tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80174973079099749432024-03-13T14:58:02.916-04:00Moriah Institute Web LogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00744419681382837501noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-13512502419085108992013-07-17T23:17:00.000-04:002013-07-17T23:17:17.637-04:00Let us Remember Trayvon By the Lives we Lead<div class="MsoNormal">
This week people all over the world people have been
responding to the acquittal of the man who killed Trayvon Martin. Though I too am outraged and disappointed by
how the trial unfolded and the verdict, I would like to take this time to make
a plea for greater focus on the plight of our youth in urban areas where
violence and homicides are commonplace occurrences. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My hope is that this tragedy and travesty of justice will
shake leaders, teachers and parents to be more vigilant and fight harder for
the safety of our children. Though there
is no possible justification for the shooting of young Trayvon Martin. But another sad fact is that hundreds of young people have been killed by the hands of
other young people in our community since Trayvon’s life was taken.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Most major cities across the nation report high rates of
homicides for African American youth, particularly black male youth. Most of these are at the hands of other black
youth. A few sobering statistics:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> According to the 2001 Juvenile Justice Bulletin:
In 1999, about 1,800 juveniles (a rate
of 2.6 per 100,000) were victims of homicide in the United States. This rate is
substantially higher than that of any other developed country. Minority children and youth are
disproportionately affected. For example, 52 percent of juvenile victims of
homicide are nonwhite (Snyder and Finnegan, 1998). Even after a recent decline,
the overall rate of victimization for black juveniles (9.1 per 100,000) in 1997
dwarfed the rate for white Juveniles (1.8 per 100,000) (figure 2). The victimization
rate for Hispanic juveniles in three States where data are available was also
quite high in 1997 (5.0 per 100,000)</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Among racial and ethnic groups, black youth
experienced the highest rates of serious violent crime in 2010. From 2002 to
2010, rates of serious violent crime declined among white (down 26%) and Hispanic
(down 65%) youth, but remained the same among black youth</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">According to the Center for Disease Control, from 2008 to 2010 homicide is the 2</span><sup style="text-indent: -0.25in;">nd</sup><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> leading cause
of death for young people under the age of 24 and Black males under 24 had the
highest death rate due to homicides in New York State,</span></li>
</ul>
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<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The Children’s Defense Fund reports that in 2009,
gun homicide was the leading cause of death among black teens.</span></li>
</ul>
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Parents, Schools, Churches, Youth Organizations must place
high priority on helping to stem the tide of youth on youth crime in our
communities. The conversation and
resources need to be directed at dealing with what makes young people in our
communities so prone to violence and why they place such little value on the
lives of their peers and their own lives.
It is not too late to begin to make a difference; we must harness the
will to break the cycles of rage and violence that is destroying a vital part
of our hope, our life, and our souls. It
is not enough to say my kids in my home, church, school, neighborhood, and
block are doing well when all around them so many young people are losing their
lives. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is not enough to shake our heads and talk about how bad
the kids are today. Be a mentor, fight
for gun control, financially support youth organizations, become active in your
local school and do what you can to let an adolescent know that he/she is
valued.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is a horror that
Trayvon’s killer’s fear and criminal/racial profiling of him led to Trayvon’s
death. The fact of fear and race
prejudice is a matter that must be dealt with if we are to survive; lest we
return to the days of the Wild West, where gun violence rules the day (or maybe
we are already there).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
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We should use every
means available to call for justice for violation of Trayvon’s civil rights—sign
petitions, organize boycotts, participate in elections, run for office, and
write articles, tweet, and protest as loudly as possible. But let us remember Trayvon by the lives we lead and being ever
mindful that there are hundreds of thousands of young people in our communities
who need to know, who must learn from us that they have a reason to live and a
contribution to make to society. Then
and only then will we begin to, as my friend Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt says,” <i>starve the beast</i>” that is destroying our
youth.<o:p></o:p></div>
Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-53030936229369292202013-01-31T14:53:00.000-05:002013-01-31T14:53:10.136-05:00Are we searching for peace?<br />
