From National Independence Day to 3 nights of National Trauma...I'm different!

Monday night, I'm at a park with over 2,500 attendees at a 4th of July festival listening to music, playing kid games with my two younger children, enjoying the evening air... residents, families and the local police force; smiling, laughing and enjoying one another. The evening ended with a lovely fireworks show and the Police department making a kind and inviting invitation for all to join them on the 9th for another event, to be hosted by the police department. People clapped and cheered; apparently this was an event the local residents have been looking forward to for some time.

NO ONE COULD HAVE TOLD ME THAT 72 HOURS LATER.... that scene, that narrative, that atmosphere which was so peaceful, would shift so drastically and traumatically.

My first reaction, when I saw the videos of #AltonSterling being killed, was I slowly picked up my phone... texted my oldest son (6' 3", beautifully dark chocolate, solid frame, with a lil urban swag) and simply wrote "Please Call Me".

Even though, I knew my son was physically OK, I still felt that ambient threat over his life, as a young black man in our nation. In that moment, I needed to hear his voice, and be reassured he knew, I love him.

But worse then the above tension... Friday morning, I text him again, "Call me!" This time my tone was different. Tuesday, I just needed to say "hello. You good? Love you!"  But Friday... I needed to say "Son, have you been watching the news? Are you paying attention to the News? BE CAREFUL! Seriously, Daniel... BE CAREFUL!"

I believe without a shadow of a doubt in GOD as my provider and protector. I know GOD is real; but so is evil, hatred, racism, radical extreme behavior... and that any of the men killed could have been my son executed like a dog in the street, falsely accused and on someone's hit list because he is beautifully black.

Yet, more worse was the thought, if his life ended like that of  #trayvonmartin or #PhilandoCastille the first thing they would do, is pull up that fact that my son was arrested several years ago, and use that to justify his execution, and deem it a "justifiable" shoot... even though they had no 'precog' knowing of his name, record, upbringing or background before shots were let off.

And even worse was, after three days of national trauma, #BlackLivesMatter (an organization that fundamentally advocates for Dignity, Justice, and Respect for all black lives.) gets blamed, for how it is we got here - the morning after the #Dallasshooting; as if years of historical, recorded, tracked, researched and video-taped accounts of hatred, racism, systematic oppression and radical extreme behavior were just a few bad grapes in the bunch. I'm scratching my head.

The #Dallasshooting is deplorable and disgusting by all accounts. 

That third night, my faith drove me into deep prayer. The kind of prayer where every thing you do is a prayer. Even while I type this I'm praying. I have been in deep prayer for the families and community in Dallas, #AltonSterling family, #PhilandoCastille family and others because incidents like these become triggers for families who have been through eerily similar traumatic experiences. I've been in deep prayer for my family, community, and country; pleading Lord have Mercy. I've been in deep prayer to hear God on what the Sermon will be on Sunday. I've been in deep prayer because my faith tells me, that Prayer is the way to maintain hope, peace, love and a righteous tongue in times like these. I've been in deep prayer, to know what I will do and be next? Because, it can't be business as usual. After 3 nights of National Trauma...

I'm different.

In a very focused and clear way, type of different. The kind a different that concretizes on a new level ones call, life mission and purpose.

If poetry was my gift - I would write something like "I've been baptized in the waters of America's senseless blood shed, and I can see clearly now..." that kind of different. (but i'm not a poet and that's all I got for this haiku).

- N -

Live Interview with KimB on Set - Celebrity Stylist to #Prince for over 25 years!

On Set and Ready to Rock!

Happy Monday Pray Tell! Readers,

In case you missed our Living on Assignment Radio show, now airing Sunday evenings live on AcceleratedRadio.net from 9:00pm to 10:00pm, you can still catch the #replay #podcast.

Listen to my full interview with Kim Berry (#KimBOnSet) - Celebrity Stylist to #Prince for over 25 years - share her journey to Success! Take notes... this interview will bless your life, as she opens up about stepping out the comfort zone to Live on Assignment. When we make bold moves, there are no limits to Where God can take you!!!

My Top 5 Take-Aways:

1. Say Yes to Opportunity (even if you've never done this before) 
2. Be Bold, take the risk (the worst anyone can tell you is no)
3. There is no substitute for Preparation (study your CRAFT)
4. Character Matters (can you be Trusted to be in certain circles)
5. Humility is still the way UP! (Remember God made the way, we're the vessel)

Catch the podcast here: LOA Radio Show 5/15/2016

 

Your Girl,

Rev. Dr. Juju! 
Twitter/Revjuju
Instagram/Revjuju
Facebook/Revjuju

 

#Lemonade - Im Just Sayin, Take Aways!

