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They Don’t Speak For Me

Dr. Lightsey — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:11:41 +0000

The Republican outcry against President Obama’s proposed tax increased for the wealthiest of Americans shows how completely out of step they are with the vast majority of the working populous they claim to defend. In fact, all the Republicans seek to defend by characterizing the President’s plan as “class warfare” is their own personal bank [...]

Abilene Had a Child: Musings on “The Help”

Dr. Lightsey — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 04:24:00 +0000

I did not expect “The Help” to be without flaw. In fact, I knew it could not possibly give a factual rendition of the life and work of black maids during Jim Crow era, especially those who worked below the Mason Dixie Line. I know there are other books written about this subject that have [...]

I Used to Be…

Dr. Lightsey — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:06:04 +0000

Back in 1978, I was a young zealous Pentecostal Christian. A member of a small church that was part of the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) denomination. We were so young and so “on fire for God”! Barely in my twenties, I remember telling my gay brother he was going to hell for being proudly [...]

For My Dad and Other Black Men in America

Dr. Lightsey — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 15:59:53 +0000

My father, the late Eddie Lee Lightsey died at the age of 67. Born in Doran, Georgia 1919, he was seventeen years older than my mom. Though he never completed even junior high, my father was brilliant. Each Sunday, he counted out six stacks of coins for our weekly lunch money. As he gave us [...]

United Methodist Clergy Willing To Defy Church Law

Dr. Lightsey — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:21:10 +0000

Across the country, clergy members in the United Methodist Church are now being faced with the stark reality that public policy is far more prophetic and just than our current church polity as they witness the increasing passing of laws that support marriage rights and civil unions of LGBTQ persons. What are loving clergy to [...]

Methodist Black Scholars and Clergy Say “No More!”

Dr. Lightsey — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:27:10 +0000

In an unprecedented move, 9 Black scholars and clergy of the United Methodist Church have released a statement urging the denomination to end its ban against ordaining non-heterosexual persons. The endorsers are seminary professors, scholars, leading church and civil rights leaders. The document encourages diversity and makes an important critique against homophobia within the Black community. Releasing the document during Holy Week is an intentional act, as the endorsers know Christians across the globe are reflecting upon ways to witness the love of Christ and to denounce acts of intolerance and oppression.

African: Not So Much

Dr. Lightsey — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:30:43 +0000

It is such a strange thing to be so connected with a continent and people whom you know nothing about but live under the umbrella of "direct relatedness" because of skin color, and to a lesser extent, physiognomies, diction and inflection. As a child of the 60s excitedly connected to the Black Power movement, I took great pride in lauding my African heritage. I refused to perm my hair, grew a thick and curly Afro, carried the Afro "pick" with the emblem of the clutched fist in my hair, refused to pledge allegiance to the American flag, instead paying homage to the red, black and green Afro-flag. When I insisted on being called African American rather than Black, it was with this explanation: "I am not Black, my color is caramel, my race is African!"

I Say a Little Prayer - It’s Time

Dr. Lightsey — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 01:37:36 +0000

In one of the last novels published before his death, African American author E. Lynn Harris offered members of the LGBTQI Black Church community a glimpse at what could be. With joyful anticipation we turned page after page of I Say a Little Prayer waiting to see if in fact, the soloist Chauncey Greer's plan of an organized boycott of the Black mega church where his closeted anti-homophobic preaching former lover is senior pastor, will be a success. Over the past few weeks I have been in anguish. Today I thought of Harris' novel as "what if that could be done."

Long Fall For the Czar

Dr. Lightsey — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 00:25:31 +0000

The recent charges brought against Bishop Eddie Long are long overdue. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if criminal charges are not soon brought against him as well. One can only hope.

And the gullible offer the usual naive responses: "Only Jesus can judge him." "Touch not mine anointed" "This is just devilish spiritual warfare against the man of God!" "What if God allowed our lives to be shown to the public?" "Just pray for him" Well, I can tell you: 1. Naw, not only Jesus but the US court system is going to judge him. 2. Anointing extends beyond clergy and includes innocent children. 3. Which man of God? 4. Using this tactic to shame the critics of Long is ridiculous! And actually, it wouldn't be a bad thing if God were to put the spotlight on perpetrators guilty of the same charges alleged of Long.

Tea Party And Its Not So Tepid Bigots

Dr. Lightsey — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 21:47:06 +0000

Link to this important report: MSNBC: Healthcare Politics Takes Nasty Turn Whatever forward steps we felt we have taken towards eradicating racism in America were met with crushing hammers of racial slurs yesterday as members of the Tea Party movement sought to cripple the steps of African American members of Congress as they made their way into [...]