Conflict Of Interest
A Weekly Column By Walter B. Hoye II
In the abortion debate, is there a "Conflict of Interest" within the Black community and among her leaders?
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Personhood: I Am Somebody
"I Am Somebody." is a poem written in the 1950s by Reverend William Holmes Borders, Sr. (1905-1993), Senior Pastor at Wheat Street Baptist Church and civil rights activist in Atlanta where he campaigned for civil rights and distinguished himself as a charismatic spokesperson for the city's poor and dispossessed. 1 In 1971, a bold and unapologetically Pro-Life Jesse Jackson 2 recited his version of the poem on Sesame Street to emphasize the individuality and significance of all William H. Borders people, regardless of size, appearance, race, or economic status. The scene took place on the stoop of 123 Sesame Street, involving a large group of children of different colors, who together and in chorus joined in on the now legendary "I Am Somebody." portions of the poem. 3 Here is the poem as we take a walk down memory lane: "I am Somebody! I am Somebody! I may be poor, But I am Somebody. I may be young, But I am Somebody. I may be on welfare, But I am Somebody. I may be small, But I am Somebody. I may have made mistakes, But I am Somebody. My clothes are different, My face is different, My hair is different, But I am Somebody. I am Black, Brown, or White. I speak a different language But I must be respected, protected, never rejected. I am God's child!" Reverend Jesse Jackson recited this poem on Sesame
Street in 1971. Yasmin Brown was featured in this episode.
pretty important," 10 seeks to ensure all human beings, from the child in the womb, to the senior citizen facing end of life decisions, to the disabled war veteran are protected by love and by law. "I AM SOME BODY." I hope the Pro-Life movement is listening. It's not just about an "all hands on deck" effort to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Personhood is a movement working to respect the God given right to life by recognizing all human beings as persons who are "created in the image of God" 11 without exceptions. Personhood brings to light the internationally recognized and well documented truth regarding the beginning of our biological development, 12 and by Women in the 1963 March On Washington definition and design sets the stage for a complete victory. Personhood defines "winning" in a way that meets the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of men, women and children everywhere and for all time. Personhood understands I Am Somebody. Personhood gets it. It's time the Pro-Life movement stops fighting Pro-Lifers, recognizes that there are different Spiritual Gifts, but only one Holy Gift Giver 13 and stand together united for the greater good of all humanity. For one, I believe the Pro-Life movement can work together as we stand for life. Like Martin Luther King, Jr., "I refuse to accept the idea that the 'isness' of Women in the 1963 March On Washington man's present nature makes him morally incapable of reaching up for the eternal 'oughtness' that forever confronts him." 14 I may be poor. I may be young. I may be on welfare. I may be small. I may have made mistakes. My clothes may be different. My face may be different. My hair may be different. I may be Black, Brown, or White. I may speak a different language than you, but I Am Somebody. I must be respected. I must be protected. I must never be rejected. I am a child of God!
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