Resilience, Wisdom, and the Call for Justice
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. I want to start today with a powerful anthem that reminds us of resilience and determination: "Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round." This anthem sets the tone for our discussion tonight. In the midst of all that's happening, we need perspective. I'll begin by reading from my book, "Sister Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African American History." This book offers a narrative that balances the scales between man and woman, showing that both were created equal by God. However, societal dynamics have often disrupted this balance, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings.
The story I shared from "Sister Days" illustrates how man and woman were given equal strength and wisdom by God. Yet, man sought more strength to dominate, while woman sought wisdom to balance the scales. This narrative underscores the importance of wisdom and equality in our lives. Women, with their greater wisdom, hold the keys to the kingdom, a metaphor for the power and influence they wield in shaping our world.
Moving forward, I shared personal reflections and stories from my grandmother, who inspired me to write. Her tales of resilience and wisdom are woven into the fabric of our history. These stories remind us that we are the ancestors of tomorrow, and our actions today will shape the future. The power, strength, and wisdom of our foremothers are the foundation upon which we build our lives.
I then transitioned to discussing the current state of our country and the world. We are at a crossroads, facing issues that divide us and those that bring us together. I emphasized the importance of knowing what is right and acting upon it. Every religion, at its core, teaches us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This principle should guide our actions and decisions.
I also touched upon the historical injustices faced by African Americans, from the transatlantic slave trade to the civil rights movement. These stories are not just history; they are a testament to the resilience and strength of our ancestors. Visiting historical sites like Jamestown, Virginia, reminds us of the sacrifices made and the legacy we carry forward.
In the latter part of our discussion, I addressed the ongoing conflicts and the importance of understanding history in its entirety. The crisis between Israel and Palestine, for instance, cannot be understood without acknowledging the historical context. The papal decree of 1493 by Pope Alexander VI, which granted Spain and Portugal the right to conquer and enslave non-Catholic lands, set the stage for centuries of exploitation and conflict.
I concluded by emphasizing the need for truth and reconciliation. We must confront the past to build a better future. The recent Supreme Court decisions against voting rights and affirmative action are reminiscent of the Plessy vs. Ferguson era, pushing us back in time. We must stand up for what is right, even if it means paying a price.
### Key Takeaways
1. Equality and Wisdom in Creation: The story of man and woman in "Sister Days" highlights that both were created equal by God, with man given strength and woman given wisdom. This balance is crucial for harmony in relationships and society. Women, with their greater wisdom, hold the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing their power and influence. [13:12]
2. Legacy of Resilience: The stories of our grandmothers and ancestors are a testament to their resilience and strength. These narratives remind us that we are the ancestors of tomorrow, and our actions today will shape the future. We must honor their legacy by continuing to fight for justice and equality. [19:16]
3. Principle of Reciprocity: Every reasonable religion teaches the principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. This simple yet profound principle should guide our actions and decisions, especially in times of conflict and division. It is the foundation of ethical and moral behavior. [53:59]
4. Historical Context of Injustice: Understanding the historical context of conflicts, such as the crisis between Israel and Palestine, is crucial. The papal decree of 1493 by Pope Alexander VI set the stage for centuries of exploitation and conflict. Acknowledging these historical injustices is the first step towards reconciliation and healing. [30:51]
5. Confronting the Past for a Better Future: The recent Supreme Court decisions against voting rights and affirmative action are reminiscent of the Plessy vs. Ferguson era. We must confront these injustices and stand up for what is right, even if it means paying a price. Truth and reconciliation are essential for building a better future. [01:11:35]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [08:18] - Opening with "Sister Days"
3. [13:12] - Women Hold the Keys to the Kingdom
4. [19:16] - Legacy of Our Grandmothers
5. [21:20] - Current State of Our Country
6. [22:27] - Issues Dividing and Uniting Us
7. [24:49] - Historical Context of Israel-Palestine Conflict
8. [30:51] - Papal Decree of 1493
9. [53:59] - Principle of Reciprocity
10. [01:11:35] - Confronting Historical Injustices
11. [01:17:08] - Paying the Price for Justice
12. [01:28:07] - Institute for History and Healing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 1:27 (NIV): "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
2. Proverbs 31:26 (NIV): "She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."
3. Matthew 7:12 (NIV): "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Genesis 1:27, how does the creation of man and woman reflect God's intention for equality?
2. In the sermon, what does the story from "Sister Days" suggest about the balance of strength and wisdom between man and woman? ([12:23])
3. How does Proverbs 31:26 relate to the idea that women hold the keys to the kingdom through their wisdom?
4. What historical events were mentioned in the sermon that highlight the resilience and strength of African American ancestors? ([16:36])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the creation story in Genesis 1:27 challenge societal norms that have historically placed men above women?
