provoke (march 2010)

8/9/2019 Provoke (March 2010)

1/161 | PROVOKE

MARCH 2


2/16

3 .. Whats the Meaning in Your Message

4 Spiritually Segregated

5 .. Seize the Moment

6 ..... Love Someone Today

7 . Idealogical Moratorium

8 ... A Perversion of the Gospel

11 .. Fail Better

12 .... How We See Others

13 ..... Terror By Another Name

16 Keep Dreaming

PROVOKE|MAR

CH2010

PROVOKE

Conversations


3/16

Whats the Meaning in Your

MessageWritten By: Timothy A. ValentineToo many of us try to give sermons to othersrather than be a sermon. Were moreconcerned with perception than practice.

The sermon I have tried to preach is onewhere you leave knowing that you areaccepted, respected and appreciated. Even ifwe disagree, this is my mission. One reasonis due to my own experiences of not beingaccepted, respected or appreciated. Its alonely feeling that can leave you desperateand anxious. No longer should you allowyourself to feel this way.

Now before I continue allow me to say that Ican only come at this through my ownexperiences. As a son of a preacher, great-grandson and great-nephew of preachers Ican only say that Ive been blessed to havebeen born into such a tradition, although Im

not seeking to be in the pulpit.

Your sermon should be one that leaves aperson with so much self-respect,introspection and confidence that motivatesyou to go out and do the same for others.Your sermon should motivate you when youmotivate others. No matter what they believespiritually, politically, emotionally or socially,you can easily see them for who they arebeyond what they are and know that they toohave a sermon to deliver.

What is the meaning of your message?

Is it the example you give by the way youspeak to someone?

Is it the way you avoid the opportunity toserve someone with the proxy ofIts noneof my business, knowing theyre hurting?

We all have something to give, somethingtake from the sermons of life. But too oftenwere too busy thinking about ourselves andwhat we need to do than listen to themeaning of the message.

Whats the meaning of your message?

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


4/16

Spiritually SegregatedWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

I'd like to pose a question to everyone andhope you can provide an honest andrespectable response to this question.

I ask it to first survey your thoughts, ideasand suggestions on what I believe is one ofthe contributing factors in what is ruiningthe world. I don't want to bemisunderstood, because I know it isn't theonly factor, but it has absolutelycontributed to the various declines inhuman decency and moral sensibilities inhistory until today.

Now I personally know that there arevarious instances of diversity in worship, soI'm not referring to all churches,synagogues, mosques or temples. But thewords of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. remaintrue when he said that "11 o'clock onSunday morning is the most segregatedhour in America".

When you consider how we worshiptoday, regardless of the day, time, place ormethod of worship it's often segregated orsparsely integrated. This is not exclusivelyto any one race, religious belief ordenomination.

So I say all of this to ask three questionsthat I hope doesn't get me stoned orvanished to a virtual Isle of Patmos.Perhaps I need to just look towards the

ground and write these questions in thedirt.

The Questions

1) Why isnt there more diversity in ourchurches, synagogues, mosques ortemples?

2) Should churches, synagogues, mosquesand temples begin instituting culturaldiversity ministries and sensitivitiestraining?

3) What will you do to answer thesequestion?

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


5/16

Seize The MomentWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

Be present where you are. Dont miss themoment.

How many times have you found yourselfoccupied with something or someone onlyto later realize how much youre missed?

For those who are parents. How often havewe found ourselves caught in the routinesof our lives before we discover our childnow dont have time for you? You cant be

mad at them, because theyre only givingyou what you gave to them.

When something reminds you of that lostlove one, whether it is a parent, sibling,family member, neighbor, co-worker,church member or friend, but you were toobusy with your life to consider the lives ofthose around you?

Take the time to talk to people; think aboutothers, even when they dont think about

you. Seize the moment, because it may beyour last.

Offer a sincere love, a genuine friendship.Let people know youre thinking of themnow, not later.

Contact someone who has inspired youand encourage them. Thank the person(s)who made a difference in your life and letthem know that you appreciate them. Havea conversation with someone you haventspoken to for awhile about whatevercomes to mind. Give your child a gift ofyour time, attention, acknowledgment andacceptance.

Love someone for no reason.

The same goes for your spouse, girlfriend/boyfriend, parents, siblings, family, friendsand anyone who offers you their time.

The point is to appreciate where you aretoday over where youre trying to betomorrow. There's so much I want toaccomplish in life and sometimes feel Imay never get there, but you have tosometimes encourage yourself. Regardlessof your belief or disbelief, tomorrow is notpromised to you. Today could be your last.

