I Understand Colin Kaepernick but DON’T Agree

I understand Colin Kaepernick, my father and 2 uncles fought in WWII and had to ride in the back of the bus in their uniforms upon returning home. Sometimes it is hard to salute the flag and stand when the Country you served in has treated you unfairly. When I was in Biloxi, in 1977 I was given a list of businesses that didn’t want Blacks to go to…yes Colin Kaepernick I understand, however THIS country as flawed as it is is YOUR country. If you want to make a difference try doing something like Lebron James and send 100 black kids to college so we can improve our lives and change the nation intelligently. When I served in the USAF 23 years and in Somalia and Desert Storm I did it IN SPITE of how America viewed me as a Black man and I served with pride and honor and I did it as unto God…NOT man.

Rev. Dr. M. Hamilton Stevens

Brothers PLEASE Drop the Macho Act…Get Help!

 

 

In the Black Community Mental Illness is a taboo topic, traditionally Black people avoid going to Psychiatrist. Especially Black MEN! We see it as a sign of weakness and our macho BS keeps us from seeking help. I am guilty of this because I felt my faith and my macho attitude would help me deal with my bouts of depression. I resisted filing a claim for PTSD because I didn’t want to deal with the stigma of a mental health issue. I had filed for blindness, lymph-edema, Sarcoidosis, and Sarcoid Arthritis and was denied for 9 years. I finally changed my claim to PTSD at the urging of my old Commander, my wife, and yes The Lord. When I went to see the VA Psychiatrist I of course tried to act like I was OK, but after 2 or 3 visits and a series of questions and my breaking down and crying a few times 3 months later I got a check in the mail from the VA. I had to learn and realized even after working in the Psychiatric field for over 10 years that Mental Illness is an Illness…not a sin or a crime!

Mark H. Stevens, MSgt Ret.

When Was America Greater Than NOW?

My Uncles fought in WWII and when they came home from France after the war they had to ride on the back of trains and buses even though they were wearing their US Army uniforms, When I hear Trump say “Let’s make America Great Again”….in my mind he wants to take us back to a day and time that were NOT GREAT for Black people.

M. Hamilton Stevens

12 Men That Helped Me Become What I am TODAY

 

No one achieves success without HELP, TRAINING, and A PUSH. Everyone needs a mentor and everyone needs to MENTOR someone else. From a Biblical perspective this is called DISCIPLESHIP! Here are some of the MEN that served and MENTORS to me….

 

12 of the Men that had a great Influence on my life:

 

1. Alfred Mellow – He was my mother’s boyfriend, he was the closest thing I had to father growing up. He was a hard worker that showed me that hard work pays off and he spent time showing me things men have to do like be responsible.

 

2. Lou Stevens– through my big brother I learned how to be tough, he was a great athlete and I admired that. His love for sports and Judo was passed on to me and I stayed with it until I got a Black Belt. He also introduced me to Marvel Comics, I miss our arguments over who was the greatest superhero, and he was my hero when I was a kid.

 

3. Joseph Tisdale – My WWII vet uncle, he used to give me “the talks” that my mother really couldn’t deal with. I looked forward to the rides to the Barbershop with uncle Joe, he was a hardworking man, owned his own house and always dressed sharp and had nice cars.

 

4. Charlie Tisdale – My cousin and son of my Uncle James, Charlie always made sure I was working, he would pay me to clean up his yard and garage, and got me my first real job with ABCD sweeping streets, it was nice to have cash and learn the importance of hard work.

 

5. Coach Tug Williams – My High School football coach, he was tough as nails and mean. I was NOT a good football player but I tried hard. I came to practice with the flu, throwing up and had a fever and he sent me home…but complemented me for trying. He even mentioned how hard I tried at the banquet , that meant a lot to me.

 

6. Pak Ho Sik – My Tang Soo Do KarateInstructor – He pushed me really hard but he saw something in me and he worked with me after class, I helped him with his English and he kicked my behind until I made 1st Dan.

 

7. Isaiah Sierson – A Baptist preacher that loved soul-winning, I learned more about Apologetics from him than any book I ever read. He knew The  Bible better than any human I ever met.

 

8. Errol L Woolard– I met him in the Air Terminal at Andrews AFB when I was in a backslidden state and he was spiritual and restored me in the spirit of meekness. We later met up in Korea and he introduced me too the next man…

 

9. Herman G. Platt – This man was my first COGIC pastor and mentor, I learned the importance of prayer from this man. Also influenced me to go back to school and get a Christian/ Seminary education. I learned some valuable tips on Deliverance Ministry from him also.

 

10. Morris K. Baxter – This man is like a father to me, I learned the importance of diligence and devotion. There was no quit in this man and he really loved his people and would do anything for the people on his watch. He emphasized the importance of worship and giving God praise. He also turned me on to reading Watchman Nee.

 

11. John Dicks – Chaplain Dicks was probably the NICEST pastor I ever knew, he wasn’t a dynamic speaker, but he was a PASTOR that loved God’s people. He helped people and NEVER wanted attention he just did it. He also PUSHED me to stay in school!!!

 

12. Warren Wilcox – I was an intern at Riverfront Prison for a year while doing my Clinical Pastoral Education. He was always gracious and hospitable and treated me like an equal and not a student Chaplain. He was an example of an anointed educated man. Today I value him as a dear friend.

 

Rev. Dr. M Hamilton Stevens