“When I dare to be powerful — to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” — Audre Lorde

“To vilify a great man is the readiest way in which a little man can himself attain greatness.” — Edgar Allan Poe

“Nevertheless, there is at least one defining moment that occurs in the life of every generation when limit-testers, who honestly believe there are destined to become great, will choose to face their fears and embrace Change for the first time.” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

After almost 2 years of waiting, what I’ve been calling “America’s Defining Moment” for 2008, has finally arrived. On Election Day 2008, American voters will get up and show up at polling locations to choose the 44th President of the United States Of America. During America’s Defining Moment, the whole world is watching America right now and anxiously waiting to see whether or not American voters will choose to face “our deepest fears,” overcome our biggest fears, and embrace Change. For our children’s sake, our generation cannot afford to get it wrong again.

Please click on “The Inspiration For Change“ if you’re a first-time visitor or just simply don’t remember what inspires Change.

For the first time, our generation can do something tangible to galvanize our fractured, financially faltering country, a country that has been racially polarized and emotionally divided from within for too long and for all the wrong reasons. For the first-time, our generation can achieve what the diligent descendants of our enslaved, albeit resilient, ancestors had enough faith in God to believe that the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech would one day become a reality.

One of my “Big Dreams” for 2008 was to live long enough to witness President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk side-by-side into their destiny by beating impossible odds and completing the task before them with God’s help. The Obama family has done their part to give all Americans a reason to remain hopeful, a reason to believe that better days are coming, a reason to believe that we can all achieve great things. Matters not the colour of the skin our gifted souls are wrapped within.

My wife, KWiz, and I voted early. We both chose to cast our votes for President Barack Obama. Now, it’s up to each and every one of us to do our part to help the Obamas make history today as we pray on bended knee. Together, we can begin the arduous process of tearing down the imaginary wall that has divided America from within. Imagine the endless parade of possibilities that will appear if we choose to honestly believe that our generation can “achieve greatness.” But be forewarned.

“To impede Change, the predatory employees of Ain’t Fairusee’s mega-corporation must keep you and your generation from achieving greatness. Since your antagonists still believe the end always justifies the means, choose the battles you fight and the paths you walk wisely.” — Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness

Since Power concedes nothing without a struggle, will you have the presence of mind to choose the path you walk and the battle you fight wisely? Can you stop going-along just to get-along with the spiritually-blinded status quo who remain shackled and chained to a “win-at-all-costs slave mentality?” During America’s Defining Moment, what will you choose to do when Adversity strikes, when your cars get booted and towed away, when poll workers lack the resources they need, when the ballots are printed incorrectly, when the weather refuses to cooperate, when the police set up road blocks to intimidate you? Think about it.

During America’s Defining Moment, will you choose to love loving one another instead of loving to hate another person just because of the colour of their skin? Will you choose to do the right thing by casting your vote for Senator Barack Obama because voting for Senator John McCain simply doesn’t pass the common sense test? Do you have the inner strength of character, the confidence, and the courage to cross politically divisive party lines and dance to the beat of a different drum? I hope so.

For the first time, our generation can choose to elect a brilliant person, who just happens to be a Black man, as the next Commander-In-Chief of the United States Of America. Imagine that! Only God truly knows whether or not the culturally diverse members of humanity’s global village will choose to walk together in peace by faith and work together as one for the greater good during “our journey towards greatness.”

During America’s Defining Moment, always expect the unexpected to happen when least expected. Matters not what happens next. Trust God.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

Breaking News Update

Less than one hour ago, the 11th Circuit Court Of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia issued yet another “Stay Of Execution” for Death Row inmate Mr. Troy Anthony Davis. Click on “Stay Of Execution” to read this CNN breaking news report.  Click on AJC for additional information about today’s surprising decision.

Please scroll through the Archives to read the previous posts about Mr. Davis’ story. This particular post will be updated as this international news story develops. It’s true! God always does the unexpected when we least expect it. It’s always too soon to quit.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

The U. S. Supreme Court has granted  a “Stay Of Execution” for Mr. Troy Davis. As many of you who read this blog already know, Mr. Davis was scheduled to be executed tonight at 7p.m. for a crime he didn’t commit.  For those of you who don’t know, please click on the highlighted words for additional information.

Gotta  run.  I’m heading down to the Georgia State Capitol  building to join hands with Amnesty International, the NAACP, and the ACLU and celebrate the good news.  It’s true! God can do more in one second that we, as imperfect people, can do in a lifetime.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon.  All Rights Reserved.

Quick question.  Have you ever sat in the “seat of the accused” after being “falsely arrested” and “falsely imprisoned” for a crime that both you, and your cowardly accusers, know you didn’t commit? Due to the violence of a false accuser’s fear-based “betrayal of silence,”  one too many “actually innocent” people have been mistakenly incarcerated and sentenced to death more often than we would like to believe.

Based upon what I’ve read recently and what was shared during the compelling discussions that aired today on Radio Station WAOK 1380AM, it appears that Mr. Troy Davis is just one of the many men who have been wrongfully incarcerated and sentenced to death on September 23, 2008 for a crime he didn’t commit.

Due to  the pervasive problems with America’s imperfect system of justice, I do not support the Death Penalty.  On September 11, 2008, a rally, sponsored by Amnesty International and the NAACP , for Mr. Troy Davis is scheduled to take place  on the steps of the “gold-domed” Georgia Capitol Building from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in Atlanta, Georgia.