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Recently I had a conversation with an elder man about the
issue of acceptance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered (LGBT) people
in the church. He was upset about all the recent noise about inclusion. He felt that “those” people are not normal;
they are not part of God’s plan for humanity and could never be recognized as
normal. He was concerned about the
language of inclusion that was being expressed in an increasing number of
circles. He had grown up in a community in which though it was known that “those”
people existed, they were unmentionables and were never to be included in
proper social gatherings.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It seemed to him that all this talk was an indication that
the “gays were wanting to take over” and he was not going to have it. I shared with him that that his sentiment is
similar to that of every dominant culture that was resistant to hearing the cry
for justice from a minority or so called subordinated culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I listened and later challenged him on the matter of God’s
created order for humanity, it occurred to me that he expresses the opinions of
many of his generation. He grew up in a world where LGBT people were demonized
and ostracized. They were relegated to
the outskirts, dark corners and forbidden alleys of society. They were objects
of abuse, ridicule and violence. There
was no opportunity for a “normal” life unless it was in secret and even then
the threat or possibility of exposure was always looming, so there were few
opportunities for peace in the life of our LGBT brothers and sisters. And at the same time, this man was socialized
to believe that these people disturbed the peace of his community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I would venture that there are generations of people who
grew up under all kinds of repression and oppression—racism, sexism, ageism, classicism,
elitism, etc. that was/is psychologically, spiritually and emotionally
damaging. Even he, as an African-American Elder man, must have experienced the effects
of exclusion. It seems there is always
somebody somewhere who wants to belittle, condemn and restrict some so that the
restrictions can make way for freedom and comfort of others.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think the ultimate end of all spiritual/religious pursuit
is peace— peace in one’s personal life, in one’s family, community, world and certainly in the
afterlife. And it seems to me that a
considerable part of understanding peace imparts a sense of justice—not vengeance
or exclusion. A sensibility that says I
am accepted cared for and encouraged to share my gift of life in the land of
the living and so too are others. The more I talk to people like this man, I wonder
whether peace living is possible. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The optimist in me, says that no matter how difficult a task
is or appears to be, if the end or completion of it is peace, then we should, I
should continue the work without violence or malice but with the strength of
hope in the possibility for mutual understanding. <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Are we all searching for peace? I believe it’s an important question of this millennia;
we’ve tried all manner of hostility, sanctions, exclusions threat and force. It is time to seek peace; first seek it within
ourselves, and then encourage peaceful living in our homes, on our jobs, in our
neighborhoods, and the world. Speak out,
vote, write, teach and support efforts that encourage peace</span></span>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-60576790424532556062012-12-13T13:36:00.000-05:002012-12-13T13:36:58.389-05:00Are we having fun yet?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the holiday season and, for many it is a time filled
with special memories of childhood. For parents, it is the time of memory making by living into genuine warmth,
forgiveness and acceptance. Many people
decorate, shop for special gifts to express fondness for friends and
family. I believe that it is important
to have a festival time to mark the years and to lift spirits beyond the turmoil, heartache and disappointment that can occasion life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, we must remember that this holiday is also one of
the most emotionally devastating for some among us. The pressure to conform to the holly jolly
program can be so stressful that it leads to illness and depression. Not
everyone has warm-fuzzy parents or sugar-plum memories of holidays past. It is
also a time when the pressure to buy leads to increased callousness in stores
with shoppers and shopkeepers alike harried by the demand of the increased
volume of customers and competition to purchase the latest “hot thing.” It reminds me of a caption under a Snoopy
comic strip scene, <i>are we having fun yet?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am not even sure if we know the answer to this
question. Yes, fun is associated with entertainment,
excitement, and pleasure—to be certain much of this is going on in this
season. However, we are very caught
up in the blitz of tinsel and glamour; it makes me wonder how much of this is
truly joyous? I am not trying to be a
party pooper, I simply wish to inspire us to search ourselves and be more
mindful of the atmosphere we set in our homes.
