to remain safe and avoid brutalities—like hangings, brutal beatings, and other evils. We learned about politics—the “good”, the bad, and the ugly. Because you were well informed with vital information. It was here, in your houses of worship, that we learned about VOTING, and why we should not opt out of our long-fought-for-right as American citizens to express our preferences. Martin and his team certainly utilized these safe houses to make plans and share messages with the people. And the messages shared were so important, that they spread and influenced folks nationwide!
So, ministers of the Gospel, I pose this question: Would you ever consider opening your house of worship to unite yourselves first and inform each other and your congregations along with the local citizens about vital issues? Do you know what the issues are? What about Project 2025? Are you willing to learn? There are problems—severe ones up ahead. There’s no time to play around with the dangers that only the fearful or the foolish will deliberately ignore. You have a vital part to play, in God’s direction for the plan of action. Right?
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Let me get to my point: The lives of millions will change—and not for the better. Democracy and individual rights are in danger. And those many issues will deliberately and negatively affect the Black and Brown communities.
Since you are a man (or woman) of God, surely, He must be giving you words to say that mean something and are relevant to your parishioners’ lives. Let me just admit it: I miss Martin Luther King, Jr., and his spirit of loving concern for the people of the world—not just Christians. I miss his courage—walking through the fear to do God’s will. Walking through hate-filled streets, being spat on and beaten bloody, disrespected, and jailed. But he trusted God
enough to walk through the turmoil of hate. He led the way without depending on others who were perhaps reluctant and fearful—and justifiably so. He had a goal, which was simply to help sick-minded people while simultaneously bringing fairness and important changes to a needy world.
Where’s the spirit of MLK, Jr.?? The bold soldier of God who knew how to deal with opposers as well as how to walk united with those of like mind—intent on making the world wake up and do the right thing—according to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit.
What would Martin’s “united brigade” have done regarding the death of Trayvon Martin more than 5 years ago…along with the many others who’ve suffered brutality and murder in this nation? A nation clearly coming apart and seemingly oblivious to the much more evil ahead.
Pastors. Church leaders. Why y’all so quiet?! Huh? I understand fear can be a stronghold. But your parishioners trust you when you tell them “Fear Not. Stand up for the Lord and for what is right.” Are you standing up or hiding? Or avoiding the Truth? As God’s men, women, and moral leaders, surely, He’s shown you what’s up ahead—along with what’s happening right now.
There are people who want to destroy progress. Progress that Martin and others helped establish with their time, blood, sweat, and tears. And their very lives. I’m asking you all to stop hiding! You cannot tell me you don’t see the grave dangers ahead for this nation, for democracy, for Black people and others considered second-class citizens.
Please, do what you’re called to do—after you get up from your knees in prayer. Jesus didn’t remain on his knees. He got up and made a difference in the world.
I’m begging you to unite. And go public as a united voice to condemn all this bold and crazy stuff intended to cancel any accomplishments made by Black folks. Make America Great Again? Huh? Surely, as a pastor—especially a man of God, you understand what that really means! Gather your Christian brothers and, on one accord, warn the nation especially those with Black and Brown skin to get out and learn more and VOTE! Yes, I said VOTE. Because that’s what we’re supposed to do and NEED to do in this so-called democratic nation.
I continually pray that you men called by God will unite and stop being scared to the point of avoidance and silently running. Make some noise non-violently. Show yourselves as a united Body voicing a conviction that says, “No! Don’t vote for anyone who wants to go back in time—to a time that was full of hate and unfairness. Don’t vote for anyone who will ruin a democratic way of life. Don’t vote for anyone who you know is a consistent liar, has low morals, disrespects women and Black and Brown citizens—even the ignorant ones who schmooze up to him like historical Uncle Toms.
Stop asking for more money when you likely have enough. God will surely provide all you need when you are doing what you were called to do: SAVE THE PEOPLE.
White folks on a large scale—including those in the justice system, even with the help of Uncle Toms in the court systems, i.e. Supreme Court—are saying, essentially: “No more niggah progress. They gittin’ too uppity. And Barack Obama? How’d THAT happen?! We’ll never let that happen again!” (Will that be the outcry now that Kamala Harris, a woman, a Black/Asian woman is running for President?) So, clearly, we see the fears of too many White people—including many identifying as Christians—evangelicals especially—who believe America is their land. Their country! So, their outcry is “We Gotta Make America Great Again!” And the intent to do it at any cost is clear enough for even a fool to see what’s up ahead.
C’mon Godly preachers, let me, and others like me, see you (i.e., on a TV show, on news shows, CNN, in newspapers) stand up as a unified voice of brave God-inspired messengers and urge Black folks nationwide to VOTE! The young generation is watching you.
I’m not sure what you—pastors and/or moral leaders—will say or do upon reading my concerns—which I’m sure are not my concerns alone. Will you keep sitting quietly and fearfully on the sidelines?
Martin—I miss you.
Flo S. Jenkins is an award-winning writer/editor-editorial consultant—a consummate communicator—with an extensive and successful background spanning a variety of industries from entertainment, to advertising and promotions, education, health, non-profit, and staffing. Many authors have benefited from her skills. Contact her via www.wordsthatflo.com
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