An Open Letter to African American Men

(Our Spiritual Call to Action)

            Many of you may be familiar with the verse of scripture found in the Old Testament of the Bible, II Chronicles 7:14.  The verse reads as follows: “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray, confess their sin, turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land”.

          This verse is popular with those in Christendom and in religious circles who call for a spiritual revival in our land. Many believe such a revival is necessary to re-awaken in us and re-affirm that we are a Nation under God’s authority; under God’s rule. A much needed revival that would turn our hearts toward God so that America might be spared from His wrath and His judgment, which surely is to come.  I agree, a revival in America would be a magnificent thing; a tremendous event; in fact, a wonderful awakening of spiritual beings glorifying their creator. There certainly would be nothing wrong with people of faith recommitting themselves to God’s principles, and living their lives in obedience to Him.  All of America would benefit and everyone living in such obedience would be blessed. It’s time for such a revival in my community; in the African American Community and I believe God is calling for it to begin today.

         I grew up in a middle class black family; no extreme poverty but also no trappings of wealth. My mother and father were both professionals. My dad taught me about his father, my grandfather, and how at times in his life my granddad had to stand up against discrimination and the Jim Crow South. My dad used to tell me stories about his upbringing in rural east Texas and how difficult the times were. He taught me how to set goals and work hard to accomplish those goals. He taught me to value education. He taught me about life. My dad taught me about God. Quite honestly, like most, I did not listen then, but I remember so much now.

         My dad taught me to take pride in my lineage. He instilled in me that when I walked out of the house, I was a Coleman and that I represented my family. I represented him. He taught me to take pride in my race, for I represented my people in my dealings with others in the “majority community”. He believed that since the days of slavery, we have prospered as a people through education and hard work. He believed that the men of his day were real men because they “stood for something”. Consequently, the Black community of his day was a very proud community whose members behaved with dignity and respect.

         My dad also taught me how to be a servant. By servant, I mean to care and show concern for the needs of others. He was always putting the needs of others before his own. I can remember him on countless occasions going out of his way to serve.  He was always attempting to make the individual journeys of others easier by extending his helping hand.  He was always available to assist his aging parents; his in-laws; his adult brothers and sisters and their families. This helping was also extended to his neighbors and civic club; his co-workers and students at school; and of course his wife and kids. He showed me by example how to serve my people and my fellow man. I learned a lot from my dad, and now realize that he was my very first mentor and role model.

         My dad loved our people, as do I. He was concerned for them and perhaps his concern has now become my burden. Webster defines burden: as duty or responsibility. God has placed in me that level of concern for the plight of my African American people. In me, there is an overwhelming desire for “my entire” race to reach again toward greatness.  I desire “ALL” of my African American brothers and sisters to unite under God and embrace their uniqueness and their culture. I desire “ALL” to delight and take pride in the best of what our Community offers to the World, and also, to accept responsibility for the poor decisions and negative behaviors of our people that continually hold us back.  Again, God is calling for revival and I believe it starts with us….the African American male. 

          I am saddened by the state of many African American males.  I am saddened by the lack of hope and the lack of direction exhibited in how we live out our lives; by the overwhelming importance we place on many of our trivial pursuits and by the negative choices made by us that have led many to great spans of time behind bars.  

          I am saddened because many of us have abdicated our positions of leadership in our homes. We have given up supporting our families and have abandoned fatherhood altogether. We have demeaned our beautiful African American women by calling them derogatory names, which has become for some women a self-fulfilling prophesy because as the Bible teaches us "for so as a man thinketh, so is he."

         I am saddened because we have sinned against Jehovah God, and as a result of our disobedience, I believe He is allowing us to reap the consequences.

          We have chosen “the corner" or “the stoop” to live out our lives rather than partaking in the dignity of work and attempting to make an honest living.  We are shiftless and lazy, and still others of us have embraced the negative imagery and negative stereotypes of the masses and of the media. We prey and live on the sweat and work effort of others of us who are struggling to exist everyday.  Many of us have lost hope.

         We have resigned ourselves to “I can't do any better” and to creating our own self-fulfilling prophesies which blame our circumstance and environment for holding us back. No one would argue or take issue that environmental influences have a tremendous impact on our thinking; our earning potential; our societal values and our overall happiness. But many of us believe that the “World” owes us something and we languish, doing little, awaiting our entitlement and just due. To paraphrase the Staple Singers in their classic song “Respect Yourself”, “we walk around thinking that the world owes us something ‘cause we’re here."

