Meet Saving Black Churches Movement (Cause Celebre)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1. In the sacred libation style dedication of the 3rd Edition of his INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor/Char, Africana Studies Department, CSULB, quotes our ancestor, Ms. Fannie Lou Hammer saying to us “Two things we all should care about, never to forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over.” Dr. Karenga defines Ms. Hammer’s admonition as advocating “the morality of remembrance.”

2. Certainly the new Saving Black Churches Movement (Cause Celebre) can be understood in the above context of the morality of remembrance as understood not only by Dr. Karenga’s formulation but also by Reformation African American Lutheran Congregation-Chicago’s Saving Black Churches Ministerium.

3. One does not have to become an advocate of New England’s Coast Guard University to agree with its President Emeritus that a development program without an actually existing and targeted material financial basis is a fantastic illusion however good intentioned.

4. The beauty of the new Saving Black Churches Movement (Cause Celebre) is that it both advocates and provides a material financial basis for Black Church preservationist development beyond a wing and a prayer however important the latter.

5. Our pivot to the new Saving Black Churches Movement (Cause Celebre), then, is toward living Saving Black Churches developmental water as it were and not toward a get-rich-quick desert wilderness mirage.

6. It is within this context that we joined with Black community activist forces i.e., Serving the People, Power to Impress, and Up Close & Personal to establish, strengthen, and expand A SAVING BLACK CHURCHES STUDIO, 1920 W. 115TH Street, Morgan Park, Chicago IL.

7. All the above said we are planning an inaugural program to occur Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 11am-5pm.

8. Program elements in progress:

A. Farmer’s Market By Michael & Amelia Howards Eden Place Farms 11am-3pm. Plus 1pm Studio presentation on Eden Places project.

B. Showing Part 2 of PBS Documentary by Dr. Henry Louis Gates 11pm-1pm headed THE BLACK CHURCH (Our Story & Song).

C. Panel Discussion: The Historic Role of the Black Church. Proposed panelists Ms. Cecile Johnson, African Development Plan, Rev. Victoria Brady, Rev. Dr. Gale Fraizer, Rev. Joel Washington, Rev. Chris Butler via Tele & Video Conference 2-3:30 pm

D. Happy Birthday To Ya Mr. Tim Cox 3-4:15pm & Open Mike

E. Thanks Dr. Willie Wilson 4:15pm

F. OPEN MIKE & CLOSING 5PM

G. Our full inaugural program contextual announcement here: https://afropresssite.wordpress.com/2023/09/03/who-we-are-what-we-are-about/

Respectfully: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma)

Reminder: MORALITY OF REMEBRANCE Oral History Interviews DR. JAMES WESLEY JOHNSON, Friday, November 5, 2021, 10-12 Noon (CST)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DR. Johnson -Part 1

1.WHO:

DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS (Reformation African American Lutheran Kusaanyiko/Congregation Chicago), C/o Rev. Joel and Deaconess Marsha Washington, 9oo W. 63rd PKWY, #1012, Chicago IL 60621

2. WHAT:

Hosts an Oral History Interview with Dr. James Wesley Johnson, Distinguished Professor of African American History Retired -Part 1

3. WHEN, WHERE, & HOW:

Friday, November 5, 2021, 10AM, CST, ACCESSABLE VIA Reformation Congregation Chicago’s Free Phone Conference Number here: (727) 731-7760

4. HOW & WHY:

The first of a two-part interview covering Dr. Johnson’s elementary school years in Chicago, his high school education and undergraduate college degree from Chicago State University, his marriage and early family, his graduate work: M.A. and Ph. D. in American History with specializations in African American and social history from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

His doctoral dissertation entitled: The Associated Negro Press: A Medium of International News and Information, 1919-1967 -completed 1975- will also be discussed.

Part 1 will conclude with a brief discussion of Dr. Johnson’s early Employment as a Professor of History at Alabama A&M University starting in 1975.

Submitted by The Morality of Remembrance.

