Black history reflects a perception of the politics of education
By Derek Joy
Black History Month rolls right along with Ground Hog Day in the rearview mirror and St. Valentine’s Day – Feb. 14 – on the horizon.
So interesting how the shortest month of the year can boast Black History Month, Ground Hog Day, St. Valentine’s Day and President’s Day.
St. Valentine’s Day, called the Day of Romance, is named for a Christian martyr and dates back to fifth century, but has origins in the Roman holiday, Lupercalia.
Here in America, like so many other countries of the world, the custom is to give a card with a box of candy to that very special Valentine in our lives. A meaningful expression.
Even more interesting, obviously, is the fact that St. Valentine’s Day is linked to Christianity. Sure makes one wonder.
Less than a week before St. Valentine’s Day, Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its 114th Anniversary. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Zachary W. Royal, pastor of St. Mary’s First Missionary Baptist Church in Coconut Grove.
Royal talked about “Living at the bottom of the barrel.” The message was understood and sound in the religious context. But it made me wonder, when will that message hit home among the wealthiest of the wealthy in America.?
The sitting Congress, with its Republican majority in both Houses, is playing deceitful political games with the money.
Congress appears headed towards another session in which the wealthy gets to keep more and more of its wealth, while the middle and lower classes pay a higher cost of living in taxes and more.
One obvious questions is do politicians read the Bible? For those that do, has that message of not being so preoccupied with getting more and more, like Ahab and Jezebel exempt them?
Look at it for what it is. Such things as offshore banking and investments escape taxes. Money that could be used to enhance much in America. Money that would ease the burden of the lower income people of America.
Instead, the escape paying their fare share, manipulating and legislating systemic discrimination against the poor so that the wealthy can persist in Ahab preoccupation of getting more.
That’s blatant strike at the notoriously greedy people who serve in Congress, and, virtually every other body politic in America. Exposed for the selfish scoundrels that they are, masque ring as politicians.
Scandalous, even as the religious link to St. Valentine’s is so obvious. They do nothing to right the wrongs, legalized thievery without consequence to them, only those “at the bottom of the barrel.”
Ponder these point as you enjoy a very Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
