Email Exchange: On Juan Williams

On an email list, one of the people mentioned the linked opinion.  The following are comments I made on the email list.

I think that Juan Williams whines in this opinion piece.

He mentions the poverty rate but doesn't mention the Black poverty rate fallen since the "New Deal".

He mentions education but doesn't mention the increasing numbers of Blacks in college and graduating college.

He mentions rap (though not in the article) as promoting and idea that education is not important but doesn't support that idea with examples. By this I mean, he doesn't point out specific rap songs that glorify "anti-intellectualism."

He slams Sharpton but he doesn't say Sharpton is way ahead of him in denouncing the filth in rap and has taken it straight to the people spewing the filth.

He says most Blacks polled agree with him, but he's saying he's being called names. Then if most Blacks agree with him, why whine about the minority calling names?

When I've seen him talk about the book, it's all stats, which is fine even though we know the problem. Now, where are the solutions? Where does it point to groups doing the work on the field? Where does he mention people mentoring? So far, from what I've seen, he doesn't.

Are there solutions he mentions?

OH, right, "Graduation. Work. Get married. Stay married." He was one of those who criticized the "Just say no" campaign, right? And on marriage, it's interesting that the rate of divorce in the church is about the same as that of the secular culture.

Let's look at Alcoholics Anonymous. When alcoholics come in, they get them to change by addressing the problem AND assigning a sponsor to help guide the person through a life of sobriety. So, among the 12 steps, they assign a MENTOR to get through the hard times.

Here is where I mention that more churches are requiring classes for engaged couples to take before the pastor will marry them in the church. I've also started to hear of churches starting to mentor teenagers and young adults on building and sustaining LOVING RELATIONSHIPS. There's that word again, mentor.

So far, I haven't heard or read that word, or a similar word or phrase, coming from Juan Williams lips or finger tips. And there in lies my problem with Williams and Cosby. You can't shout at people to "change!" and expect it to happen without guiding people who are willing to change to make the change.

Hmmmm....

Damn, could it be Juan Williams has a book to sell?

Comments

[Micky]

SAVED BY GRACE
I originally got to AA in 1974 and drank after nearly 11years...AA doesn’t keep one sober. I actually attempted suicide before I drank, and after my suicide attempt was unsuccessful, I drank to kill the pain.

When I eventually recovered from my suicide attempt and "bust" I went back to AA, because it was familiar. I imagine AA to be quite controlling, which was very much like my history. < I spent all my childhood in orphanages in England and Australia>

In 1994 I started seeing a therapist and he helped me process my feelings. He is a recovered alcoholic and had processed his own history. Anyway, I did years of group therapy and EMDR. [Body Memory Therapy].

All I knew from my childhood was terror, pain, shame, and guilt and I was able to feel these feelings and get support by other people in my group. About 3 years ago, I dropped into a "black hole" and had to be hospitalized.... I had 4 months of absolute terror; I thought I was in hell.

One day I asked Jesus Christ {not a bedpan} to have mercy on me and forgive me my sins. Slowly all my fear and guilt has dissipated and today, I am just, Micky [A child of God]. What I had learned – my process in Hospital - that is what it was like for me as a child [METAMORPHOSIS]. I am not an ALCOHOLIC - I am a SINNER. AA [Satan] nearly got my soul but Jesus Christ the Son of GOD delivered me. I am blessed - because, I had to lose control to gain control [JESUS CHRIST] which has nothing to do with handing my will over to a higher power. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life John 3: 16].

Peace Be With You
Micky