Circumcision of the Heart Ministry
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit,
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Philippians 3:3
Chains of Freedom
Bishop Joseph N. Hall Jr.
Over the past few years of my incarceration some of the most difficult circumstances and situations have served in helping me to shape my thinking. However, I am always hesitant to mention my experiences for fear of conveying the wrong impression…that I am seeking sympathy for myself or worst another “Angry Black Man”, espoused to an Afro-centric message with a separatist attitude especially when raising issues in regards to the subterfuge and dishonesty of those who still promote assimilation while pretending to promote “Unity” “Pluralism” or “Multiculturalism”. Nor do I wish to I wish to be seen as someone with a “martyr complex”. It is possible for one to be self-centered in his self-sacrifice.
So, I am always reluctant to refer to my situation or circumstances as if I’m a victim of sort. However, I feel somewhat justified in mentioning some of them in this article, because of the influence they have had in shaping my thinking. While it was still dark, the Marshalls transferring us from the County Jail to the Federal prison were finishing with the hand cuffs and chains preparing us for the long ride. “We will see how tough you Bastards are when you get behind the wall”. The Marshalls seemed to enjoy putting the fear of God into our hearts. Whatever their motives were the fear they instilled had its effect.
A double wrap of chains around our waist was secured with a master pad lock. Hand cuffs with a small black box to prevent any flexibility…were snapped tightly on our wrist and anchored to the waist chain. A heavy length chain tied us together like link sausages and to complete the package for shipping leg irons were attached. With a smirk the Marshall said, “Okay let’s go, stay together boys” We shuffled awkwardly down a hallway to the barred metal “sally post” doors. We worked our way carefully down a long flight of stairs. Streaks of daylight were beginning to break the early morning darkness.
We were a grotesque and eerie sight, flanked by Marshalls and Sheriff Deputies, six shackled inmates, chains rattling and being cursed as we stumbled in step...towards the waiting prison van. The van was dark green; the windows were small and narrow with wire mesh covering each of them. Inside, seats were jammed together to prevent any kind of movement, each seat held three prisoners. The back of the van had a heavy wire steel gate secured by a large padlock and thick metal doors that closed the off like a coffin. Heavy screens separated the driver and gun guard from the inmates. The guard rode with a riot gun resting on his lap as a constant reminder to the prisoners that he was in charge.
The guard began speaking as the van slowly pulled away, “It’s going to be a long ride. We’ll be stopping once for gas. You can use the restroom then. If you can’t hold it you’ll have to go through the the screen in the back of the van. We’ve got sack lunches…I don’t want any trouble. No smoking and No rocking the van, just sit back and we will get you to your new home sometime tonight.” He turned and whispered something to the driver, they both laughed.
Eighteen years later sitting in my two-man cell, now housing three because of over crowdedness, reminiscing of those earlier years reminded me of how painful it was being chained that way. Never-the-less, in retrospect the chains of freedom seem greater in comparison to the chains… I now sometimes wear in transit. The chains of poverty that forces a mother to choose between feeding her hungry children and buying the medication…she needs to treat her high blood pressure or a father unable to miss one day of work…even when he is too sick to work, for fear of losing his job.
The chains of discrimination, where even now the structures of white advantage and ideology of white supremacy… remain firmly embedded in both secular and religious forms of media, communication, and education. No matter how hard …we as a people, not just black, or brown, or yellow, or white people should try to eradicate racial hatred, the subtle manacles of an ideology of white racial preference remains.
The “Struggle” isn’t over when a nation fights wars around the globe to ensure the freedom of other people in neighboring countries, yet imprisons millions of its own citizens. The Strule isn’t over when our political leaders are willing to watch millions suffer on their watch…simply because they don’t want black President to succeed at the helm.
The struggle isn’t over when men and women, who have served out their prison sentences-paid their debt to society, are still denied the right to vote. One must ask the question, “How does being allowed to vote impede rehabilitation of those arrested and convicted of a crime or perpetuate criminal activities?” Or even, why prisoners must be denied voting rights in the first place.
Racism in this country is so deeply embedded that even in our legislative halls of Washington, many public officials are going to the absurd and fanatical extreme of reacting in open defiance to any policies introduced by our President. “Let the people be damned”, the cry disguised in subtle and skillful method of truth distortion. In an attempt to influence the minds of voters, public officials are cleverly disseminating half-truths. Instead of working together to fix the problems that we face as a nation; they prey on our fears and distort the truth, simply to win elections or worst, using the most vitriolic attacks against the President. Attacks, that I believe are racial, as well as a blatant disregard for the institution he represents.
We, the American people are faced with a great challenge of solving this pressing problem… that is removing the chains of freedom. We must bring into full realization the ideals and dreams of our democracy. How we deal with this crucial situation will determine our political, social, and academic health as a nation, as well as our prestige as a leader of the free world.
There are too many people who still can’t afford healthcare, too many people losing their homes, and far too many children dying in our schools. There are too many Americans in our prisons, and the list goes and on…The chains of freedom, “racial discrimination that exist is a tragic expression of man’s spiritual degeneracy and moral bankruptcy”… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness, 1960)
Therefore, we must remove the chains of freedom not merely because it is diplomatically expedient, but because it is morally compelling.
