Author sheds light on sexism in black churches: Lorrie Irby Jackson

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It’s a social phenomenon and statistical reality that became a controversial catalyst for blog posts and news outlets across the nation: Why do most single women in the United States happen to be black?
The subsequent scrutiny of the issue did little to dispel the facts: 2010’s U.S. Census found that African-American women represented the least-married ethnic group (30.9 percent). And in comparison to Caucasians, Asians and Hispanics, they also retained the highest percentage of women 40 and older who never married (31 percent).
Many high-profile personalities used the data to plug their books, preach at black women about alleged flaws and demand they lower their standards.
But African-American social researcher and relationship expert Deborrah Cooper utilized a different approach. She used the two most prevalent common denominators she discovered — Christianity and regular church attendance — as the basis of a 2010 blog post titled “The Black Church: How Black Churches Keep African-American Women Single and Lonely.”
After the post went viral and ignited a firestorm of rebuttals, testimonials and national discourse, Cooper was moved to expound further with her book The Black Church: Where Women Pray and Men Prey. According to the author, studying scriptures and being spiritual aren’t the problem … being pimped from the pulpit by selfish and sexist religious leaders is.
“Some pastors entice well-meaning women to get heavily involved in church to donate their money and keep them under their strict influence,” says the California-based writer. “The response I constantly hear is ‘Well, that’s not every church.’ But even if it’s one out of 100 churches, that’s still too many. This practice is affecting large numbers of women and children in the black community and a whole generation of men are misusing their positions of power and influence, so it’s a major problem.”
In addition to describing the origins of black Christianity and how early outdoor meetings and segregated sanctuaries became standalone churches after the slavery era, the book traces the evolution from political influence to “prosperity gospel” and how some black churches have become more preoccupied with wealth-building rather than community-building.
Cooper also demonstrates how the devoted fellowship and financial backing that black women provide from the pews is rarely recognized or rewarded.
“What I’m saying to black women is, ‘You already have the majority of the responsibility toward children, give time and money to the church and the men in your life, but who is helping you?’” she says.
What’s also irritating to Cooper is the ironclad submission stance that many male church leaders expect of female church members without upholding the same standards for male peers.
“The term submission only appears in the Bible twice, yet that’s one of the most focused-on words in church sermons telling women how they’re supposed to be,” she says.
As alarming as some of Prey’s contents can be, the author isn’t against religion as much as she’s against the blind faith placed in theological leaders who use their connection to God as justification to exploit and abuse.
“Some think that they’re immune to criticism just because they hold the title of minister or pastor,” she says. “Any job has standards, and like anyone else, if you don’t perform your job well, you can be written up or fired.”
Lorrie Irby Jackson is a Briefing columnist. Email her at lorrie.irby@gmail.com and follow her at motherofcolor.com.