Introducing Our Oral History Interview With Dr. James Wesley Johnson -Part 1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1.WHO:

DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS (Reformation African American Lutheran Kusaanyiko/Congregation Chicago), C/o Rev. Joel and Deaconess Marsha Washington, 9oo W. 63rd PKWY, #1012, Chicago IL 60621

2. WHAT:

Hosts an Oral History Interview with Dr. James Wesley Johnson, Distinguished Professor of African American History Retired -Part 1

3. WHEN, WHERE, & HOW:

Friday, November 5, 2021, 10AM, CST, ACCESSABLE VIA Reformation Congregation Chicago’s Free Phone Conference Number here: (727) 731-7760

4. HOW & WHY:

The first of a two-part interview covering Dr. Johnson’s elementary school years in Chicago, his high school education and undergraduate college degree from Chicago State University, his marriage and early family, his graduate work: M.A. and Ph. D. in American History with specializations in African American and social history from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

His doctoral dissertation entitled: The Associated Negro Press: A Medium of International News and Information, 1919-1967 -completed 1975- will also be discussed.

Part 1 will conclude with a brief discussion of Dr. Johnson’s early Employment as a Professor of History at Alabama A&M University starting in 1975.

Submitted by The Morality of Remembrance.

OUR CONGREGATION’S ORDER OF SERVICE VIA OUR ONE (1) FREE CONFERENCE CALL NUMBER here: (727) 731-7760

A. Saturday Eves for Sunday Morns Worship, 7 PM Sharp, CST Weekly, Access (727) 731-7760 (A Good of Englewood) here: https://liturgyisus.wordpresscom

B. TREVELING MERCIES: Monthly Prayer Service for Rev. Chris Butler’s 1st Illinois Congressional District Campaign here: http://www.electchrisbutler.com

C. A ROSELAND ROSE: Saving Young Barack Obama’s Historic Organizing Sanctuary here: https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com

D. Bi-Monthly In Depth with Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor/Chair of Africana Studies, CSULB, Creator of Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba, Master Teacher and Seba, Moral Teacher of Teachers, Kawaida-Maat Tradition (TBA)

E. The Tri-Quarterly APRIL 4TH JOURNAL: ON THE PASSION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. here: https://drummajorsforjustice.wordpress.com

F. ETHIOPIA UNBOUND (Reformation Kusangyiko-Congregation Chicago’s Black Liberation Theology Journal) An Annual Anthology here: https://blackholyfamily.wordpress.com/

G. Black Church Martyrs Week -April 4-9- in Remembrance of the Passions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and the Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Especially but not Exclusively (TBA)

H. FROM ABILITY TO NEED (Our Elim Swedish Lutheran Memorial Windows as Planned Giving Foundation) here: https://reformationchicagostory.wordpress.com/

I. RESIDENTS ONLY CHAPLAINC CAFE: SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FAITH-BASED TENANT ORGANIZING @ SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO’S BETHEL TERRACE APARTMENTS HERE: https://englewoodbiblestudies.wordpress.com

Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor, Council President, & Executive Director of SAVING YOUNG BARACK OBAMA’S HISTORIC ORGANIZING SANCTUARY here: https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com

Pastor Washington is a voluntary member of MCS-ELCA (Metro Chicago Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Retired Leadership Roster and accordingly in its service. -Updated 10/9/21.

CONTACT: langston1212@gmail.com

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

MORALITY OF REMEMBRANCE LAUNCHES ORAL HISTORY MINISTERIUM VIA INTERVIEWING CHICAGO’S DR. JAMES WESLEY JOHNSON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROLOGUE

“To: Fannie Lou Hamer who taught us the morality of remembrance, saying there are two things we all should care about- never to forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over.” Dr. Maulana Karenga’s dedication to his work, INTRODUCTION TO BLACK STUDIES, Third Edition, Sankore Press, Los Angeles, 2002

HONOR [esteem, value as precious] YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise—Ephesians 6:2 -AMP

