Covid-19 and Religion: The Devil’s in the Details

By Mildred Robertson

Churches and Synagogues across the nation have closed their doors, trying to keep out Covid-19. Well, most of them have. But there are some religious zealots who declare that the Lord will deliver them from this rampant disease and refuse to shut the doors to the temple. That sounds valiant…devout…holy, right?

The problem is, God apparently does not view this supposedly pious act the same way the zealots do. Many of the churches that refused to adhere to social distancing are experiencing rising cases of Covid-19 among their memberships; and many of those attendees have died.

Although I do not profess to be a bible scholar, religious teachings I have received throughout my life tell me that God does not do for us what we can do for ourselves. It is a sensible act to practice social distancing during a highly contagious epidemic. Where faith and religion come into it is that when we have done all that we can to protect ourselves, God steps in to do the rest. He protects us as we go to the grocery store, or the pharmacy or to deliver food to a shut-in neighbor. Those are the kinds of instances where he inserts his grace and mercy in our lives.

While I find it unfortunate and sometimes disquieting to have been cut off from my religious fellowship for the last several weeks, I have also seen an amazing spread of the Word in places that it has seldom been. My Facebook feed, once filled with hateful memes about political rivals is now filled with folks singing their favorite hymns and quoting their favorite scriptures.

As a child, when I found myself faced with adversity in life, my mother would tell me that everything would be alright, because what the Devil meant to defeat me, God meant for my good. Instead of attending one Sunday worship service, now I can listen to my pastor, and the pastor of the church where I grew up as a child. I can listen to the sermon preached by my cousin in Ohio or my nephew in Mississippi. While this epidemic has raced across the face of the world wreaking havoc, it has caused an equally sweeping transmission of the Word of God across the country.

 I recently spoke to a friend whose wife decided to teach her Sunday school class online. What had been a class of 20 has since become a class of hundreds. That kind of spread has been replicated all over the internet. It is as though someone has thrown a brick in the middle of flaming embers, only to disperse them out to inflame a wider area.

That is not to say that this is an ideal situation. Neither does it imply that this manner of worship should become our new normal. But it is important to remember that it is not good to tempt God. We know that he is all powerful and that he can deliver us from Covid-19. But we should not be so vain as to expect him to manipulate the laws of nature to prove our piety. Our actions during this pandemic may be judged by man, but also, I believe, by God. The devil truly is in the details of how and why we make the decisions we make during this trying time.

Donald Trump's Trouble with Covid-19

By Mildred Robertson

Donald Trump has a successful formula he uses to defeat his adversaries. He taunts. He misinforms. He intimidates. He gaslights. He fear-mongers and he name calls.  These tactics have worked against his republican and democrat opponents, the media and various individuals and ethnic groups. But Trump has a problem. You see, Covid-19 doesn't care about any of these tactics. 

He can call Covid-19 the "Chinese" virus. Covid-19 doesn't care. It soldiers on, increasing it's daily body count. He can lie about its spread, but Covid-19 continues it march across the continental USA, taking the lives of those it pleases.  He can blame the lack of preparedness for this epidemic on previous administrations, but Covid-19's accelerating spread continues to highlight the Trump administration's lack of strategy and leadership in the fight to stop its onslaught. He can have doctors, nurses and government officials fired who point out that vulnerable populations are being left without support in the fight against the disease, but Covid-19 continues to swallow up those vulnerable communities. 

As of this publication more than 300,000 have been infected and close to 8,000 have died. You see, Covid-19 just doesn't care. But more importantly, this disease has made it evident to Americans from coast to coast that neither does Donald Trump.

While experts warned him months ago of the deadly threat this disease held for our nation, he did nothing. When the disease finally made its way to our shores he promised that it would quickly go from 15 infected to zero in a matter of weeks. When the disease began to spread, he did nothing and called it a hoax created by democrats. He held daily press briefings to replace the now-impossible political rallies and gave the American people misinformation. Finally, when the daily death count soared, he declared himself a "War President" and his administration began to make meager attempts to combat the fast-paced disease. It has been too little too late. 

