Annie,

Let me first state that it isn't my intention to offend or attack you
neither is it my intention to attempt to change your position. If
anything, my hope is that some understanding will be gained in the
expression of our views.
Having said that, it seems that their are many who feel that Pastor
Meeks is going about this the wrong way, but no one has stepped
forward to offer a realistic way to go about it. All legislative
actions he has sponsored were not supported, the promised 2 billions
from our Governor was never delivered, and the state seem to have
other priorities with education being the least of them (apparent
from our ranking of 49th of 50 states in school funding).
While eveyone is talking and debating about the problems, no one is
really taking forceful action while our children are being left to
suffer in a system that doesn't properly educate them.
I don't believe anyone would argue that the problems facing CPS
extend beyond money and that money alone won't fix the problems. But
with most situations, one must begin somewhere and usually with the
variables the can be immediately changed and then move on to those
that require time, conditioning, and processes. We can't change lack
of parenting and/or difficult homes immediately, but as i stated
before, funding is one part of the problem that shouldn't be a
variable to begin with.
Additionally, let me make another reference to Dr. King who many tend
to forget was just as controversial on a much broader scope in his
actions as Pastor Meeks. You do realize people had similar opinions
of him for using school-aged children to protest bus boycotts and
segregation in ther schools. He did this knowing their would be a
good chance they would be bitten by dogs, sprayed with hoses and
beaten. At least, these are consequences our students that
participate in the protest will not likely face.
Our history proves that nothing is gained in terms of civil rights
and equality without people demanding it and protesting for it which
usually causes them to labeled as trouble-makers.
Now I cannot, will not, feel no need to totally defend Pastor Meek's
comments. I will however share some highlights of him. His role,
divine appointment, and effectiveness as a man of God simply cannot
be argued. I would never exalt Salem Baptist Church of Chicago above
any other Christian institution or organization. I believe we are
part of the same body each with its unique calling but common goal
and bond. It may surprise you to know that while we are the largest
predominantly black church in the state, we do have several caucasion
members as well as hispanic and other ethnicities.
I do believe it is unfair to degrage his character solely on is use
of the "n" word and interpret it as hate. The black community seems
to be split of their opinion of using the "n". I myself must admit
that I use the words among friends, but i also realise its
controversial value and chose not to use it outside of personal
occasions. Pastor Meeks has never been beyond rebuke and after much
scorn has stopped using the word in the pulpit. We also know
especially in election season how media clips can distort anyone's
real message. Never, never, never, and I repeat never has Pastor
Meeks preached, taught, or spoken hate. He is and alway has been
adamant about presenting the truth plainly and sometimes without
elequent speech whether it be sin, societal ills or governmental
issues. He then challenges us to be a part of the solution whether
it's on an individual level or as in the present case collectively.
Finally, I am not asking you to like Pastor Meeks but I do hope you
can at least understand what he stands for even if you feel some of
his ways are flawed. I urge you to come out to the Salem Baptist
Church of Chicago to see for yourself what is really taught and
preached as well how the media attempts to distort that message. If
you feel overwhelmed by the thought, check out a broadcast on WJYS or
streaming faith on the internet.
My final thought! If we don't do something drastic now-who will?
On 7/31/08, Annie wrote:
> Tony,
>
> First, thank you for your response. You know more of the situation
> than I do since you are in the thick of it. I gained more knowledge
> from your post.
>
> Second, please know that I do not discount the positive things
> Senator Meeks has done.
>
> I believe you missed my point. I am a teacher and realize how
> important the support of your community is. It is not the teachers'
> fault that the situation is the way it is. Nor is it the school
> buildings. My point is that adults should NEVER use kids to fight
> their battles. Shame on Senator Meeks for doing this. It is
> sending the wrong message to kids and you are harming their
> education. Does the situation need improved--absolutely. You and I
> are on the same page as that. But, you're going about it the wrong
> way. You see, it is your state Department of Education and your
> state politicians that decide funding. That is who Mr. Meeks should
> be fighting.
>
> I must admit that when I said it was unfortunate Senator Meeks is
> going down in our history it was mostly because of his speech where
> he called people the N word and slave masters. Shame on his, as a
> pastor particularly, in saying this. He proves he is not a true man
> of God. God would never approve of that hatred and disrespect. I've
> heard speeches from Senator Meeks that perpetuates hate and even
> racism, the very thing he fights against. I imagine Bill Cosby, a
> true positive and PRODUCTIVE role model of the black community would
> tend to agree with me. The hate and anger and misguided direction
> Senator Meeks speaks of in his hate speeches produces kids like the
> one that came to my door the other day. My husband was called the N
> word by a misguided young African-American because he wouldn't buy
> his magazines and asked him to get off our property ONLY for the
> reason that soliciting is illegal. I was very offended by this
> young man, but also realized it wasn't his fault. It was the ADULTS
> in his community that failed to teach him positive, productive and
> mature ways to handle the true problems that exist today (one of
> which, I agree, is racism). But not all white people are racist,
> and many of our young black youth grow up being taught this.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/29/08, Tony wrote:
>> Well Annie, while you are welcomed to your opinion, I feel the
>> need to express mine. Let me first state that I am a certified
>> CPS teacher as well as a member of Salem Baptist Church where
>> Meeks is pastor.
>> The plain truth is that Meeks is right. Why should we rush to
>> send our children to a district that is failing. If you are
>> indeed a cps teacher, you certainly are aware of the lie we
>> publish each year concern test score increases while we
>> consistently lower the pass rate. How dare we celebrate our
>> children pasing with 26%
>> Another plain truth. Our schools in Chicago with very few
>> exceptions, are seperate and unequal. You may assign any number
>> of reasons for this, but the truth is evident.
>> Finally, While Pastor Meeks admitted that money is certainly
>> not the only issue and stated that parents, teachers, and the
>> community at large must be accountable, he did make the point
>> that money (equitable funding) shouldn't be one of the problems
>> in the equation.
>> So while I respect your position, it does remind me of the
>> naysayers that voiced similar sentiments when Dr. King was
>> marching and protesting what many called "silly battles."
>> Pastor Meeks is definitely a great role model. Ask the citizens
>> in Roseland who don't have liquor stores on every corner
>> anymore. Ask the people in zip code 60628 who are provided with
>> food, clothing, household neccessities, immunizations and other
>> things each week during the summer Vision projects. Ask the
>> folks at Willow Creek Church in Barrigton who have partnered
>> with us to deal with racial reconciliation. Ask the cps
>> children on the far south side who receive mentoring and
>> academic tutoring from Salem. Ask the 25,000 of us at Salem
>> Baptist who call Rev. Meeks pastor. And finally, ask yourself
>> what significantly are you doing to address the problem.
>> On 7/29/08, Annie wrote:
>>> I made a typo in the following sentence:
>>> "Senator Meeks call for kids to skip the
>>> first day is not what is best for school." I meant to say
>>> that is not what is best for KIDS.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 7/29/08, Annie wrote:
>>>> I read this morning that Illinois Senator James Meeks is
>>>> organizing a protest that calls for children to skip the
>>>> first day of school. This is very sad and unfortunate for
>>>> those kids. When thinking about issues that involve kids
>>>> and as leaders in our nation, we should always ask "what is
>>>> best for kids?" Senator Meeks call for kids to skip the
>>>> first day is not what is best for school. If he disagrees
>>>> with the inequality in school funding (which is the reason
>>>> he is protesting it), he needs to call on the adults of
>>>> Illinois to take action, not the youth. Unfortunately,
>>>> Senator Meeks is not a good role model for the black
>>>> community and find it unfortunate that he will go down in
>>>> our history as being a Senator.

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