          Certainly, this is not true of all, but as men some of us are “MIA” (Missing in Action) as dads, husbands, brothers, and sons. We are jobless; we are alcoholics; we are addicts; we are prisoners; we are womanizers and we are lousy role models.  We are living up to the emasculating beliefs of our women, and therein continue to lose their respect.  We are uneducated and noticeably absent from our houses of worship.  But again, though this is not true of all, there are still far too many who lead “jacked up” lives and for whom it “IS” true. 

          ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! It is now time for us as men to resume our rightful place in our homes and communities.  To stand: as husbands who love and respect our wives, and for whom they can respect; as dads who provide love, structure and discipline in the lives of our children; as brothers and uncles who serve as role models; as grandfathers who mentor our sons and our daughters and our family clan; as law abiding citizens in our homes rather than as criminals in our jails; as servants of humanity responsible for our fellow man, rather than as self-centered  “players” concerned only for ourselves; and as trustworthy leaders and steadfast followers who co-labor in the vineyard of life, rebuilding greatness in the African American community.  So if enough is truly enough, how do we enact the change? Who is responsible for it? Where do we start? Do we target the African American adult male with hopes that he can model and demonstrate for our youth appropriate paths to manhood? Do we target the youth and give up on a generation of older Black men? Have we been absent for too long? Is it too late?

         Many over the years have taken great pains in addressing the problems that undermine us as a people and as a community. We have had Government mandates and state and local programs. We have had protests and sit-ins. We have heard the messages of hope, inspiration, education and accountability for our African American brethren. We have heard the message of change where millions of men have, for an instant, grasped the message of unity and self-worth; pride and hope. But through it all, Black on Black crime continues to escalate; and (according to the latest justice department and U.S. Census data, although African-Americans make up roughly 13% of the population,) “the men of this group make up 68% of the prison population. The data went on to reveal that an estimated 32% of African-American males will enter state or federal prison during their lifetime."  We have a high school dropout rate that is at an all time high, with fewer of our men going on to college. We have domestic violence issues and too many single parent households headed by women. We have babies having babies and too many unwed mothers. We have an AIDS epidemic where, in data gathered for the year 2007 published in February of 2009 by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), indicates that “50% of all new HIV diagnoses and 42% of new AIDS diagnosis were in Black people yet Blacks only comprise around just 13% of the entire population.” Drug and alcohol addiction are on the rise.  We have massive unemployment. Our list of negative indicators goes on and on.  Some success has been noted and recorded in our history, but except for the Civil Rights movement, it has been momentary, fleeting and without lasting change.  My solution is not elaborate. It is not hip or trendy. It is basic in its simplicity. First, as a people we must begin to see the problems that plague our community as cultural curses… and secondly, African American men, Black men………need to return to God.

          I would say, however, that the previous truisms mentioned are only symptoms.  Symptoms of a different kind of problem.  Symptoms of a far greater problem.  A problem that has denied many African American men of the blessings of God. A Spiritual one. Without God’s blessings, many of us have failed, and our families and communities have faltered.  Many of us have simply walked away from God.  Still, others have straddled both sides of the fence for so long that our hearts are far away from God.  We have yet to understand that He, Jehovah God is not “blessing our mess”. That we, as His creation, are not able to live “any old way” in our disobedience and expect to receive His blessings.  We have chosen not to deal with the sin in our lives, but instead have embraced many unholy, ungodly and non-glorifying lifestyles. Consequently, having walked away or simply strayed away, as African American men, we are reaping the consequences of our disobedience.

        Black men you are loved by your creator.  The Holy Scripture states in Hebrews 12:6: “that God disciplines those He loves.” Therefore, He is not going to continue to bless our rebellion and disobedience.  If we continue to live our lives in sin, we will continue to be without jobs. We will continue to go to jail;  continue to be un-educated and under-educated; continue to be disrespected by our women and all other men and continue to lead “jacked up” lives!!! We will continue to live under God’s curses until we come to our senses; until we get on His page; until we seek His forgiveness; until we come back to Him. As a community, we have testified to the cultural curses of our disobedience for far too long.   So again, African American men we have sinned and need to return to God!!!