#‎Lemonade‬ - Yeah so I watched it, did a few rewinds, literally laughed out loud at some of those great lyrics... Tell 'em girl! Genius work. She is a boss chick at what she do... But here are my take-aways:

1) Don't none of sistah friends go out busting no mans window out with a bat, you ain't Bey... U goin to jail! Act CRAZY over some dude, if you want to... And u'll be at 77th street precinct! Lol lol

 2) We ain't alllll been that F'd up over being cheated on. Pissed yeah, Angry, YUP! But Destructive, Naaw! Always felt like it was his loss!!! I might take criticism on this but I'm not totally sold on the #AngryBlackWoman deal... It plays into a stereotype, that I'm not ok with... it suggest that white women, Latina women, Asian women, Irish women, African women, Indonesian women (you get my point) don't get angry when they are disrespected. We all want ‪#‎Respeck‬ lol lol

3) FYI Men, all black women are not SAD because he/you cheated! Some women are actually quite happy, joyful and even grateful to GOD that he/you did cheat and moved on with "Becky"... Tell the truth Sistahs, don't act like some of y'all ain't glad that, that One DID leave. Every time u see him, you break out in a happy dance!!! Some cheats were a life-saver!! "Bye Boy!" A'int no body mad but the devil.

4) And for all the speculation...heck naw #Bey a'int releasing no marriage blues about Jay-Z. She aint angry and Jay aint in no trouble wit Bey... They probably sippin on #Lemonade all the way to the bank. She don't live in the world of the average black woman, its all script, artistry and creative genius at its best!! Cheers for masterful work!! Her very last lyric is the most revealing "Always stay gracious... The best revenge is yo paper!" How you go from angry to gracious...in one hour???? Cause its all about that paper!!

Love u bey, you keep'em Sayin Yo Name!!!

 p.s. Bey, next time include some Black Preachin women in ur video! Lol lol im just sayin if you gone include, mothers, tennis players, dancers, models, etc... Round it off with a sis behind that Pulpit preaching a redemptive word!!! Between you and Tyler Perry, y'all always leave out Preachin Sistahs!!

The struggle is real, but so is Jesus!
- Rev Juju

The Black Church must Empowers VOICES to Speak UP!

Why the Black Church should speak out against Sexual Predators and Assault.

Even though, to date, there has been a judicial ruling to suspend litigation proceedings regarding the Sexual Assault case against, famed Bill Cosby; there stands good reason for the faith community, especially the black church to continue to advocate, support and confront the issue.

With the staggering numbers of women and men, boys and girls being sexually assaulted, the black church community of which I am a part as a Pastor and Community Leader must continue to confront this matter regardless of what happens to Bill Cosby. We cannot afford to allow our voices to go silent, as it appears is the case with his legal matters. I am not interested in taking a side on the Bill Cosby case. His case is simply the backdrop, that gives us reason to speak to the larger more systemic issue of sexual assault in our communities.

For the Black Church, the Bill Cosby case offers a challenge and an opportunity. So many African Americans watched his shows faithfully, and even viewed his TV family as a model to uphold. He is intimately a part of black culture and his influence runs deep.

Now, 55 women have come forward accusing him of rape.

It would be easy to for pastors to ignore the story—too controversial, fear of rebuke, or loss of membership and giving. Whether or not you agree he is a rapist, whether you feel we should stand with Bill Cosby or be a part of the deconstruction of the icon, the case provides a great opportunity for churches to tackle the larger discussion around sexual violence and rape.

Like many, I have had to struggle to separate my thoughts about Cosby, the persona and Cosby, the real person. As survivor of sexual violence and pastor, though, I definitely know that silence is not a just response.

I'm not alone as being a victim of sexual violence. Nationally, one in three women and one in six men have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Translation: if a church has 50 women, 16 to 20 of them have experienced similar acts of sexual assault or rape as have been described by the 55 women who have come forward about Bill Cosby. If a church has 50 men, eight to 10 of them have been victims of sexual assault.

And don't miss out on doing the math on the perpetrators that are also in our congregations. If you have 100 people in your church, that means, you could possibly have in your congregation 10-20 persons who have committed a crime of sexual assault.

