Act Like You Know
The latest national controversy comes from San Francisco 49ers’ Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, refusal to stand for the national anthem while it was being played. And if you were to ask people’s opinions, you’d receive split opinions based upon a split nation.
Ironically the splintered nation didn’t divide after last week’s pre game decision, but has been split since its origin. We really should be called the Divided States of America, not United!
Why, for we came into a land which was already inhabited by Native Americans and gave credit to a Portuguese fella named Columbus. Not giving credit where it's due, will cause division every time. Why else? We used Blacks to build the nation with their blood, sweat and tears and didn’t share the wealth. We wouldn’t allow them to go to the same schools, play on the same sports teams, or live in the same neighborhoods. This is still the underlining reason this nation is divided. True apologies, reparations and educational opportunities have never gone forth.
Generations of people ideologies are still divided, similar to their forefathers and cultures. No matter what side of the fence you’re on, if you haven’t been educated, you’re still narrow minded! For example: I bet if you ask people of color if they are cool with states allowing people to drive around with a Confederate Flag hanging, you’d get different responses than Whites who some would say isn't a big deal. Or I bet if you ask people do police harass people of color, different cultures would have given different answers. We all know the truth now! I bet if you ask did OJ Simpson kill his wife, you would get different answers based on culture; even do women get unequal Pay for doing similar jobs that a man does or is it harder for a minority to get a job than Whites? You’d get different responses. Face it, we’re a divided nation and the proof is in the pudding.
The church is no better; similar people make up the particular church in a particular area, Sun at 11am is the most segregated time just walk in a building. There are Black, White and Hispanic churches; rich, poor and gay churches. They’re showy, rural and community based churches; all dividing what God’s Son Jesus died to bring together.
God taught Peter a valuable lesson in Acts 10:9-16, 27-28, about judging people. Let’s learn from Peter, from Colin, from Law Enforcement and the church, if you’re not part of the solution, You Are The Problem! Stop saying you’re from the U.S., you’re from the D.S. (Divided States).
Act like you know. For Momma told me when you know better, you would do better.
1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
Get to work,
Pastor Kirkland A. Smith