“Oral history is a technique for generating and preserving original, historically interesting information – primary source material – from personal recollections through planned recorded interviews.” -Smithsonian Institute Archives-

A basic oral history interview video introduction from the Smithsonian here: https://siarchives.si.edu/history/how-do-oral-history
Dr. James Wesley Johnson -Academic Profile Excerpts

A. “Dr. James Wesley Johnson received his early education in Chicago Public Schools at Douglas Elementary School and Dunbar Vocational High School. He earned a B.S. in Education with a history concentration from Chicago State Universsity, and a M.A. and Ph. D. in American History with specializations in African American and social history from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His doctoral dissertation was entitled: The Associated Negro Press: A Medium of International News and Information, 1919-1967 -completed 1975.

B. “Employed as a Professor of History at Alabama A&M University since 1975, he has taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduatehistory courses that relate to the African Diaspora and explore the fundimental nature and approach to historical study, including developing a minor concentration in public history…

C. “As lead-author for The Nguzo Saba and the Festival of First Fruits: A Guide to Promoting Family, Community Values and the Celebration of Kwanzaa, Dr. Johnson played a major role in introducing Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba to the North Alabama region and made a significant contribution toward institutionalizing the celebration across the country. From 1998-2008, Dr. Johnson’s interest in interfaith partnerships expanded as he participated in several faith-based initiatives involving various religions in Huntsville.

D. “On July 1, 2003, after nearly 30 years of service, Dr. Johnson retired as Professor of History and Director of the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum. He relocated to Chicago in 2009 and has been actively involved in the residential community of Montgomery Place, serving on the residence council and the library and hospitality committees, leading a monthly interfaith devotional group and volunteering on the health care and catered living units. Perhaps Dr. Johnson’s most enjoyable service since his retirement is his affiliation with the Hyde Park-Kenwood Interfaith Council, where he served as a Board member.

E. “Dr. Johnson was married to Dr. F. Frances Johnson (CSU ’62) for 49 years before her transition in 2007. He is the proud parent of two devoted daughters: The Honorable Sharon J. Coleman, a federal justice in the United States Court of Northern Illinois who with her husband and two children are Chicago residents: and Dr. Jacquelyn Johnson-Minter, a physician, who resides in Sugar Land, Texas with her husband. Dr. Johnson-Minter, a physician, who resides in Sugar Land, Texas with her husband and three children.”

F. Currently, Dr. Johnson serves as a consultant to Bronzevillie Visitor Information Center. BVIC is an African American Heritage Tourism attraction and cornerstone in Bronzeville’s development as a premier international travel destination. More, Dr. Johnson also serves as an advisor to Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council. BMC&TC is a 501c3 not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the historic Bronzeville community and the broader south lakefront region of Chicago. BMC&TC focuses on civic engagement, service learning, and cultural heritage tourism development.

–Submitted by Dr. JWJ and Excerpted and edited by The Morality of Remembrance.

OUR CONGREGATION’S ORDER OF SERVICE VIA OUR ONE (1) FREE CONFERENCE CALL NUMBER here: (727) 731-7760

A, Saturday Eves for Sunday Morns Worship, 7 PM Sharp, CST Weekly, Access (727) 731-7760 (A Good of Englewood) here: https://liturgyisus.wordpresscom

B. TREVELING MERCIES: Monthly Prayer Service for Rev. Chris Butler’s 1st Illinois Congressional District Campaign here: http://www.electchrisbutler.com

C. A ROSELAND ROSE: Saving Young Barack Obama’s Historic Organizing Sanctuary here: https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com

E. The Tri-Quarterly APRIL 4TH JOURNAL: ON THE PASSION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. here: https://drummajorsforjustice.wordpress.com

F. ETHIOPIA UNBOUND (Reformation Kusangyiko-Congregation Chicago’s Black Liberation Theology Journal) An Annual Anthology here: https://blackholyfamily.wordpress.com/

G. Black Church Martyrs Week -April 4-9- in Remembrance of the Passions of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and the Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Especially but not Exclusively (TBA)

H. FROM ABILITY TO NEED (Our Elim Swedish Lutheran Memorial Windows as Planned Giving Foundation) here: https://reformationchicagostory.wordpress.com/

Pastor Washington is a voluntary member of MCS-ELCA (Metro Chicago Synod/Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Retired Leadership Roster and accordingly in its service. -Updated 10/9/21.