To be silent on Bill Cosby is to miss an opportunity to speak to the real people in our pews. As clergy, we claim that we want to be "relevant" and to speak to the present culture. But quoting rappers doesn't equate to relevance. Sexual violence is relevant.

I will never forget one of the responses to a guest sermon I preached on sexual violence. As I exited the sanctuary a man about 6'2", approached me and said, "Pastor Juju, thank you for what you said about men and women being victims. I was molested when I was a boy, but I never told anyone because I was afraid of what people might say."

The Cosby case also allows us to deconstruct stereotypes about both victims and sexual predators. Based on our stereotypes of predators, no one would have ever believed Bill Cosby could do these things. Not the Coogi sweater man!

But rapist, molesters, pedophiles don't all wear black mask and lurk in dark places. Many perpetrators of these crimes are someone known to the victim, from within their family and social circle.

Meanwhile, the tone of the Bill Cosby debate is that somehow the women could not be real victims, because many of them are to some degree successful white women. When the incidents allegedly happened, some were young aspiring actresses, used recreational drugs and were looking for an easy way up the entertainment ladder. The implication is that their tears aren't real and their stories are untrue.

The same holds true, sadly, for most of the 13 victims (that we know of) in the Daniel Holtzclaw case. A serial cop rapist, Holtzclaw bet the house that no one would believe the stories of his victims because they were black women with tainted records, drug offenses and questionable lifestyles.

The criticism these women and others faced—the sense that they will not be believed—is the leading cause for victims not reporting the crime.

A pastor cannot look out into the congregation and guess who is a survivor—or who's a perpetrator.  Perpetrators can be well dressed, educated, art collectors, well traveled, do a lot of social good and be connoisseur of the finer things of life. They can be the good ole church folks (male & female). Victims and perpetrators alike sit in the pews, serve on the board, sing in the choirs, shout in the aisle and tithe faithfully. 

We can't know who they are, but we can speak to their pain, create the space for healing and hope; and remind survivors God sees you, knows and cares! And by lifting the issue, we can make sure perpetrators know that the opportunity is made available to repent and seek help.

Otherwise, to be silent on Bill Cosby is to be complicit with a prevailing rape culture.

I especially urge my dear brother pastors to be intentional to raise your voices against sexual violence. There has always been a loud cadre of women, lifting up "women's issues." But it wasn't until a male comedian, Hannibal Buress, made his joke about Bill Cosby raping women, that the real fire storm happened: a journalist got on the case, dozens of woman started coming forward, court documents were unsealed and now an official charge has been brought.

Crimes of this nature thrive in secret and silence. To be silent about Bill Cosby makes it easier for the "Cosby" in our pews to sit comfortable and unaccountable.

Accountability is one of the failings in our system, when it comes to sexual violence. Victims often stay silent due to the failure of the justice system to be on their side. And when a case does make it to court, victims face being re-victimized due to line of questions, verbiage used and lack of belief in his or her story. When we see predators not be held accountable by their organizations, denominations, colleagues, and/or groups, this too is a miscarriage of justice.

We all agree that a thief should be held accountable for stealing; molesters, rapists and pedophiles have stolen lives, innocence, trust, security, hope and a person's self worth.

Our complicit silence also becomes a culprit. We can't be prophetic and silent.

To be silent on Bill Cosby but rage about Same Sex Marriage becoming legal is an imbalanced stand of righteousness. We do our congregations and community a disservice when our theology is imbalanced; meaning we pick and chooses what we will and won't take a loud vocal stand against or for based on comfort and conformity, not justice. For the overwhelming majority of victims, another leading reason people (male and female) rarely report these kinds of crimes, is often due to there being no voice for justice outside of and even within the justice system.

To be sure, rape is an uncomfortable topic to talk about. Pastors run the risk of upsetting those leaders in our congregations who are major contributors, facing their rebuke on a subject they are not ready to handle or simply leaving the church because the message is too controversial. These are real concerns for clergy.

But this case is bigger and broader then William 'Bill' Cosby, this is not just about a person, but a culture, systems of oppression and injustice; its about the need for restoration and healing. Today we have an opportunity to use our various platforms to speak out against sexual assault, because it is the relevant issue and the moment is today.

Originally Submitted by: Damali N. Smith, 3/7/2016

#BlackLivesMatter is a Black Church Matter

“The big deal is we think the power is in us individually…the power is in us collectively. It is in the church.”

