Where Now? My Unexpected Reaction to Being in Selma for the 50th Anniversary

Last updated on: March 15, 2015 at 7:51 am by Kirk Franklin

Where Now? My Unexpected Reaction to Being in Selma for the 50th Anniversary 2015-03-15T07:51:10-06:00 Kirk Franklin

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When I did one of my first blogs earlier this year about the movie SELMA, I had no idea that I would be invited to participate in the 50th anniversary of the march that changed the tide of not only rights for those known as the American Negro, but for human rights as we know it to be today. Bloody Sunday was one of my favorite U2 songs as a teenager and to walk the streets today, following the steps of men and women running in horror as they were chased down by horses and whips, sent chills through my body. I brought my 14 yr old son with me because I truly believe that history will repeat itself if we are too quick to forget it.

Many highlights happened while I was in Selma: shaking hands of the men and women that marched on that horrific and historic Sunday, seeing the pride in all colors and ages brought a light to the darkness that still exists in the world today.

It’s funny that on the plane headed to Selma today I thought of the title for this blog to be WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE. Basically, I’m asking this question: now that Selma is more in our rear view mirror than in our front, what are we going to do about the sin of racism? Because that’s what it is…a sin. And if every non-black church would’ve called it that, the twentieth century would have looked a lot different.

Interesting thing happened right before I started to write this “where do we go from here” blog.

I tweeted a picture of myself and Congressman John Lewis, who is a legend in the civil rights movement, especially the march in Selma. After I tweeted the picture I noticed a negative comment about congressman Lewis’ character on my twitter page. I admit my response was not a “WWJD” response, so I start to go for blows with this individual on social media. Until, I looked on his profile and realized he referenced himself as a born again Christian who was one of my followers on twitter. By his profile I am very comfortable saying he was not African American which made the back and forth battle we had going on to now bear unnecessary weight. I wouldn’t let anyone leave this online war a winner.

With my newfound information I shared with him that I was convicted and confused. Even if he wasn’t a Christian, me losing my temper is never justifiable [conviction]. Second, the fact that he confessed to be washed in the same blood that I confessed to be washed in, I told him I was shocked that on such a historic day like today, he could find it in his little-baby-Ricky-Bobby-Jesus heart to attack a man who almost died trying to open up doors for people to just be treated like human beings [confusion]. And in his attack, I saw no Jesus in that. After I brought to the table the man’s confession of faith, he apologized. He said it was wrong of him to politicize a day that brought unity to so many.

In return I felt he deserved an apology for my lashing out in anger. Interesting isn’t it? He reaffirmed his future support of my music, and we wished each other well, knowing our paths may never cross again. Maybe that is a small key to this lock and chain that America can’t seem to shake off. 2014 was filled with racial events that broke us, paralyzed us, and left the most influential country looking like it took fifty steps back in time. I know there are good people and bad people in every color, every temple, synagogue and choir stand.

But I believe God, when we see Him as God and not a manipulative tool to oppress and marginalize, brings every human being to the place silence, conviction, and humility.

If you say you love Jesus, how can you kill a man’s character whom you’ve never met and think your God is a God millions want to follow? There is no comeback for that.

Twitter proved it today. If you still hate people because of their color, if your faith keeps you in your safe circle, you can keep that Jesus. This isn’t an angry black man tweet. I don’t even know what that means. This is about me asking you, Christian black man, white woman, Asian, Hispanic, Heather, Shaniqua, Jose’, De’marcus, Cody, whatever.

If you rock with Jesus, where do we go from here?

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