What Are We Doing!?

On November 11, 2016, I felt a push.  I felt a call to go outside of my comfort zone and speak up and out.  I felt a push to speak to both sides, liberals and conservatives; democrats and republicans; white and minorities.  To, in one regard take the conservative side on issues, but also to take the liberal side of the argument.  Both sides have merit.  Both sides have a significant thing to say.  Both sides deserve to be heard.  Nevertheless, most importantly, both sides are wrong and need Jesus. 

Let us start with conservatives.  Pointing out racism, sexism, gender-ism, and whatever ism is not a liberal thing.  At least it should not be.  That should be a moral (or as a Christian, a Jesus) thing.  Pointing out the suffering of a particular group of people is what I believe we as a people are called to do.  The fact that it has seemingly fallen upon the shoulders of liberals is quite disturbing.  

One of my favorite things to do (unfortunately) after a tragedy is to view how CNN (a liberal media) portrays an event versus Fox News (a conservative media).  To my chagrin, Fox News, if it's about a minority portrayed as a victim, doesn't always cover the story (at least not on their Facebook page).  On the other hand, if they do, they'll only publish one article despite the fact it's national news.  Why is that the case? Why does it feel like speaking up for the unheard...the minority is seemingly only a liberal thing?  Doesn't Jesus talk about Justice a TON in the Bible (Luke 11:42; Matt 23:23-28; Luke 4:18-19)?  Doesn't he profess to an upside down kingdom? Isn't the adage, "you're only as strong as your weakest link" mean anything to people?   

Conservatives, open your eyes.  Have a conversation with minorities and instead of judging or the condemning the areas lived, listen, empathize with us and try to understand.  Yes, the aftermath has of this election has been horrendous for minorities.  My mom is an urban high school teacher whose school had to send kids home after the election because they were afraid for their families.  (My mom's school has a high immigrant and Muslim population).  Throughout my city, you see swastika correlated with Pro-Trump.  You have videos of kids bullying other by shouting "white power" or "go back to where you came from" because they've felt empowered by Trumps election.  Please, I'm pleading with you, don't ignore the cries of the oppressed.  This isn't made up; there are videos that show these scenes and so much worse. 

Now Liberals, I have a bone to pick with you.  Immediately after the election, I continuously heard two responses.  First, how can a Christian vote for Donald Trump (and to be honest, I've had to repent of that myself).   Secondly, "all trump voters need to apologize to minorities for the oppression."  I'll start with the former because of the pure nonsensical nature of the statement.  Last time I check, in America, who you vote for is not usually synonymous for who you are as a person.  The Democratic Party is NOT the party of Jesus and neither is the Republican Party.  Please....Stop it!  You may dislike Trump as a moral person, you may not trust him, and you may despise him.  However, trying to determine someone's salvation based upon a vote is not your job.  AND last time I checked, you can't read the hearts of people, only Jesus can (1 Sam 16:7).  It is hurtful and it make us Jesus followers that are trying to make a difference work fifteen times harder. 

To the former,  yes, as I mentioned above, conservatives have frequently turned a blind eye to injustice.  However, voting for a man or woman doesn't mean you support everything they do or say.  In life, there are direct consequences and indirect consequences.  For example, a direct consequence of Donald Trump winning is that minorities (who overwhelmingly voted for Hillary Clinton) felt unheard.  That's predictable.  But the indirect consequence is that the minorities feel afraid and persecuted.  Asking Republicans to apologize for injustice is like asking personal injury lawyers to apologize for car accidents.  It's not in their control, they just react.   Liberals need to stop the blame shifting rhetoric.  I agree with Senator Sanders who said that there are more Democrats in the USA than Republicans.  Therefore, if the democrats would've just voted, there probably wouldn't be a President-Elect Trump.  Would there still be hate crimes, racism, and sexism?  You had better believe that.  Don't try to force people to understand.  If you want them to understand, show them what's going on instead of spewing the "all Trump supports must be racist rhetoric."  That's a blanket statement and I don't remember the last time a blanket statement was helpful or convincing to another party. 

