BLACK CHURCHES - What they are doing for the CAUSE!

[FrenchieCat]

Yesterday, I attended Church (as I do every Sunday), and I am happy to report that our Pastor, Dr. J. Alfred E. Smith Sr., one of the most prominent Black Pastors in Oakland, is co-organizing a massive contribution Rally next Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum.
http://www.allen-temple.org/
http://www.jalfredsmithsr-ministries.org/Articles.htm

We Expect thousands to show up!

In addition, a Press Conference was held this past Saturday in where our local Black Pastors discussed their reactions to Hurricane Katrina, the Feds' response, and the help needed for the citizens/survivors/victims of this disaster.

I am proud to say that my husband is one of the church Deacons and the personal assistant to the pastor and was on hand at the press conference. Of course, this is also Rep. Barbara Lee's church!

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/09/04/news/state/20_50_199_3_05.txt

Bay Area churches organize hurricane relief
By: JUSTIN M. NORTON - Associated Press

OAKLAND -- With impassioned prayers and angry speeches, a coalition of black religious leaders on Saturday began coordinating a regional relief effort for Hurricane Katrina victims -- a group many said were abandoned by the government because they are predominantly poor blacks.

"I believe that after the storm comes the resurrection," said Reginald W. Lyles, 55, a deacon at Allen Temple Baptist Church, where the group met. "But I would like to say one thing -- we are not refugees. We're American citizens, taxpaying good citizens of the city of New Orleans."

The group, from Christian churches throughout the San Francisco Bay area, called for relief drives within black churches and the black community to assist victims, announced a fund to be administered by Bank of the West and pleaded for churchgoers with medical expertise to volunteer.

"We can replace things, but we can't replace life," said Bishop Joseph E. Simmons of St. Paul Baptist Church in Oakland. "This is about how we can help someone because we're only one earthquake away from being in the same place."

"When you talk to Bay Area people about New Orleans you're talking about their mothers and uncles and cousins and you're talking about the people who mentored them," said J. Alfred Smith Sr., senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist. "The blood is as thick between us and New Orleans as it is between American Jews and Israel."

Many said they were incredulous with how late federal aid arrived in New Orleans and how some news organizations referred to blacks taking necessities as looters while whites seen taking similar items were trying to provide for their families.

"I ask you -- how can you loot a wet TV?" asked Lyles, a former police officer. "It's all junk now."

Another Article generated by the Press Conference:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/localnews/ci_2998498

[TNDemo]

1. The Tom Joyner Show has a fund to help families

assisting victims.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Chuck D broadcast several orgs last night on his show

I am sure they are posted on the Air America site

[FrenchieCat]

4. I think his mom is also a member of our church!

:hi:

[FrenchieCat]

3. In addition....

Outside of the church doors on Sunday, reporters from the Local CBS and ABC affiliates were waiting for us, the congregation to do interviews about N.O., President Bush's handling and what we, Black folks, thought about it.

So I was interviewed by a CBS Reporter....

Simon Perez, the reporter, wanted to know why he didn't hear our pastor speak a good deal more about President Bush's policies in reference to N.O. during his sermon today.....was it because we needed to try to help first and then see why it happened?

I told him that we could chew gum and walk at the same time...that that we were doing our share to help out, and that people had, by offering up rental property at not cost, donated money and food, and offering prayers. That our pastor had forcefully spoken on this subject at a large News conference the day before, and that I was surprised that the reporter was not aware of this.

I went on to say that the pastor was there to minister those who needed it, and that being up at the pulpit pointing fingers was not his job, but rather the job of our elected officials.

The reporter asked me if this was the time to point fingers and play the blame game? I told him that his (the reporter) word usage was unacceptable. I told him that we should be holding the government and those who run it responsible and accountable. That we shouldn't wait for some commission to tell us how we should interpret what is happening before our very eyes........but that the words that he, the reporter was using were counterproductive, and made him part of a larger problem; divisional rethoric.

I told him that the mishandling of Hurricane Katrina was not all about George Bush, but that he, Bush, did represent the symbol of what is wrong with this country. I said that the problem was bigger than just George Bush (me was thinking about the 2006 elections), and had much to do with the Republican agenda on America.

I told him that this country needs to turn upside down the debate that we've been having in this country. It shouldn't be about drowning the government in the bathtub while we get tax breaks.
That if this government can't even deal with the basic priorities that it was created to handle, then the compassionate Republican and their message about "smaller government" was nothing but a public relations smoke screen facilitated by the media.

I mentioned that the debate should be to ask this government why it can't you take care of our basic needs and our "security", as it is required to, and if not, why not? Maybe once we are having the correct debate, we can come up with some answers..

Anyhow, I said a whole lot more....

I doubt that they will use most of it, since I had a lot to say, But I'll see.

[poetsdream]

7. Great Response!!

Thoughtful! Glad to see you confronted the reporter about his use of divisive language and asking leading, non-productive questions.

[caligirl]

10. Hi Frenchiecat, I'm looking forward to the ch 5 knews tonight now!

Those were excellent statements and so true. Thankyou for getting all that on the record.

[FrenchieCat]

11. It was the 5:30 eve Local CBS news yesterday!

But I was left on the cutting room floor...other than my hair appearing behind another interviewee. I'm not surprised though! Why would they want to show someone holding the media accountable? :shrug:

The pastor and a couple of others did get on though....and the message was still a strong anti-bush/GOP one on the handling of the Hurricane!

[Imagevision]

5. EXCELLANT-EXCELLANT - GLAD TO HEAR BETTER NEWS!

[FrenchieCat]

6. Responding by kicking!

:kick:

[qanda]

8. Thanks for directing me here

:kick:

Hopefully, we'll have many more to join the effort.

[JackDragna]

9. On behalf of everyone in Louisiana and elsewhere..

..hit by the hurricane, thanks to you and everyone at your church. Give your pastor my well-wishing.