          Now there might be those who say; “I don’t do church”; “the church is nothing but a “bunch of hypocrites”; “if I go to church, man they go’ judge me” or “there is as much sin in the church as in the world”. These statements and others like them are often advanced as to why we do not attend church. They may or may not be true. But, should it matter?  Our God is about “relationship with His creation.”  His desire is for us to develop and cultivate an intimate relationship with Him; to hang out with Him. So, what happens if we don’t pursue a relationship with the “Great Jehovah”?  What happens if we choose not to hang out with the “Great I Am”?  What happens if we continue to resist God’s call to repentance?  What happens if we do nothing? We get more of the same...... another generation of delinquent youth; more absentee fathers; more glorified criminal behavior; more hopelessness; more “players” who misrepresent the Glory of the African American male!!! Succinctly stated, we get more cultural curses and eventually judgment.  However, what happens if we repent and seek a relationship with Almighty God? What happens if we answer the call to revival?  What happens if we respond in obedience? “CHANGE”!!!  Change that will empower a people and turn a community right side up; one by one; family by family; neighbor by neighbor.

         Imagine men working, saving, and taking care of their families. Imagine dads at PTA meetings or attending parent’s night at their kids’ schools. How about men not staying home, but taking their wives and children to church.  Imagine dads coming home early or being at home for the evening meal. Every night!!! How about husbands rubbing their wives tired feet at the end of a trying day. What about men referring to women as wives instead of “shorties”?  Need more….. Okay…

          Imagine celibate men desiring to date to find mates for marriage, for life. Then imagine those same men dating, without pressuring their girlfriends for sex. Imagine still, those same African American men married to their wives and constantly striving to love them in the manner that Christ loved his Bride. Then dream those same husbands and their wives staying together for life and their marriages enduring the tests of time. This alone will drastically reduce the number of babies born out of wedlock and the number of single parent households headed by women!!!      So is it worth it? I believe so. Need more…..Okay…

Imagine our women being able to say there are more African American men to date and to marry.  I say more because there will be less men on drugs, fewer in jails/ prisons, and fewer practicing homosexuality. Imagine more of our young African American brothers in our schools of higher learning, preparing themselves for their future and the challenges of tomorrow.

         Imagine less crime in our neighborhoods with less violence and safer streets. Imagine more men in our established community organizations, including the church, causing these organizations to thrive and to fulfill their mission statements for their God given purposes. Imagine our self-employed business men taking pride in the services they provide and the products they produce. Imagine a man’s word once again being his bond.  Imagine a stronger political system where our politicians are held accountable because of more politically- educated, voting African American men. Imagine a stronger, more prosperous African American community as more African American men labor and pursue dreams of their own businesses within our communities.

          Talk about self-sufficiency!!!  Imagine our families being restored and generations of government assisted families getting off of welfare!!!

          Imagine no more, because this is what God’s new man and His community will look like….Let us consider again what happens if we respond with obedience, we seek a relationship with Almighty God, and we answer the call to revival?  “CHANGE”!!!  Change that will heighten our community and empower us as a people.

        There is a new day ahead of us because as African American men our plight is changing. Many of our men, young and old, are experiencing spiritual renewal and worshipping our Creator anew!!! He is pouring out His blessings on all those who return to Him as they experience His change in their lives. 

        So…God’s answer for the spiritual condition of the African American male can be found in His scripture. II Chronicles 7:14 is Almighty God’s formula for restoration of a sinful nation and the lost African American saint who desires the path back to righteous living, and right standing with Him. Simply put, the way back to fellowship and right relationship with God.

          Men, our sovereign God knows what issues and circumstances to send your way to get your attention.  He knows what pains and trials to allow you to go through that will enable you to discover that you cannot make it without Him.  He knows how to place you in situations where you have no one else to turn to but Him. He knows how high to make the mountain for your climb or how deep the valley needs to be to bring about your change. He knows what life experiences and which storms will break our sinful wills, and will bring us ultimately into submission to Him. You can chalk it up to bad luck or bad karma if you desire. You will soon know and recognize it for the spiritual issue that it is, when your efforts to fix it, continue to fail and don’t work. Gentlemen, this is what God calls brokenness, and it is designed to bring you back to Him.

        So men, stop kicking against the bricks wasting time when you know you need to change. Stop denying that inner voice that attempts to hold you accountable for the bad lifestyle choices you continue to make. Stop this insanity of engaging in the same negative behaviors, day in and day out and expecting your life to change; to get better. Stop wrestling with the guilt that you carry for numerous despicable acts; that you can’t talk about and that you attempt to hide.  Call it what it is …..Sin…and then take action. Seek God’s forgiveness!!!