Black Youth Over Exposed To Alcohol Promotion

 If the abundance of liquor stores in Black communities of every major metropolis wasn’t enough of a hint, the latest study reveals that alcohol sales and advertisements are targeted at young Black youth. According to the latest study, young  Young African Americans ages 12 to 20 see far more alcohol ads on television and in magazines than youths in general, according to the report published Thursday by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Alcoholism is a factor in the four leading causes of death among young people ages 10-24 including motor-vehicle crashes, unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. While underage drinking is illegal in the United States, young people still have little difficulty obtaining alcohol and fall privy to believing the lifestyles promoted in million dollar advertising campaigns.
The study found that Black youth consume less alcohol than other youth, and attributed the reason to factors like  poverty, social norms, or religion in spite of advertising. David Jernigan, director of the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth noted that Blacks who do indulge in alcohol appear to suffer more serious consequences,  perhaps because they tend to have less access to health care and substance abuse treatment, live in poorer neighborhoods (poverty) and are incarcerated more frequently.
Two factors are credited as to why: Black youth seem to consume more media than youth overall, and many alcohol ads specifically target Black youth. The study cited Nielsen data from 2012 noting Black youth watched more than 53 percent more television than youth in general.  Advertisers are doing little to regulate youth exposure to alcohol ads, and young blacks saw 32% more alcohol ads in magazines, and 17% more alcohol ads on television than youth overall in 2009. Black youth were exposed to 26% fewer radio ads for alcohol than youth in general, but they heard 32% more radio ads for hard liquor.  An older study of rap lyrics showed 64% of the most popular songs released from 2002 to 2005 referenced alcohol, a steady increase since 1997.
Of course heads of major alcohol marketing companies like the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States will counter that the data is flawed, listing opposing statistics that show an overall  decrease in youth alcohol consumption in the United States. However, the spike in print magazine promotions, radio and television ads that feature young Black models and celebrities are clearly aimed at a particular audience.
A third factor rarely discussed amongst researchers and marketing heads nor mentioned in the study is that target marketing and little regulation of its consumption may be a contrived tactic to regulate the Black population, increase incarceration numbers, and prevent widespread excellence. A conspiracy theory, but consider the unspoken motivation the next time an alcohol ad is played over the radio, or rap lyric is repeated that promotes overindulgence to young people

God has a plan for our Life by Eld.M Bates

Samuel 1-10

¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

 

God has a plan for all of our young men especially the ones who we consider not worthy.  Samuel was birthed through his mother’s misery but God still had a plan for his life.  The word of the Lord was so precious in those days because no one could understand it.  Samuel’s mother gave him to God as a young child because she was so grateful and God repaid her.  Samuel could hear God’s voice calling out to him but he was confused because he thought it was his spiritual father Eli.  When Eli instructed Samuel to answer to God, the plan for Samuel’s life was revealed.  God promised Samuel that he would do something so great in Israel that everyone would be able to hear.  The Lord will call or talk to every man or woman if we listen and he will tell you what to do.
 

^3:19-21

¹⁹ The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. ²⁰ And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord. ²¹ The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. 

African-American Youth: Still Standing Beside President Obama? - ABC News

Are you better off today than you were four years ago? Young-African Americans are divided on the answer.

"I honestly think that is a stupid question," said Antwaun Sargent.

The 23-year-old Chicago native, who once knocked on frosted doors campaigning for a little-known state senator named Barack Obama, still supports him.

However, he added, "The question young African-Americans are asking themselves isn't, 'Are we better off than we were four years ago?' it's, 'What kind of America do we want going forward?'"

The president isn't just facing an economic deficit. He's facing an enthusiasm deficit, and it's among his most trusted supporters -- young people. The problem for Obama is not whether he'll lose loyal young, African-American supporters to Romney, it's whether or not they'll vote for him, again.

The Ambivalence Factor

With overall African-American unemployment at 14.1 percent, and African-American unemployment among those 16 to 19 years old at 39.3 percent, nearly twice that of whites in the same age bracket, Sargent recognized that "some feel like Obama hasn't done enough for the African-American community."

Citing the creation of the African-American Education Office as one of the initiatives Obama has taken while in the White House, he gave the president a different kind of credit. In Sargent's eyes, "He's done things that speak directly to my generation and directly to my minority group."

Chris Carlson/AP Photo

In this May 23, 2008 photo, supporters cheer... View Full Size

Chris Carlson/AP Photo

In this May 23, 2008 photo, supporters cheer for then Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at a rally in Sunrise, Fla.

But some Obama supporters sound less enthusiastic now.

Among "people like me," said Kareem Campbell, a registered Democrat who grew up in the New York's Bronx borough, "there's a sense of disillusionment with the whole 'change' platform."

That is exactly what Republicans are banking on.

"I think we are better off," said Campbell, almost as if it was a question.

He paused.

"Well, actually, I don't know."

Having already been hired by a leading Wall Street bank, Campbell recognized that he doesn't face the same challenge and frustration as many other college seniors around the country. But he believed the president deserves credit, adding, "We are certainly better off with social issues."

