When it’s all been said and done, was it just cheap talk?
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 (NAS)
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
By tradition, we, us Black people have always been a ‘by word of mouth people’. In our neighborhood the ability of expressing a message has always been crucial to us. With expressions we speak our familiar record and we chronicle our belief with narratives and song. Our words transmit power and significance and honesty.
It appears that something has happened to that institution during political seasons. However, at one time our trusted and valued dialogues meant something. A few years and some common trials ago our words represented authorized agreements. Now many of our words in politics have become nothing more than “cheap, despicable talk.” Cheap talk is what thugs do in prison just to pass the time away or to give some type of cred (credibility) to their enhanced prison status.
A wise man, King Solomon in the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 15, spoke on the matter of discounted conversations. Solomon dealt with it as an issue of deceitfulness. The individual who tells the truth and lives up to his/her word is one who brings life and healing. But those who don’t represent what they say and don’t say what they represent rip apart the spirit and demolish the trust of those who hear.
King Solomon also says, “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness” (v.2). Some words used during political seasons have true content while others are insignificant or cheap talk.
When the elections are over and all of the cheap talk, like flagellations from the Super Hero Avengers has filled the air, I pray that we will not have to live with the need to wear gas masks for the rest of our lives.
It would be a great beginning if those who were not elected could come together with those who were and offer with sincere efforts to move us forward.
No longer can we continue to be torn further apart by our differences! A sinking boat needs all hands on deck to keep it afloat and moving out of harm’s way.
There is, without a doubt a time for everything under the sun. A time to love and a time to hate; A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:8 ( NASB)
This is not the time for ‘CHEAP TALK’!
Just to get into office and to become someone’s puppet or to stay in office and be controlled by the self-serving power of those who don’t mean the suffering person any good, are one in the same principles that constitute and contribute to growth and viability of ‘CHEAP TALK’.
Don’t be so easily tempted to use your oversized alligator mouths to get your sparrow-sized behinds into trouble.
A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully. Proverbs 13:5 (NASB)
We have the right to vote, but you don’t have the right to lie!
When the elections are over we still have to live here, all of us and you too.
Before you were elected or you chose to run, you were human and not some god to use others for fun. With your made up excuses and your twisted lies we thought you were sincere, but like the others with you our hope dies.
— Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Don’t let this lil poem be your political epitaph.
