As we are coming out of winter, and into spring my brothers, I trust that the time in hibernation has not left you mentally soft and flabby. We’ve got a New Year ahead, and we can’t afford to be caught napping. Just to ‘tune us up’, I wanted to go back into the western movie ‘gold file’ and pull up one from the past.
Charles Bronson played one of the gunmen from the Original, 1960 “The Magnificent Seven” movie with Yul Brenner and Steve McQueen. Bronson’s character protects three young, hero-worshiping Mexican boys in a dirt poor village. They disrespect their fathers, calling them cowards and calling Bronson’s character (Bernardo O’Reilly), ‘brave’ because he was a gunfighter. Bronson’s response is PRICELESS and should serve as a beacon to fathers and sons: “Don’t you ever say that again about your fathers, because they are NOT cowards. You think that I am brave because I carry a gun. Well, your fathers are much braver because they carry responsibility. For you, your brothers, your sisters and your mothers. And this responsibility is like a big rock that weighs a ton. It bends them and it twists them until finally it buries them under the ground. And, there’s nobody says they have to do this. They do this because they love you and because they want to. I have never had this kind of courage. Running a farm, working like a mule everyday with no guarantee anything will ever come of it. This is bravery.”
This is something that REAL men need to remember about BEING a man. It’s not about ‘bowing’ at the altar of the social jerks, the ‘Mainstream Mess’, or the rabid feminists. It’s about being WHO God created you to be…and carrying that mantle with confidence, assurance in Christ, working hard and pride in your abilities. That’s what our grandfathers taught us, and some of our fathers. Fail to listen, at your own downfall.
MEANWHILE: A BOOK LONG OVERDUE:
“Dem Days Was Hell” is a book of history, released by the old W.P.A. in 2017. It contains the ACTUAL testimonies of former slaves from some 17 states. It is more than 8,000 pages long, and is available for download from Amazon.com and other sources.
This book is MANDATORY reading for those who have some ‘romanticized’ view of slavery. You see, the farther you get from a historical event, the dimmer it becomes, and the weaker its strength. All you have left is what is recorded, based upon what those alive at the time told someone who could put it in print.
Finally, there is concrete evidence! And the Feds have released it!
Back during the Great Depression, the federal government put forth a bunch of ‘alphabet soup’ programs to keep money flowing, and to keep folks working. One such program, the W.P.A. had a project to keep many writers and artists eating three meals a day. Their job was to track down, and interview surviving slaves to have a historical record of the impact of that evil institution on our ancestors AND on this country. Those writers then filed their reports with the governmental archives.
Many over the years have said the ‘records’ have been ‘lost’ about slavery. The feds have had them, ALL this time. Thus, if you are talking about Reparations for our people, let us not forget, there are the descendants of the white writers and researchers who did the interviewing of our fore parents. They deserve a ‘finder’s fee’ for doing the ‘grunt work’ that has been needed to make these records…public!
I’ve been writing about the Reparations issue for a number of years. My stance has NOT changed: “America, CHECK please!” Everyone else has gotten a check. It’s our turn, baby! And, at last count, Black folk were owed between $3 to $15 Trillion, baby!
FULL FIELD PACK! PSALM 119 CONTINUES:
In continuing our way through the 119th Psalm, we’ll take a rest stop in verses 41-48 (KJV). In verse 46 we find our nugget for today: “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
We live in a society that is under the control of the world system, and is bent upon silencing and shaming Christians into silence and complicity. It seems that everywhere a man turns, there is pressure to compromise. There is pressure to call wrong right, and right wrong. In short, the wicked of society, under the guise of political correctness and environmental friendliness, want to sandblast God out of the public square.
Like my father told me: “Son, don’t fall for the Okey Doke!”
The Christian’s relationship to his God is not a cause for being mealy-mouthed. The writer of this Psalm has a simple request…that he not back down, nor show the ‘white feather’ when it comes time to speak up for Christ before those in authority.
To be marked as a man, and not a male, means that a brother must be prepared to tell the truth in all instances…regardless of the cost involved. You may lose a job, or a promotion, or a relationship. Nevertheless, think of what you will lose if you keep silent.
There are some brothers who have paid a high cost in taking a stand for righteousness, and have OUTLIVED their critics. Something worth thinking about!
POLITICS: WHY DON’T YOU LEARN--AND RUN?
As we wrap up our time together in this column, I just wanted to explore the political landscape for a few lines. When one sees an abundance of women in roles that have been ordained by God for the men of a society, it makes you wonder where all of the REAL men are? In the church, in the Congress, and other places around the world we see women who are in positions of power…and weak men who are supporting them, to the exclusion of REAL men! It is only after the house of cards falls because of women being out of their place do people understand the lack of men on the walls and in the pulpit.
From a biblical perspective, Queen Jezebel quietly usurped the power of King Ahab under the guise of securing a vineyard that the king desperately wanted. Once she set the owner of the vineyard up, got him murdered, and the deed to the property placed in the king’s hand…Queen Jezebel NEVER gave the power back!
There are some of you brothers who have been told--by God--to step up your game and get into leadership. Listen to him. Don’t worry. Whom God calls…he gifts! Don’t let another group of Jezebels seize political power in the next series of elections. Get in the ring, count the cost, and do the job. God…and a whole lot of other brothers…will smile on you! See you soon, Lord willing!
Mike Ramey is a Minister, Book Reviewer, P-School Ranger, Modern Street Gangs Specialist and Syndicated Columnist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. “The Manhood Line: Live!” is one of a variety of columns that Ramey has in cyberspace. To drop him a line…or a whine…the address is still the same: manhoodline@yahoo.com. ©2019 Barnstorm Communications.
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