Youth Enthusiasm: Has It Come and Gone?

Historically, young people have leaned Democratic. But 2008 marked a new age of American politics. Obama won 66 percent of voters under the age of 30, and 95 percent of the African-American vote.

Now, the president appears to be much more focused on keeping this significant part of his coalition. It should come as no surprise that he kicked off his re-election campaign with a college campus tour.

There's no doubt that when he first stepped onto the national stage in 2004, it was a different America. Back then, the national voter turnout rate of African-Americans was 60 percent. That year, in Jay-Z's hit song, "99 Problems," he rapped, "If you don't like my lyrics you can press fast forward."

So fast forward to 2012, there are more than 99 problems for this president, and a weakened enthusiasm is just one.

According to a recent Urban League study, "The Hidden Swing Voters: Impact of African-Americans in 2012," high African-American voter turnout in certain swing states -- specifically North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Florida -- was key to Obama's 2008 victory. If they don't turn out again in several key states and slip back down to the levels of eight years ago, it could cost Obama a second term.

For now, the battle really comes down to two of the four 2008 swing states with high African-American turnout -- Virginia and Florida. With Election Day less than 50 days away, both camps are working to garner young people's attention and support.

Enter Hollywood

The Obama re-election campaign is calling on Hollywood, perhaps more than ever. Raising money may be one thing Hollywood does well, but the clock is ticking down, and it's not all about the big bucks.

"Celebrities are the new force in American politics," said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. "They have a platform and they have a voice. I see more and more celebrities wanting to use that voice for civic and political purposes."

Including Eva Longoria, Kerry Washington and Scarlett Johansson, the president had a host of celebrities speaking out on his behalf at the Democratic National Convention.

In recent months, he has attended fundraisers hosted by the likes of George Clooney, Anna Wintour and, this past week, Beyonce and Jay-Z.

But what is won from one night with the 1 percent? Having the first-couple of hip-hop spending time with the president "sends a message to young people," said Morial.

Kareem Campbell doesn't believe that celebrity hip-hop endorsements have any bearing on his voting. As he sees it, "some music celebrities can definitely have a positive impact on the young African-American community." They are "making it cool again to vote."

But is "cool" going to make the cut?

The Alternative

In 2012, the economy is a focus for many voters, something the Romney campaign and Republicans welcome with open arms.

"We're not buying what you're selling in 2012," declared Saratoga Springs, Utah, Mayor Mia Love, when she took to the podium at last month's Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla. The rising star, who may well become the first African-American Republican woman to serve in the House if she wins her race November, spoke for only a few minutes but caught the attention of millions.

While the Romney campaign may not be actively seeking the African-American youth vote, they're not just sitting back and hoping that the demographic will stay away on Election Day. In June, the Romney campaign launched Young Americans for Romney in an attempt to reach out to the millennial generation. Led by Craig Romney, the youngest of Romney's sons, the effort has been largely centered on economic challenges.

'This Is Not 2008'

Victoria Wanjiku, a Kenyan immigrant who grew up in Atlanta, sees this election from a different perspective. Although unable to vote herself, the Georgetown University senior calls America home.

"People are still excited about an Obama presidency," she said. "From what I'm reading and experiencing and seeing from my friends on Facebook, I think they'll vote."

As she saw it, enthusiasm among African-American youth is still there, but it's the media narrative that has changed.

Put simply, "This is a not the same election as it was in 2008. At that time, the story was about the first African-American president of the United States."

Nonetheless, there is mounting evidence that the Obama campaign is beginning to pull ahead in some key swing states. A recent Washington Post poll showed Obama up by 8 points in Virginia.

Marc Morial sees a "growing interest" in the election and a "growing sense of how important it is," but he was quick to admit, "This is not 2008."

Although moments of the Democratic National Convention may have shown flashes of the excitement surrounding the last campaign, even Democrats admit the same enthusiasm has yet to be re-created.

"In 2008, you heard people on the streets, people on trains talking about how excited they were by Obama. That is physically absent today," Sargent said.

