Tonjanika Smith Speaks Truth to the People in Sanford

When it looks like darkness all around us, God always shines a light and gives a reason to hope for the future. I witnessed just such a reason as I listened to Miss Tonjanika Smith speak at the Sanford MLK Oratorical Contest last week. This young lady is confident, intelligent, humble and wise beyond her years. She spoke about Dr. King’s message of the “Beloved Community” and how our egos and personal ambitions get in the way of our progress. Dr. King called this corruptive pride “the drum major instinct.” Miss Smith admonished us to use our drive to serve and lift up others. If not, we will only hold us all down. Following are excerpts from her speech:

This drum major instinct is found in every one of us—and it is, as Dr. King described, the “desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first. And it is something that runs the whole gamut of life.”

Understand that the drum major instinct is never going away, but when used correctly, when used for good, it could make things happen. The way Dr. King says it, “If you want to be important…wonderful. If you want to be recognized…wonderful. If you want to be great…wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Obama’s job as president is to serve the American people. A doctor’s job is to serve the needs of his patients; a lawyer to serve the needs of his clients; a parent to serve the needs of their children. A community’s job is not to boast about how many millionaires they have living in it, but to serve the needs of its civilians.

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Not how much money do you have? Not how much is your house worth, but what are you doing for others? What are you doing to aid in the creation of the Beloved Community?

King once went on saying “…say that I was a drum major for justice…a drum major for peace…a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.”

When all the material values, when all the awards and titles are stripped away, when the color and orientation and nationality is no longer a distinction among us, what will define your life? Were you a drum major of the crusade for the Beloved Community, or were you one of the unfortunate ones that let their drum major instinct—their ego—trip them up and lead to their downfall?

Miss Smith is a senior at Lyman High School, where she is ranked 21st in her graduating class. She is a member of the National Honor Society, maintaining a 4.2 GPA. Smith is well-rounded, not only excelling academically but also spiritually, culturally and socially. She participates in conferences, pageants and community service projects at her church. She is the captain of her step team. She volunteers to feed the homeless. She is running for the national title of “Youth of the Year” for the Boys & Girls Club. She has applied to 13 colleges (Harvard University among them). She plans to major in Business, specializing in Economics/Finance. She will then go on to earn a master’s degree in Legal Studies, concentrating on nonprofit organizations. Miss Smith is certainly letting her light shine.

Haiti Rising

Haiti has been politically and legally free since 1804. Haiti is the first free black nation in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti is the home to a very proud, very tenacious people. However, Haiti has suffered during its’ history, revolution after violent revolution, tragedy after disturbing tragedy, coup after bloody coup, disaster after unimaginable disaster. So I have asked the Lord (just as I know many are asking) why can’t Haiti (and the rest of the black world) seem to overcome? I just needed to voice the question that is piercing my heart at this time.

Haitians have been in control of their own nation for over 200 years. I know there are many complex political realities in Haiti. There is corruption in government and interference from other more powerful nations. But what plagues Haiti seems to be far deeper and more complex. Of course the earthquake that has shaken Haiti is not something that we can control, rationalize or explain.

Some have suggested this recent disaster is a case of sinners in the hands of an angry God. They suggest because Haiti is all wrapped up in occult practices, God is punishing Haiti. I suggest these people delve a little deeper into Haitian history before they pass rash judgments and make claims about the intentions of God. Besides, if we take a look around, we’ll see there is plenty all over the world and right in our own backyards for God to be angry about. Haiti is just the lesson in point for today. God is pointing our eyes toward Haiti right now for a reason. We need to be studying and asking why.

Haiti has been shaking for a long time. My prayer is that the shaking has intensified to the point where we will take notice. That we will take action. That it doesn’t have to get stronger than a magnitude 7.0 earthquake.

Haiti suffers because of the corruption and greed of its’ leaders. Although they have resources, only a small elite class benefits from them. The rest of the people suffer in poverty. Poverty leads to more corruption, criminal and immoral behavior, poor education, and hopelessness. A cycle of poverty perpetuates itself as the rich keep their wealth and do everything they can to keep the poor from getting their wealth. Although I don’t live in Haiti nor have I ever been there, I can identify with these conditions. I have seen these conditions in my own neighborhood. I saw it when Hurricane Katrina battered New Orleans.

God is trying to make us look. Look at what we are doing. He’s trying to make us change our actions. He’s trying to make us see that He is in control.

Man has caused confusion and turmoil, oppression and distress with weapons and political games. The way we are acting is causing violence, turmoil, corruption, immorality and instability all over the world (not just in Haiti). Wealthier nations feel secure as long as we have power and wealth. But God has the power to tear down anything we have the power to build. We must acknowledge this fact. Acknowledgement of this fact will lead Haiti and the rest of us to act in a way that will bring peace, equality and prosperity.

The former senator of Haiti Dr. Louis-Gerard Gilles has said, "The hospitals cannot handle all these victims. Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together.".

If Haiti does indeed look to God, there will be great and lasting change. If Haiti experiences this kind of change, it will be such a powerful example for the rest of us. Haiti’s history is no accident. Its’ position as one of the poorest countries just miles away from the richest country on the planet is also no accident. I pray for Haiti to rise out of this stronger. With God, they can. Let’s pray they will.

Anika Noni Rose: What Else But a Rattler?

Congratulations to Anika Noni Rose for two 2010 NAACP Image Award nominations. Rose is up for “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” as the voice of Princess Tiana in the animated film The Princess and the Frog. She has also been nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Series” for her role in the HBO show No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. Rose has already won a Tony Award for her performance in the hit Broadway musical Caroline, or Change. And by the way, Rose is a graduate of Florida A& M University (Go Rattler!). Where else besides “The Hill” (the highest of seven hills in Tallahassee, FL) could you get enough gumption, savvy and strength to go to New York City with no job and no money and end up an award-winning movie star? Ms. Rose is an inspiration to black girls and all girls.

Other nominees include Denzel Washington (The Taking of Pelham 123), Monique (Precious), Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side), Glee (Outstanding Comedy Series), America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), Jamie Foxx (Law Abiding Citizen), and Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy). The theme for this year is “One Nation, One Dream.” The nominees are very diverse as the NAACP will use this show as an instrument to appreciate all cultures through an African American lens. The Image awards will air on Fox on February 26 at 8 p.m.

Much love to all the nominees. But I know the Rattler will Strike, Strike and Strike Again!