Fighting the Good Fight... - By Patricia Don

Paul told Timothy to fight for worthy things, such as the fullness of life here and now. Some people have eternal life given by grace, through faith in the work of Jesus Christ, but they never really take hold of it. They never really see the incredible value of living a life that matters for eternity and the rewards that come with it, available right here and now. (1 Timothy 6:12)

Our theme this year for African-American History month is EXCELLENCE. Excellence stands out from the ordinary. African-Americans have achieved extraordinary triumphs, successes, and progress in the 150 years since the abolishment of chattel slavery, and the incredible odds stacked against that progress in the form of Jim and Jane Crow laws. African-Americans have achieved excellence in every field of endeavor, including science, technology, entertainment, sports, music, film, education, business, and philanthropy. The internet can now provide anyone interested with outstanding historical figures in each of the above-named categories. However, more recently, there is Barack Obama, our first African-American President, and his wife Michelle Obama, a best-selling author. Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry; entertainment giants. Steph Curry, LeBron James, Venus, and Serena Williams, are outstanding sports figures. Marian Wright Edelman, long-time lobbyist and advocate for children. Beyonce, Rihanna, and Jay-Z are giants in the music industry. Misty Copeland, the prima ballerina. Condoleeza Rice, Kamala Harris, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Karen Bass are all elected “first.” Dr. Kizzmekia Corbet, the scientist who worked on the coronavirus vaccine, and Bryan Stevenson, an equal justice advocate. The list goes on…

My point here is that African-Americans have been doing ordinary and extraordinary things ever since they set foot on American soil, much of which was never recorded in history books. Their faith, resilience, and creativity informed our ancestors to learn a new language, reinvent themselves for their own survival, and develop a unique culture that eventually influenced the world.

I can truly say, “I’M BLACK AND I’M PROUD”!