Growing Enthusiasm, Growing Confusion: Voter ID Laws

Finding ways to pull young Americans to the voting booths will be key for the incumbent.

But while major celebrities and social media chatter may be pulling them in, something else is pushing them away -- voter ID laws.

Although brought forth in the name of combating voter fraud, Morial said he believes, "These laws are going to trick people." He saw the effort to pass the laws as "deliberate and intentional," brought about by those who "wanted to try to tamp down the votes of young people and African-Americans and senior citizens."

As a result, much of the Urban League's "Occupy the Vote" campaign to increase voter registration is aimed at ensuring people know what the laws are and that they understand what paperwork they need to provide to be able to vote.

Perhaps they may be a little less enchanted, perhaps a little less enthused, but most young African-Americans continue to support their president. There's just one question that remains: Will they vote?

Advertisers aren’t tapping into strong African American market, report says

Even after absorbing a devastating economic hit from the Great Recession, black consumers remain a potent force but are often overlooked by advertisers, according to a new research report.

African Americans are projected to have a combined spending power of $1.1 trillion by 2015, according to the report released on Friday by the market-research firm Nielsen and the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which represents 200 black-oriented newspapers.

African Americans are a major spending power, but firms aren’t wooing them in black media.

Report shows companies use loopholes to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes on overseas profits.

As a group, African Americans have a set of spending habits and brand loyalty that should be attractive to advertisers. More than other demographic groups, blacks tend to buy “brand-name” products, watch television and spend time shopping or frequenting fast-food restaurants, the report said.
Still, media outlets directed at black audiences earned just a tiny slice — less than 2 percent — of the more than $120 billion that firms spent on advertising in 2011, according to the report.
“Companies that don’t advertise using black media risk having African Americans perceive them as being dismissive of issues that matter to black consumers,” said Cloves Campbell, chairman of NNPA. “This report demonstrates what a sustainable and influential economic force we are.”
Black-oriented media have been caught in the throes of the dramatic changes wrought by the explosion of digital media, which has crimped revenue and audiences for both mainstream and niche news outlets. Nonetheless, they continue to follow stories overlooked by the mainstream press, a fact that black consumers recognize, according to the report.
Black media have lifted major news events and issues to national prominence in the past, such as the plight of black GIs during World War II, Jackie Robinson’s rise to baseball’s major leagues and the gruesome murder of Emmett Till.
Recently news such as the disproportionate impact of the down economy on the black community and the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s recent trip to the Gambia, where he managed to get President Yayha Jammeh to reconsider the executions of 46 death-row inmates, has tended to get much more attention in the black press.
On his trip, Jackson also secured to the freedom of two Gambian Americans who were facing long prison sentences for their political activity in that country. One was a former University of Tennessee professor, Amadou Scattred Janneh, who also served as Gambia’s minister of communications. He was arrested last year for printing T-shirts that read “Coalition for Change” and “End Dictatorship Now” on the front and “Freedom” on the back.
The other, Tamsir Jassey, is an Operation Desert Storm veteran who also served as Gambia’s director general of immigration. He was serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted of aiding the escape of a man suspected of trying to overthrow Jammeh.
“Why hasn't this been in the mainstream media?” Jackson asked during a news conference held to publicize the report at the Congressional Black Caucus’s 42nd Annual Legislative Conference.
That kind of coverage matters to viewers and readers, and ultimately advertisers, the report said. More than 90 percent of black consumers believe that black media is more relevant to them than are mainstream outlets, the report said. Consequently, it said, 81 percent of black consumers believe that products advertised in black media are more relevant to them

Van Impe ministry claims that President Obama denies Christ and is 'biblically hostile

