I don’t know about you guys but as a Black living in the midst of a pandemic, I often find myself exhausted. On one hand, COVID-19 has exposed the many disparities in the health care system in this country. On the other hand, we continue to see black lives on the opposite end of justice. In order to cope with the emotional ups and downs of this season, I started a book club. The goal was to connect with brothers across the country and process books written by black authors on a range of topics such as: Black Economics, Civil Rights and the History of the African American vote.
The private book club conversations were so insightful and at times continuous, that I felt these types of dialogues needed to be captured on video. I could instantly see how a plurality of perspectives could be a tool to sharpen an individual’s worldview. This lead me to start conversations through what I am calling TLK 3:7. King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:7, “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak,” and I believe the time to speak is now. We need to speak on the social injustice against Black people, speak up on the lack of resources in the black community, in addition to the economic wealth gap in said community. Speaking is not the end, but should lead to change and action.
TLK 3:7 will drop new episodes quarterly. The topics will range in discussion based on current events and historic impacts. The panel will also diversify based on topic. Our speakers are an intricate part of the conversation to ensure proper presentation.
The next few episodes will reflect a myriad of topics that will include a panel discussion with a room full of African American women, a panel discussion with the elderly men and women giving keen words of wisdom, representatives of the LGBTQ community, mixed gender clergy and many more hot button topics. I look forward to the dialogue and stretch in thinking.
In our first episode premiering on Oct 30, I get to sit down with eight brilliant Black men from across the country who all have a different perspective on world views. We discuss in depth: the Breonna Taylor case, the desire to see Black woman valued and heard, Black athlete activists, the importance of the Black vote and the current election.
The conversation was thoughtful, respectful passionate and vulnerable. You will notice that we often challenged one another’s thoughts and viewpoints and ultimately ran out of time. But don’t worry, we will be back with part 2 of this conversation in the near future.
I hope that you would tune in and follow TLK 3:7’s YouTubechannel and check out this very necessary discussion in its entirety.
-Pastor Brandon Watts
