ARE YOU READY FOR PEACE?
Below is the link to the Petition calling on the White House to call a National Summit on Gang and Gun Violence. Take one and get it filled out. When you are finished with it, either bring it to the bottom floor of the Carnegie Building on Howard University's campus or you can mail it to:
"Do You Care?" Campaign
c/o Melech Thomas
Sixth Street and Howard Place, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20059
PETITION TO CALL A NATIONAL SUMMIT ON GUN VIOLENCE
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE!!!
Dear Mr. President,
During your historic run to the White House, you challenged us to act within the urgency of the moment and urged us to be the change that we wished to see in the world. As you most certainly know, we live in a very urgent time in our country. The loss of jobs, the loss of homes, and the instability of the stock market have made times troubling for all Americans. But there is a problem that most people have overlooked. Our children are dying at highly alarming rates, but not due to swine flu or due to other diseases like pneumonia. Our children are being killed by another epidemic-scale disease known as gun violence.
This is a preventable illness, but we are doing all that we can as parents, as community activists, and as faith leaders. We are being the change that you asked us to be. But, Mr. President, we need you to act in the urgency of the moment. There is not a minute to waste. We are now faced with the fact that our children are no longer being killed solely by bullets, but by the unwillingness of others to act on their behalf. It is not enough for us to rely upon the personal responsibility of our citizens. It is also the legislative and executive responsibility of our Government. With that being said, our coalition is asking for three main initiatives from your Administration:
1) Re-instate the Federal Assault Weapon Ban as a permanent law.
2) Call a National Summit to address the national gun violence epidemic, highlighting problems and possible solutions to the problems.
3) Call for a Federal Agency to collect, track and disseminate national data on firearm violence to youth.
We do not have any time to waste. Every three hours in the US, a child is killed by gunfire. We need Federal intervention. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that the ultimate measure of a human being is not where that person stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where that person stands in times of great challenge and controversy. Thank you for your consideration. We need your vision, we need your support, but we also need your action.
During your historic run to the White House, you challenged us to act within the urgency of the moment and urged us to be the change that we wished to see in the world. As you most certainly know, we live in a very urgent time in our country. The loss of jobs, the loss of homes, and the instability of the stock market have made times troubling for all Americans. But there is a problem that most people have overlooked. Our children are dying at highly alarming rates, but not due to swine flu or due to other diseases like pneumonia. Our children are being killed by another epidemic-scale disease known as gun violence.
This is a preventable illness, but we are doing all that we can as parents, as community activists, and as faith leaders. We are being the change that you asked us to be. But, Mr. President, we need you to act in the urgency of the moment. There is not a minute to waste. We are now faced with the fact that our children are no longer being killed solely by bullets, but by the unwillingness of others to act on their behalf. It is not enough for us to rely upon the personal responsibility of our citizens. It is also the legislative and executive responsibility of our Government. With that being said, our coalition is asking for three main initiatives from your Administration:
1) Re-instate the Federal Assault Weapon Ban as a permanent law.
2) Call a National Summit to address the national gun violence epidemic, highlighting problems and possible solutions to the problems.
3) Call for a Federal Agency to collect, track and disseminate national data on firearm violence to youth.
We do not have any time to waste. Every three hours in the US, a child is killed by gunfire. We need Federal intervention. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said that the ultimate measure of a human being is not where that person stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where that person stands in times of great challenge and controversy. Thank you for your consideration. We need your vision, we need your support, but we also need your action.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
COMING SOON: A COPY OF THE WHITE HOUSE LETTER!
Within the next two days, I am going to post a copy of the letter that we are sending to the White House!
Be on the lookout!
Be on the lookout!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Do You Care Campaign Launches White House Letter Campaign Aug. 30, 2009!
On Sunday, August 30, 2009, the ReDefinition Movement's "Do You Care" Campaign will be launching the White House Letter Initiative.
In this project, we will be asking people to sign their names and addresses onto letters that will be sent to the White House asking for Federal intervention in Gun Violence. We will be set up in the vestibule of the Cramton Auditorium after Howard University's Sunday morning Chapel service.
