WORD FOR WORD: What the Black Pastors who met with President Trump said to startle Black America
Black people have a savior in the form of a white man named Donald J. Trump.
Last Wednesday, controversy erupted in the black community when black pastors met with Pres. Donald Trump to discuss prison reform. The gathering was deemed a useless photo-op. One of the issues, aside from the disappointment that Trump has insulted and marginalized blacks. Many people were not familiar with the participants. Here we provide a verbatim recap of the with the names of the ministries or organizations they represent.
It is not clear which of the pastors, if any, conduct prison ministries. They president suggested that everyone at the table introduce themselves. Some of their intros were startling, such as the remarks of Pastor Daryl Scott a long-time Trump supporter said, "This is probably going to be the most pro-Black president we have ever had."
Bishop Dale Bronner and Atlanta pastor praised Trump for making America great. Pastor John Gray, who led the opening prayer, was the most specific about his concerns and hopes, less patronizing the others who spoke. He told the president, " I believe that the very best principles of scripture call us to fight for the poor, for the oppressed, for those who have made mistakes. Criminal justice reform is an opportunity to give a second and third chance to those who want to become productive members of society. Our nation cannot forget the broken. It is in the best tradition of our nation to fight for them."
According tot he Bureau of Prison, as of data updated o Saturday, June 28, 2018 indicates Blacks make up 37 percent of the prison population. Hispanics follow as the largest ethnic group of inmates at 32 percent.
The meeting was made up of the majority of Black pastors and one Hispanic. So many of the statment were not reflective of the reality Blacks experience in AMerica daily.
Below are the quotes from each pastor.
MARVIN WINANS, JR.
BISHOP DALE BRONNER
Darrell Scott PASTOR SCOTT: Pastor Darrell Scott. I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with then-candidate, now President Trump, and to observe him behind the scenes and have a number of personal conversations with him. And people ask me why do I defend him so vociferously. And I say it’s easy for me to do it because I know him, and he’s shown me his heart, and I know he has a heart for all Americans. And I will say this: This administration has taken a lot of people by surprise. And it’s going to surprise you guys even more, because this is probably the most proactive administration regarding urban America and the faith-based community in my lifetime. And I’ll be 60 years old in December. But when I think back on — well, I mean, I use good hair dye. (Laughter.) And I’ve got a great makeup artist. But, to be honest, this is probably going to be the — and I’m going to say this at this table — the most pro-black President that we’ve had in our lifetime because — and I try to, you know, analyze the people that I encounter. This President actually wants to prove something to our community, our faith-based community and our ethnic community. The last President didn’t feel like he had to. He felt like he didn’t have to prove it. He got a pass. This President is — this administration is probably going to be more proactive regarding urban revitalization and prison reform than any President in your lifetime. If we work together, give him a chance. Don’t pay any attention to these guys back here. (Laughs.) And I’ll promise you, we will do something that — we will — this administration will continue to make history. It’s going to be a lot of positive changes. Great things are on the horizon, I promise. JOHN GRAY, Relentless Church (Greenville, SC) PASTOR GRAY: Mr. President, John Gray, Senior Pastor of Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be at this table at a time in our country where faith is becoming a bit of a dinosaur. In a time of moral relativism and secular humanism, it is refreshing to know that those of us who have committed our lives to fighting for people who cannot fight for themselves have a seat at the table to share our hearts. I believe that the very best principles of scripture call us to fight for the poor, for the oppressed, for those who have made mistakes. Criminal justice reform is an opportunity to give a second and third chance to those who want to become productive members of society. Our nation cannot forget the broken. It is in the best tradition of our nation to fight for them. And when I think about the history of the church in this country, we have always fought for those who could not fight for themselves. So when I think of those who are coming out of prison who want to contribute, this is critical. When I think of veterans — I have here the obituary of my uncle who passed away a few weeks ago. He was 77. He was a veteran in the U.S. Army and he battled through mental illness and other challenges. And we saw systemic poverty — multi-generational poverty. But had he been resourced with the proper care and had he been resourced with other necessities, he could have contributed even more. And so I’m very grateful for you, for this administration that’s allowing for the conversation. And again, my prayer is that you will continue to have wisdom and insight to lead this nation. Truly, all of us are created equal. And so thank you for giving us an equal opportunity to fight for this nation and what it means to be an American.
Last Wednesday, controversy erupted in the black community when black pastors met with Pres. Donald Trump to discuss prison reform. The gathering was deemed a useless photo-op. One of the issues, aside from the disappointment that Trump has insulted and marginalized blacks. Many people were not familiar with the participants. Here we provide a verbatim recap of the with the names of the ministries or organizations they represent.