Even though he has capitulated to the experts, agreeing that Covid-19 represents a national threat, he has still failed to marshal national resources to combat the epidemic. He says, instead, that it is the responsibility of state government to safeguard its citizens. 

This epidemic has made it startlingly clear that there is a vacuum in leadership in the White House.  Covid-19 illustrates the folly of republicans who elected a buffoon as president in order to prop up big business, capture the Supreme Court and pack conservative judges in federal courts across the country. They could accept his ineptitude as long as they got what they wanted. But then Covid-19 came along. The problem with Covid-19 is, it doesn't care about politics. It doesn't care about Donald Trump's aspirations, and it doesn't care about the hundreds of thousands of lives it will snuff out. 

Donald Trump's trouble with Covid-19 is that it makes it clear that America needs a president who cares. Covid-19 shows us that Donald Trump is not the one. 

What White People Don’t Know About the Black Vote

By Mildred Robertson

This blog was first published in March 2020 before the November election.  As we approach the November 2024 election, I think it might be wise to revisit this topic. Though the name of the adversary may have changed, the facts have not.

We have folk such as " Charlamagne Tha God" (What a pompous, blasphemous handle) attacking Biden with little regard for what damage the alternative would do to our community. But I am confident that the ancestors will rise up again in us, and blacks across the nation will do what is necessary to survive, and perhaps thrive. Defeating Biden is defeating ourselves...and we are not likely to do that unless those who purport to be leaders tell us to slash the master's throat and die rather than sing songs that point us to freedom. 

So. It seems the “Bernie Bros” think that Black voters have somehow been “mamified;” voting for the safe candidate rather than their revolutionary leader. They say we voted against our own self-interest when we overwhelmingly supported Biden over Sanders. 

The audacity it takes for any White American to assume he or she understands the motivation of Black folks when it comes to the idea of revolution is laughable and demonstrates why, perhaps, there is a disconnect between Black voters and the Sanders campaign.

You may not understand our struggles or our journey. But it is necessary that in 2020 those who want or need our support respect our perspective. It appears to me that Bernie and his supporters are unable to see our view.

Since the first enslaved African set foot on the shores of this stolen continent, we have had to weigh what it would take for us to survive. Our choices seldom included a totally positive outcome. We learned that revolution does not always have to be loud. Sometimes it is subtle.  So we learned how to be subtly defiant, and thus survive.

We learned how to work in the big house, smile at the master and tuck morsels of food away for our loved ones. We learned how to hoe in the fields all day and still find time to toil a small plot of land to provide a few extra bits to our starvation diet. We learned how to take the guts of a hog and the feet of chicken and turn it into a delicacy. We learned how to endure rape, and then bear the children of our oppressors; loving our children still. We learned how to say “yas suh massa” while, unbeknownst to our tormentors, we sang songs that told a slave when it was safe to “get on board” the freedom train, or “wade in the water” to elude slave hunters and their dogs.

We learned how to walk among hordes of snapping dogs, water hoses and hate-filled southerners to get an education. We learned to stand our ground when marauding psychopaths filled the night with burning crosses, and the trees with corpses of brown bodies.

We learned to sit at the back of the room, and still get an education. And yes, we learned to balance what we MUST have with what we want or need.

What we must do right now is remove Donald Trump from the White House.

I’ve never been a Bernie fan. But that is neither here nor there. If I thought for one minute that Bernie had a better chance of beating Trump than Joe Biden, I would vote for him in a heartbeat. And if chance would have it that he becomes the Democratic candidate, I will rush to the voting booth to cast my vote for him. And the majority of my brothers and sisters will do the same.

But I believe that what has happened here, as has been practiced by African Americans for 401 years, is that collectively we searched for the path toward survival. That path led us to select Joe Biden as the candidate who could best help us reach that goal.

You see, Donald Trump’s presidency holds a threat for all Americans, but for us the threat is magnified. Whether it is jobs, healthcare, climate change, social or environmental justice, the threat to our community is always greater than that of the average white American.

