JUNE 2010

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THOUGHT | CONVERSATION | ACTION

We the People
THE PERSO NAL T HO UGH TS O F TIMOTHY VA LENTINE

1 | PROVOKE
 The Greatest Offense to the Racist | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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While trying to better understand the reasons for
racism, intolerance, bigotry, bias, discrimination,
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prejudice and hate intentional, systemic and
unconscious to myself. I've learned some things
that many of them do. When I began to recognize
their patterns, I learned what the greatest offense
is to the racist.
My reasons can be rightfully summarized by
incorporating this statement into your thought
process.
You can not understand, consider or rehabilitate a
racist regardless how it was acquired until you
release your own prejudices against and/or about
the racist or bigot. To understand a racist is to
fully comprehend and incorporate its answer. You
must see them for who they are above what they
are.
Now I could stop right there, but I believe I
should give you a little more to make it plain.
The greatest offense to the racist, bigot or one
who believes he/she is entitled, privileged or
somehow superior to others by way of their race
is knowledge of ones self and history.
Example: White Supremacy, like any other
labeled supremacy is in fact not truly a superiority
complex, but an inferiority complex. The person
who believes they are superior over another
actually demonstrates their own inferiority
complex.
I use White Supremacy because of its notoriety in
comparison to other complexes, disorders and
social deficiencies. There are many cases of other
groups who believe, practice and teach that they
are better than another. So ironically White
Supremacy is not an exclusive bias or prejudice,
but just a caveat of a much broader conspiracy of
hate.
So as an example, the White Supremacist
becomes offended when you know who you are,
your history in addition to theirs and you are
unafraid or not ashamed to share it. The reason is
that you take away their perceived power with
the weapon of knowledge and intimidated them
with confidence.
Listen to the racist when they speak. Their only
weapon is fear, ignorance and intimidation. The
will always say that they're not a racist, because
it's socially unacceptable and that's what they
fear the most, being socially unacceptable. Even
when the prejudice is unrealized or unconscious,
you must not be persuaded by negative
comments and accusations waged against you.
Allow them to be themselves. Our responsibility
is to help them see themselves how they see you.
In the end history, time and facts is the defender
of truth. You have not the time to spare debating
the false evidence appearing real to the unaware,
unsocialized and the uncultured or unreformed
mind of the racist or bigot.
We have the racist to thank, whether unaware,
unconscious or intentional for demonstrating
many of the points raised. Whenever they are
challenged to reconcile or justify their actions
they will typically revert to what they were taught
by someone with their own bias and prejudices.
Listen to what they don't, won't or afraid to say,
because that's the lessons you teach them. A
lesson for how to effectively deal with many of
their perceptions and misunderstandings in
addition to reading, listening, watching and
observing others who fight against and under-
educated people about racism, discrimination
and hate.
The racist is always quick to deny any
responsibility and make no acknowledgment of
their actions as being racist, but you only need to
allow their words and actions speak for
themselves. Remember the unaware don't realize
the obvious. Watch what they do, not what they
say.
This is what I've learned is one of the greatest
offenses to the racist. This is the reason why I am
not afraid of or persuaded by their ignorance.
Neither should you.
 What Do You Believe? | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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You may not be belong to any church or attend
regularly, but I ask you to consider what you
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believe?
Now I’m speaking in terms of what we have
been taught, accepted, practice and teach each
other in terms of religion/spirituality. This is not a
criticism of the religious/spiritual or of the non-
religious/non-spiritual, but one perspective
addressing something that’s missing in both.
Before I go any further, understand that I'm not
questioning your faith or belief in God. I am
asking you to question what people who say they
believe with what they do. This includes looking
at yourself. The Church is not a church if it is only
you, but us.
If the Church is suppose to represent the Body of
Christ, then why do we continue the heinous act
of crucifixion by dismembering Christ the way we
have?
Consider the spiritual trauma that’s caused each
time someone discriminates against someone
who you perceive is not like yourself. When the
church is true to its original cause it knows
neither division or disunity.
If you claim to be a child of God, whatever you
spiritual beliefs may be, how can you not be
appalled when you see such division throughout
the world? It’s not so much the world, but even
considering the role the established religions
continue to contribute to the world in its
promotion of division. It’s like we find peace and
comfort in warring against one another all
proclaiming to have the absolute truth or some
measure of superiority over another.
If we are to be the body of Christ, then we must
be on one accord. Our propensity to cling to the
comforts of our denominational doctrines,
spirituality traditions, cultural segregation or
religious ethics, the goal is to be one and to be
receiving to all that may want to come. Instead
many are content in the perception of being as
one in words, but without truth.
When you see that God or whatever name you
call him is not our denominations, is beyond our
divisions, is not any one race, perhaps we can
move beyond the narrow sectarianism that
confines us to these categories.
When we come to the realization that we stop
dividing ourselves with conversations of what
God isn’t and engage in dialogue of what God is,
perhaps we can have make spiritual progress and
become united in faith. When we accept the
reality that God is not a figment of our
imaginations, but can accept those who believe
he is, maybe we can begin to see each other for
who we are above what we are. If you are to be
true, you must come to realize this for yourself.
Beyond what divides us spiritually, we amazingly
find ourselves divided culturally and
economically in our beliefs.
A quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has
remained unfortunately true to this day, at least in
American society. That is the unspoken or
silenced reality that segregation has been allowed
to enter into the doors of the Church.
How can such a division exist in the true Body of
Christ? You must face the tragic fact that when
you stand at 11:00 on Sunday morning to cry out
“O Lord I stretch my hand to thee," you stand in
the most segregated hour of America.
We have more unity and integration outside the
church than there is in the Christian church. But
somehow we are supposedly to be better. How
appalling that is?
You may encounter someone who may seek to
justify the inequalities on the basis of the Bible,
but often do so with an inconsideration of that
other commandment; Love.
So regardless of what you believe or choose not
to believe I urge you to get rid of ever aspect of
what divides us. In respect of what you believe,
what often divides is found in what we believe.
“The segregator relegates the segregated to the
status of a thing rather than elevate him to the
status of a person.”
The underlying philosophy of this is that we must
diametrically be opposed to the underlying
philosophy of what continues to divides us. I
write in terms of its various connections to
spirituality here, but one could expand this to
other areas of what you believe.
But who am I to ask you to challenge what you
believe?
 Becoming Daddy | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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Father's paint the reality of life for their children.