CONTACT: langston1212@gmail.com

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

PLEASE HOLD GARVEY’S AUGUST 17, 2021 BIRTHDATE!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ANNOUNCEMENT

DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS (Reformation African American Kusanyiko/Congregation Chicago) -Roseland & Bethel Terrace Englewood Parishes

Presents

ETHIOPIA SHALL STRETCH FORTH HER HANDS:

Celebrating HON. MARCUS MOSIAH GARVEY’S 134TH BIRTHDAY -1887/2021

Keynote Speaker

DR. MAULANA KARENGA, PROFESSOR/CHAIR, AFRICANA STUDIES, CSULB & SEBA.(MORAL TEACHER-KAWAIDA MAAT TRADITION)

Topic

IS JUSTICE BLIND? (Garvey,

Critical Race Theory, Ethnic Studies, and Kawaida Philosophy)

TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 17, 2021, 7 PM SHARP, CST

DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS’s FREE CONFERENCE CALL: (727) 731-7760

Reformation Kusanyiko (Congregation) Chicago Remembers and Recommits to Living the Legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968)

Forthcoming this Easter Saturday, April 10, 2021

APRIL 4TH PASSION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING (Anti/War, Black Labor, Reparations, and Beloved Community)

With

DR. MAULANA KARENGA, Master Teacher & Seba, Moral Teacher-Kawaida Maat Tradition, Professor/Chair Africana Studies, CSULB, Executive Director, African Amrican Cultural Center/Us, Los Angeles, Chair, Us Organization and the National Association of Kawaida Organizations (NAKO), Creator of Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba, and Co-Chair, Black Community Clergy and Labor Alliance (BCCLA)

Easter Saturday, April 10, 2021, @ 3pm (CST) -Free Conference Call: (727) 731-7760

Hosts: Reformation Kusanyiko (Congregation) Chicago, African American Reparations Ethicists, MCS-ELCA, Saving Young Obama’s Historic Organizing Sanctuary

Contact: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma),Pastor, Council President, and Executive Director, langston1212@gmail.com MORE, here: https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com/

Respondants: Rev. Victoria C. Brady-ABJ Community Services, Mr. Kamm Howard, N’COBRA Chicago- Chapter Chair, Deaconess Marsha Washington and Baba Yusufu Mosely, Reformation Kusanyiko (Congregation) Chicago-Fellowship of African American Reparations Ethicists

MORALITY OF REMEMBRANCE (Reformation Church Chicago’s Collective Vocation of Reparations Chaplaincy) Joins N’COBRA Chicago’s “$100 Million is Not Enough” Press Conference Re: U.S and Canada Jesuits’ Truth and Reconciliation Foundational Pledge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.comPROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

²⁰For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” -Matthew 18:20 Amplified-

PRESS RELEASE TEXT

MORALITY OF REMEMBRANCE (Reformation Church Chicago’s Collective Vocation of Reparations Chaplaincy) is pleased to join with NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACKS FOR REPARATIONS IN AMERICA-CHICAGO CHAPTER (N’COBRA Chicago) and its initiatives such as the Conrade Worrill Reparations Commission, as well as its City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois and Federal government efforts all related to today’s press conference in front of the Catholic Archdiocese HQ of Chicago.

This said, we join with N’COBRA Chicago in saying “Not Enough!” to the recent announcement of the American and Canadian Jesuits Conference pledging $100 Million to underwrite a Truth and Reconciliation Foundation on the Jesuits role in the so-called Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade on the one hand and the U.S. and Canadian Jesuits role in using enslaved Africans to build, maintain, and develop Jesuit institutions in North America.

