“It is disheartening that once again, the life of a young man of color has been taken without his killer standing trial. Many conflicting reports have surfaced about what took place on August 9th. This fact alone makes it incomprehensible that a trial jury will never have the opportunity to hear and weigh the evidence.”
Dr. Bobby Manning feels that while the tragedy in Ferguson demands a systematic response that includes bringing correction that allowed it to happen. The outcry of rioting comes as a result of people feeling like their cries are not heard when protesting peacefully. However, rioting only perpetuates the problem. If we fail to utilize our resources to bring correction to the system, the participants will simply be changed with no real correction taking place.
Dr. Manning calls the faith communities to action. “We must effectively engage our young men and give them the life skills to navigate this system. It will be a lifelong battle to change the system, and our young men don’t have a lifetime to wait. Many of our young men don’t know how to exist in a system that sees them as a threat or liability. We must see our young men as God sees them, so they can see themselves the same way. This is the responsibility of the faith community.”
Earlier this fall, Manning released his long-awaited publication of his first book “Saving Our Sons: Effectively Engaging Young Men of Color” – a gripping analysis of the issues ministry leaders, parents, and mentors face trying to reach this generation’s young African American and Latino men.
About Dr. Bobby Manning:
Dr. Bobby Manning is a revered spiritual leader whose refreshing outlook on ministry keeps him touted as one of today’s “must-hear” ministers. Affectionately known as “a pastor of the community,” Manning currently serves the spiritual needs of the greater Metropolitan Washington D.C. area as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of District Heights.
His passion for ministry can also be demonstrated by his academic pursuits as he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in Religion from Campbell University, a Master of Theology degree (Th.M.) from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree (D.Min) from Regent University. The aforementioned led to him being honored with several awards and distinctions including the Reuben S. Connor Award from Dallas Seminary – an honor bestowed to students with exemplary study of and ministry to the African-American Community.