2. What does the sermon suggest about the role of wisdom in achieving equality and harmony in relationships and society? ([12:23])
3. How can the principle of reciprocity in Matthew 7:12 guide our actions and decisions in times of conflict and division? ([53:59])
4. How does understanding the historical context of injustices, such as the papal decree of 1493, help in the process of reconciliation and healing? ([30:51])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to stand up for what is right, even if it meant paying a price. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([01:11:35])
2. How can you honor the legacy of resilience and strength from your ancestors in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to continue their fight for justice and equality? ([19:16])
3. In what ways can you apply the principle of "doing unto others as you would have them do unto you" in your interactions with others this week? ([53:59])
4. How can you educate yourself and others about historical injustices to foster a better understanding and promote reconciliation? ([30:51])
5. Think of a situation in your community where there is a lack of equality or justice. What steps can you take to address this issue and promote a more equitable environment? ([01:11:35])
6. How can you use your wisdom and influence to create positive change in your family, workplace, or community? ([12:23])
7. Identify one specific way you can support voting rights or affirmative action in your community. What actions will you take to make a difference? ([01:11:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Equality and Wisdom in Creation
Description: The story of creation in "Sister Days" emphasizes that both man and woman were created equal by God, with man endowed with strength and woman with wisdom. This balance is essential for harmony in relationships and society. However, societal dynamics have often disrupted this balance, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings. Women, with their greater wisdom, hold the keys to the kingdom, symbolizing their power and influence in shaping our world. This narrative encourages us to recognize and honor the wisdom and strength inherent in both genders, fostering mutual respect and equality. [13:12]
Proverbs 3:13-18 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed."
Reflection: How can you actively honor and seek out the wisdom in the women around you today? What steps can you take to ensure that your relationships reflect the balance of strength and wisdom?
Day 2: Legacy of Resilience
Description: The stories of our grandmothers and ancestors are a testament to their resilience and strength. These narratives remind us that we are the ancestors of tomorrow, and our actions today will shape the future. The power, strength, and wisdom of our foremothers are the foundation upon which we build our lives. By honoring their legacy, we continue to fight for justice and equality, ensuring that their sacrifices were not in vain. This legacy of resilience is a call to action, urging us to stand firm in the face of adversity and to work tirelessly for a better future. [19:16]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: Reflect on a story of resilience from your own family or community. How can you draw strength from this story to face your current challenges?
Day 3: Principle of Reciprocity
Description: Every reasonable religion teaches the principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. This simple yet profound principle should guide our actions and decisions, especially in times of conflict and division. It is the foundation of ethical and moral behavior, reminding us to treat others with the same respect and kindness that we desire for ourselves. By embracing this principle, we can foster a more compassionate and just society, where mutual respect and understanding prevail. [53:59]
Luke 6:31 (ESV): "And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."
Reflection: Think of a recent interaction where you may not have treated someone as you would like to be treated. How can you make amends and apply the principle of reciprocity in your future interactions?
Day 4: Historical Context of Injustice
Description: Understanding the historical context of conflicts, such as the crisis between Israel and Palestine, is crucial. The papal decree of 1493 by Pope Alexander VI set the stage for centuries of exploitation and conflict. Acknowledging these historical injustices is the first step towards reconciliation and healing. By confronting the past, we can better understand the present and work towards a more just and equitable future. This understanding helps us to see the interconnectedness of historical events and their lasting impact on contemporary issues. [30:51]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Reflect on a historical injustice that has impacted your community or another community. How can you contribute to the process of reconciliation and healing in light of this history?
Day 5: Confronting the Past for a Better Future
Description: The recent Supreme Court decisions against voting rights and affirmative action are reminiscent of the Plessy vs. Ferguson era. We must confront these injustices and stand up for what is right, even if it means paying a price. Truth and reconciliation are essential for building a better future. By addressing these issues head-on, we can work towards a society that values justice and equality for all. This requires courage and a commitment to truth, as well as a willingness to challenge systems of oppression and advocate for change. [01:11:35]
Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to stand up for justice in your community? How can you encourage others to join you in this effort?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I heard the voices of the children and those of 80 who remain but a child of God. From them came more. My inspiration. I knew why I wanted to write. But it was not until I looked into the mirror of memory that I knew what I needed to write. On the days my grandmother would tire, her stories used up, her memories dim. I remember how she would croon to herself, I'd write a book, but who would read it? And yet go on. From the collectivity of the stories of our grandmothers untold, and for all of their very great and very grand children, here, I hope, is the book they would have written." [19:16]
2. "Know, first of all, know what is right. There is not one religion in the world, Pastor Vicki will agree, that does not have at its core, not one reasonable religion in the world, that does not have at its core, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Frankly, that's all you need to know." [54:08]