We say so-called “Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade” and “Slavery” because MORALITY OF REMEMBRANCE (Reformation Church Chicago’s Collective Vocation of Reparations Chaplaincy) unites with the HOLOCAUST OF AFRICAN ENSLAVEMENT category put forth by social ethicist, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor/Chair of Africana Studies-CSULB, as the true nature of the injury to African peoples and “not simply trade gone bad with unintentional collateral damage.”

Here, Dr. Karenga’s social ethics, headed “An Ethics of Reparations,” defines the category “Holocaust of African Enslavement as a morally monstrous act that is a crime not only against the injured African peoples but a crime against humanity.”

We therefore unite with Dr. Karenga’s Kawaida Ethics of Reparations calling for “public dialog, public admission, public apology, public recognition, compensation (in various forms), and preventive measures.”

We also unite with N’COBRA Chicago’s Chapter Chair, Mr. Kamm Howard’s statement “…The injuring party cannot say what the redress should be or how it should be delivered or administered.”

This said, the current U.S. and Canadian Jesuit Conference attempted institutional act of contrition, as a leading religious order of the Roman Catholic Church in North America, indeed globally, is “NOT ENOUGH!”

EPILOGUE

“I am the vanguard and rearguard of the people. One who finds the solution where it is lacking. A leader of the land through active assertion. I choose and use words well and am collected in thought on the day of joining the three southern most districts. For I am a champion without peer who spoke out when the people were silent. Those upon whom I placed my hand, never met misfortune, for my heart was committed and my counsel excellent.” -Selections From THE HUSIA: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt, Selected and Retranslated by Dr. Maulana Karenga,” Professor/Chair, Africana Studies, CSULB, RE: A Rediu Khunum) saying-

Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor, Council President, and Executive Director (Saving Young Obama’s Historic Community Organizing Sanctuary/1985-87), Reformation Church Chicago, 3-19-21, Updated 3-21-21

CONTACT: langston1212@gmail.com

TEXT: 773-499-3323

HERE WE STAND here: https://ethiopinistforum.wordpress.com/2021/03/16/open-letter-to-bishop-yehiel-curry-metro-chicago-synod-evangelical-lutheran-church-in-america-part-5/

OUR OWN YOUNG OBAMA HISTORIC ORGANIZING SANCTUARY STORY here:https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com/

OUR WEEKLY SUNDAY TELECONFERENCE REVIVAL SERVICE here: https://liturgyisus.wordpress.com

Introducing Reformation Church Chicago’s KAREN LEWIS MEMORIAL REVIVAL PHONE CONFERENCE -4PM Sundays Weekly -Effective March 7, 2021- (727) 731-7760

ANNOUNCEMENT

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

PROLOGUE

“…always praise the bridges that brought us over.” -Fannie Lou Hammer–

“Francis, rebuild My Church; falling into ruins all around you.” -The Franciscan Tradition of Sacred Place Architecture-

WHO? REFORMATION CHURCH CHICAGO (Saving Young Obama’s Historic Organizing Sanctuary/1985-87)

WHAT? OUR KAREN LEWIS MEMORIAL REVIVAL PHONE CONFERENCES SUNDAY AFTERNOONS

WHEN? EFFECTIVE: SUNDAY MARCH 7, 2021 –Black History Month-II (Women Focus)

WHERE? OUR VERY OWN CHICAGO-BASED NATIONAL CONFERENCE CALL

H0W? ACCESS: (727) 731-7760

WHY? “CPS (Chicago Public Schools) may always be a hot mess, but with our due diligence, creativity, expertise and insights we can one day make this the strongest school district in the nation.” –

