Ed Clark’s Post

Something to think about Dear past I am writing to let you know that it is time for us to break up! I appreciate all the fond memories that we had, but lately it appears that all you want to do is remind me of my failures and shortcomings. Don’t get me wrong, I learned a lot from you and I feel that I am a better person as a result of the things that I experienced, but enough is enough! You won’t be forgotten but I will no longer allow you to control my emotions or my actions. It is time for me to get to know my present better and focus on my future! Thanks for making me who I am today but it is time for me to say goodbye!

Something to think about Wrong is wrong I rarely, if ever discuss politics because it’s such an emotional topic. However, yesterday’s events at the Donald Trump rally caused my heart to sink. Whether you like the former president or not, there is no justification for anyone to support an assignation attempt on his life or anyone else’s. Unfortunately, there are some people who hate him so much that they applaud the person who tried to take him out. To be completely transparent, my challenge with politics is that we are inundated daily on both sides claiming the biases and inadequacies of the other party. Objectivity has gone out of the window and both sides are so angry that rational discussions are almost impossible to have. I’ve seen both sides using the Bible to justify their support of their particular candidate. My message to both sides is this, if you’re going to use the Bible to justify a position, then please use it in its proper context. Let’s start with first Timothy 2:1-4 (paraphrasing), where it simply says pray for our leaders. It does not say to only pray for those people that you like or support! Let’s get back to the basics if we want to see change in our country!

Something to think about July 5, 1852 As I’ve matured I’ve learned an interesting lesson about “American history”. Simply put, it’s very complicated. What we know as the United States, was declared in 1776. However, we didn’t become a nation until the conclusion of the revolutionary war in 1783. Technically speaking our Fourth of July celebrations are for the signing of a document to become a nation, not actually being a nation. That being said, I’ve also learned why many people in the African American community have struggled with the Independence Day holiday. On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglas gave a speech titled what the Fourth of July meant to the negro. Although he applauded the ideals of the United States values of life, liberty and justice for all. He expressed his concern that the United States wasn’t practicing what it was preaching. If all people are created equal, then why is slavery still being allowed in parts of the country. Blacks soldiers helped defeat the British. However, black people in the south were treated terribly, and still considered property. Although these historical facts aren’t taught in school, if we want to unite as one nation, then we must do our homework so that history never repeats itself!

Something to think about Independence Day As I celebrate the founding of our country,I have many mixed emotions. We call it Independence Day. However, we will never be independent until we rid our country of hatred and injustice. No one can truly be free if we are held hostage by evil. Let us take this moment to reflect on the blessings that we have in this country and also to figure out how to improve our nation! Happy Independence Day to all!

Something to think about Free ish As I participated and greatly enjoyed the Juneteenth events this past week, I must admit that I am glad to see the other” Independence Day” being recognized! Although these events are nice to have, they are only the beginning. As a country we should cherish our freedoms! However, some people in our country are only free ish. Until all citizens of this great country have access to the same resources and opportunities, then we as a country are not truly free. We must understand that progress never stops and, history must be taught so that the atrocities of the past aren’t repeated! If access to health and educational resources aren’t given to the poor and needy, then we are stopping progress. If jail sentences for similar crimes aren’t treated equally, then we are stopping progress. If we as a country tolerate bad behavior because it suits our interests, then we are stopping progress! Until we realize that freedom for some without freedom for all, then we are all only free ish!

Holidays are often a time to educate ourselves. The Juneteenth flag contains important information that is significant and relevant for us today. Hopefully, you find this information informative and beneficial!

Something to think about Juneteenth, The OTHER Independence day In a couple of weeks our country will be celebrating the declaration of independence. Also known as the 4th of July, the date that the future United States of America formally declared their independence from England. Although I am a proud American, I feel that I must share about the OTHER INDEPENDENCE DAY, so that others can become informed about Black history. Although the United States of America declared their independence on July 4th, 1776. Many African Americans didn’t gain their independence until June 19th 1865. President Lincoln issued the Emancipation proclamation on September 22, 1862, with an effective date of January 1, 1863. Unfortunately, many blacks were not aware of the emancipation proclamation until June 19, 1865. Due to a lack of teaching in schools and in many families, this date hasn’t been discussed like it should. The June 19th date is as significant to the African American community as Cinco de Mayo or any other cultural celebrations. Many communities hold celebrations to commemorate this date. If we as a country truly want unity, we must make sure that we teach our children and grandchildren the importance of this date as fervently as we teach about the 4th of July. African American history is American history. Let’s become culturally aware so that we can become better informed people.

Something to think about Celebration or commemoration As I observe all of the Juneteenth happenings this week I’m filled with many emotions. As a descendant of slavery, I wonder if my family and others would celebrate or commemorate this day. The emancipation proclamation was signed in 1862, with an effective date of January 1863. However, the slaves in Texas weren’t notified of their release for two and half years. Sadly, change in the United States is often slow to benefit those that are reaping the benefits of unjust behavior. Although, Juneteenth is now a National holiday, we must remember that progress must never stop! Releasing slaves without giving them support and resources was a recipe for disaster. However, the resilience of a driven and determined group of people brought about unlikely success in spite of many obstacles. The intentional failing of reconstruction due to politics caused even more challenges and chaos for a group of “freed” people. As we reflect on this week, let us not forget that although, some celebrating is in order, until all people are given equal opportunities, Juneteenth will only be a day of commemoration. I hope y’all enjoy this week!

As I think about this Father’s Day, I know that this can be a hard day for some, a great day for others, and just a day for some others. I also realize that many people, like myself, have lost their dads, while others may not have had their dads in their lives, and for some it doesn’t have any significance because they either don’t have children or they are not close to their children. If I am truly honest with myself, I can say that I have felt most of the above emotions at some point in my life. I can also say that even though I didn’t have the ideal childhood, I was blessed with great role models who gave me the framework to be a good father to my children. I strongly believe that we tend to want to remember the bad things from our fathers and forget about the lessons that could be learned from them. I am convinced that I can learn from all types of situations, both good and bad and those lessons can shape us to be the men and women we need to be. I can also say that I have been very blessed to have several men who have taken their time to help me grow and develop as a man. The list is too long to mention; however, I want to thank my heavenly father for allowing me to have a grandfather and a dad that helped me to become the father that I am. I want to say happy Father’s Day to all the dads, granddads, stepdads and mentors that are shaping our world with their example. Please keep up the GREAT WORK!

Something to think about for dads As Father’s Day approaches I feel that this question needs to be asked. Which dad are you? What 3 letter word is a noun, adjective and a verb? If you don’t know I will give you a hint, the word is DAD! A good DAD is not only a noun because that is just a person, a good dad is not just an adjective, because that is just a description. A good DAD is a verb because that means they are involved in the life/lives of their children. The verb DAD is there when he doesn’t want to be there. The verb DAD is there when his friends want him to be with them. The verb DAD is supportive when their child needs a friend. The verb DAD is supportive mentally, physically and emotionally and puts his children before his personal needs. Being a verb DAD is one of the toughest, most challenging and rewarding jobs a MAN can take on. There are a lot of NOUN and adjective dads. However, I want to take time to give a huge shout out to all of the VERB DADS because without you being a verb then our world would be in trouble!!! Happy Father’s Day Verb DADS! I hope you enjoy your weekend! Verb DADS deserve the whole weekend!