Free these chains Lord, Free these chains that binds us even in our freedom. Circumcise our hearts and help us to love one another. Give us compassion for those who don’t have, as we have…enlarge our territory.
Bishop J. N. Hall Jr.
So, I am always reluctant to refer to my situation or circumstances as if I’m a victim of sort. However, I feel somewhat justified in mentioning some of them in this article, because of the influence they have had in shaping my thinking. While it was still dark, the Marshalls transferring us from the County Jail to the Federal prison were finishing with the hand cuffs and chains preparing us for the long ride. “We will see how tough you Bastards are when you get behind the wall”. The Marshalls seemed to enjoy putting the fear of God into our hearts. Whatever their motives were the fear they instilled had its effect.
A double wrap of chains around our waist was secured with a master pad lock. Hand cuffs with a small black box to prevent any flexibility…were snapped tightly on our wrist and anchored to the waist chain. A heavy length chain tied us together like link sausages and to complete the package for shipping leg irons were attached. With a smirk the Marshall said, “Okay let’s go, stay together boys” We shuffled awkwardly down a hallway to the barred metal “sally post” doors. We worked our way carefully down a long flight of stairs. Streaks of daylight were beginning to break the early morning darkness.
We were a grotesque and eerie sight, flanked by Marshalls and Sheriff Deputies, six shackled inmates, chains rattling and being cursed as we stumbled in step...towards the waiting prison van. The van was dark green; the windows were small and narrow with wire mesh covering each of them. Inside, seats were jammed together to prevent any kind of movement, each seat held three prisoners. The back of the van had a heavy wire steel gate secured by a large padlock and thick metal doors that closed the off like a coffin. Heavy screens separated the driver and gun guard from the inmates. The guard rode with a riot gun resting on his lap as a constant reminder to the prisoners that he was in charge.
The guard began speaking as the van slowly pulled away, “It’s going to be a long ride. We’ll be stopping once for gas. You can use the restroom then. If you can’t hold it you’ll have to go through the the screen in the back of the van. We’ve got sack lunches…I don’t want any trouble. No smoking and No rocking the van, just sit back and we will get you to your new home sometime tonight.” He turned and whispered something to the driver, they both laughed.
Eighteen years later sitting in my two-man cell, now housing three because of over crowdedness, reminiscing of those earlier years reminded me of how painful it was being chained that way. Never-the-less, in retrospect the chains of freedom seem greater in comparison to the chains… I now sometimes wear in transit. The chains of poverty that forces a mother to choose between feeding her hungry children and buying the medication…she needs to treat her high blood pressure or a father unable to miss one day of work…even when he is too sick to work, for fear of losing his job.
The chains of discrimination, where even now the structures of white advantage and ideology of white supremacy… remain firmly embedded in both secular and religious forms of media, communication, and education. No matter how hard …we as a people, not just black, or brown, or yellow, or white people should try to eradicate racial hatred, the subtle manacles of an ideology of white racial preference remains.
The “Struggle” isn’t over when a nation fights wars around the globe to ensure the freedom of other people in neighboring countries, yet imprisons millions of its own citizens. The Strule isn’t over when our political leaders are willing to watch millions suffer on their watch…simply because they don’t want black President to succeed at the helm.
The struggle isn’t over when men and women, who have served out their prison sentences-paid their debt to society, are still denied the right to vote. One must ask the question, “How does being allowed to vote impede rehabilitation of those arrested and convicted of a crime or perpetuate criminal activities?” Or even, why prisoners must be denied voting rights in the first place.
Racism in this country is so deeply embedded that even in our legislative halls of Washington, many public officials are going to the absurd and fanatical extreme of reacting in open defiance to any policies introduced by our President. “Let the people be damned”, the cry disguised in subtle and skillful method of truth distortion. In an attempt to influence the minds of voters, public officials are cleverly disseminating half-truths. Instead of working together to fix the problems that we face as a nation; they prey on our fears and distort the truth, simply to win elections or worst, using the most vitriolic attacks against the President. Attacks, that I believe are racial, as well as a blatant disregard for the institution he represents.
We, the American people are faced with a great challenge of solving this pressing problem… that is removing the chains of freedom. We must bring into full realization the ideals and dreams of our democracy. How we deal with this crucial situation will determine our political, social, and academic health as a nation, as well as our prestige as a leader of the free world.
There are too many people who still can’t afford healthcare, too many people losing their homes, and far too many children dying in our schools. There are too many Americans in our prisons, and the list goes and on…The chains of freedom, “racial discrimination that exist is a tragic expression of man’s spiritual degeneracy and moral bankruptcy”… Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., (The Rising Tide of Racial Consciousness, 1960)
Therefore, we must remove the chains of freedom not merely because it is diplomatically expedient, but because it is morally compelling.
Free these chains Lord, Free these chains that binds us even in our freedom. Circumcise our hearts and help us to love one another. Give us compassion for those who don’t have, as we have…enlarge our territory.
Bishop J. N. Hall Jr.