Finally, seize the moment to forgive. Oh

the things I could say on this, but won't atthis time.

Forgive beginning with yourself.Thecountless mistakes I've made... quit puttingyourself through Hell for the hellish thingsyou've done. The things people know andthose no one or one or two may know. Askfor forgiveness, be sincere about it. Thengo and do good.

I know it's more to that and it's not that

simple, but you get my point. Before Iconclude I ask that you seize the momentto forgive others and ask others forforgiveness. Don't allow the opportunity topass you by because it may never comeagain. Then what could you say when or ifyou did not forgive.

I can keep going, but I just wanted to sharethis thought with you today. Share it withothers.

Don't let news of financial recession be therecession of your mind. Stimulate your lifeby investing in the moment.

Love is Free. Spend it Today.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


6/16

Love Someone TodayWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

One of the things my father taught me byexample is just that, to be the example. Fartoo often we get caught up in our dailyroutines that we forget to enjoy the

journey.

When everyone around you, whether it isin your own house, job, school orsomewhere else is projecting somemeasure of negativity, counter it withpositivity. I know it's not always easy, butbecome the leader.

You don't have to be upset, moody ordepressed because someone else choosesto. Just like a bad attitude can becontagious, so is a good one. So spread itto everyone you come in contact withtoday. If you want to be the leader, thenlead by example.

Love is free, so be generous when you give

it.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


7/16

Ideological MoratoriumWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

What would happen if there was anideological moratorium?

Republicans & Democrats had no issues,Religious & Non-Religious had no issues orthe Religious & Religious had no issues,You easily could embrace someoneregardless of they were straight, gay,lesbian, bi-sexual or transgendered.Racism were no more, bigotry was justapart of yesterdays history anddiscrimination was nothing more than afascinating mystery.

I'm not asking you to give up what youbelieve, but allow a period of time whereyou step back from your own ideology,beliefs, affiliations, in fact your ownthoughts, ideas and suggestions about aparticular subject and sincerely allow theideas of your opposition to flow into yourrealm of consideration. What do you think

would happen?

Once we begin to stop trying to convertpeople to your views and take a momentto recognize everyones humanity andhonestly appreciate their ideals, perhapswe can move towards where we want tobe as an individual, a community, a nationand world civilization. Then we can beginto end the age old conversations, debatesand contentions that have remainedbetween us. Racism, religion, class,

economics, education, politics andrelationships will not an issue. Withouttaking an ideological moratorium, this is

just an allusion of a liberal utopiandreamer.

When we stop trying to slice and dice thefacts in a way that we appear on the side oftruth and justice and how the people you

proclaim are so wrong, so unjust is whenyou can begin to see their humanity.

I continue to find the truth in this onestatement by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. thatI will quote again.

We are all caught in an inescapablenetwork of mutuality; I can not be what Iought to be until you are what you oughtto be.

Once we concern ourselves with whatsright instead of just being right, thenchange will begin.

We all are guilt of what Dr. Kingcalled ,"The Drum Major Instinct". This isthe need we have to be right, recognized,noted, admired or aligns ourselves withwhats popular or socially expedient. I tooam fearful of failure and rejection,

although Im comfortable and wellacquainted with it now I still find myselfwanting to take the easy route.

The final point I want to leave with you isone that I continue to work to perfect.When youre willing to give someone achance, more often theyre willing to giveyou a chance. Disagree with my positions,beliefs or ideology, but when you unclenchyour fist thats when we can walk hand-in-hand towards change and a better day

together and not divided.

So ask yourself and others, what wouldhappen if there was an ideologicalmoratorium?

Give me your ideas. If you can.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010
http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=258732027669&h=07eecbd82a1be325acf5756ebbed9afc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=258732027669&h=07eecbd82a1be325acf5756ebbed9afc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=258732027669&h=07eecbd82a1be325acf5756ebbed9afc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.html


8/16

A Perversion of the GospelWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

Quick Note:An interesting link to an articlewas sent to me with a message that asked mefor my thoughts about it. They knew I wouldhave something to say about it, so here it is. Iapologize for its length, but I had to say what Ifelt should be said. You can add your own twocents, but this is at no charge.

I know some of the friends of friends whomay see this may choose to get upset, but I

personally for once dont care becauseGlenn Beck is an idiot. Now this is notreally news, but let me tell you why beforethose who choose to get upset startemailing and commenting on what Ivesaid to see if you really want to alignyourself up with Glenn Beck of the otherindividuals I mention.