It may only take a woman who is either willing or
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insecure enough to lay down with a man to

produce a child, but fatherhood begins at
conception. I'm not speaking about the
conception of the child, but the conception of the
idea that enters your head and you realize that
you have to be a man and take care of this child
that you help create.

Any male can be a father, but only a man can

become Daddy. We always hear about mothers
and all that they do and that's wonderful, but you
become Daddy when you can tell your child the
truth about life. Truth without your biases
attached to it. Truth that allows them to
experience life for themselves but with
knowledge.

Someone can tell you something, but your Daddy

teaches you something. You may have never
known your biological father, but that doesn't
mean you don't have a Daddy. A Daddy can be
someone who has the ability to speak not at you
or even with you, but into you. It's not always
with words, but with actions, with their behavior,
with their public and private conduct and with
their spirit.

Although children may not always do what's

right, a father is not out to shame or degrade their
son or daughter. You become Daddy when you
love them despite the shame, despite their
mistakes or lapse in judgment. You love them by
demonstrating love to them. You love them by
being an example of tolerance. You love them by
showing them what heaven is by walking with
them out of their hell with your arm around them
for security and support. You love them by telling
them the truth.

Becoming Daddy is not easy and sometimes it

isn't fun. I don't like having to discipline my sons,
but I rather be the one to discipline them because
I do it in and with love. I'm willing to offer them
another chance to get it right, because I seek the
same from them when I make a mistake as a
parent. As a parent you don't always get it right.
This is why I make sure I listen to my children
with intent and acknowledgment. Listen to what
they say and what they don't say, either way you
learn something valuable.
 We The People: My Celebration of Juneteenth | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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We the People — the beginning of the preamble the right road.

of the constitution of the United States. When
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that document was completed on September 17,
1787 I was not included.
We the People – the beginning of the preamble of
the constitution of the United States. It was during
the end of the Civil war on September 22, 1862
President Abraham Lincoln declared the freedom
of all slaves in ANY state of the Confederate
States of America that did not return to the Union
by January 1, 1863 by the signing of a document
called, “The Emancipation Proclamation”.
Technically, I was officially included.
Two and a half years later on June 19th Union
soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger,
landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war
had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Although we all continue to face barriers and
biases due to individuals who embrace false
perceptions, ignorance and a dysfunctional
relationship. We The People have the choice to
be free by the emancipation of the mind. Or you
can remain in captivity by the oppressive spirit of
hate, animosity and deceitful deeds towards
anyone who challenges you to consider others.
It’s your choice to express and live in confidence
of your own abilities. I appreciate the
opportunities afforded to me by so many people.
I wouldn’t be who I am today, where I am today
and have the attitudes that I have today if it
wasn’t for the individuals that sacrificed so that I
would be included in the statement of We the
People.

