Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 1-26-18

Letter To The Editor Another View Revisited
Waiting On The Promise
I have often wondered was Dr. King waiting for the dream to be manifested in his lifetime. As I ponder this question, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day. We also carry the stain that 50 years ago he was assas- sinated.
In his “I Have A Dream” speech, he made reference to one point that stands out, “I may not get there with you, but we as a peo- ple will get to the Promise Land.” For us to get to the Promise Land, Martin Luther King knew that we would have to wait.
Through his pain and experience of oppression, he developed a desire and yearning for a better world. He was the child of parents who lived long lives as op- pressed people. Did he be- lieve he would see a sign of the promise in his lifetime?
I believe our great leader knew the world was never quick to change. The reason is because now and even in 1968, we are op- pressed by others, and by systems, our past, or by our own choices.
Dr. King knew we had to wait.
While we wait, pay at- tention to the ways you have been oppressed so you can help others see through the clouds to em- brace light.
Each one of us has an obligation both spiritually and morally to the pain of others, but we also have an
obligation to our own pain. The oppression we feel in the workplace, in finan- cial institutions, socially or racially will cause tremen- dous pain and infect us un- less we attend to it. Dr. King reminded us that he may not get there with us. Meaning he would have to
wait.
Waiting, forces all of us
to confront our limitations and weaknesses. Waiting is a manifestation of the limitations of our power and control. We as a peo- ple will get to the Promise Land because we are not in charge of our destiny, God is.
It was no accident that Jesus was born to an op- pressed people. . . that he was born to a peasant girl and a carpenter. . . that the angels announced his birth to shepherds, Israel’s un- derclass. . . that a star shined in the sky for the Gentiles, the so called “Others.”
That was no accident that kings and rulers be- came anxious and defen- sive, worried, and afraid. Jesus always comes to the oppressed places of our world.
As we celebrate Dr. King’s dream, remain open to feel the heart of God and remain agents of change.
I’m waiting on the Promise. Are you?
PASTOR SPENCER PITTMAN
Elections Have Consequences
BY SAMUEL KINSEY When Barack Obama
ran for President of the United States, African Amer- icans turned out to vote in record numbers. This large turnout not only ensured his first election, but guaranteed his re-election to the presi- dency.
He and First Lady Michelle Obama brought to the White House dignity, grace and a first family whose intellect equaled any before them and exceeded most. He brought to the office strong family values; he governed with thoughtfulness, compas- sion and sensitivity for all Americans and garnered re- spect from leaders across the globe. It is my opinion that history will rank him among the greatest Presidents ever.
In the last election, we stayed home in large num- bers. The #1 reason used for our lack of voting was that we were not excited about the candidates.
Duh!
Elections are not sup- posed to excite us. Anyone looking for excitement should go to a movie, a concert or perhaps a wrestling match.
Elections are serious busi- ness and have serious conse-
quences.
They determine the qual-
ity of our children’s education or whether there will be good paying jobs that enable us to support our families. Elec- tions determine the amount we pay in taxes, and the serv- ices we receive in our commu- nities. They determine who head our law enforcement agencies and whether or not we will live in safe communi- ties and are treated with re- spect and dignity by those in authority. Elections deter- mine whether felons who have paid their debt to society will have their rights restored, and determine whether there will be a safety net for the needy.
Elections determine whether the rich will get richer, while the middle class gets poorer. It determines whether our constitutional rights will be trampled by those in power; and whether we will have the most power- ful military in the world.
Finally, elections deter- mine whether or not the Pre- sident chosen will be insensitive, and self-serving and who prefers an all-white America.
So to all who failed to ex- ercise your sacred right to vote, shame on you!
Before we know it, an- other election will be at our door. If you are not regis- tered, now is the time to do so. If you are registered, please vote.
Our record in Hillsbor- ough County is dismal.
At present, we have four African Americans in elected office. One each on the City Council, the County Commis- sion, the Hillsborough County School Board and the State House of Representatives. A fifth seat in the State Senate that was once in Hillsborough is currently held by a person in Pinellas County.
Each of the African Amer- icans holding office comes from a single member district traditionally reserved for Blacks. The one on the City Council is potentially in jeo- pardy as the district’s popula- tion has gentrified over the years due in large part to changes in public housing and residential units being built in Channelside, soon to be called Water Street.
We can do better; but it begins with strong candi- dates, outreach to the young and the old, voter education and last but not least, using the power of our collective votes wisely.
Just another view.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018