FALSE WITNESS: When Preachers Lie
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” – Proverbs 19:5
In my humble opinion, a politician with a microphone, say nothing of a “preacher,” is more dangerous and destructive than one hundred heavily armed gunmen. The gunman’s capacity to do harm is limited. The inflammatory rhetoric of a politician or preacher could ignite a conflagration that consumes an entire community, perhaps even a nation.
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” – James 3:5
Inflammatory
On August 8, 2014 Michael Brown was shot and killed in self-defense by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer. On November 24, 2014 a St. Louis County Grand Jury, after hearing and viewing the evidence in case, issued a 4,799-page report entitled State of Missouri v Darren Wilson. The report laid out the factors in support of the decision NOT to indict Officer Darren Wilson. March 4, 2015, The U.S. Department of Justice, under then Attorney-General Eric Holder issued an 86-page report in which the Federal government cleared Officer Wilson of all civil rights violations. The report concluded that the Officer Wilson
“…acted reasonably and in self-defense.” [10]
As if the carnage in his hometown of Chicago wasn’t enough, Rev. Jesse Jackson wasted no time getting to Ferguson.
On August 15, 2014, BARELY SIX DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT, “Civil Rights leader” Rev. Jesse Jackson, during a public address, compared the shooting of Michael Brown to
“..a kind of state execution.” [11]
At the time of Rev. Jackson’s statement, protests and civil disorder was already underway nationwide. Arguably, Jackson’s inflammatory rhetoric did nothing to quell the violence and unrest. The nation was on edge. #BlackLivesMatter “activists” arrived in Ferguson. Their orchestrated confrontations with the police were eagerly broadcast by media outlets like CNN and MSNBC. Tensions were at a flashpoint. Rioting, looting, assaults, and shootings would continue for several days in Ferguson.
Local residents in Ferguson viewed Rev. Jackson’s very presence as counterproductive.
“WE DON’T WANT YOU HERE JESSE!”
shouted one Ferguson resident who confronted Rev. Jackson in the drive-through of the McDonald’s restaurant.
Reports indicate that more than seventeen (17) businesses were destroyed in the St. Louis suburbs of Ferguson and Dellwood, respectively, totaled more than $6.2 million dollars in damages. The businesses damaged included
“Little Caesar’s Pizza and Hidden Treasures …and McDonald’s, Public Storage”
among others. A significant number of the businesses destroyed were African-American owned and operated.During the month of August 2014, Chicago, Illinois witnessed more than 250 shootings resulting in 54 deaths.[13] The overwhelming number of the shooters were Black, the vast majority of shooting victims were also Black.
Chalk Outlines
Not to be outdone, Baltimore-based Pastor Jamal Bryant also rushed to Ferguson. He managed to get himself arrested during an October 13, 2014 demonstration. Why not? Bryant was at the front of a group of protests shouting
“No Justice! No peace!”
Bryant told the Baltimore-Sun that his arrest was precipitated when he began calling for the Ferguson Police to
“repent for being an evil citizen.”
The Baltimore-Sun states that the demonstrators then
“…called out the names of more than 300 people who have been killed by police nationwide,..”
The demonstrators overlooked a few people.
That number is less than the number of people shot and killed IN BALTIMORE ALONE in just ONE YEAR. The vast majority of the shooting victims AND the shooters, respectively, were Black.
Typical of other “Progressive” politically-minded, racially-oriented, African-American preachers, Pastor Jamal Bryant ignored the raging fratricidal, #BlackonBlack, violence and murder IN HIS COMMUNITY. Instead, he moved with haste to politicize the Michael Brown tragedy.
“Blood was shed in Baltimore at an unprecedented pace in 2015, with mostly young, black men shot to death in a near-daily crush of violence.”
Given the daily carnage in Baltimore, it’s Ferguson, Missouri that demands the attention of Pastor Jamal Bryant and other Black clergy. The numbers show that 2014 was a deadly year from young Black men in Baltimore. Sadly, Black-on-Black murder rates in 2015 would be even worse. Bryant and other Black pastors rushed to Ferguson to demonstrate on behalf of 18-year old Michael Brown. Meanwhile, in his Baltimore community,
“More than 90 percent of the homicide victims this year were boys or men, more than 90 percent were black, and more than half were between the ages of 18 and 30…” [17]
Pastor Jamal Bryant went to Ferguson to draw attention to the shooting death of a young Black man. During their march,
“..protesters drew a chalk outline around the body of a demonstrator…”
One has to wonder why Pastor Jamal Bryant chose to travel all the way to Ferguson to draw chalk outlines of a murder victim? He could have drawn HUNDREDS of them in Baltimore. Pastor Jamal Bryant and his followers drew chalk marks on the ground and played dead. Back in Baltimore, young were being found dead in seemingly endless waves of shootings of Blacks by Blacks.
For more than a decade, Baltimore has been one of the most dangerous and violent cities in IN THE WORLD….for African-Americans. Oddly, Pastor Jamal Bryant ran to Ferguson in search of a young Black man who’d been “gunned down” as “activists” love to say. Again, if dead young Black men is what he seeks then Baltimore remains the place to be. In 2018,
“Police [were] Investigating 7 Murders Within 24 Hours In Baltimore.” [19]
If justice was truly his objective, he should have stayed in Baltimore.
Rush to Judgment
There are six things which the Lord hates,
Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:
Haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that run rapidly to evil,
A false witness who utters lies,
And one who spreads strife among brothers. – Proverbs 6:16-19
Recently, Botham Shem Jean, a native of the Caribbean island nation of St. Lucia was shot and killed in his own apartment. Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger has been charged with Manslaughter in the case. Officer Guyger was off duty at the time of the incident.
Dallas Police Chief Renee Hall immediately called in the Texas Rangers, a specialized division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, to investigate the incident. This is not at all unusual or out of the norm. In situations where there are potential, or even perceived, conflicts of interest the Texas Rangers are asked to conduct the investigation. The matter will be presented to a Grand Jury who will decide, based on the evidence, whether (or not) to charge Officer Guyger and what charge (if any) she should face.
Botham Jean and Amber Guyger where residents of the same apartment building. Initial reports stated that Guyger arrived home after a 15-hour shift. She arrived at what she thought was her apartment door and noticed that the door was ajar. She observed what she believed was an intruder. She stated that the intruder did not comply with her orders and she opened fire. The problem, of course, is that she was at the wrong apartment door. The individual she believed was an intruder was, in fact, the lawful occupant of the apartment Botham Jean. Officer Guyger herself called 911 from the hallway of the apartment building.
On September 12, 2018, The group calling themselves the “African-American Pastor’s Coalition,” held a press conference at Dallas Police Headquarters. The group included prominent Dallas-area ministers including Pastor Frederick Haynes and Pastor Rickie Rush. The pretext for this gathering was to “calm” the community in the wake of Botham Jean’s death. There was nothing reassuring about the event. Members of the group took turns at the microphone demanding “justice.” First to speak was Pastor Bryan Carter, President of the AAPC. He wasted no time declaring that Botham Jean had been
“…killed, murdered, slain..”
Pastor Carter’s opening remarks lasted just over ninety (90) seconds during which he uttered the word “justice” no less than eight (8) times. In actuality, Pastor Carter uttered the word “justice” once every eleven (11) seconds.
One speaker even managed to incorporate the phrase
“unarmed Black man”
in her PRAYER. The investigation into the death of Botham Jean was barely a week old. Members of this group demanded that Officer Amber Guyger be fired immediately. There were demands that she be charged with the crime of murder.
This group of pastors recklessly insinuated, with no evidence in support, that race may have played a role in the shooting death of Botham Jean. Others in the group viewed the shooting of Botham Jean as part of pattern in which police use lethal force against Black men.
Pastor Frederick Haynes used the “African American Pastors Coalition” press conference to vomit up his uniquely vile brand of racially-motivated speech. He described Botham Jean as a
“26-year old man who’s life was ABORTED.”
His use of the word “aborted” is fascinating. One of Planned Parenthood’s abortion-homicide facilities is a mere ten (10) minute drive from Friendship-West Baptist Church where Haynes serves as senior pastor. Abortion-homicide has had genocidal impact on the African-American Community. Rarely at a loss for words, Pastor Haynes is curiously silent on the issue of abortion.
The “pastors” demanded justice with one breath and then cast doubt and dispersion on the process with the next. Recently, Dallas County District Attorney Faith Johnson, an African-American, led the prosecution the Balch Springs Police Officer Roy Oliver. The officer was convicted in the shooting death of fifteen-year old Jordan Edwards. [15] Oliver was sentenced to fifteen (15) years in state prison. Nevertheless, Pastor Frederick Haynes used the opportunity, and alluded to the notion of
“blue bias”
in order to cast doubt on the integrity of the Botham Jean investigation literally before it began.
Their race-baiting is dangerous and irresponsible. Before the facts are known about the tragic death of Botham Jean, they rush to insinuate that race may have been a motive. Their inflammatory rhetoric is foolish. Have the lessons of Ferguson been lost so soon? If riots were to ensue, it would not be the prosperous northern suburbs of Dallas County that would burn. It would be their own economically-distressed South Dallas neighborhoods that would suffer most.
Definitive studies show that more White men are shot and killed during altercations with police than Blacks.
“So far in 2016, there have been 708 documented deaths in police shootings, 173 of which have resulted the deaths of African-Americans.” [9]
In fact, more police officers are killed in the line of duty each year than the number of Blacks killed during altercations with police.
Dallas-area African-American pastors wasted no time gathering to call for “justice” in the case of Botham Jean, a native and citizen of the island nation of St. Lucia. They were curiously AWOL in the case of thirteen(13) year-old Shavon Randle.[1] Shavon Randle was abducted by drug dealers who sought to exchange her for a cache of drugs stolen from them by one of their own drug-gang members. The gutwrenching story of her kidnapping galvanized the world’s attention. The reports of her death broke hearts the world over.[3] Black preachers were happy to conduct the funeral services for this precious little girl. African-American pastors couldn’t find the time to hold a press conference to issue repeated calls for justice in the brutal and senseless murder of Shavon Randle.
It’s notable that this group of pastors didn’t find the time to gather before the media and demand “justice” in the horrific shooting death of Gabriel Simmons. Ms. Simmons was shot and killed during a robbery of the Dollar General store where she worked to support her six (6) children. [2] Simmons was nearing the end of her shift and was preparing to leave for home at the time of her death. She fully complied with the robber’s instructions. She gave the cash drawer to the robber. He shot and killed her as he ran from the store.
Politically-motivated Black pastors appear to be highly selective was to which cases they demand justice for. They trample underfoot the lives and memories of crime victims such as Shavon Randle, Gabriel Simmons [2], TyShawn Lee [7], Charmaine Wilson [6], Reggina Jefferies [5], Trayvon “Truz” Lee [8], and many many others in their rush to politicize and race-bait. They find the nearest microphone in order to draw attention to perceived cases of “police brutality.” Meanwhile, victims of Black on Black violence and murder are largely overlooked or ignored all together. Black mothers are left to plead for justice on their own.
“Progressive” African-American pastors preach sermons laced with venomous and toxic rhetoric. They obediently echo and amplify the divisive, identity-based, narrative of the political Left. They want their followers to believe that the police, presumably even the officers who attend or protect their own churches, pose an existential threat to the Black Community. This simply is not true. More accurately, it is a lie. The “Progressive” neo-Marxist myth that Blacks are targeted by police has been thoroughly debunked by numerous authoritative studies. “Activists” lie. Politicians lie. Preachers lie. However, the numbers don’t lie. Read: “Killer Cops”: Debunking The Left’s Fake Reality in the Police “Targeting” of African-Americans.
False Witness
Politically-motivated African-American preachers often allude to what they view is a pattern of police shootings of young Black men. They point to police-involved shooting cases including Alton Sterling (Baton Rouge, LA), Michael Brown (Ferguson, MO), and Philando Castile (St. Paul, MN). It is not beyond “activist” African-American clergy to reference the shooting death of Trayvon Martin as an example of “police brutality.” African-American clergy, of all people, should know that this narrative is false. Why? Because they preside over the funeral services. As such, they are uniquely positioned, along with funeral directors, to know with great certainty that the young men they bury were NOT killed during altercations with law enforcement. They know, better than most, that the majority of the young Black men they eulogize are, far too often, killed by other young Black men.
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” Proverbs 19:9
During recent exchange on Twitter, the account for Friendship West Baptist Church asked the question:
“What exactly did we or our pastor lie about?”
In an article posted to the church’s website entitled “Prophetic Order” a few other statements by Dr. Frederick Douglass Haynes, III are questionable in terms of their veracity. For example, in his article Dr. Haynes asserts that Ferguson authorities
“…sought to place Michael Brown on trial for his own murder by assassinating his character,…” – Dr. Frederick Haynes III
Dr. Haynes cites the video showing Michael Brown in the commission of a robbery to support this claim. The video of the robbery, indeed the robbery itself, was irrelevant as it relates to Michael Brown’s death. The Justice Department report makes it clear that Michael Brown’s attack on the officer resulted in his death.
“And whereas the law enforcement officials in Ferguson have sought to place Michael Brown on trial for his own murder by assassinating his character, leaking video with no context, as if to justify his death.” – Dr. Frederick Haynes III
Dr. Haynes contends that the Ferguson Police itself is the greatest threat to the public.
“And whereas the biggest threat to public safety in Ferguson is the Ferguson Police Department.” – Dr. Frederick Haynes III
This claim is not only false. It is patently absurd. For several years, the St. Louis area has been at or near the top of the list of cities with the highest rates of Black on Black violence and murder.
In the wake of the death of Michael Brown, the hash tag “#HandsUpDontShoot” was spawned from the narrative that the 18-year-old Ferguson teenager had his hands up at the time he was shot. Celebrities, actors, media figures, politicians, and preachers echoed the false narrative. Not surprisingly, Dr. Frederick Haynes III marched with his hands raised in the air.
Simply put, #HandsUpDontShoot was a lie. The definitive report from The U.S. Department of Justice debunked the notion that Michael Brown’s were up, presumably in surrender, at the moment he was shot. Three separate autopsy reports — one by the State of Missouri, one by the Federal government, and one by the family of Michael Brown — showed, indisputably, that Brown was running towards the Ferguson officer.
The greatest threat to African-Americans in the Ferguson area isn’t, nor ever has been, the police. The greatest threat to African-Americans continues to other African-Americans.
Politicians lie. Members of the media lie. Sadly, members of the clergy also lie. However, the numbers don’t lie. The simple fact of the matter is this: The greatest danger to African-American life is 1) Abortion-Homicide and 2) Black-on-Black violence and murder.
SOURCES:
[1] Who are the suspects in Shavon Randle’s kidnapping and murder? – https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/who-are-the-suspects-in-shavon-randles-kidnapping-and-murder/453891335
[2] Mother of 6 Fatally Shot While Working at Dollar General – https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Woman-Fatally-Shot-While-Working-at-Dollar-General-455808873.html
[3] Officials: Texas girl found dead kidnapped over drug theft – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap/article-4662968/Officials-Texas-girl-dead-kidnapped-drug-theft.html
[4] “Killer Cops”: Debunking The Left’s Fake Reality in the Police “Targeting” of African-Americans – https://jefferymyersunleashed.io/killer_cops
[5] Mother pleads for justice after 16-year-old daughter shot, killed in downtown Oakland – http://www.ktvu.com/news/mother-pleads-for-justice-after-16-year-old-daughter-shot-killed-in-downtown-oakland
[6] Woman who called police on SW Baltimore crime was ‘gunned…down in front of her children’ – https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/woman-who-called-police-on-sw-baltimore-crime-was-gunneddown-in-front-of-her-children
[7] Tyshawn Lee was captured and killed by a monster – http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-tyshawn-lee-monsters-talk-glanton-20160314-story.html
[8] Rapper Lor Scoota’s manager killed near Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park – http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-ci-fatal-shooting-20160706-story.html#
[9] Police Shooting Statistics 2016: Are More Black People Killed By Officers Than Other Races? – https://www.ibtimes.com/police-shooting-statistics-2016-are-more-black-people-killed-officers-other-races-2421634
[10] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE REPORT REGARDING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE SHOOTING DEATH OF MICHAEL BROWN BY FERGUSON, MISSOURI POLICE OFFICER DARREN WILSON – https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/opa/press-releases/attachments/2015/03/04/doj_report_on_shooting_of_michael_brown_1.pdf
[11] Rev. Jackson: Like a ‘state execution’ – https://www.politico.com/story/2014/08/jesse-jackson-ferguson-reaction-110058
[12] Buildings destroyed in Ferguson riots worth millions – https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2014/12/04/buildings-destroyed-in-ferguson-riots-worth.html
[13] Hey Jackass! August 2014 Stats – https://heyjackass.com/category/2014-chicago-crime-murder-stats/
[14] Rev. Jesse Jackson confronted, asked to leave by Ferguson residents – https://youtu.be/yM3bvViasco
[15] Police Officer Convicted of Murder Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison – https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Sentencing-Underway-for-Ex-Balch-Springs-Officer-Convicted-of-Murder-491972191.html
[16] What’s the Homicide Capital of America? Murder Rates in U.S. Cities, Ranked. – https://www.thetrace.org/2018/04/highest-murder-rates-us-cities-list/
[17] Baltimore pastor arrested at Ferguson protest – http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/crime/bs-md-jamal-bryant-arrested-ferguson-20141013-story.html
[18] Deadliest year in Baltimore history ends with 344 homicides – http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-deadliest-year-20160101-story.html
Baltimore: 16 murders in first 13 days of 2014 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSIfTcOcXek
[19] Police Investigating 7 Murders Within 24 Hours In Baltimore – https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2018/09/30/baltimore-weekend-murders-homicides/
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