One hundred eighty-five years after this news I We The People do not come one, but makes way
was born. Free & innocent to the misdeeds of my for all.
country against a people that I was now apart of.
Free to take the advantages of the It was approximately on this day in 1865 when
opportunities paid for by Black men and Black women realized they have
the struggles, trails, been freed from their involuntary bondage. But
death, but advancements of the scars that lead up to what is known was
countless people. Ironically Watch Night, the Day of Emancipation
during that time our country was Proclamation and a two year delay continues to
involved in the resolution of other psychologically haunts many of us all today as
misdeeds of the time. I offer these we see the distain some
as example: the Vietnam War, demonstrate towards our
Watergate, Abortion President.
legislation and School
Desegregation to name a It may not always be a
few. case of racism, but
when you understand
I won’t bore you with the the history of what this
details of the events in my day represents, especially
life that allows me to this towards the decedents
occasion to express my appreciation of those who
today for this day. I can only smile to were in
myself to see how far We the People enslaved.
have come. You begin to
understand
We the People — We the people of the
America of all races, colors,
cultures and creeds have come
such a great distance in our social
interactions, morals and philosophy. It hasn’t
been pretty or easy, and we have not “stepped
into the promise land” as of yet. But we’re on
 We The People (Continued) | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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foundation of the accusations that are sometimes

launched in reaction of the criticisms. There's a
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history, both psychological and political between

the government and Black people that is rooted in
mistrust.

I'm just compelled to say to you that you never

have a reason to be afraid of a racist when you
absolutely know your history and the history they
were lead to believe is theirs. Know who you are
and what America is; an idea in motion.

So as I conclude, allow me to offer this to you.

The vast majority of Black Americans are very

patriotic, despite the lies that have been told
about and to us. I am not crazy enough to say I
speak for all Black people, but I can assume
many would co-sign on what I have to say on this
last point. We don't hate you. You don't need to
be afraid of what we may do; because what we
do we also do for you. Whether it is in the White
House or your house, we only want to be
included in making better of what we helped
build.

I can't say it any plainer or with any more

meaning than this.

We, The People.

This is how I celebrate Juneteenth. How about

you?
 F.E.A.R. Tactics | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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False Evidence Appearing Real — is a tactic that “Every man must decide whether he will walk in
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is being perfected in out political, religious, the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of
financial and social environment these days. You destructive selfishness.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
have to always make yourself aware that you’re
not participating in this practice or perception. I've decided not to live in fear of anyone who
demonstrates their commitment to the false
We have heard all sorts of outrageously evidence appearing real as a motive to hate.
ridiculous F.E.A.R. tactics being used as a
political strategy, defense or justification for
hate.

Have we gone so far that we as a society have

out distance our ability to reason for what is
real?

When did responsibility, accountability, self-

control and working hard become taboo and
cause for controversy and/or enough to be
considered indoctrination?

I guess what the indoctrinated fail to realize is

the levels the indoctrinated will go when
commanded to do something by F.E.A.R. driven
people.

Until the nation or civilization stops its

production of soft-minded men and women, we
will continue to produce our own spiritual death
panel on an installment plan.

Listen, think, consider and analyze before you

speak or act. You are not only creating your own
death panel in the lowering of educational
standards by encouraging and preventing your
children from attending school, but you are
essentially indoctrinating them with false
evidence appearing real.

When will simple minded Americans evolve to

the level that they see all human conflict as an
opportunity to love and reject our selfish
tendencies of revenge, aggression and
retaliation?

The foundation of a truly civilized people hinges

on its ability to love and consider others. It is the
only force capable of transforming an enemy
into friend, misconceptions into understanding
and F.E.A.R into love.
 When There’s Nothing Else | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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There comes a time that you must simply stop

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talking and let what is true, history and time

speak for itself. When you find yourself at a fork
in the road of an issue you must decide your
path and allow others to decide theirs. Even
when you know the path they have committed
themselves to is wrong.

For some people there will be nothing you or

anyone could ever say to persuade them to
consider anything beyond what prejudice their
consideration of others. The essential problem is
their inability or unwillingness to look forward.

So you are left with a question that asks, "How

do you respond to such an individual?"