If you examine the range of 2020 Democratic candidates, the field was deep and wide. The credentials of many were impressive. But do not doubt that each of the candidates had baggage. None were perfect. And none will ever be. That includes Bernie. While vocalizing many policies that would help the Black community, I have yet to see his success in getting similar policies enacted.

Joe Biden is a known commodity in the Black community. He has a track record that, while not unblemished, indicates that we will survive and perhaps thrive under his leadership. After weighing the various threats to our collective survival, Black voters decided it was time to sing “get on board,” and they boarded with Joe. While White liberals may disagree with this choice, it is necessary that they respect it if we are to have a working relationship.

Winnowing the Field: Democrats Struggle for Focus

By Mildred Robertson

As this nation faces one of the most defining moments of its relatively young existence, Democrats are faced with a choice that may determine America’s future path. Enamored with our legacy of democracy, freedom and equality; America stands on the verge of losing all three. Just this past week we watched as our Senate bowed down to the whims of an aspiring tyrant when they chose to acquit him of impeachment charges brought by the House. When Trump stated that he could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody dead without consequence, many viewed that statement as ludicrous. But he and his republican cohorts have in fact stood in the hallowed halls of our nation’s capital and slaughtered our constitution.

Up to now, many Americans have taken our freedom for granted, and think that it will always stand. It is our prayer that it will; but it will take more than prayer to maintain the hard-fought freedoms won by our fore-fathers. Because of the nature of our democracy, it is imperative that we, the people, agree and stand on one accord as to the rule of law. We are finding that all it takes for our system to break down is to put someone in power who refuses to play by those rules. If we are to save our union, we must take back the White House and both chambers of Congress.

It is clear that the democrats must fight this battle alone, because our republican counterparts seem to be deaf, dumb and blind to the danger we face as a nation. If they were to look more closely, they would see that it is not about party; but about country. Trump is destroying the entire foundation of this unique experiment called democracy. But it appears that the majority of republicans cannot see.

Because of their lack of vision, it is even more imperative that democrats select their presidential candidate with clear eyes. We must lay aside all of our usual bickering and focus on what is best for the body.

I was devastated when Kamala Harris and Corey Booker dropped out of the race. I wish we still had the diversity of choices we had when this race began. I am not excited about billionaires buying their way into the primary. I am not sure that a gay man or a woman can overcome this nation’s prejudice to be judged on the merits of his or her platform rather than some other social or religious criteria. I am struggling to make my personal choice for who democrats should nominate as our standard bearer. But this I see clearly…those of us who want to bring back sanity to our government must embrace the will of the majority and fight for whomever is nominated as though he or she was our first choice.

In worship service on Sunday, the speaker spoke these decisive words that might prove to be insightful to us as we search for an answer:  “Pray as if everything depends on God, and work like everything depends on you.”   I believe that is what we must do right now as we search for strategies to reclaim our democracy. We must look to our fellow Americans to make the choices that will turn this nation around; but we must work as though the victory is not possible unless it is achieved by our own personal hand.

And, in fact, victory is not possible without our individual commitment to fight. We must face every obstacle…from an overly robust field of candidates, to gerrymandered voting districts, to voter purges, to voter apathy; all must be conquered if our union is to survive. The first step to that survival is for each individual person of conscience to focus on a collective victory and not a personal one. Each of us must make a decision based upon the greater good. It is the only way we will survive.

Trump Lawlessness is a Constitutional Crisis

America stands at a crossroads. As the President of the United States engages in an all-out attack on this nation’s constitution, it occurs to me that the boundaries of our constitution are being challenged. We are about to witness whether our constitution, as framed by our Founding Fathers, can withstand the onslaught of a lawless president.

As I ponder this question, I am reminded of a political science class I took at Lincoln University of Missouri where my professor argued that the constitution was so tightly written that it really didn’t matter who was the president. He posited that the president is the titular head; only setting the nation’s tone. But the constitution, he argued, is the engine that determines our course.

