Why I Ain’t Afraid of No ISIS

Last updated on: January 16, 2016 at 11:35 am by Guest Contributor

Why I Ain’t Afraid of No ISIS 2016-01-16T11:35:53-05:00 Guest Contributor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I’m not saying that ISIS is not real. I’m just saying that my life is a series of priorities in which ISIS is considerably lower on the ‘fear inducing scale’ than a number of other things. Here are a few:

1. I live in a country in which a considerable number of people consider Donald Trump a viable candidate for leader of the free world.

2. I live in a country in which the water supply of an entire city can be poisoned to the degree that children and adults alike will experience lifelong negative results, and of the myriad people who knew about it and did nothing to impede much less stop it, none of them are in jail or the face of the campaign to bring back public flogging.

3. I live in a country where you can have videos of boys that look like my sons be riddled with taxpayer sponsored bullets by agents of the state, and we continue to replay the video to determine what the dead victim did to provoke the person with the gun, the bullet proof vest, and the support of other similarly armed agents, rather than hold the murderer accountable under the law. And the process by which these murderers are set free and continue to be paid by taxpayer dollars (grand juries) is a secret farce with as much credibility and transparency as the middle names of all the Knights of Templar.

4. I live in a country in which health care is a privilege and a benefit, meted out in increments to stave off death as opposed to care for health and wellness.

5. I live in a country in which based on my income, engagement with the criminal justice system is more likely to result in a lifelong usurping of rights rather than an uncovering of truth in the pursuit of justice.

6. I live in a country where someone, likely a woman, will be physically and/or sexually assaulted this weekend, and, if she is brave enough to report it, someone will try to determine, directly or indirectly, what she did to deserve it.

7. I live in a country in which, according to the NAACP, most people don’t have a $1000 to their name.

8. I live in a country in which food free from cancer causing chemicals and genetically questionable ingredients is considered a privilege afforded to those who can afford the inflated prices of such “luxuries”, but politicians make themselves look good by arguing whether a welfare recipient can get a minute steak.

9. I live in a country in which the perfect storm that is being created by the increased costs of education, the increased educational requirements for entry level positions, and stagnant and suppressed wages for the middle management, is being looked at by our government with the wonderment of a 7 month old baby looking over the ledge of the Empire State Building, seemingly enamored with the assured impending plummet that will be her terminal demise.

10. I live in a country in which almost half a century after the government sponsored murder of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we are still fighting for social and economic justice that looks depressingly similar to what he witnessed. Mine eyes have yet to see the glory.

No, Max is not being negative or pessimistic. I’m being realistic. THESE are the things that I lay on my face and call out to Yahweh about. ISIS may be a threat – but these demons are on my front porch. I have my priorities in order.

T. Max Christie McMillan is a seminary student, minister, wife, mother, author, and business owner that promotes boisterous indignation of GOD’S people against the evils of racial oppression.

Donate to the Work of R3

Like the work we do at Rhetoric Race and Religion? Please consider helping us continue to do this work. All donations are tax-deductible through Gifts of Life Ministries/G’Life Outreach, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, and our fiscal sponsor. Any donation helps. Just click here to support our work.

Previous Post

January 11, 2016

#LaryciaHawkins and Missed Opportunities at Ministry

Next Post

January 19, 2016 #MLKDay: White Terror and Black Triumph

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Amy Steele Andre E. Johnson Book Reviews/Series Brian Foulks Call for Chapters Carol Howard Merritt Classes Conferences Contributors Crystal St.Marie Lewis Daniel White Hodge Earle Fisher Eulogy Fredrick Robinson Guest Contributions Henry McNeal Turner Institutes Interviews Joseph Boston Katherine Whitfield Kimberly Peeler-Ringer Lectures/Roundtables Natalie Bullock Brown R3 Book Series R3 Contributor Rashad Grove Readers Reflections Symposiums Teaching Traci Ellis Travis Harris Uncategorized Video

Select a Month June 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 October 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz