The Holy Post - Feb. 07
Dear Friends,
The Super Bowl is in Miami this month and it features the Bears and the Colts, teams from the Midwest, Chicago and Indianapolis. This is the first time an African American coach has led his team to the Super Bowl. In fact, both teams are led by African American coaches–Lovie Smith (Bears) and Tony Dungy (Colts). February is Black History month. African Americans are succeeding in other arenas. For example, Oprah Winfrey is now a billionaire, the first African American woman to make it to that level. Robert Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, was the first African American to make the list two years ago. No doubt Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would have rejoiced to see these individual African Americans have such opportunities, not to mention, Condoleezza Rice, Tiger Woods, Colin Powell and others.
However, I think Dr. King would be especially proud of Coach Smith and Coach Dungy because they are both outstanding Christians, who do not use profanity and do not belittle or yell at their players. Yet they have succeeded. Two shining examples of character. In his famous “I have a Dream” speech, Dr. King hoped that his children “will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” It looks like with Coach Smith and Coach Dungy, that has happened. No, we have not arrived at the place of equality for all, which Dr. King dreamed about. However, occasionally, there is a gleam of hope that encourages all of us to do our best and to continue to work for justice. As a diverse congregation living in a diverse community, let’s do all we can to love one another and reach out to those of every skin tone in our community with the love of Christ.
Sam
Read the entire newsletter online: The Holy Post - Feb07 [PDF]