It is not clear which of the pastors, if any, conduct prison ministries. They president suggested that everyone at the table introduce themselves. Some of their intros were startling, such as the remarks of Pastor Daryl Scott a long-time Trump supporter said, "This is probably going to be the most pro-Black president we have ever had."
Bishop Dale Bronner and Atlanta pastor praised Trump for making America great. Pastor John Gray, who led the opening prayer, was the most specific about his concerns and hopes, less patronizing the others who spoke. He told the president, " I believe that the very best principles of scripture call us to fight for the poor, for the oppressed, for those who have made mistakes. Criminal justice reform is an opportunity to give a second and third chance to those who want to become productive members of society. Our nation cannot forget the broken. It is in the best tradition of our nation to fight for them."
According tot he Bureau of Prison, as of data updated o Saturday, June 28, 2018 indicates Blacks make up 37 percent of the prison population. Hispanics follow as the largest ethnic group of inmates at 32 percent.
The meeting was made up of the majority of Black pastors and one Hispanic. So many of the statment were not reflective of the reality Blacks experience in AMerica daily.
Below are the quotes from each pastor.
MARVIN WINANS, JR.
MR. WINANS JR.: Mr. President, it’s an honor to be here. When you asked us to speak, the first thing I thought about was my grandfather, and how it’s an honor to be here. And, you know, he passed away a few years ago. But he raised 10 kids in the inner city of Detroit.
And when you were speaking, you were talking about how important faith was in the community and how it helps the family. And my grandfather did that, working odd jobs. He was a taxi driver. He cut hair. He did everything possible. But he had them in church and he kept them, you know, together.
He was with his wife — married for, I think, around 50 years before he passed away. But our family was able to do things that a lot of families, you know, aren’t able to do without the assistance of faith and having church and having families together.
And so to hear you talking about, you know, keeping that in communities, I think, is super important. And I’m just happy for this opportunity. And just God bless you and everything you’re doing. And thank you, Pastor Paula, as well.
BISHOP DALE BRONNER
Darrell Scott PASTOR SCOTT: Pastor Darrell Scott. I’ve had the honor and privilege to work with then-candidate, now President Trump, and to observe him behind the scenes and have a number of personal conversations with him. And people ask me why do I defend him so vociferously. And I say it’s easy for me to do it because I know him, and he’s shown me his heart, and I know he has a heart for all Americans. And I will say this: This administration has taken a lot of people by surprise. And it’s going to surprise you guys even more, because this is probably the most proactive administration regarding urban America and the faith-based community in my lifetime. And I’ll be 60 years old in December. But when I think back on — well, I mean, I use good hair dye. (Laughter.) And I’ve got a great makeup artist. But, to be honest, this is probably going to be the — and I’m going to say this at this table — the most pro-black President that we’ve had in our lifetime because — and I try to, you know, analyze the people that I encounter. This President actually wants to prove something to our community, our faith-based community and our ethnic community. The last President didn’t feel like he had to. He felt like he didn’t have to prove it. He got a pass. This President is — this administration is probably going to be more proactive regarding urban revitalization and prison reform than any President in your lifetime. If we work together, give him a chance. Don’t pay any attention to these guys back here. (Laughs.) And I’ll promise you, we will do something that — we will — this administration will continue to make history. It’s going to be a lot of positive changes. Great things are on the horizon, I promise. JOHN GRAY, Relentless Church (Greenville, SC) PASTOR GRAY: Mr. President, John Gray, Senior Pastor of Relentless Church in Greenville, South Carolina. And I am grateful for the opportunity to be at this table at a time in our country where faith is becoming a bit of a dinosaur. In a time of moral relativism and secular humanism, it is refreshing to know that those of us who have committed our lives to fighting for people who cannot fight for themselves have a seat at the table to share our hearts. I believe that the very best principles of scripture call us to fight for the poor, for the oppressed, for those who have made mistakes. Criminal justice reform is an opportunity to give a second and third chance to those who want to become productive members of society. Our nation cannot forget the broken. It is in the best tradition of our nation to fight for them. And when I think about the history of the church in this country, we have always fought for those who could not fight for themselves. So when I think of those who are coming out of prison who want to contribute, this is critical. When I think of veterans — I have here the obituary of my uncle who passed away a few weeks ago. He was 77. He was a veteran in the U.S. Army and he battled through mental illness and other challenges. And we saw systemic poverty — multi-generational poverty. But had he been resourced with the proper care and had he been resourced with other necessities, he could have contributed even more. And so I’m very grateful for you, for this administration that’s allowing for the conversation. And again, my prayer is that you will continue to have wisdom and insight to lead this nation. Truly, all of us are created equal. And so thank you for giving us an equal opportunity to fight for this nation and what it means to be an American.