I have many suggestions for you, but one that I

know from experience will always be true. That
is to allow them to have time and history be
their judge and jury. Someone has to be on the
wrong side of history, our job is to make sure
that it is not us. Never allow what confines you
to be what defines you.
 The What If Question | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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As Christians we must be concerned about

others. We must be willing to ask yourself the
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question “What If?”

Not what if someone doesn’t seek redemption

for their sins through Jesus Christ, but what if I
am too impatient to tell them about the
goodness of God?

What if I’m too righteous or even too spiritually

pretentious to walk with them so I can introduce
them to the one I have a relationship?

What if I know the one for whom I know can

redeem them of their sins, but don’t tell them
about it in a way they are receptive and will
comprehend it?

What if they don’t seek Jesus, because they don’t

see Jesus in me?

That’s the ‘What If’ question you should be

asking.

So invite a friend, neighbor, co-worker or family

member not to church, but to Christ.
 Forgive, But You Don’t Forget | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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What was your worse known act of sin?

You don't have to publicly answer that, but I ask
that question for a reason. We often don't realize
the Hell we put ourselves through by our
propensity of unforgiveness towards ourselves.
Why make your adversary's job easier by doing it
for yourself?
You can't waste your time listening to your
accusers if they do so not in love, but to lead you
into feelings of guilt, to haunt you by the memory
of your past sins, transgressions and pass failures
despite your open and sincere confessions of
those sins before God. You know it's not in love
when you see it is offered to prevent you from
moving forward or towards continual progress.
You've got to remind yourself with this question,
Isn't Satan the accuser of the brethren?
Is there anything too hard for God? If God can
forgive you, why can you forgive yourself?
Don't listen to me, but read the words of God for
yourself. When you consider what is written in
Hebrews 10:16-17, Jeremiah 31:34 or Romans
11:27 and Hebrews 8:12, I just find it difficult to
understand why anyone can continue to damn
themselves.
The only way Satan can succeed is by your
permission. He gets that by way of a thought,
ideas or suggestion. It's quite cleaver when you
think about it, because it is similar in concept to
how faith works. The Devil didn't make you do it,
you gave him permission by lack of your
knowledge or deliberate disobedience of the
word of God.

Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your
transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers
your sins no more.

Why do you continue reminding yourself of your

sins after you've sincerely repented and no longer
practice sin?
 The Race Problem | Written By: Timothy Valentine
PAGE 11
Many people who I know do not understand race
or racism has tried to argue with me as if they
were trying to either prove something or get my
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approval that they’re not racist.
There has been those who have accused me of
being a racist by talking to openly about what
obviously makes them uncomfortable.
Just because someone may talk about race doesn’t
mean that they are racist. You never need to call
someone a racist, because a racist make
themselves known by their words, behavior and
actions.
You will routinely hear people say, “I’m not racist.”
Although I understand why they feel they need to
say this, it is important to use the opportunity to
teach each other about race.
You never need to say that you’re not racist if
you’re not. The racist and the anti-racist will
always make themselves known by their language,
behaviors and perceptions.
In the United States and throughout the world we
have learned to self-identify by placing ourselves
into racial categories.
The problem with race relations in the U.S. is our
race to judgment, our lack of concern and silence
towards one another.
The problem is that SOME White Americans were
never taught to consider themselves in the broader
context of ethnicity, culture or race.
The problem is that SOME Black Americans were
taught to consider themselves in the broader
context of ethnicity, culture or race in comparison
to Whites.
The problem is that SOME Asian Americans
regardless of country of origin if other than the U.S.
are routinely not considered into the discussion of
race.
The problem is that SOME Latino or Hispanic in
origin are dismissed and unfairly perceived to be
undocumented when many have contributed
greatly to what it is to be American.
The problem is not that you’re White and I am
Black and she is Latino and he is Arab and they are
Asian. It’s the fact that we do not consider each
other is the problem.
The problem is that Black Americans are equally
untrusting of others as they are to us. When you
think you’re inferior, so you are. But none of us
regardless of our race, circumstances, education or
station in life is less than anyone else.
This is the problem and is exactly what is ruining
the world.
It’s never going to change until someone, anyone,
you and me begin to consider who we are today
instead of what we or someone who looked like
us did or was victimized by.
It doesn’t destroy or diminish you identity by
changing your perceptions of my identity. Who am
I to you if I am unwilling to consider you? Just
because I choose to write or speak a certain way
doesn’t mean I’m trying to be anything but who I
am or destined to become.
I will stop for now, but you have to wonder when
will people get it? Share your thoughts, but be
aware of what you say.
 The Chaotic Question of Racism | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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If we are suppose to be creatures of God

Then why do we hate fellow creations of God?
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Isn't that a demonstration of self-hate or loathing?