Glenn Beck said either out of pureignorance of the gospel or deliberately inthe perverted version of it he has beentaught to be true is that Social Justice wasa Perversion of the Gospel.

Now you should always be leery whenGlenn Beck is quoting anything, but this isthe problem that has corrupted politics andthe church long before Glenn Beck, todayand unfortunately long after this fool isgone for good. Its the reason why Imwriting Stop God Damning People,

because thats what so many are doingthese days and have done yesterday andsure will continue doing tomorrow.

Glenn Beck has been urging those wholisten to his radio show to leave churchesthat use the words social justice. How heassociated social justice and economic

justice to communism and Nazism isbeyond me, but this is Glenn Beck weretalking about. So the ridiculous is logic.

The absurdity of it all would be laughableif he wasnt serious. The implications of hisabsurdity and absolute ignorance wouldnot be a factor if it wasnt for the silence ofhis employer FOX News. This is not evenpolitical, so those who are prone todisagree with me for political reasons mustcheck that at the door. This is not evenabout race, so those who are prone toargue with me on grounds of something

you dont truly understand must leave thatat the door as well. This is essentially whatis wrong with politics, religion and racerelations; people misleading others, astrong history of mistrust, apprehension toconversation and the perversion of truth.

When you consider that the CatholicChurch and our predominately raciallysegregated churches that includes MainlineProtestant Churches, ConservativeEvangelical, Black Pentecostal Churches

and many others ALL consider socialjustice central to Biblical faith you musthave the courage to ask the real question,What is he really promoting?

Regardless of your political ideology, thosewho claim to be Christian, Catholic andothers beliefs that I have not the time to listgenerally agree with the biblical teachingsand examples that span from Moses to

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010
http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=7e28add5c9fca9464a4faab453545031&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FWN%2Fglenn-beck-social-justice-christians-rage-back-nazism%2Fstory%3Fid%3D10085008http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=7e28add5c9fca9464a4faab453545031&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FWN%2Fglenn-beck-social-justice-christians-rage-back-nazism%2Fstory%3Fid%3D10085008


9/16

A Perversion of the Gospel(Continued)Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

Jesus Christ himself. Social justice is anintegral part of humanity.

Unless you are condoning inhumane actssuch as slavery, torture and hatred towardsothers to name a few then how can youpossibly agree with Glenn Beck?

I can put aside my disagreement with himlong enough to objectively consider whathes advocating and what hes advocatingis what hes suggesting to nave Christians,that social justice is a perversion of thegospel. Hes doing what hes saying.

This fool said that if his church were aboutsocial justice he would report the churchto the Church Authorities.

Now this brings up some questions youshould ask yourself. The first being, whatchurch does Glenn Beck attend and what

in Hell are they teaching?

(Note the keyword in that question,because thats the answer to the question)

The second being, what church authorities?If the church as a whole paid moreattention to its authority, Jesus Christ andwhat he instructed us to do, then wewouldnt have a fraction of the issues,division, cultural and spiritual mayhem wehave today.

Social Justice is a perversion of the gospel?

If we were to continue down this path ofMcCarthy-style Spirituality that Glenn Beckis proposing, then who all would we haveto turn it to the so-called churchauthorities he speaks of?

I would have to say Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. would have to be among those whowould considered guilty and posthumouslyconvicted, because what better drummajor for justice in our recent memory canyou consider. Rabbi Abraham J. Herschelwould absolutely be in that line-up. Rev.

James Reeb would be considered guilty ascharged.

These men were all of different faiths withthe same objective, social justice. But letme move on before the verbal stones aretossed. Oh, this one should hit home forthose who may not know the history ofsocial justice well enough to haverecognize the previously mentioned.

You would have to sentence Billy Grahamand Oral Roberts for their roles inpromoting social justice as well. The so-called Church Authorities that Glenn

Beck interestingly speaks about wouldhave to pick up T.D. Jakes and Dr.Frederick K.C. Price for being accessoriesto the imaginary spiritual crime of social

justice according to Glenn Beck.

Let me not forget the women who wouldhave to be hauled in front of the so-calledChurch Authorities that Glenn Beckrefers to because Bishop Vashti McKenzie& Pastor Paula White are just two whomust be charged in the crime of social

justice.

