Read the Introduction from “From Glory to Shame: The Rise & Fall of Black America (And How She Can Rise Again)”
It is obvious from recent newspaper articles and news reports that many people are concerned about some of the painful problems in the black community of America. And we cannot deny these problems. The black community, in general, has some very serious issues. You know it, and I know it. None of us want to air our dirty laundry, but we must deal with the truth, because as Jesus Christ said, “The truth shall make you free.”
Thankfully, many African-Americans are doing quite well. We know that all blacks are not out there committing crimes such as we hear in the media daily, particularly in our urban areas. But unfortunately, many in our community are doing things that are not only hurting others, but are also hurting themselves, especially among our young people. Yes, these crimes are committed by other races as well, but that is no excuse for what we are doing.
Why are our young people murdering one another and others? Why are they left to themselves? Why isn’t anyone taking responsibility? Why are we allowing the glory that we once enjoyed, to be stripped from us, and our present and future turned into shame? We have serious problems in our community, and it is going to take people who will stand up, acknowledge the problems, tell the truth regarding the problems, and offer solutions to change the terrible state of affairs in Black America.
In this book, From Glory to Shame, I compare the problems in the Black community of America today with the problems the Israelites had in the day of the Prophet Hosea. I deal with the judgment that God brought down on the Israelites for their rebelliousness, “stiff-neckedness,” and foolishness. Then I delineate the issues that we as Black Americans have today that stem from our own rebelliousness, “stiffneckedness,” and foolishness, and the judgement of God that is obviously coming down on our community. I not only discuss the social issues of the Black community, but I also share some insight about the religious and spiritual issues of Black America. Yes, indeed, Black America is religious, but, sad to say, we are not as Biblical as we should be. Lastly, I share Biblical solutions to help us as a race get out of the downward spiral, and start ascending back from “Shame to Glory.”
I am very thankful for the great work that Tavis Smiley spearheaded resulting in the powerful new book entitled, The Covenant with Black America. One of the things that I like about The Covenant with Black America is that after each chapter, it has a section dealing with “What the Community Can Do,” and then “What Every Individual Can Do.” I really love that aspect of this great work because it says we are not just talking here, but we are about doing something.
Well, obviously, it was not the intent of The Covenant with Black America to deal with the spiritual aspect of turning Black America around. But I believe the spiritual aspect is the most important aspect if we are going to see great, positive changes in the Black community of America. And by the end of reading this book, you will know “What the Community Can Do” and “What Every Individual Can Do” to make Black America truly better from the inside out. “So start reading!”
—Samuel L. Madison
Atlanta, Georgia
From Glory to Shame: The Rise & Fall of Black America (And How She Can Rise Again) is available now on Amazon.