-Former Chicago Teachers Union President, Karen Lewis (1953-2021)-

EPILOGUE: OUR SOLIDARITY CTU UNION VERSE -ala mode JOE HILL

We dreamed we saw Karen Lewis last night
Alive as you or me

Said we, Karen, you’re just some days ago dead
I never died, says She

I never died, says She

Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor, Council President, and Executive Director, Reformation Church Chicag0 (Saving Young Obama’s Historic Organizing Sanctuary/1985-87) HERE: https://partneringreformation.wordpress.com/

CONTACT: 773-499-3323

Remembering Mayor David Dinkins -Part 4 & More About Us

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MAYOR DINKINS IN THE NEW YORK CITY MAYORALTY OFFICE 1989-1993

It is a basic contention of Kawaida African-Centered philosophy, founded, defined, and advanced by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor/Chair of Africana Studies, CSULB and Executive Director of the African American Cultural Center/Us, Los Angeles that “If things were as they appeared to be, there would be no need for scientific investigation.”
Kawaida, then, exhorts its adherents, of which this writer in one, toward “deep thinking.”
Accordingly, we are in this piece attempting a Black (African-Centered) freelance investigative journalism report on the political career of the Hon. David N. Dinkins (1927-2020), New York City’s first and only African American mayor to date (1989-1993).
We should remember that Mayor Dinkins wins office in a three way race between the incumbent Ed Koch (1924-2013) and the Republican/Liberal Party fusion candidate, Rudolf Giuliani, the City’s Southern District Federal Prosecutor.
Mr. Koch’s administration (1978-1989) was then hampered by corruption within the police department and other city agencies under his watch. Mr. Dinkins, as Manhattan’s Borough President, was considered by pundits Mayor Koch’s most serious challenger.
After defeating Mayor Koch in the Democratic Party Primary, Manhattan Borough President Dinkins faced off against Mr. Giuliani whom he subsequently defeated, by a narrow margin, becoming New York City’s first and only Black mayor to date.
Crime, or the historic criminalization of New York City and State’s Black and Brown citizens (blaming the victim), was a key established order issue for the incoming Mayor Dinkins’ administration.
The above said, according to Wikipedia, “Dinkins entered office in January 1990 pledging racial healing, and famously referred to New York City’s demographic diversity as a “gorgeous mosaic”.^[22] The crime rate in New York City had risen alarmingly during the 1980s, and the rate of homicide in particular reached an all-time high of 2,245 cases during 1990, the first year of the Dinkins administration.
Despite popular perception of the new Dinkins administration’s handling of the City’s established order crime issue, Wikipedia notes that in fact “The rates of most crimes, including all categories of violent crime, then declined during the remainder of his four-year term. That ended a 30-year upward spiral and initiated a trend of falling rates that continued and accelerated beyond his term.^[24][25]
Wikipedia goes on to say, that in contrast to the hard facts, “the high absolute levels, the peak early in his administration, and the only modest decline subsequently (homicide down 12% from 1990 to 1993)^[26] resulted in Dinkins’ suffering politically from the perception that crime remained out of control on his watch.”
More, contrary to popular belief, and to his lasting credit, Mayor Dinkins convened the Mollen Commission against NYC Police Department corruption in 1992. The famed Commission is defined by Wikipedia below.
“The Mollen Commission is formally known as The City of New York Commission to Investigate Allegations of Police Corruption and the Anti-Corruption Procedures of the Police Department. Former judge Milton Mollen was appointed in June 1992 by then New York City mayor David N. Dinkins to investigate corruption in the New York City Police Department.”
The Mollen Commission earned for Mr. Dinkins the permanent enmity of the City’s police unions.
By contrast, the Mollen Commission earned for Mr. Dinkins the appreciation of the City’s Black and Brown communities, particularly their engaged anti-police targeting, brutality, and abuse community organizers.
The above respective communities and activist forces understood the role of big-city police in their communities was not to protect and serve as advertised, but rather to function as an occupational armed force in policing Black and Brown lives. The Mollen Commission report, then, served to confirm their views, to the consternation of the City’s established order, including especially the City’s police unions but was by no means limited to.

By Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma). Pastor, Council President, and Saving Black Historical Places Correspondent, Reformation Church Chicago (“Young Barack Obama’s historic community organizing sanctuary”), 12-4-20

CONTACT: langston1212@gmail.com

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

Remembering Mayor David Dinkins -Part 3 & About Us

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE EMERGENCE OF AN ELITE BLACK NEW YORK CITY POLITICIAN

A Chronology of the rise of Mayor Dinkins to Black political power is as follows:
Represented District 78 of New York State Assembly 1966.
President NYC Board of Elections 1972-73.
Nominated Deputy Mayor to Mayor Abraham Beam but not appointed 1974.
Appointed City Clerk 1975-1985.
Elected Manhattan Borough President on third try 1985.
Elected NYC Mayor 1989.
Notes on Mayor Dinkins’ membership in the so-called “Gang of Four.” Said label was used initially as a disparaging label but over time became a badge of Black political leadership distinction.
As noted the “Gang of Four “consisted of Hon. Percy Sutton, Hon. Basil Patterson, the Hon. Charles Rangel, and Mayor David Dinkins as joint Harlem political club leaders.
According to Wikipedia, then, “Sutton was a longtime leader in Harlem politics, and was a leader of the Harlem Clubhouse, also known as the “Gang of Four“. The Clubhouse has dominated Democratic politics in Harlem since the 1960s. His allies in running the Clubhouse were New York City Mayor David Dinkins, U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, and New York Secretary of State Basil Paterson – whose son, David Paterson, became New York Governor in 2008.

ABOUT THE MORALITY OF REMENBRANCE AS REFORMATION CHURCH CHICAGO’S BLACK METROPOLIS CONGREGATIONAL VOICE

A. According to Dr. Maulana Karenga, Professor/Chair of Africana Studies, CSULB and Executive Director of The African American Cultural Center/Us, Los Angeles, we study Black History to “1) Learn its Lessons, 2) Emulate its Models of Achievement, and 3) Practice the Morality of Remembrance.”

B. Dr. Karenga formulated the Morality of Remembrance category from reflecting on Ms. Fannie Lou Hammer’s exhortation to the African American people saying “There are two things we all should care about. Never to forget where we came from. And always praise the brdges that carried us over.”

C. More, we take our charge from Dr. Karenga’s exhortation to us as an African people in America saying “This is our duty: To know our past and honor it. To engage the present and improve it. To imagine a whole new future and forge it in the most effective, ethical, and dignity enhancing ways.”

D. Accordingly we understand ourselves as a voice crying in the wilderness wherein Isaiah 40:3-5 says:

A voice of one is calling out,
“Clear the way for the Lord in the wilderness [remove the obstacles];
Make straight and smooth in the desert a highway for our God.
⁴
“Every valley shall be raised,
And every mountain and hill be made low;
And let the rough ground become a plain,
And the rugged places a broad valley.
⁵
“And the glory and majesty and splendor of the Lord will be revealed,
And all humanity shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”

E. We are for Dr. Karenga’s Kwaida (African Tradition & Reason) formulation of “Operational Unity” on the one hand “Unity in Diversity” on the other. By Operational Unity we mean practical unity of those willing to unite in seeking the common good. By “Unity in Diversity” we mean “Unity in diversity; Unity without uniformity.”

F. By unity we also mean, in broad strokes, Dr. Karenga’s “An Ethics of Sharing” outlined by him as follows: “1) Shared Status, 2) Shared Knowledge, 3) Shared Space, 4) Shared Wealth, 5) Shared Power, 6) Shared Interests, and 7) Shared Responsibility.”

By Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Pastor, Council President, and Saving Black Historic Places Correspondent, Reformation Church Chicago (“Young Obama’s historic community organizing sanctuary“), 12-3-20

CONTACT: langston1212@gmail.com

DONATE: https://sankofalutheranchicago.com