Tags
art, beloved community, bennett college, black power, black-brown alliance, civil rights movement, community, community diaologue on education project, democracy, economic justice group, education group, grassroots history group, greensboro, guilford college, guilford county schools, homeless hospitality group, immigration, in the news, jubilee institute group, justice, martin luther king jr., media, communications & arts group, naacp, nc a&t su, new voice project, north carolina, peace group, people, police, political, pulpit forum, south africa, southern faith, labor & community alliance project, street orgs, transformation, truth, truth & reconciliation group, unity, youth,
Archives
The President of The Pulpit Forum Speaks
by Rev. Dr. Gregory T. Headen
Aug. 11, 2008
[A media briefing was held in the chapel of Faith Community Church on August 11, 2008 regarding the non-fatal shooting of Jorge Cornell, local leader of the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation. The following statement was read by Rev. Nelson Johnson on behalf of Rev. Dr. Gregory T. Headen, President of the Pulpit Forum of Clergy of Greensboro and Vicinity. ]
In every struggle toward the highest and best within us, there are obstacles along the way. This is especially true in a culture of violence, and this is a fair caricature of the culture we live in right now. It is understandable that a call for peace comes across as an anomaly in this culture. Yet, God gives some of us the insight to know that if we continue down the road we are going, there is no future for us or our children. Our brother, King J, knows this and has expressed it so well during our times together. It is not just a noble idea for him, but something he is willing to work for, suffer for, and sacrifice for. I thank my God that his life has been spared to continue this work, even to the point of extending forgiveness to those who injured him from his sick bed. It makes me all the more determined to stand with him for what I believe is a way out for all of us.
I am pleading with those who committed this act against him to come to the table with us and to help us embrace a better way. You are not our enemies, but our brothers and sisters. I am urging and inviting every pastor and religious leader to step up to the plate for peace and unity around peace. I urge the prayer warriors in every faith community to turn up the prayer heat and touch the very throne of God for our brother, Jorge, and the cause that he is so passionate about.
In the normal course of the construct set up by our violent society, the poor and minorities turn on each other as we fight over the crumbs and turf. The powers that be will not care much if we kill each other. We must rise up with new appreciation for the life of every human being, with hope for our children, with a desire for a more promising future. There are those in every race who understand this truth, and are willing to stand for it. Let's wake up to the realities that stare us in the face. Let's stop the violence on each other and help each other as brothers and sisters.
I will continue to challenge the church to be the church in this struggle. I believe this is the time to turn our nation in a different direction, and it does not surprise me that the most vulnerable in the whole arrangement will offer the leadership that is needed at this critical time.