          For those of you men who have never had a relationship with God, it starts with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, surrendering your will to His, and upon doing so, walking in relationship and obedience to Him. This is the true message of the Gospel. Not just because it frees you from sin and its consequences; not just because it offers you eternal life in the here-in-after; but because it offers you hope now and life worth living. As we learn to walk and live obediently in His presence each day He promises to bless us. Tell me who couldn’t use a blessing today!!!

          For others of you who at one time called him Lord, and have strayed away, He calls for you to humble yourselves and pray. Upon confession of sin, repentance and the turning from the sin in your lives, scripture records that “God will hear from Heaven, forgive your sin and heal your land”…which means your lives, your families and your communities.  Again, can you imagine how this will turn our community right side up and empower our people!!!

        God is at work in us, reaching out with new and tender mercies each day, restoring hope and drawing us near to Him. Right now, God is drawing large numbers of African American men back to Him. These men have had God’s word seeded in them, and after watering by other Godly servants and the constant inward tugging of God’s Spirit, they are now ready to come back to Him, His Harvest!!!  All over America, communities are seeing Black men, young and old, giving their lives to Jesus Christ.  Others are experiencing spiritual renewal and worship anew as they rededicate their lives in service to Him.

        In closing, as I reflect upon the things that I learned from my dad, I feel among other things, very blessed.  He has taught me many things: how to set goals, how to value education, and how to serve my fellow man. He shaped my social conscience and Godly world view. My father instilled in me a genuine love for my people, and the need to take pride in my race. He taught me that as black men, we must stand for something.  I have since learned “or we will fall for anything.” I have really taken this last one to heart, for I believe that as Black men, as African American men, we influence everything; every facet of our society!!! Our Dr. Martin Luther Kings, our Medgar Evers, our W.E.B. Du Boises, our Booker T. Washingtons, our Frederick Douglasses, our Dr. Charles Drews, our Dr. George Edmund Haynes, our Carter Woodsons, our Henry Arthur Callises, our Elder Watson Diggs, our Frank Colemans,our Rev. Mordecai Johnsons, our Rev. Howard Thurmans, and our Rev. C. L. Franklins, are just a few of our most influential leaders from yester year. The list is numerous and goes on and on.… I can’t help but think that at one time in our history as African American men, we got it right.  We were our brother’s keeper.  That’s encouraging, because it means that if we pay attention to our history and learn from it, we can get it right again.

       We can repent, confess, turn from our sin and then recommit to living our lives obediently before Almighty God. Upon doing so he has promised to forgive us and to bless us.   We can again take responsibility for our families and again raise a generation of Godly children. We can turn around a generation of juvenile delinquents; we can lower the black on black crime in our communities; we can alleviate our drug and alcohol dependency; we can gain the respect of our women and fellow man; we can lower the instances of STDs and AIDS in our communities; we can love our women  in such a way that they are not babies having babies and the only ones taking care of our kids; we can combat our unemployment issues as we become self sustaining as a community and we employ each other in our own businesses; we can send and graduate more of our young men from colleges and universities rather than filling up the jails and prisons; we can influence our society and our communities by what we positively do and/or negatively don’t do. We can take responsibility for the consequences of our decisions and our negative behaviors and therein enact change. We can educate our people. We can strengthen our society and change our community. As scripture records in Philippians 4:13 “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

       Again, I am encouraged that as men we can “again” get it right. But, the time to do so is now.  The time is now for this generation to realize that we also are our brother’s keeper.  The time is now for this generation to realize that we can impact and transform our communities through our Godly influence.  The time is now for “ALL” of my African American brothers and sisters to unite under God and embrace their race, their uniqueness and their culture. The time is now for “ALL” to delight and take pride in the best of what our community offers to the World. In fact, the time is now for “All” of Black America to return to God. However, it starts first with us as African American men!!! IT’S TIME To come home AND REAP THE Blessings OF OBEDIENT GODLY LIVING!!!    

          Black men, African American men, come back home. Our God promises to forgive our sins against Him, and heal our lands……Come back home to God and together lets reap the benefits and the blessings of our obedience. Our African American families need you! Our African American communities need you! Our American nation needs you too!!!

Respectfully submitted with love for a great people,

Bro. Grant