That headline was given to me by a Black minister in West Point, Mississippi more than 30 years ago. He was not that much older than me and had actually grown-up down and around the corner.
James Hull grew up on the north side of Baptist Town in West Point, I grew up on the southeastern side. James went on to become politically active and was there when I ventured back to West Point to do journalism in my hometown.
There was a political power-grab going on in West Point as the demographics of the town changed. We were in my office discussing the issues facing our community. He was my friend and his views were different from mine.
His point was well taken: You can argue what you think is the truth until you are blue in the face, but that does not change the truth and probably doesn’t change the mind of the person you are talking to.
One News Day
The assassination of Charlie Kirk is what we call a one-news-day in my business.
The news dominates the headlines and airwaves. People hunger for what happened, what is going on and how it affects their lives.
For those with wisdom and motivation, they look to see how it fits in our world and, more importantly to them, how it fits in the way they think and act.
The concept is called assimilation and I learned its substance and value as a sophomore at Moo U.
The idea is we file little bits of knowledge and information into neat little boxes in our brain and are so happy when everything is all tidy and in order.
The problem is we are bombarded with things that don’t fit and are uncomfortable when they don’t. The bigger problem is when these concepts and ideas become people.
Maybe they have more power and money than we do, or maybe they have less. Maybe they profess a belief in Jesus, or maybe they don’t. Maybe they have been through things that I can’t imagine and their view of the world is just different from mine.
I was not a big follower of Charlie Kirk. I am not the generation he was trying to influence. I do like and believe many of the views and beliefs he espoused.
The Devil walks this Earth every day seeking to steal, kill and destroy.
Charlie Kirk knew that. I know that. I hope you understand people who believe it too.
The altar of politics
I love the South.
I have always been proud to say I am from the South.
I was trained to open doors for all women - black or white.
I was trained to call men sir if they were older or I did not have a true relationship with them.
I was wisely told by my daddy, “You will not always be the smartest, richest or best looking in the room, but you will be the most polite.”
Being civil and kind has served me well as a newspaperman, husband, father and friend to others.
Southerners are also a religious breed. I didn’t say devout, pure or perfect. But we do all have some kind of belief, moral foundation and view on life, that has been shaped by the church.
Sadly many have gotten away from the church around here.
They have traded the true altar of religion for the altar of politics.
They think their views make them right, better and a good person. They think your differing views make you lesser, of the devil and an evil person.
Free speech
In case you don’t know it, I’m a big believer in the freedom of speech.
You are entitled to your views, who you love, how you spend your money, where you live, how you raise your children and who you vote for.
But if your “lifestyle” is different from mine and you criticize mine, you’ve opened up a can of worms - or should I say words. And don’t expect me to put those words in my mouth.
As a career newspaperman, I will also warn you to be ready to suffer for your views.
I’ve been physically assaulted, had my tires slashed, been cursed by elected officials in public, had my children intimidated by high school teachers, had people sneer at my wife at church because of me and been fired because of the things I have written.
It comes with the job.
So let’s ponder the truth. Let’s weigh the truth. Let’s consider its value and the lash it can bring to our lives when we find it.
The whole idea of arguing the truth is to change the mind of that person and their actions. But there is a proper way to tell someone they have their hat on crooked.
We’re about finished here and you can get on Facebook with your views and beliefs, talk to your friends at church and at the cafe. You can huddle with your co-workers, hunting buddies and social circle as you spout your views of the truth.
But make sure it is the truth.
There is only one Truth and you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.
Floyd Ingram is Editor of your Tate Record. He is new to this community and so ignorant of so many things. Call him at 662-562-4414 and tell him the truth.