According to end of times preacher Jack Van Impe, President Obama is among the people who "deny Christ and the cross" and are "enemies of the cross of Christ." Accompanied with commentary by his wife Rexella, Van Impe declared in the September 22 broadcast of Jack Van Impe Presents that the president is anti-Christian and anti-Bible and has allowed "radical Muslim lobbyists" to "infiltrate and penetrate the White House" while at the same time, radical Islamists are scheming to bring about Armageddon and a nuclear war that will wipe out one third of the world's population. (See video embedded below.)The Christian ministry is selling a DVD called "The President of Change Shortchanges America" and along with a "gift of just $24.95" the Van Impes will include their list of 50 things (scratch that, 56 things) that the president allegedly said or did that prove that he's "America's Most Biblically Hostile President." In the theme of their "Obama is anti-Christian" presentation, Rexella Van Impe cited a World Net Daily article in her list of global headlines topics. "This first one shocked me!," she said with excitement. "Backlash brewing over Obama's anti-faith actions! Whoa!" The article is a rant by religious right activists Bishop E. W. Jackson and Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel who declared that the Democrats are bent on transforming the nation into a hotbed of "sexual perversion" and "doing away with all symbols of our Judeo-Christian culture."

I was happy that my father agreed to do another segment…but after reading it, I sort of felt like Shug Avery (God’s trying to tell me something lol!!!).  Anyway, I’m grateful that my dad agreed to submit another master piece to Spiritual Spa. 

Children Obey Your Parents

Even in the times that we live in, God wants us to learn his word and keep it so that we can practice it and pass it to the next generation.  Deuteronomy 5:11-21 are the Ten Commandments.  The Ten Commandments were considered the beginnings of wisdom.  These Commandments were written by God so that man could have laws that showed the difference between right and wrong.  The word was given to us so that we could hide it in our hearts, and pass it on to the next generation. 

 

Deuteronomy 6:6-8 these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

 

Deuteronomy 6:25 and it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the Lord our God it will be a better world.

 A father and a mother cannot teach the law if they don’t have the law in there hearts and minds first.  Parents must first have the word in them so that they can direct the children on what to do.  

 Elder M. Bates        

Get your change of Strength from God

 

There are many times in life where we find ourselves in need of inspiration and strength. Life has many ups and downs mixed with the occasional surprises.  I’m not a religious fanatic but I do enjoy getting inspiration and encouragement from other positive forces, regardless of religious beliefs.  Here’s a little encouragement from my dad.  We may not agree on everything but I’ve always been encouraged by a lot of things he says.  

 We can see that the youth of today are giving up, and the young men are tired from failing. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. This is what the Lord can do for young men that want to
be with the Lord and allow him to come into their lives.

28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint..”

ISAIAH 40:28-31

Handkerchief Heads Say Don’t Vote

What frustrates me when it comes to black religious folks is they start popping off at the mouth, while the Mitt Romneys and George Bushes of the world sit back tickled pink.  You clowns are the reason that politicians think it’s ok to show up at your church on election week for votes, instead of stomping the yard all year long. These house Negroes are not talking about job creation or using our political leverage to affect change.  These Negroes are crying about same sex marriage.  I’m shocked that clergy in the black community are even considering such a drastic step.  If you have a personal problem with Obama’s position on gay marriages then voice that. Don’t try to drag everyone else into your madness.  Most black people do not care one way or the other about same sex marriage.  We’re more concerned about the economy and how to feed our families.  I’m so tired of these superstar clergy stepping forward claiming to represent me.  If a person chooses to marry another person of the same sex, so what!!!!  Just get the damn economy together!!!! Rev. Nelson, Obama’s statement about gay marriage did not cause a “storm” in the black community, the storm started when you clowns huddled up back in May, and decided to push your personal beliefs during the height of the election season.  Why now?  Why come out the closet crying about same sex marriage now? I didn’t hear anything from you handkerchief heads when Eddie Long was playing Little House on the Prairie with Adam, Hoss and Little Joe.  On November 6^th you can stay home and pray if you want, but when Mitt and the good ol boys have you swinging from the back of a mule cart, please don’t scream “Give…. Me… Freedom”.       

Steve