Please click on the “highlighted words” in this post for links that will provide additional information and ways you can help save Mr. Troy Davis’ life.  If you know someone who’s been falsely arrested, or if you’ve ever personally sat in the “seat of the accused” as an actually innocent person, I hope to see you there tomorrow evening. The life you help us save today may be yours tomorrow.  Think about it.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon.  All Rights Reserved.

Yesterday’s homecoming celebration of Mr. Tim Russert, television journalist and moderator of “Meet The Press,” has inspired this post. To Tim’s wife, Maureen, may God’s love comfort you and your family during these difficult days. To Tim’s son, Luke, may your father’s precious soul rest in God’s peaceful presence always and forever.

Never again will my Sunday mornings be the same without the privilege of watching the one man whose effective example of “personal leadership” has inspired millions of ordinary, everyday people to “Go Get Em!!” May today’s post challenge all who read these words to live without limits, love without conditions, and lead like Jesus Christ did — by example.

If tomorrow never comes, how much more valuable would your yesterday become to you today? If you knew beforehand when your last tomorrow was going to come, what would you choose to do differently with the rest of your todays?

“For the first time,” would you choose to finally face your biggest and deepest fears? Would you challenge the people you love to dig deep enough inside the heart of their gifted souls to unearth the courage needed to learn how to love loving one another?

If tomorrow never comes, how would you choose to live the rest of your life today? Think about it. But please don’t take too long because it’s later than you think.

Copyright 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

This “revised” post now only contains the Prologue to Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness, “When Good People Become Great.” As time permits, I will begin posting brief excerpts from this introspective, inspirational story about “personal leadership” to inspire you to “face your fears and embrace Change.” Only then will you choose to take the next step necessary to make your “Big Dream” come true.

In the meantime, please feel free to peruse “The Archives” to see how far this humbled beginner has come by faith since January 1, 2007.  As many of you know, I didn’t “choose to write this book.” Over 10 years ago, this thought-provoking, 272 page book chose me.   If I can beat the odds with God’s help and choose to “keep risin’ to my feet after every fall I survived,” you can do the same.  The choice to do so will always be yours alone to make. So choose wisely.

“But by grace still go I.”

The Prologue — “Always Expect The Unexpected”

Quick question. Did reading the Prologue to Steppin’ Out Of the Darkness inspire you to sit up in your seat and say “Hmmmm” upon first glance?  Hopefully, what you found has peaked your curiosity about what else you’ll find beneath this book’s cover.

When time permits, post a comment to let me know if you felt inspired you to “finish writing the vision” you prematurely abandoned in the “valley of sun-dried bones” sometime “after the fall” you survived.

Copyright © 2007-2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.

For those of you who don’t know, B.M.A.D.™ In 2008 means “Bloggers Making A Difference™ In 2008.” Mr. Troy Anthony Davis, a Death Row inmate for the past 15 years, needs your help, your presence, and your support to help save his life. Mr. Davis is yet another Black man whose accusers have admitted that they “incorrectly” identified him as the perpetrator of a crime he was found guilty of committing.

Because America’s criminal justice system remains flawed beyond belief as evidenced by the heinous murder of Ms. Kathryn Johnson by undercover Atlanta police officers, I am “against” the “Death Penalty.” It’s undisputed that a disproportionate number of Black men are falsely arrested, falsely accused, and found guilty of crimes they didn’t commit. But by grace still go you and I.

Ms. Laura Moye, from Amnesty International, is hosting a “Free Troy Anthony Davis Rally” on the steps of City Hall building in Atlanta, Georgia this Saturday, May 17, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Click on the words “Free Troy Anthony Davis” for additional information. Click on the words “Sign The Petition” to help save the life of a man who doesn’t deserve to die for a crime he didn’t commit.

Thank each and everyone of you who live in the Atlanta metro area and choose to attend Saturday’s rally for the gift of your time. If you can’t attend, call somebody, sign the petition, and do what you would want somebody to do for you. Together, we can make a difference. I’m willing to try. Are you? I hope so.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

Quick question. Who or what is still keeping you from steppin’ out of the darkness of the hopeless that Despair creates and crossing the troubled, white-water rapids of Jordan’s River? Think about it.

“Greater is He” who dwells within me than ______________.

End this sentence by “filling in the blank” with the name of your biggest antagonist, your biggest obstacle, your greatest weakness, your worst bad habit, your biggest fear, or whatsoever is exacerbating your efforts to beat the odds with God’s help. As you already know, “impossible ain’t nothing but a word” to Greater Is He.

May completing the aforementioned sentence inspire you to face your biggest and deepest fears so you can begin to honestly believe that you can achieve great things and do what you’ve never done before. Overcoming your crisis of faith will challenge you to believe that you can achieve what you previously thought was an impossibility.”

But be forewarned! Steppin’ outside the imaginary box of your comfort zone will severely test your faith in God and challenge your ability to trust God when the invisible fist of Adversity strikes. I double-dog dare you to see if you posses the inner core strength to stand in the menacing face of whatsoever can make you faint each time you try to take the first step across Jordan’s River.

As many of you who’ve been reading this blog already know, “personal leadership” is an “act of faith.” Leadership is a personal choice that will always be yours alone to make until a defining moment in your life occurs and challenges you to “live, love, and lead like Jesus Christ did — by example.”

As evidenced by the Prologue to my book, Steppin’ Out Of The Darkness, “When Good People Become Great,” always expect the unexpected to happen when least expected.

Copyright 2008 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved.