We Walk By Faith And Not By Fright: a dedication to Ahmaud Arbery

"I am because we are and we are because I am." African Proverb  

The Book teaches us to "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." I 
offer my deepest condolences to the family of Ahmaud and that our creator comforts their 
hearts.  
 
I heard a man say that the difference between an endangered species and Black Men is that 
endangered species are protected by the Federal Government.   
 
This is not new to this area, region, or the south, from Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Tony 
Green and now Ahmaud Arbery.  
 
I have seen speeding vehicles slow down for dogs and ducks but this is a disgrace to see 
numerous white men in multiple vehicles & guns, hunt & stalk a young black man and then have  
the audacity to record it as if they were hunting a deer. 
 
In this Bible Belt there are so many people that claim to be Christian but not Christ like, they 
have the American Flag tattooed on their arm and the Confederate flag etched in their heart.  
 
To my black men please don't forget that you are brilliant, bright, and you are black.  You can be 
a professional, physician, preacher, pilot, or politician, but before they see all of that they first 
see Black. You are Christian, Jew, Catholic, Hebrew Israelite, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, 
Agnostic, and Atheist but at the end of the day you are black.   
 
In your blackness there is hope with all the words that's been said. In your blackness there is 
brilliance with the thoughts in your head. In your blackness is resilience to keep pushing ahead.  
 
Divided we are defeated, united we prevail.  We walk by faith and not by fright.  
 
We have been told for centuries to know your place and to know your role. Today I am here to 
tell Black Men that we have had enough Bojangles and now is the time that the Boaz stands up. 
We can continue to be the people's entertainer or we can become our kinsmen's redeemer.   
 
My prayer is that the hurt and grief be lifted off of the family of Ahmaud Arbery, that their pain be 
replaced with peace, and their sadness with joy.  We pray for justice to roll like a river and a 
swift conviction of the assailants. For those that need comfort we pray that you be with them in 
presence and power. For those that are lost that you realign them with purpose.  Cover our city, 
state, nation, and globe as we walk to honor the life of your child Ahmaud keep us from all 
danger, let your angels encamp around us, in your Holy name we pray.

​Amen.