AS A PERSON THINKETH, SO IS HE (SHE)
By
Reverend Nathaniel Smith, Sr., Pastor,
Today, I must acknowledge that I am very concerned
about what our young people are learning through the media. It does not matter whether it presents itself
through the screen of a television or over the waves of a radio or script of
our local publication. My concern is how
much negative news reaches the ears and eyes of our children, negative images,
negative and obscene lyrics desecrating our mothers and fathers, belittling our
women and emasculating our Black men. As
a Pastor, I observe that much of this kind of behavior is being praised and
even worshiped. The worst the lyrics and
the more seductive the dances are, the more and the higher the ratings that are
received.
Why
can’t we as African Americans change the trend of the present generation and
future generations by turning the course of history with more positive images,
role models and more sacred words in the songs that are being published?
I do
not remember the last time I heard our youth recite a creative and clean piece
of poetry or praise one of our national heroes or heroines. We still must remember that what we hear and
see and even say eventually becomes a part of us. As a person thinketh, so is he (she). These negative things enter into our psyche,
our minds and eventually become part of our lifestyle.
“Be not
deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” I Corinthians 15:33.
My challenge to the African American society and to the greater community is: Why not channel all of the creative energies, talents and gifts towards a more positive good? Why not encourage and support songs, lyrics, television shows and videos that build and encourage a more wholesome life? The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” n