I taunt him because its ridiculous. None ofthese people, regardless of their politicalideology or racial or spiritual compositionare guilty of anything Glenn Beck isadvocating, but I can think of some whoare.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010
http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=c35bd3c9d766ae817e3fee14445289bf&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paulawhite.org%2Fhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=dc2f442db318700dcf571554502d7657&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.jruuc.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D23%26Itemid%3D36http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=c35bd3c9d766ae817e3fee14445289bf&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paulawhite.org%2Fhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=c35bd3c9d766ae817e3fee14445289bf&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paulawhite.org%2Fhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=474a889316b877707b0bd34d54b94f56&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNSvYwZP7aoYhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=474a889316b877707b0bd34d54b94f56&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNSvYwZP7aoYhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=dc2f442db318700dcf571554502d7657&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.jruuc.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D23%26Itemid%3D36http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=dc2f442db318700dcf571554502d7657&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.jruuc.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D23%26Itemid%3D36http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=dc2f442db318700dcf571554502d7657&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.jruuc.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D23%26Itemid%3D36http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=dc2f442db318700dcf571554502d7657&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.jruuc.org%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D23%26Itemid%3D36http://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=aa69e55bf13a12fd42cb2291d1b20d44&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4xTAh2txiLchttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=aa69e55bf13a12fd42cb2291d1b20d44&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D4xTAh2txiLchttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=d0c36b91eac4e5b64e892cc6104f59f7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=d0c36b91eac4e5b64e892cc6104f59f7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=d0c36b91eac4e5b64e892cc6104f59f7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.htmlhttp://www.facebook.com/note_redirect.php?note_id=366645722669&h=d0c36b91eac4e5b64e892cc6104f59f7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.filestube.com%2Fba94c5ef09919d1203ea%2Fgo.html


10/16

A Perversion of the Gospel(Continued)Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

There was another group of people inhistory who was prone to a similar mindsetthat we see in Glenn Beck today againstsomeone who they said was "perverting thegospel". They eventually unjustly convictedhim to death, even as the governor of theday expressed his doubts the people wereso stirred up by those who mislead themand those who remained silent that thisman was killed for his works for social

justice.

But I'm not here to verbally crucify GlennBeck for his lack of understanding,because he knows not what he does. Butto warn those who listen to him or madeaware of him of the hypocrisy andperversion of the gospel he's advocating.

The point of it all is that you mustrecognize perversion when you see it. Youwant know it is perversion if you dont

study to show yourself approved. Im not aBible Scholar by any stretch of theimagination. I have upset the saints withchallenging questions in the past andsurely will do so again in the future. Butmy intentions are never to pervert, butperfect a persons practice of faith. Mywillingness to openly accept someone whomay not believe in God or the samespiritual belief as I do does not pervert myrelationship with Christ. It is the teachingsand examples of Christ and his campaignfor social justice that interests me to seek arelationship and a more acute knowledgeof him.

Glenn Beck is a fool. But the bigger foolare those who believe what he says is trueor worthy of practice.

Stop God damning people with lies aboutthe gospel of Jesus Christ. Quit God

damning people by feeding them adistorted self-serving doctrine of the Biblethat advocates one leaving a church thatdoesnt teach what you believe it shouldteach. Stop God damning people in thepractice of perverting the gospel with afaulty ideology for your own gains. Juststop God damning people.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


11/16

Fail BetterWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

If you strive to be a Rocket Scientist andfail, you can still be a scientist. If you striveto be a surgeon and fall short, you can stillbe a doctor. If you want to be a Judge andfail it's alright, because you can stillpractice law as an attorney.

Dare I say it?

Even if you're wanting to earn a PhD inPsychology or whatever it is you maychoose and it seems impossible or likeyou'll never realize it, don't fret. Becauseyou can still be a Psychologist, Counselor,Therapist or even Professor.

Don't give up because you fail, just tryagain and fail better the next time.Eventually you'll reach your goal.

Keep trying. Set your dreams high, becauseif you miss your anticipated or desired

target goal you're still better off than youwere if you gave up or didn't try at all.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


12/16

How We See OthersWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

I ask that you embrace this challenge withsincere truthfulness and without anyconcerns of the perceptions others may ormay not have.

I ask that you privately survey yourimmediate social environments. This couldbe your workplace, business, church,school, store, caf or market. Withoutlooking obvious or suspicious, I want youto give a general description of who yousee. Whether on paper or electronically,give your initial description of who yousee.

This may be a good indicator of howeclectic your social environments and/orthe places where you choose to frequentare. You may discover somethingfascinating about the local society you livein.