-John M. Perkins

Enthusiastic about being in the room with many powerful men and women pastors and leaders, I eagerly attended the Black Church Matters Summit.  February 29 and March 1, 2016 in Washington, D.C. 300 Pastors from across these United States joined Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant Pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church for this dynamic gathering.

Over the past several years, two big questions have been posed about the black church: Is the Black Church Dead? And Is the Black Church still Relevant? The convening in D.C. helped to affirm and confirm, what I always felt in my soul... an unequivocal YES!

Pastor Jamal, and his team outlined a clear objective. Pastor Jamal proclaimed "we are not here for a preaching bowl", but we were there to listen, learn and leave with strategies to build the communities where we worship, work, live and lead as Pastors.

To be sure, the #BlackLivesMatter movement was key to this convening. The movement is a Black Church matter and we were there to get clear focus and direction on how to fulfill our apostolic and prophetic role as leaders of the church and in the community.

Over the two days, the four matters discussed in length were: #BlackLivesMatter, #BlackDollarsMatter, #BlackMindsMatter, #BlackVoteMatter. I was honored to moderate the Black Minds Matter panel and discussion. At the conclusion of the matter (pun intended), we listed three strategies from each discussion that  we would collectively begin to implement and/or support, depending on our respective church's structure. For future meetings, we are expected to offer a report on what we accomplished and the impact of the strategy on our community.

A few of those strategies included:

• Establishing Social Justice Ministries within the local church
• Activating our Youth Departments to be conduits of Activism
• Local school advocacy
• Sharing the new narrative about Historically Black Colleges
• Engage collective banking and bargaining
• and of course revise Voter Registration!!

We closed the summit on that #SuperTuesday with an expectation of the super-natual. At the steps of the Superior Court of The Unites States, where we lifted up signs hand-made by children who desire to see justice in the land. Some lifted their hand, while those of us who are Pastors laid prostrate; and in collective we cried out to God on behalf of the nation.

Our prayer was simple: Lord let your will be done. Nothing More. Nothing Less. Nothing Else.



 

D. Najuma Smith-Pollard

8 Reasons Why the Black Church Should Speak Out Against Sexual Predators and Assault

8 reasons, Why the Black Church should Speak Out Against Sexual Predators and Assault

Whether or not you agree he is a Rapist; agree or disagree with the 55 women who have come forward with their truth; or whether you feel we should stand with Bill Cosby or be a part of the deconstruction of the icon... one thing that is undeniable, this story provides a great opportunity for the world, especially the black church to tackle the larger discussion around prevailing sexual violence and rape culture in America. In 2013 I wrote my dissertation on the role of the black preacher to Lift the Veil of Sacred Silence around Sexual Violence thru Prophetic Preaching and Teaching...the premise of the document which is soon to be published, is that as the Preacher (spokesperson for God) we have a mandate and opportunity to lift the veil of the "sacred" silence that so many of our parishioners hide beneath...when it comes to trauma associated with sexual violence. [this is also true of domestic violence, child abuse and other grave matters, but for the sake of the document, my focus was on sexual violence]

So here we have it, our beloved and cherished figure Bill Cosby, has been accused of serial rape; and by his own words, invited us in to know that the use of a narcotic was part of his process of control; has now officially been charged with a sexual assault crime. I have thought a great deal about this story, and like many have had to struggle to separate my thoughts about a persona and the real person. As survivor and pastor; this is what I definitely know to be true, that SILENCE is not a just response. What shall the BLACK Church say? What will our stand be?  Unlike Sandusky, Bill Cosby is not just in our front or back yard, brother man is in da house, as so many African Americans watched his shows faithfully, and even viewed the TV model of black family as a model to uphold. He is intimately a part of black culture and his influence runs deep. But if we go silent on this, we have failed our congregations and community greatly. So to help think thru this, I'd like to offer 8 Reasons Why the Black Church has a a great opportunity to Speak out against Sexual Violence using as a backdrop of the allegations and charge against Bill Cosby.

1) Reason #1 - Accountability - Bill Cosby is NOT Cliff Huxtable. So while we don't want to put Cliff Huxtible on the stand...most certainly Bill Cosby should be; and be held accountable to his wrong doing. Cliff Huxtible, gave us a model of family apart from the oppressor; but we can not confuse him with the real person. Regardless of status, reputation, social contributions etc... We don't get a pass because we have done good. Accountability is one of the failings in our system, when it comes to sexual violence. Often times the perpetrator is NOT held accountable. Understand this, the women who have chosen to speak up and follow-thru with a charge, are simply holding Mr. Cosby, accountable for his wrong doing. Churches have an opportunity to encourage our community, and victims especially, that you have the right and we support you in holding your abuser accountable for their crime. We all agree a thief should be held accountable for stealing; equally so should the molester, rapist, and pedophile, because they have stolen lives (maybe not in the physical sense); but they have stolen innocence, trust, security, hope, and a persons self worth.