Come through and join the movement!
In this project, we will be asking people to sign their names and addresses onto letters that will be sent to the White House asking for Federal intervention in Gun Violence. We will be set up in the vestibule of the Cramton Auditorium after Howard University's Sunday morning Chapel service.
Come through and join the movement!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
REDEFINITON MOVEMENT LAUNCHES THE "DO YOU CARE?" CAMPAIGN!!!
The ReDefinition Movement is launching the "Do You Care?" Campaign as a part of the "Future Not Funerals" National Coalition for Peace.
The purpose of the "Do You Care?" Campaign is to channel the moral conscience of a country that has desensitized itself to gun violence. It shall promote safe neighborhoods as well as local, state, and federal legislation that provides for a common-sense application of Second Amendment rights. The DYC Campaign shall advocate for a permanent reinstatement of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, for a White House National Summit on Gun Violence, and for a National Agency to collect, track, and disseminate youth gun death data. The programs, initiatives, and campaigns done by the "Do You Care?" Campaign shall ardently use positive means to reach positive ends.
Currently, the "Do You Care?" campaign is launching its Letter Campaign. This involves writing and sending letters to the White House asking for these three items. If you are interested in joining the campaign, please e-mail Melech Thomas at m_thomas1022@hotmail.com.
The purpose of the "Do You Care?" Campaign is to channel the moral conscience of a country that has desensitized itself to gun violence. It shall promote safe neighborhoods as well as local, state, and federal legislation that provides for a common-sense application of Second Amendment rights. The DYC Campaign shall advocate for a permanent reinstatement of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, for a White House National Summit on Gun Violence, and for a National Agency to collect, track, and disseminate youth gun death data. The programs, initiatives, and campaigns done by the "Do You Care?" Campaign shall ardently use positive means to reach positive ends.
Currently, the "Do You Care?" campaign is launching its Letter Campaign. This involves writing and sending letters to the White House asking for these three items. If you are interested in joining the campaign, please e-mail Melech Thomas at m_thomas1022@hotmail.com.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Why the American Flag Should Be Flown Upside Down
_svg.bmp)
US Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8, Clause A states the following:
"The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
"Except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Believe it or not, the United States of America is currently in a state of distress. Allow for me to build my case.
We are in a state of distress when:
- politicians and legislators who are against gun violence vote AGAINST gun control laws saying, "It won't solve the problem." Last time I checked, guns carry bullets that pierce the skin of its victims. So what would happen if there were less guns.
- the National media sat silent while the Bush Administration cut taxes for the wealthy, spent over a BILLION DOLLARS a MONTH on a war that it lied to get into, and gave Federal money to support companies that cheated their way to the top. Yet, there is an uproar revolving around President Obama's trip to New York, saying that the First Couple are wasting taxpayers' dollars.
- certain sects of American Christians claim to be pro-life, yet will kill and support those who kill its opposition.
- the Administration of the First Black President turns down an invitation to participate in a UN Anti-Racism Conference.
- the same President that, within one full day of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.'s appearance at the Nat'l Press Club, made a statement denouncing his pastor for 20 years will wait almost 8 months after the Israeli attacks on Gaza to make any statement on Israel's apartheid practices with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
So, as you can see, our nation is in distress. I love America so much that I am willing to critique it and push it to become the beacon light of hope, peace, and change that it has the potential to be.
So until we are no longer in distress, I will fly my American Flag upside down.
"The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
"Except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."
Believe it or not, the United States of America is currently in a state of distress. Allow for me to build my case.
We are in a state of distress when:
- politicians and legislators who are against gun violence vote AGAINST gun control laws saying, "It won't solve the problem." Last time I checked, guns carry bullets that pierce the skin of its victims. So what would happen if there were less guns.
- the National media sat silent while the Bush Administration cut taxes for the wealthy, spent over a BILLION DOLLARS a MONTH on a war that it lied to get into, and gave Federal money to support companies that cheated their way to the top. Yet, there is an uproar revolving around President Obama's trip to New York, saying that the First Couple are wasting taxpayers' dollars.
- certain sects of American Christians claim to be pro-life, yet will kill and support those who kill its opposition.
- the Administration of the First Black President turns down an invitation to participate in a UN Anti-Racism Conference.
- the same President that, within one full day of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.'s appearance at the Nat'l Press Club, made a statement denouncing his pastor for 20 years will wait almost 8 months after the Israeli attacks on Gaza to make any statement on Israel's apartheid practices with the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
So, as you can see, our nation is in distress. I love America so much that I am willing to critique it and push it to become the beacon light of hope, peace, and change that it has the potential to be.
So until we are no longer in distress, I will fly my American Flag upside down.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
A Prayer for Our Children.
Lord,
We hand to you our children. We live in a society where they are seen as less valuable than "important" connections and the acquisition of currency. We live in a society where the blood of our youth flows through the streets like the mighty Nile, but our Government, in a real sense, has told to build a bridge and get over it. Lord, we live a society where your church, the body that is supposed to be your voice, will shout loud for more spiritual exclusion, shout loud about material, financial prosperity, but remains silent on the issue of gun violence. Is there any justice remaining in your cup of Universal Truths? Is there any comfort for our community? Is there any peace for our streets? Where are the voices? Most importantly, where is your voice, Lord?
When I hear your voice, I am reminded that there is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. You remind me that we are your voice, but it is our job to open our mouths. You reminded me that we are the peace for which we are searching. You tell me that we must act as your body, not just in the corporate sense, but in an anthropomorphic manner that does the work of your kingdom.
Lord, empower us to change our existence. Empower us to alter our circumstance. Empower us to bring peace, justice, love, compassion, and service to the places where there is none. Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in heaven.
Amen.
We hand to you our children. We live in a society where they are seen as less valuable than "important" connections and the acquisition of currency. We live in a society where the blood of our youth flows through the streets like the mighty Nile, but our Government, in a real sense, has told to build a bridge and get over it. Lord, we live a society where your church, the body that is supposed to be your voice, will shout loud for more spiritual exclusion, shout loud about material, financial prosperity, but remains silent on the issue of gun violence. Is there any justice remaining in your cup of Universal Truths? Is there any comfort for our community? Is there any peace for our streets? Where are the voices? Most importantly, where is your voice, Lord?
When I hear your voice, I am reminded that there is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole. You remind me that we are your voice, but it is our job to open our mouths. You reminded me that we are the peace for which we are searching. You tell me that we must act as your body, not just in the corporate sense, but in an anthropomorphic manner that does the work of your kingdom.
Lord, empower us to change our existence. Empower us to alter our circumstance. Empower us to bring peace, justice, love, compassion, and service to the places where there is none. Thy Kingdom come and thy will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Welcome to the Movement...
- re·de·fine, v., (ˌrē-di-ˈfīn)
1: to define (as a concept) again : reformulate redefine their terms>
2 a: to reexamine or reevaluate especially with a view to change b: transform 1c
In biblical antiquity, in order to show domination and power over something, the so-called "dominant" person would change the name of the "lesser" person. This served as a form of nominative imprisonment. The name that was given to the person was supposed to confine the person's being to the narrow, often oppressive definition that limited the person's possibilities and barricaded them from opportunity.
But then there came a time in the oppressed person's life that they decided to no longer be restrained by the labels given. They took it upon themselves to redefine.
It's time to redefine ourselves.
It's time to redefine our society.
It's time to redefine our world.
This blog will be an attempt at promoting a mindset that is not arrested by the chains of present realities, but is liberated by the wings of future possibilities.
From selfishness to service.
From hatred to love.
From war to peace.
From violence to compassion.
From poverty to prosperity.
From rejection to reception.
From the dark night of oppression to the bright and glorious day of liberation.
From the evaporating quicksands of lies and mediocrity to the solid rock of truth and love.
This is more than a blog. It's a Movement.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Welcome to the Movement!
Welcome to the official blog of the (re)Definition Movement! With this blog, we will discuss and debate issues that are currently affecting the world today.
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