The gifts ought not all be wrapped in boxes under the tree. It might be wise to offer experiences for our
family and friends to share later in the year, tasks around the home, shared
volunteer work at a local agency, a commitment to eat dinner together more
regularly, visiting a local exhibit, attend festival or worship service of the
season or some other activity not directly associated with Santa and the mall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As one who works with adolescents, I am concerned about the
heightened association of acquisition with self-worth and how this can
adversely impact social interaction among teens. For them there is a very fine
line between having fun and being ridiculed for having/being less than the “norm.” You
can walk into almost any classroom, social hall or school cafeteria and witness
the incisive pendulum swing between fun and ridicule with emotional scars and
bolstered egos scattered from one corner of the room to the next. The
other side of the fun question is boredom—the countless numbers of youth who
have no expressive or intellectual link to this season at home or in their
neighborhood and for many they can be in the midst of the brightest display of
the season and feel completely unconnected. These are young people who may always be
asking, <i>a</i>re<i> we having fun yet?</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Many of our
youngsters in New York City are facing decisions about the next phase of their lives
beyond high school; some struggle just to get through each day. My hope is that they hear words of acceptance
and feel valued for who they are regardless of their circumstance. I want to anticipate helping hands, patience
and encouragement as part of the gifts they receive in this season and all year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let us not be blinded by the usual trappings; let us
remember that the heart of this season is compassion and care for humanity. This holiday is not a trip to the amusement park.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-78611529473856375702012-09-18T13:26:00.000-04:002012-09-18T13:28:28.253-04:00Keeping our children safe<br />
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In today’s society it is difficult to tell where there is
safe space for children. In the past, home was always considered the only safe place; however increasing
incidents of child abuse from parents and relatives makes all who work with
children more observant of physical condition and behaviors that might
indicate acute domestic problems. There is also a greater challenge today for parents who send their children to
camps, schools, and churches ; these have traditionally been considered locations where staff and faculty could be counted
on to provide safe space for children, but not necessarily so today. It is almost a common occurrence to turn on
the television or read news stories about horrible accounts of sexual or
physical abuse of a child by a trusted family member ( and most child abuse is
by a family member) or a trusted teacher, counselor, neighbor, pastor,
priest. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is imperative that we work as parents, primary care givers and youth workers,
to create safe space for the children and teens. As they go off to school and take part in
after-school activities, children and teens are learning to navigate the world,
they tend to be trusting of adults and other children. There is a delicate
balance to be strived for here because we don’t want children to be fearful of
the world to such an extent that it immobilizes them or inhibits their natural
abilities. Yet wisdom demands that we help
our children become better in assessing danger and become more capable of
speaking up for themselves. I make the
following suggestions:<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Building
Trust and Communication:</b> The first safe place ought to be within the
relationship that parent, guardian, and/or the primary care givers in a child’s
life. Children learn in that first
essential relationship how much they can trust and be trusted in talking about
what happens to them. Children need to
know at an early age what a good touch and a bad touch is. They need to know
that no matter what has happened they can tell the care giver. Predators (especially those known to the
child and family) rely on the fact that they can scare a child into not
revealing what they have done to them.
Children and teens also need to know that no matter what anyone may say, the parent or care giver will do all in his/her power to make sure that they are safe. Child and Teen care givers also must be willing to
take necessary steps to prevent and prosecute those who abuse children.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Present Proactive
Parent and Primary Care Givers</b>: Another way to provide safe space is for
Primary Care givers to make themselves known in the places their children
frequent. Meet the teachers, meet the
parents of your child’s friends, attend the local meetings, participate on
committees, and take a role in policy setting, investigate whether background
checks are done. Be present, let your
children know you take part and let them accompany you to some events. Showing that a Parent/Care Giver has
voice communicates a sense of authority and shows children and teens (even if
they are embarrassed) that you have the power of your own voice in impacting
change. The most vulnerable young people are those who have no sense of voice to speak out in a crowd or
meeting. Parents/Care Givers should never take
for granted that a place is always safe—regardless of who leads it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>No one is
above suspicion</b>: This next point is very touchy—no one is above question
when it comes to the safety of children and teens.
It is important to keep tabs on what happens when you child is away from you and have conversations with your child
about the activities they are involved in, notice the mood swings, the way your
child behaves when they come from a visit or activity is vital to your ability
to catch signs of abuse. Too often
children and adolescents are abused by relatives, close friends, neighbors whom
one would never suspect. The abuse
persists because children are fearful and the abuser makes them believe that
they can tell no one or if they tell, someone in their family will get
hurt. Find ways to talk with your child about activities and people at an early age so that it becomes a routine as they get older.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><b>Helping
our Girls: G</b>irls are especially vulnerable to abuse because
they are often socialized to be nice, to be obedient, and they usually don’t
learn how to fight or defend themselves. I’ll never forget one of the child predators
who appeared on a television show who said that girls were really easy because
no one has ever taught them about the likes of him. They can be lured into a dangerous setting
fairly quickly. I think we should have
self-defense as part of the physical education learning experience for children
in all schools, churches, youth centers and homes. Self Defense communicates to
girls that THEY are not to be ill treated and it sharpens the instinct to run,
yell, and also to tell what happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Creating a safe space for children and adolescents is really
about raising and nurturing individuals
whose confidence is developed in a trusting relationship with adults in
the home and adults in other institutions.
The sense of self and learning about the importance of speaking out
encourage awareness, provides lessons in observation and gives hope to young
people that they can work through difficult situations. Finally, creating a safe space means that young people
learn to judge when a person or an area is not safe for them. Key to preventing and stopping abuse is
protection of and vigilance of adults who care enough to teach children, and to fight for their safety.<o:p></o:p></div>
Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-5761060360881854262012-07-17T10:25:00.000-04:002012-07-17T10:25:00.374-04:00Celebrate the small moments too<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was a teenager, I heard the phrase “praise sweetens labor.” I often think of this when I am working on a
new project with children and teens.
When a task seems daunting, words of encouragement can help to spur new
energy for the chore. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just a week ago I was with my nephew who had to put together
a model of The White House. He has a
great mind for figuring and tinkering.
He was able to look at the package of parts, examine the diagram and
picture and put together the basic framework. Then came the detailed smaller
parts; his pace slowed and he put his head in his hands in frustration. I looked at him and said just a few words of
reassurance, allowed him to take a break he came back with enthusiasm and
practically finished the entire project in one setting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often when we are doing team building games in our Rites of
Passage program, we reach points of “storming” where the group is falling
apart, they are convinced that they can’t accomplish the task, they start to
argue and want to give up. The leader
gives them a chance to stop, examine their strategy, offers praise for what
they have done thus far, no matter how little, then offers a chance to re-think
the process. When this happens, 95% of
the time there is success.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know there are other schools of thought on this issue—
teens have to be toughened for the rough road in life, don’t be too soft or
they won’t take you seriously, kids need discipline! These approaches have validity and when used
in combination with praise makes a difference in how an adolescent learns to
view the world. I know teens who don’t
trust themselves to accomplish goals, have no faith in others to help them and
feel just generally that the world is a pretty crappy place. In my view, a lot of this stems from a lack
of encouragement. It doesn’t have to be
big events, big ideas, but the small things that are celebrated along the
way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recently I was with a dear friend who has twin toddler girls
who were in the stage of being potty trained.
When one used the potty she clapped hands and praised her; the little one did a happy jig and they celebrated.