I am sure that a majority of Americans would, at first blush, agree with my college professor. I disagreed with him then and my belief is being vividly illustrated now. Over the past several months I have watched cable news networks frantically try to report the ever-changing narrative of presidential corruption. It occurs to me how wrong we can be about the strength of our foundation until it is tested.   

And we are being tested.

Never before has any president trampled so many commonly held values and mores as the 45^th president of the United States. His language and behavior are reproachable. His shallow understanding of his duties is frightening. His mean and vindictive attitude towards our enemies and allies alike is alarming. His cavalier attitude toward violence and the use of lethal force is disturbing. His fascination with dictators and despots is disquieting. And his willful disregard for the power and authority of the legislative and judicial branches of government to administer their oversight duties is appalling.  Yet, we struggle to reign in this runaway presidency. We are unrecognizable…and at this moment, we seem to be failing the test.

Donald Trump made a mockery of our presidential election process, taunting and name-calling his republican opponents; speaking in a debased way about women, insulting African Americans and other minorities, stalking and intimidating his presidential opponent. Then, once elected he showed himself to be a liar; fabricating everything from crowd size to whether he conspired with Russia in order to defeat his opponent. He has been foul-mouthed and combative and has engaged in nepotism and emolument violations. He has surrounded himself with unsavory characters who share his disposition and have a penchant for criminal activity that has resulted in their incarceration or likely threat of judicial action and/or incarceration.  

This president is a clear and present danger to the well-being of our union, yet we struggle to find a remedy to address the threat. It is clear that Trump is unfit to hold the most powerful office in the world. But there is the politics of it.

The Democrat-led House has long known the need to impeach the president; the constitutional remedy for an anarchic president. But Speaker Nancy Pelosi questioned whether the public would support such a move. So for her, the fact that Trump clearly was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors was less impactful than the possibility of a public backlash towards the Democratic Party over impeachment.  Then, once gaining the courage and the whistle-blowers’ report, the democrats have struck out on a path toward impeachment, but the republicans cower in the corners of the legislative building hiding from the news media, lest they be asked to state an opinion.

They, like the democrats, are waiting for it to be politically expedient to voice their true opinion about this unruly occupant of the Oval Office. Of course, they do not wish to give up their opportunity to seat more judges, decrease the number of brown people breaching our border or give more tax cuts to the rich. And, there is the possibility that Vice President Pence may be caught up in the bog of impeachment, which would give way for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to be named the president. And, of course, if the president is impeached, what does that mean for Republican control of the legislature and the presidency in 2020? So, as all these entities stand by waiting for a clear win to exercise their constitutional duty our nation falters.

The Founding Fathers had an outstanding plan. It was a well thought out, well-written plan based on the consensus of those charged with setting up a new government. However, any plan is only as strong as its weakest link.

Over the past 3 years, we have experienced an alarming attack on our constitutional norms. The strength of our foundation has been tested.  It remains to be seen whether we will withstand the test.

If the legislature cannot or will not meet its constitutional duty to protect America from a rogue presidency, then our way of life will forever be changed. This is a test we must not fail.

Donald Trump and the Art of Political Distraction

By Mildred Robertson

Where to start?  As I contemplate my monthly blog, I attempt to focus on pressing issues that face our state and our nation. However, as America plunges over one social, political and/or economic cliff after another, I am stymied by the overabundance of topics from which to choose. I believe my state of mind is reflective of the nation as a whole. We are all grappling with this administration’s proclivity to lob one distraction after another to keep us unbalanced and unfocused on looming threats to our democracy.

And there are looming threats.

We appear to be hurtling toward a totalitarian government ruled by a dotard whose only true talent seems to be the ability to foster chaos.

It looks as though those safeguards established by the Founders to combat just such an assault on democracy have faltered, with both the Congress and the courts struggling to address this administration’s numerous infractions. While the three branches flounder in maintaining our course, our nation is bombarded with crises which no current entity seems equipped to address.