3. "In the beginning, the story is told, this is how things came to be. The who was who and what was what between man and woman. What the gods had given man, the gods had given woman. What he could do, she could do. What he had in knowledge and strength, she had. Everything was even, but that was God's plan." [08:18]
4. "And ain't I a woman? Sojourner Truth is said to have rallied challenging the narrowed eye of a norm. With higher expectation, we have conjured a womanhood others have dared attempt to deny and made real the worlds we would behold. It's quite a legacy. As you'll read in these pages. These odes to our womanhood." [17:52]
5. "And she did. Now, God. She said, with all you've given me, I hate to trouble you. But she said, God, whatever that was you gave my man, you need to give him a little less. But God said, no. A gift is a gift. You don't give it back. They could give her more strength, too. But keeping man and woman even in all things hadn't worked out according to plan. So she thought, and they thought. They thought. And she thought. Then she remembered the keys at the gate. So you saw the keys to the kingdom, they smiled all knowing. She could have them if she liked. They knew greater wisdom was a gift she would use well. Well, thankful, she said her praises and rushed home to man. He had his strengths for sure, but she had greater wisdom. And that's why things are the way they are. Factually speaking, to this day, man holds up his end of the bargain for sure, but woman holds the power." [12:23]
### Quotes for Members
1. "The recent Supreme Court decisions against voting rights, against affirmative action, against school desegregations are the 1896 decisions of our era. That is essentially pushing this country back the way Plessy versus Ferguson opening the door to so-called legal segregation, which was the reign of terror that makes Brown v. Board of Ed necessary. And that's what we have just experienced. So those students are out there for a reason. They're out there because what they see is wrong, but they're also out there because the highest" [01:11:35]
2. "Visiting that Jamestown site, I marvel at what happened to those first African Americans and what has sustained their descendants. They're powerful stories of history. History, heritage, and hope. A saga I began retelling with Glory Days, my first book, in what became a trilogy. From Glory Days to our Freedom Days, a celebration of the civil rights era at one with the global movement for Pan-African liberation, and now to our Sister Days, the story of our sojourn and our sojourners, of our Harriets and our Hatshepsuts, by our Nailas and our Nefertis. Our Rashidas and our Roses. And what a herstory we have made. What stories our lives tell." [16:36]
3. "And so, that is my take on what is going on and the battle that is going on in the United States about, and it's also interesting, this month, May, some of you know, some of you don't know, the history of student activism took a mean, mean turn in May of 1974 in when Kent State University, the National Guard, raged on campus and killed students on campus protesting the Vietnam War. And then later, two weeks later, at Jackson State in Mississippi. And in fact, the pictures of Jackson State are even more horrific than the pictures of Kent State because at Kent State, the students were actually outside protesting. And so you can say, well, they did this, they did that, In Jackson State, what you see are glass windows on an upper floor of a dormitory. This was a National Guard riot. The students who were killed were killed in their rooms, minding their business, going about their day. And the spray of gunfire all over that campus as those students protest. Some students, sure, of course, they're African American students. It's 1970s. Of course they're going to protest segregation and this ongoing terrorism because of this reign of terror. Of course they're going to protest it. But the students who were killed that day were in their bedrooms. So we have to see these things in context." [44:11]
4. "And so, once he lands, he holds out his sword. The people see him and they say, what is this? These three ships in the harbor. What are, what is, who is this? And he sees these overdressed people come off the ship and they're in, in their regalia and they're rather arrogant and they're doing whatever. And they go to sea. And he holds out his sword to them and encourages them to touch it. They don't have that kind of sword. They essentially cut themselves. That's psychological warfare. When you invite the person you're going to do something to, to injure themselves. And he says that they will make good servants because they now tell us to do whatever we tell them to do. In his first day, he has, he has concluded that these will be good servants. And he promises to bring a few of them with him when he goes home as his souvenirs. And he also says that they appear to have no religion so they will make good converts to Catholicism. Now, how does he know in his first day whether they have a religion or they don't? It doesn't matter. His mission and what he got the money to do in this business and venture was to go conquer whatever places he sees. And so from thenceforward, he and his sons will become, be given like governorships and they will actually say this is my land but it is the, you know, in service of the queen. Everybody that they see will then be conscripted from then forward to pay taxes to Spain and tithes to the Catholic Church. That's what our tithes are for. That's what our taxes are for. Taxes to the crown, tithes to the Catholic Church. Wherever they went in this so-called age of exploration, that's what has been done. That's why we have had the terrors of 500 years of this slave trade and I know there are some people who want to say well the Africans helped with it. I, years ago, was on the board of the Amistad," [35:19]
5. "The story of African America. That's it. Thank you, Bo. That's it. Okay? And you'll see, I have a picture on, on my homepage. You can just click through and you'll get there. And then it goes right up to Contemporary Works. Um, and, but every month in my newsletter I give another one or one or two of them. Um, you will also find, I list this one because even though this is from Timbuktu in like the 1300s, um, European sacked Timbuktu, these manuscripts were hidden away in private homes for about 400 years. And so, it's in the 1950s that they begin to feel okay with the, with people taking back the independence from Europe, the decolonization, and the manuscripts resurface." [52:02]
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