Here’s Johnny!!!
In the 1960’s Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene calmed a rioting Washington D. C. “Chocolate City” after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. leader of the civil rights movement. Afterward his fame sky rocketed through the 80’s and had even got a spot as a stand up on the Johnny Carson show. As fast as that opportunity came for “Petey” it left with one of his famous quotes, “America ain’t ready for “Petey” Greene.” It was true America was not ready for “Petey” Greene” because he had an honest heart on matters of racial injustice and government corruption. However, I’m not talking about Johnny Carson this blog. I’m talking about Johnny Cochran. He was possibly Dr. King’s predecessor and one of the most underrated and powerful black men in America.
Johnny Cochran? I know that you may think that this is just a man that got O. J. Simpson acquitted of first degree murder. This celebrity attorney has successfully represented Snoop Dogg, Sean Combs, Michael Jackson, Todd Bridges, Tupac Shakur, and Jim Brown just to name a few. This would’ve been powerful enough alone due to his ability to manipulate justice with skill and render the truth of evidence obsolete. Johnny Cochran didn’t stop there. He did something that was essential to the very civil rights we have the privilege of enjoying. The essential thing used by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for Blacks, and Gandhi for India is the peaceful power of protest and speaking the truth about injustice. One of the things Johnny Cochran would protest is injustice for blacks in corporate America. He was on the frontlines of struggle. And yet, mysteriously and quickly afterward he died of a “brain tumor.”
It was in the back of my mind that this was foul play, but the more I talked to other people they had thought the same thing and had the same reaction. It is not a mystery that our black leaders die early in this country and coincidentally all black leaders die mysterious deaths. Is someone sending a message saying serve us or die? Will it be in Black’s best interest to humble ourselves for the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table? Maybe we should sing and dance so we can’t use our rage and ridicule to fight for the dignity of being a man? I know these questions are hard questions to ponder. Clearly we are servants in America, but will anybody have enough courage to ask our owners who ever they be, to tell us our purpose? Think people! The exploitation of minorities and the poor class is a growing detrimental trend that must be noticed and then dealt with accordingly. I’m encouraging minorities and Christians alike to look into the truth of these checkered histories and conspiracies of corruption. Remember the Tuskegee Experiment how they gave blacks Syphilis to see how it killed people? Remember J Edgar Hoover and his career in annihilating black leaders? Christians I know the bible says think on whatsoever is pure, beautiful, of a good report, etc. (Philippians 4). The bible also says that my people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge (Hosea). What’s the balance between those truths? It’s a beautiful thing to know the truth about where you came from, where you are going, and what you are in. Truth is pure in any arena whether it’s in the midst of persecution, struggle or injustice. Freedom can’t be taken away from people with the right attitude of freedom. It’s a beautiful thing and a good report to know that you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!