2) Reason # 2 - Bring Balance to our Theology - To be silent on Bill Cosby but rage about Same Sex Marriage becoming legal is an imbalanced stand of righteousness. For all those Pastors who were quick to quote Leviticus, and rage about Abomination..., please please read the whole text...Chapter 18 isn't just about men not lying with other men...but God demonstrates Gods clear concern and sets a standard for the sexual mortality of a nation. We do our congregations a disservice when our theology is imbalanced; meaning we pick and chooses what we will and won't take a loud vocal stand against or for. If one has a problem with same-sex marriage; by golly you ought to have an equal response to sexual violence. While we don't hear God use the term Rape, Molestation, Sexual Assault in the text, there is in our sacred text, like Leviticus 18, the indication that these sexual acts of violence are not pleasing to God. And then there is...Malachi 2:13-15... if we quoted that, on a Sunday, many married folks would have to Repent. 

3) Reason # 3 - Relevant Subject - To be silent on Bill Cosby is a missed opportunity to speak to the  real people in our Pews who have been victims of sexual violence. Here are a few stats every Pastor should know: the national average suggests that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have been sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Translation, if you have 50 Women in your church, 16 to 20 of them have had similar acts of sexual assault, rape, happen to them as have been described by the 55 women who have come forward about Bill Cosby. If you have 50 men in church, that means 8 - 10 of them have been victims of sexual assault. And if those are the numbers of Victims...then don't miss out on doing the math on the perpetrators, that are also in our congregations. If you have 100 people in your church, that means, you could possibly have in your congregation 10-20 persons who committed a crime of sexual assault; and that have NEVER been reported, nor brought to justice. Our claim as clergy is that we always want to be relevant, timely, and speaking to the present culture. Quoting rappers doesn't equate to being relevant. SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS THE RELEVANT SUBJECT.

4) Reason # 4 - Complicit Silence - To be silent on Bill Cosby is to be complicit with a prevailing Rape culture in our Nation (and the world). Pastors, especially my brother Pastors, I urge you my dear brothers to be intentional to raise your voices against sexual violence. This may mean you run the risk of upsetting those leaders in our congregations who are major contributors, but woe be unto us, if we allow those who are sitting in our congregations waiting and hoping that we will say something to their pain and we do not. There has always been a loud cadre of women, lifting up Women's issues...but it wasn't until comedian Hannibal Buress, made his statement about Bill Cosby raping women, that the real fire storm happened: a journalist got on the case, dozens of woman started coming forward (now 55 to count), court documents were unsealed and now an official charge has been brought. This reality is before us to really wrestle with and we must  garner the courage to speak-up so we are not complicit with our silence; even if the topics make us uncomfortable. Crimes of this nature thrive in secret and silence. To be silent on Bill Cosby makes it easier for the 'Cosby' sitting in our pews to sit comfortable and unaccountable and our complicit silence also becomes a culprit. We can't be prophetic and silent.

5) Reason # 5 - Deconstruct Stereotypes about Sexual Predators - Don't be fooled, rapist, molesters, pedophiles, don't all wear black mask and lurk in dark places. Actually many perpetrators of these crimes are someone known to the victim, from within their family and social circle. They can be well dressed, educated, art collectors, well traveled, do a lot of social good and be connoisseur of the finer things of life; and they can be the good ole church folks (male & female), sing in choirs, serve on church boards, usher with gladness, bring their children to church, appear happily married and sit in our pews giving the largest offerings.  The problem here is, based on our stereotypes of predators, NO ONE would have ever believed Bill Cosby could do these things. Not the Coogi sweater man!? All too often, victims face this kind of disbelief when they do courageously report a violation happened by a family member, on the job, by a teacher/coach, someone in church or a close friend of the family. There is this disbelief that a person of caliber, status, refinement, like-ability, success, education and savvy could never do such a horrible thing, BUT they can and they do. We tend to associate the crime with a particular apparent low-life personality; who can't get female or male love or attention. But rape has NOTHING to do with ones relationship ability; but everything to do with power, control, sickness and their own past trauma (hurting people will hurt people). We must not assume we KNOW what a rapist, molester or pedophile, looks like. After all, What does a rapist really, look like?  Predators and perpetrators need healing too; and by lifting the issue the opportunity is made available to repent and seek help.