I also remembered times when parents of small children hung their
drawings on the wall, gave a hug for something done. And just yesterday I saw
the Ben Carson story and was touched by a mother who spoke words of hope,
confidence to her sons, she expressed trust
in what her children could accomplish even in the midst of dire circumstances
and he became a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know teens can sometimes be surly, belligerent, coarse and
self-centered and there may be many developmental explanations for their
moodiness and disobedience; however, we need to find ways to celebrate the
small things along the way. This is true
not only for parents but also for the entire community of adults. We need to find ways to speak a positive word to a young
person we don't even know..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe that there is genius in every one of some sort or
another, especially teens. They need
affirmation of their effort to help them attempt the next step. This is true for their work at home, school
and in the broader community. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Rev. Dr. Mariah Britton</div>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-10953566690633023812012-06-18T18:56:00.002-04:002012-06-18T18:56:33.388-04:00...with liberty and justice for all<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Last week our nation celebrated Flag Day. Stars and stripes<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>were waving in the breeze everywhere; they were adorned on caps, armbands, bags, T-shirts, lawns, public spaces and tiny flags on restaurant tables. I recalled that on that day, I heard a report from a colleague of many clergy who were enormously upset and disappointed with the views our President Obama expressed on marriage equality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that opposition to same-sex marriage had already been pounded into the wedge between progressive and conservative leaders in our nation and now it has become an explosive ever-widening the gap and I can see how we shall continue to multiply by division. The pundits will carry on their uncompromising posturing and news will make news from every bodacious remark from both ends of the spectrum.</div>
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However, as I reflected upon the flag and remembering when I was a child we were required to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, standing up, with our right hand over our hearts, shoulders back, talking serious and proud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It astounds me that it ends with the phrase…<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with liberty and justice for all</i></b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i></b>The pledge declares and the flag symbolizes the willingness of citizens to make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that people of this nation are treated justly, fairly, according to proper law and principle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has for so many years not been true for same gender loving Americans of all races, classes and religions who have been ostracized, demonized and denied equal rights. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am proud of our President for his courage; he has voiced an unpopular position but it is one that is on the side of justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His having the strength of his convictions will echo through the history books that our children will read for generations to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The record of his position will inspire songs, stories, lesson plans, debates, reports, theses, volumes that will expound on what “justice for all” truly means and examine the practice of compassion and fairness under the law.</div>
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I am not sure what will happen in the weeks ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I presume there will be much debate among the clergy and other religious leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People will be asked to declare where they stand, what they will or will not do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the older I get the more I realize that down the long road of life, of history/herstory, once a door to new consciousness is opened it can never be fully closed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything must change and transformation begins in the hearts and minds of the people---that’s a fact. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am living in the hope that the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whispers of love</i> continue to visit us and inform our private and public pursuit to do ministry with a temperament towards liberty and justice for all.</div>
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Rev. Dr. Mariah Ann Britton</div>
CEO and Founder, <em>The Moriah Institute</em>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-23902173946808382212012-05-21T17:04:00.001-04:002012-05-21T17:04:35.574-04:00Closing the Gap through Rites of Passage<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
When I was a teenager, there was so much talk about the generation gap between adolescents and adults. Of course that breach was a vast political an ideological rift that was created with my generation’s call for a black aesthetic and a focus on liberation from accommodating the power structure, and an end to the Vietnam War. It was a crack in old ways of thinking; it was directed towards<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> unity, purpose, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, creativity </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> faith</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These goals were from the principles of Kwanzaa and though all aspects of my community did not agree on them, we were at least unified by values about education as an important stepping stone for advancement as well as a respect for faith traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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Over the last 30 years I have seen another gap emerge; it has been created largely by increase of drugs on the street, crime and incarceration that ensues, emulation of the thug-life, devaluation of studiousness and a disregard for faith and God; this gap was exacerbated by a drain of resources for youth development in already underserved communities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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The inequities heaped upon children of color, supported by decisions made in major institutions in our nation, is an atrocious commentary on the phrase “equal opportunity.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rates of incarceration, dropping out of high school, poverty levels, and poor health indicators are directly linked to decisions about privatization of prisons, educational funding cutbacks, absence of a living wage, jobs being moved overseas and a myriad of factors that impact health (environmental racism, closure of hospitals, poor quality groceries in inner-city communities, lack of medical insurance etc.) and the list goes on and on.</div>