Isn't diversity essentially the demonstration of

God's creativity?
When you sincerely consider how many versions
of beauty there can be
why is it difficult for some to appreciate the
beauty of you and me?

So what place is there for racism?

Why should we hate?
Why should I not like you, because you don't like
me?
But we consistently discriminate because it's a
forever they against me.

This should make you think who or what really

initiated the psychological chaos called racism.

When you realize the author of this confusion

Perhaps you will stop practicing the chaotic
behavior of racism.

Disclaimer:
This is directed towards those of us who
believe in God, a Creator or higher being by
whatever name you call him. I want it to be
understood that it is not my intentions to
exclude those who may not believe in God.
What I have to say is not and should not be
seen as a slight against those who do not
believe in God.

You have free will to... See More believe what

you want to believe. I simply have not learned
how to explain, articulate or prove what I have
to say any other way. So for those who may
not believe in God, I ask you to forgive the
exclusion. It is never my intentions to exclude
anyone from consideration.

So here's my thought for your consideration

and discussion. Everyone has the right to their
opinion, even when it comes to one that asks
of you to consider your faith and racism. I
understand that it's not perfect, but that's why
it's open for discussion. You can't say I don't
seek to be fair.
 We Can Not Walk Alone | Written By: Timothy Valentine
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It is unfortunate that not only the United States, we become too impatient to consider the core
but many countries throughout the world since intentions of a person or group. Listen to what is
its inceptions has in some manner participated being said void of your own prejudices and
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in what still divides us more often than bring us
together. That is the issue of color and people.
Many people, institutions and governments use
race to divide people in order to promote or
advance an agenda towards a measure of power.
Within the borders of the United States, but also
beyond its borders into many others, racism
resides.
experiences of the matter, but you also need to
listen to what is not being said in forming your
opinion or opposition. This is directed to
everyone, not just one.
The problem is us not them. US meaning the
role we play in our oppositions. THEM meaning
the opinions that are long held and promoted as
truth, both demonstrate a measure of
inconsideration towards the other.

The horrendous deeds that were and in more
sophisticated instances continue today can rest
at the feet of ever group of people. The
frustrations of some towards others will only
continue as long as both sides continue to
demonstrate their propensity to teach more than
each is to learn from another.
We can only assume that there will inevitably be
those who are prone to reactionary politics. I’m
not speaking in political terms, but politics in a
manner of their personal policy. It is an ideology
that half-heartedly considers what is being said
before making accusations of some racial or
cultural bias without much if any knowledge of
what they’re actually suggesting.
Now I’m not defending any specific group, but
defending people who are and continue to
experience various forms of discrimination,
intolerance and inequality. It is not justice to
help one and not the other. It is an injustice to
consider justice has been served if or when
society comforts the victim without offering the
opportunity for rehabilitation for the victimizer.
Yes the debt, their crime must be paid in some
way, whether that is death or life in prison or
some other penalty. But we should not consider
ourselves to be morally infallible when we do
not give example of moral fallibility to the
immoral. We are essentially hypocrites to them

Someone who is committed to being a

reactionary and/or have a lack of knowledge of
these issues may immediately suggest some form
of discrimination or even the nonsensical
reverse-discrimination without understanding
either.

What I believe we all should consider is our

own significance in society. There are many
people of color who were White that fought the
systems, practices and traditions that has so
divided us with hate and mistrust.

So why should any group stake claims to the

mantra of being ‘a person of color’ without
including everyone who isn’t their color?

It is not wise to walk the long road for justice,

equality and truth alone.

Where we continue to make the mistake and

promote the extension of our divisions is when
 We Can Not Walk Alone (Continued) | Written By: Timothy Valentine
PAGE 14

and redemption is lost. How can you redeem

without knowing redemption for yourself?
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We must always seek justice, but it must be true.

Justice that is not demanded is justice denied.

So in conclusion I would like to provide a quote

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. when he penned
theses words when writing, “A Letter from a
Birmingham Jail”. A collection of smuggled
paper into the Birmingham, AL jail in the early
spring of 1963…

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice

everywhere.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

When you say that you’re not something or

you’re against something you must consider
what you are and what you support. It’s not by
your words, but your actions that you are
judged.

People of color is not limited to one or a few,

but to all. This includes you, but only if you are
open to others.

Consider others beyond yourself and your own

measures of interpretation.