The crisis on the border is real, though contrived. While thousands of immigrants are being caged and mistreated at the hands of our government, those of us who object seem to be left without a remedy. The visit of Vice President Pence to the border this weekend highlighted the depth of depravity to which we have fallen as a nation. As I looked at those young men behind bars, milling in that stark environment without the comfort of a place to lay their heads or water to drink, it reminds me of the slave ships that wrenched my people from the shores of Africa.  It reminds me of how my people were packed like sardines in a space not meant for human occupancy. I am reminded how they were left to wallow in their own filth and then accused of being filthy—as though it were a choice. It brings back to my memory stories of young children wrenched from the arms of their weeping mothers, stolen; never to be seen again. 

The crisis in healthcare is real. Millions of Americans stand in jeopardy of losing healthcare as the Republican-led Congress continues to devise methods to eviscerate the Affordable Health Care system.

The threat of climate change is real, as sea levels rise and states like Louisiana and Florida battle to hold back the tide.

Our judicial system is broken as black and brown bodies are warehoused and hate crimes are on the rise. National discourse is hateful and women and minorities are under attack. 

While we tout a low unemployment rate, millions of working Americans still can’t afford the basic necessities of life and must work two and three jobs just to get by.

The threats to this nation’s peace and prosperity are just too many to name. Trump simply plays a shell game with these issues, encouraging media to “look here—no look over there,” every time he feels threatened. And the media obliges. 

This administration has successfully thrown us all off balance. But we must focus. 

Those of us who know that we are on a path leading us away from the greatness first envisioned by the Founding Fathers must, in the words of John Lewis, “Keep Our Eyes on the Prize.” 

To maintain our democratic way of life, we must somehow cut through all the distractions and focus on the problem. And that problem is Donald Trump and the Republican Party. Together they have embraced a hysterical fear of the growing presence of minorities in this country. Both Trump and the GOP appear committed to use any measure necessary to dilute the voices of black and brown Americans. We must be equally committed to focus on the threats the administration holds toward American democratic rule and raise our voices in defense of our nation’s legacy.

It is Time to Impeach!

By Mildred Robertson

In the words of Patrick Henry, “It is now time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” In fact, it is past time. Trump has systematically attacked the very fabric of this nation, stepping over every line the Founding Fathers so carefully laid to maintain our Democracy. From the moment he descended the elevator in Trump Tower he has degraded the morals and the basic humanity that has set our nation apart from most other nations in the world. 

There is a litany of misdeeds and even crimes that can be attributed to this administration, but the most frightening is his quips regarding extending his presidency past the 8 years the Constitution allows. While many may see these statements as simply jest, if you watch this man, you will see that, like a spoiled child, he will test the boundaries to see how far he can go. This court jester would be king if the American public would allow it. We must not.

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. It is time for Americans…all Americans…Democrat, Republican, Independent, liberal, conservative or those in the middle of the road to say ENOUGH!

His childish name calling seemed not to be enough. His mocking of a physically challenged individual was not enough. His disparaging remarks about a Gold Star family was not enough. His insults toward Senator McCain were not enough. His complicity with Russia to thwart free and fair elections was not enough. His embrace of racial disharmony and hatred were not enough. His clownish antics on the world stage were not enough. His appointment of unqualified government officials was not enough, his nepotism was not enough. His disrespect for women and minorities was not enough. So what will be the thing that makes Americans see clearly the threat this man represents for our nation. What will it take to move to action those we’ve invested with the power to exert checks and balances on the authority of a rogue president?

It appears to me that there already exists ample evidence that the current administration is a clear and present danger to our country’s wellbeing. Yet those in power continue to wrestle with how and when, or even whether they should exert that authority.

If those in power, both Democrat and Republican, do not do their constitutional duty to hold this president responsible for his misdeeds, we will plunge toward our demise as a democracy. We are on a slippery slope toward authoritarianism and something must be done to stop our descent.  

When this chapter of American history closes, I want to stand on the side of democracy and sound governance. It is time to put an end to the chaos that is the Trump administration. It is time to impeach!