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Closing the gap today requires a multi-faceted approach to youth development and perhaps it has always been so but the age of information makes the chasm so incredible obvious with each tweet and new friend added to social networks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gap is ever before us with a tsunami of news broadcasted daily announcing the crime statistics, across the nation.</div>
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Recently, I attended a vibrant conversation that was held at the Brooklyn Museum that featured black men from a variety of perspectives, ages and pursuits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of the discussion focused on what legacy the previous generations have left for today’s youth to refer to as they make their mark in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The responses were just as varied as the panel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I listened it occurred to me that there might not be a blueprint but a spirit of resistance to oppression that can be found in every place where people yearn to be able to make a valuable contribution to family, village and world.</div>
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On May 12<sup>th</sup> I witnessed five young people make steps into young adulthood through our Rites of Passage program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was most impressed with their level of self-awareness and their desire to work on themselves—their work habits, their trust-worthiness, their confidence and how they learn to ask for help as a key factor to their walk as adults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a profound revelation to me that by their own admission they were concerned about their inner-life and not just the outer show of success: cash, cars, bling and all the things they bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my view, it is the inner life that helps to close the gap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consciousness of the inner life awakens one to the humanity of others, and reveals a vast array of possibilities that one never noticed before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young people see that there is a community of adults who desires, prays for, acts upon and supports their success. Rites of Passage for youth helps them to gain perspective about life, encourages them to tell the truth about themselves and closes the gap between generations while and building avenues of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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It is our task as adults to work on closing the gap by supporting youth and also by voting for individuals and legislation that militates against criminalization of youth, financially supporting programs that work for youth, joining neighborhood associations that are working for safety for children, making room for internships for youth on our jobs—and so many other ways we can reach out to youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to be serious about taking an active part in closing the gap of communication, trust and support for our youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many forces that are invested in widening it.</div>
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<br /></div>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-32671900517544374222012-03-13T16:57:00.000-04:002012-03-13T16:59:40.514-04:00Sexuality Savvy Seminarians<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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A few months ago I received a call from a woman who wanted to know where the Moriah Institute stood on matters related to human sexuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was not sure what it meant to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sexuality savvy seminarian</i> as is indicated in our “About Statement.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It never occurred to me that one might perceive uncertainty in this phrase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though we do youth development through Rites of Passage programs for youth in grades 10 – 12, we also work with adults in a variety of settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One such setting is the seminary.</div>
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The Moriah Institute has been offering sexuality and spirituality education workshops, courses and seminars now for over seven years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our work has been focused on faith-based institutions with specific attention on seminarians, clergy and lay leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through comprehensive courses in seminaries along the eastern United States, we have covered numerous topics in sexuality and spirituality with an aim to explore truth in biblical texts, examine traditions, study human reproductive biology, glean knowledge from historical issues, inquire about ethical concerns and needs crying our in our world today; finally, we help students gain insight into attitudes and beliefs through personal introspection.</div>
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There is a need for sexuality savvy seminarians who are prepared to engage community and congregants in meaningful education in the area of human sexuality and spirituality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A need for learning experiences that promotes a sense of wholeness before the Creator, making informed healthy decisions about dating, marital communications, and social interaction with friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sexuality savvy seminarians can offer needful support and information for parents who are struggling with ways to communicate sexuality values to their children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sexuality savvy seminarians are not timid in helping congregations create codes of ethical behavior that mitigate against sexual misconduct and double standards for men and women in leadership and followship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sexuality savvy seminarians act on justice issues for those who have been victims of sexual violence. They teach, preach and design ministry that promotes safety and care for all regardless of sexual orientation.</div>