In short (or maybe not too short), this election has done one thing for me: brought me out of my blogging funk.  Nevertheless, we NEED EACH OTHER.  I can't yell that to the mountaintops any more dramatically.  This us versus them mentality will only drive the wedge between us even deeper and we'll never be able to live peacefully.  My older brother would say that I'm being my idealistic self again, but I can't help it.  I believe in people too much.  I believe that there are more good people than bad.  I believe that the worst thing good people can do is say nothing in the face of injustice.  I believe that eyes need to open, ears need to be unclogged and hearts need to be filled with the Spirit.  I refuse to live in a society where I don't speak for the oppressed and misunderstood.  I will fight my heart out to push against the grain.  

If I lose some followers because of my rhetoric, so be it.  I know that I'm attempting to speak the truth in love.  This is the beginning of my uncomfortable breaking in.  I pray that the Lord uses this, and future posts/conversations, to his glory. 

Peace and Love to everyone,
Michael

I Disagree...(2012 Election)

So, the election is finally over and we now have a victor.  Congratulations President Barack Obama.  But also, congratulations to Republican Candidate Mitt Romney for a well fought campaign that literally came down to the wire.  It was the prime example of how a great election could be numbers wise.

I now have to write an obligatory "political" blog about the election and how elated and/or disappointed I am in the results (I'll let you choose which one if any).  However, I've seen enough hate out of my Facebook friends, Twitter follows and talk within my ear that I don't feel the need to gloat/vent about the turnout of the election because everyone is doing it for me!

There isn't anything wrong with being passionate one way or another.  But it is wrong to put down someone else's view, to try to take someone else's joy just because you are upset with the outcome.  It is wrong to just be downright disrespectful to the victor or the loser.  It's dehumanizing as well as un-Christ like.  And that's what's bothering me about the outcome.

I can handle all the mudslinging for the politicians because that's what we've come to in todays life.  But when I hear, just like I did in '08 that the world is going to end, that everyone that's against the election is gonna move to Canada, my heart aches.  In life, there are winners and losers, in sports there are winners and loser, in politics there are winners and loser.  It's just the way things go.

Disagreeing with ones policies is one thing and if people were to say, that they don't think the economy, the deficit, education, etc etc is gonna improve then thats fine with me.  It's those extra extremities that is too much.  Whatever happened to civil disagreement.  That's how We are supposed to act.  We, Christians especially, are supposed to love one another despite differences, so why is there hate?  I just don't understand. And it reallllly frustrates me as I look through my feeds.  Aren't we supposed to do everything ina loving Christian manner as Paul continuously says through his letter?  Aren't people supposed to feel the love of Jesus through us?  Aren't we supposed to be the Salt and Light of the world??? (Matthew 5:13-16)

Mitt Romney put his heart out on this election.  He was sooo into it that he didn't write a concession speech. He didn't even wanna let the idea of losing creep into his head which is the sign of a great competitor   But when he lost, he went out with grace, respect, honesty, and love.  One of the (if not THE) most disappointed man in the nation, had to get out in front of his peeps, and tell them that its over.  I can't imagine all the thoughts that ran through his head...disappointment, anger, fear...But he knew what he had to do and did an absolutely amazing job at it.  He stated that we need to pray for this nation and the President.  And I get the feeling he wasn't just saying that if you know what I mean. He put it all out on the line, no remorse, just moving forward.

And that's what we all should do.  We should respond to the results with love and grace.  You can be disappointed, but don't become disrespectful ESPECIALLY in public my friends.  Join Mitt and pray for our nation, pray for our President, pray for each other.  There are plenty of issues in our daily lives that stress us out, sooo lets not let politics become divisions from friendships, spouses, or even the church!  You can disagree, you can be sad, you can be a little upset, but remember, in alll things do it with love. (1 Corinthians 16:1)  Let's chill with all this hate ya'll.

--MJA