Do not focus on how beautiful, artistic oreven coherent your observations may be incomparison to any one else, becausecomparison is not the point of thisexercise, but honesty is.

After youve done this, list all of thecommon observations, characteristics orattributes of your list. Of that list I want youto share the commonalities, whether it israce, gender, age, class, weight/size,culture or style.

Feel free to share your results or justprovide a summary of your thoughts aboutwhat you discovered about the way youlive. I will do my best to respond to eachcomment, if possible.

How we see others, may provide a clearpicture of ourselves and help determinewhat we can do to improve.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


13/16

Terror By Another NameWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

In February we witnessed two senseless,

but high-profile acts of criminal violencethat would have been labeled terrorism ifthe victimizer were an Arab Muslim with aforeign-sounding name.

But the people who committed these actsof violence, however, were White. Isnt itinteresting that our political and certainmembers of the media never used theword terrorism in its discussions?

John Patrick Bedell, a 36-year-old man

from California, walked up to two securityguards outside the Pentagon Metro stationin suburban Washington D.C. and startedshooting. I guess he had a death wish,because you dont come to the Pentagonwith a gun-in-hand shooting and expect tolive long. As expected he was shot andkilled.

According to The Christian Science

Monitor, (Note: not me or Liberals,President Obama or any other group somelike to issue unfitting names towards) saidMr. Bedell appeared to have been a right-wing extremist with virulent anti-

government feelings and also battledmental illness before his shooting rampage

Now Im not suggesting you have to becrazy to hold right-wing views, because Iknow some intelligent and level headedconservatives do exist. But this is what Ivebeen warning you about for so long thatsome accused me of using the race cardor the most ridiculous harboring racial

resentment.

Im just pointing out the unconsciousracism, bias, prejudice or discriminationout to you so you can do something tocorrect it. My hand is extended, but you

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


14/16

Terror By Another Name (Continued)Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

must psychologically unclench your fist inorder to receive it.

But something else happen in February,because another anti-government extremistnamed Joseph Stack who happen to beWhite flew a plane into an IRS building inAustin, Texas that killing two people andinjuring 13 others.

According to media reports, Mr. Stack hadleft behind a disjointed suicide letter inwhich he expressed his hatred of ourAmerican government and outlinedgrievances with the IRS, chillingly statingthat violence not only is the answer; it isthe only answer.

Now these attacks come at a time of anincreasingly alarming growth in domesticextremist-group activism across the UnitedStates or should I say those who callthemselves patriots.

A recently released law center reportshowed these so-called patriot groups weresteeped in anti-government conspiracytheories and grew from 149 in 2008 to 512in 2009. Thats a 244% increase that theSouthern Poverty Law Center report judgedto be an astonishing rise in the one-yearperiod.

What is interesting is the timing. What

significant socio-cultural psychologicalshift occurred in the U.S. in 2008 thatwould encourage this sort of activity?

Ill let you ponder that one for a minute asI continue.

January 20, 2009 President Obama tookthe oath of office. Now according to theSPLC Report in addition to other reportsfrom various organizations that monitor

this sort of activity, the number of thesegroups that are domestic extremistparamilitary militias grew from 42 in 2008to 127 in 2009.

But race has nothing to do with it. Its theploys of a liberal big government socialisttake over.

Now imagine the response if this wascommitted by someone with a funny-sounding name (which is also aninsensitive phrase) or Heaven forbid theyreBlack, Latino or Asian. The world as youknow it would end.

Seriously, this is what Ive tried to conveyto you. Its not just Democrats who get it,because there are some Republicans whohas gave the same type of warning, buttheyre cast as being too moderate for theparty and essentially ran out of the party ordemonized by the same media who fails tocall it as it is.

I dont mind the political discourse, but forfar too long both sides have harbored sucha distain for the other that discourse isvirtually impossible and replaced withpolitical talking points.

Others have chosen to simply call anyonewho disagrees or even challenges theirideology with warnings of discrimination

as being the racist. An absolutelyridiculous and telling statement of howuncomfortable and unprepared they trulyare. You get defensive when you have nodefense.

So you ask what proof I have for myaccusations and social analysis.