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Though we understand the needs people may have for the labels to indicate whether one prefers same or different male or female spouses or partners, we don’t think labels tell you much about the loving heart of the person being labeled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Labels can’t tell you if the person is faithful, caring, passive, active, a burden or a benefit to the relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Labels can’t tell you how much a person is hurting or if they are abusers or if they will support you when you need it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sexuality savvy seminarian knows that it is more important to ask “can I help you” rather than “what’s your sexual preference?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A sexuality savvy seminarian understands that all are welcome to the love feast and whosoever will, let them come.</div>
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We have led courses at Drew University School of Theology, Howard University School of Divinity, and Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology; are currently leading a course at New York Theological Seminary. We look forward to working with other faith-based organizations in the future.</div>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-41139629951803189142012-02-16T15:01:00.000-05:002012-02-16T15:01:39.611-05:00The Persistence of Hope<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Recently I attended a wonderful conference in which there were people from a diverse group of vocations who shared from the scope of their experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They focused on the plight of the many people in America who are made 2<sup>nd</sup> class citizens as a result of mass incarceration financed through the prison industrial complex in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michelle Alexander, author of the insightful The<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> New Jim Crow</i> provided a sobering portrait of the present conditions for inner city youth and young adults, especially Black and Hispanic males (and increasing numbers of females) that are caught up in the criminal justice system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In view of this reality, youth development can seem a daunting challenge with such a force aimed at desecration of the human spirit</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But one thing that shone throughout the conference that I could feel in my heart… a hope; it was like a solid shaft of light down through a small crack in a mountain of callous corporate greed; a shaft of light shinning on the slight clump of damp earth on the cave floor and out of that tiny mound of soil was a single sprig of a tree, bedecked with bright green leaves reaching toward the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the strength of hope that leads me to stand firm, it is hope I heard from the participants to continue to love and to believe that a change is realized through dedicated efforts informed by care and being present to young people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The work of The Moriah Institute is a branch growing on a tree inside the mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That tiny tree symbolizes our sense of hope for the work we do everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are conditions in our society that would tell us that all is lost but this is NOT TRUE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our children face tremendous challenges, but they are full of potential and if given the right amount of support and encouragement, there is always the possibility of their wakening to the meaningful contributions they can make to family, community and society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is one of my great joys to hear the testimonies of teens as they realize that they are citizens of the world, they have inner strength and they have the resolve to pursue their goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe this is the time when we must nullify the hard hearted around us; and seek ways to break through in spite of what the world would tell us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our activity is an important link to fulfillment. It is our persistence of hope that makes the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I invite you to join with us to support adolescent development through our Rites of Passage program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may be a small part of the sprig in the mountain but we are stronger each day that the light is sent from above. Visit our website, donate your time and resources, and call us with ideas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rev. Dr. Mariah Britton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CEO and Founder</span></div>Sister Rev.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02688007588672567583noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8017497307909974943.post-75999751764320725902012-01-04T13:06:00.000-05:002012-01-05T23:53:52.835-05:00Wishes for 2012<i>May those who go in dread have no more fear.</i><br />
<i>May may captives be unchained and now set free,</i><br />
<i>And may the weak now receive their strength.</i><br />
<i>May beings help each other in kindness. </i><br />
<i>May the Lonely no longer be alone.</i><br />
<i>May travelers upon the road</i><br />
<i>Find happiness no matter where they go.</i><br />
<i>And may they gain, without the need of toil, </i><br />
<i>the goals on which they set their hearts.</i><br />
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--benediction from Buddhist scholar Shantideva<br />
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Best wishes to all for a year of joy, vitality, inspiration, fulfillment, and love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1