6) Reason # 6 - Deconstruct Stereotypes about Victims - Can a white woman, with status, who drinks, does recreation drugs...really be a victim? That seems to be the tone, around this Bill Cosby debate; that somehow these women are not real victims, because many of them are to some degree successful white women and have resources to tout; but also at the time the incidents allegedly happened...some were young aspiring actresses, used recreational drugs and were looking for an easy way up the entertainment ladder. This tone brings on critiques that their tears aren't real and their stories are untrue. And the same holds true, sadly, for most of the 13 victims (we know of) in the #DanielHoltzclaw case. A serial cop rapist, who bet the house, that no one would believe the stories of these black women because they had tainted records, drug offenses and questionable lifestyles. The criticism these women and others are facing is symbolic of the criticism many victims of sexual violence face because there are Stereotypes about victims of sexual violence; and this is the leading cause for victims not reporting the crime (male and female). I will never forget sharing at a service (not my church), about my passion to lift this issue in church and why it was so important. As I'm exiting the sanctuary a man about 6'2", approaches me and says "Pastor Juju, thank you for what you said about men and women being victims. I was molested when I was a boy, but I never told anyone because I was afraid of what people might say." Just like we can not assume we KNOW what a perpetrator looks like, neither can we make the same flawed assumption about victims. Pastors they are in our pews, serve on our board, sing in our choirs, shout in the aisle and tithe faithfully....don't assume you can look out into your congregation and guess who is a survivor. We can't! But we can speak to the pain, create the space for healing and hope; and remind survivors God sees' you, knows and cares! 

7) Reason # 7 - Social Justice Mandate -  To be silent on Bill Cosby is to forget the church was given a powerful mandate in Micah 6:9 to do mercy and love Justice. This is not just a text for coming against Police Brutality or Mass Incarceration...but all incidents of Injustice...and the fact that it has taken this long for charges to  ever be filed; while so any women were called crazy, liars, etc...for telling their truth is a miscarriage of Justice. Especially when Mr. Cosby's own words have revealed to some degree his truth. For the overwhelming majority of victims, another leading reason people (male and female) rarely report these kinds of crimes, is often due to the failure of justice system to be on the side of the victim. And all too often when a case does make it to court, victims are forced to face being re-victimized due to line of questions, verbiage used and lack of belief in his or her story. Not only are their failures in the justice system, but when we see predators not be held accountable by their organizations, denominations, colleagues, and/or groups...this is also a miscarriage of justice. There are numerous stories about churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, who failed to hold a known predators accountable; and some have even go so far to discourage victims, not to report the account to authorities.  We must make the church (worship space) a safe place for individuals to report when they have experienced assault, regardless of "WHO" the perpetrator may be; and give individuals hope their reporting will be supported and not SHAMED.

8) Reason # 8 - Fallen Heroism - Not to long ago one friend of mine said "Bill Cosby was our hero, I just can't believe it." We are naturally drawn to people with power and position; and in spite of the crime before us, the person of power and position automatically gets a pass without question. Maybe #EthanCouch wasn't the only one getting away with a crime due to affluence. Affluence, affords one excuses and tends to create a system of entitlement. This is the most egregious of crimes, you get a pass on bad behavior because you have wealth, clout or status? When our heroes fall, it is difficult to grasp that persons in power and position, would struggle with a sickness like this that would lead them to rape for power and control. We are more willing to rational-lies and blame that somehow the victim had a role in their assault; because that is easier to accept than to accept that heroes do fall. In the churches, social groups, and community this is a recurring concern. This also explains the difficulty for some to speak out against sexual assault, because we don't like to bring down our heroes, we don't want to see our heroes fall; and we would rather offer our daughters and sons to be the sacrificial lamb, than to call out those in power and position. Collectively we don't gain from protecting our heroes from being held accountable. Powerful and prophetic moment in the sacred text is when Nathan said to David "You are the man..." 2 Samuel 12:7 

This case is bigger and broader then William 'Bill' Cosby, this is not just about a person, but a culture, systems of oppression and injustice; its about the need for restoration and healing. Today we have an opportunity to use our various platforms to speak out against sexual assault, because it is the relevant issue and the moment is today.

(If you are interested in materials for sermons, bible study, small groups or referrals contact Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard at (323) 902-7079)