Although I anticipate the response someindividuals may choose in response to this,

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010


15/16

Terror By Another Name (Continued)Written By: Timothy A. Valentine

I doubt many if any will have the ethicalcourage to address the bigger issue of notonly unconscious racism, but overtdiscrimination, political extremism, whiteprivilege, religious bias in addition to areasof self-hatred and a support of unpatrioticactivities and calling yourself patriots. Youprove me right ever single time. Some aretoo ignorant of history, inconsiderate andculturally unaware to sincerely grasp whatis really going on for the feeling ofacceptance and a false sense of socialmaturity.

Because Theodore Kaczynski (Una bomber),Timothy McVeigh (Oklahoma City bomber),Eric Rudolph (1996 Olympic Park bomber in

Atlanta), James von Brunn (National HolocaustMuseum Shooter), Joseph Stack (IRS Attacker),

John Patrick Bedell (Pentagon shooter), andshall I not include so many other instancesthat dates back each year for decades,

including certain hooded and steel bootedorganizations.

Should I dare say that all were white menmotivated by their respective ideologiesthat drove them to violent attacks? Butsurprisingly, the term terrorism has neverseemed to have been applied to any ofthem. I wonder why.

How persuasive is hate + fear + ignorance+ a lack of socialization?

Apparently very for some. But Im theracist because I have no fear of talkingcandidly about race. But I harbor racialresentment towards Whites, because Ipoint out unconscious racism amongstWhites. But you fail to consider all of myarguments that counter those accusations.

Just lay your misconceptions aside for amoment if you can. If I or any other Black,

Latino, Arab or Asian harbor any level ofanimosity towards Whites how could I orthey function in American society?

If you just shadowed a non-white personfor a month, youll discover many of themfluidly interact with Whites without issue.Yes, there are racist among these groupstoo, but I speak of the majority. In fact Iwould be willing to suggest that manyWhites may not harbor diliberate racialanimosity towards other groups. But theproblem is the silence.

Who is willing to speak up?

Who is willing to say what must be said?

Who is willing?

So I will conclude by asking you thisquestion. Why does terrorist not apply toother white extremists?

Work Cited & Additional References

Iftikhar, Arsalan (March 10, 2010). Extremist of any

color can commit terrorism from CNN International

Edition

Hanna, Jason (June 11, 2009). Hate groups riled up,

researchers say from CNN

Chen, Stephanie (February 26, 2009). Growing hate

groups blame Obama, economy from CNN

Preston, Mark (January 16, 2009). White supremacist

watched in lead up to Obama administration from CNN

Adams, Jonathan (March 10, 2010). Jihad Jane and 7

others held in plot to kill Swedish cartoonist from The

Christian Science Monitor

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0310/Jihad-Jane-and-7-others-held-in-plot-to-kill-Swedish-cartoonisthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/06/11/hate.groups/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0310/Jihad-Jane-and-7-others-held-in-plot-to-kill-Swedish-cartoonisthttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0310/Jihad-Jane-and-7-others-held-in-plot-to-kill-Swedish-cartoonisthttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0310/Jihad-Jane-and-7-others-held-in-plot-to-kill-Swedish-cartoonisthttp://www.csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/0310/Jihad-Jane-and-7-others-held-in-plot-to-kill-Swedish-cartoonisthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/16/obama.white.supremacists/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/02/26/hate.groups.report/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/02/26/hate.groups.report/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/02/26/hate.groups.report/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/02/26/hate.groups.report/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/06/11/hate.groups/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/06/11/hate.groups/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/06/11/hate.groups/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/06/11/hate.groups/index.html%23cnnSTCTexthttp://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/09/iftikhar.white.terrorism/index.html?hpt=C2http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/09/iftikhar.white.terrorism/index.html?hpt=C2http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/09/iftikhar.white.terrorism/index.html?hpt=C2http://edition.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/03/09/iftikhar.white.terrorism/index.html?hpt=C2


16/16

Keep DreamingWritten By: Timothy A. Valentine

Every great dream begins with a dreamer.Always remember, you have within you thestrength, the patience, and the passion toreach for the stars to change the world.Harriet Tubman freed approximately athousand slaves and she said that shecould have freed a thousand more if onlythey knew they were slaves.

You can see the entire universe if you canjust get beyond the stars. When you arewilling to go beyond yourself, despitethose who may put you down,despitethose who may laugh, despite those whomay oppose it and despite those who maymisunderstand you; keep dreaming. Neverallow the words of someone who has novision be your guide. Keep dreaming ofthings not as they are, but for what theycan become.

Be where you're going and enjoy the

journey on your way there.

Never Ever Give Up.

PROVOKE

PROVOKE|MARCH

2010

provoke (march 2010)

Documents