An Open Letter to Kanye West

Congratulations on your rebirth, your new found freedom; can we say your re-awakening as a man—your renaissance?

We embrace you, but warn you that from now on, as you process and apply your self-acquired knowledge, your life will be more and more like a Christian, living in Kabul.

You are Day 3 on the realty show, Naked and Afraid, and your partner has just left. That’s the bad news.

The good news is you could use 30 days in the urban desert “alone.” Can we suggest a huge “time out,” to get away from all this noise and all these people tugging at you from all sides?

There are two great reasons to live—the first is to "learn." Consider this your sabbatical, where you isolate yourself from naysayers, and just learn.

Read, think and study, and then go forth, young man, and teach others. Sounds like school? Maybe, but how about the ultimate school for someone like you, since you can afford it?

We’re wondering, just for asking, if the people, (whom I list below), would each be willing to take you in as a special student for a few hours or days then direct you to the next person. We think they would.

You're already acquainted with the writer, educator, and economist Thomas Sowell. Let’s start there. How about asking him, if he would take you in first.

72 hours with this great man, you’re going to learn many many things. Followed then, about the same time, with another economist, Walter Williams.

These first six days will give you a good foundation about education, poverty and wealth, just to name a few things. These men will make you think, but they also have solutions, too.

Then a half day with Clarence Thomas, where you can learn of his transformation to conservative thought, and then dinner with Condoleeza Rice. She can bring you up to speed on the geo-political world out there, and you can play some music together over coffee and dessert, (she's a concert pianist, didn't you know?").

We start your next seven days on an early morning walk with HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and then a quick lunch. You’ll have the afternoon with Lt. Colonel Allen West then writer and educator Shelby Steele will pick you up for dinner, and you can spend a few “in your face” days with him.

We guarantee you’ll learn a thing or two about the current state of black protest in America, among many other things about your manhood. He might tear you down at first, but his intent is, as it is with all these “teachers,” to build you back up to ultimately be a stronger man.

You’ll have to be strong. The list of your enemies is long and growing. Don’t fear, we’ve got your back.

After your time with Shelby, your limo will take you to Judge Janice Rogers Brown’s chambers for a private breakfast, then a full day in her courtroom, then we’ve got dinner reservations for four---Larry Elder, Alan Keyes, Hermain Cain and you. I’m sure, by now, you’ll be full of some questions, and you probably won’t eat much. Ask them anything.

Get to bed early, because in the morning we have you scheduled for a work out with former star football players, J. C. Watts, Lynn Swann and Herschel walker, (better put on some footwear you can run in, instead of those Yeezys.)

Shower and dress up for lunch planned with two lovely ladies, comedian, actress and television host, Sheryl Underwood and syndicated columnist Star Parker. We know you’ll be anxious to tell them all the things you’ve learned thus far, so remember not to talk while you chew.

Week three, we start with you spending a few days in the ministry of T. D. Jakes that will include some time with Alveda King. We think it will inspire you not only spiritually but also musically, because you’ll have at least one full day with LL Cool J and 50 Cent with the option to spend some time in the recording studio with them. We think you’ll find these brothers think a lot like you do.

We know you’ll want to spend some time in the studio alone too. In fact, we have it reserved just for you for as long as you want.

Rounding out the week three has you an afternoon with poet and music critic Stanley Crouch, bring some samples of the music you’re currently working on. Don King will be picking you up for dinner.

Week four starts with breakfast at Diamond and Silk’s house, and you’ll be on Harris Faulkner’s Fox Show Outnumbered across from Crystal Wright, Mia Love, Stacey Dash. Oh, and Candace Owens will be there too! We’re sure by now you’ll be able to hold your own.

We end your 30 day sabbatical where it started with Thomas Sowell. You’ve learned a lot by now, and you’ll probably have a lot of questions before you venture back into the real world, but you’ll have realized that for the past four weeks, you’ve been in the real world.

Oh wait, before you go. Can we talk about the price for this education? You’re Kanye West, and we think you can afford it. How much would you be willing to pay? What is it worth to you? A million dollars? Two million?

We truly believe your “teachers” would do it for free, knowing that you would apply this knowledge to fulfill the second great reason to live—to “help others”.

Then, there is that great Ohio State Senator and A.M.E. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett, an outstanding scholar, Legislator, and Minister, who lived through the period of the Civil War and delivered a most outstanding Centennial Sermon, at St. Paul Church in Norwalk, Ohio, by invitation, in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, in which he traced the history of nations and that of America, from it's inception and up to the Year of the Centennial of its Declaration.

In that Sermon, Dr. Arnett issued a grave warning of what might happen to America if a group, including academics who then self-described as "Liberals," had its way. Excerpts follow:

"The Danger to our Country.
"Now that our national glory and grandeur is principally derived from the position the fathers took on the great questions of right and wrong, and the career of this nation has been unparalleled in the history of the past, now there are those who are demanding the tearing down the strength of our national fabric. They may not intend to tear it down, but just as sure as they have their way, just that sure will they undermine our superstructure and cause the greatest calamity of the age. What are the demands of this party of men? Just look at it and examine it for yourselves, and see if you are willing that they shall have their way; or will you still assist in keeping the ship of state in the hands of the same crew and run her by the old gospel chart! But ye men who think there is no danger listen to the demands of the Liberals as they choose to call themselves:
"'Organize! Liberals of America! The hour for action has arrived. The cause of freedom calls upon us to combine our strength, our zeal, our efforts. These are The Demands of Liberalism:
"'1. We demand that churches and other ecclesiastical property shall no longer be exempt from just taxation.
"'2. We demand that the employment of chaplains in Congress, in State Legislatures, in the navy and militia, and in prisons, asylums, and all other institutions supported by public money, shall be discontinued.
"'3. We demand that all public appropriations for sectarian educational and charitable institutions shall cease.
"'4. We demand that all religious services now sustained by the government shall be abolished; and especially that the use of the Bible in the public schools, whether ostensibly as a text-book or avowedly as a book of religious worship, shall be prohibited.
"'5. We demand that the appointment, by the President of the United States or by the Governors of the various States, of all religious festivals and fasts shall wholly cease.
"'6. We demand that the judicial oath in the courts and in all other departments of the government shall be abolished, and that simple affirmation under the pains and penalties of perjury shall be established in its stead.
"'7. We demand that all laws directly or indirectly enforcing the observance of Sunday as the Sabbath shall be repealed.
"'8. We demand that all laws looking to the enforcement of “Christian” morality shall be abrogated, and that all laws shall be conformed to the requirements of natural morality, equal rights, and impartial liberty.
"'9. We demand that not only in the Constitution of the United States and of the several States, but also in the practical administration of the same, no privilege or advantage shall be conceded to Christianity or any other special religion; that our entire political system shall be founded and administered on a purely secular basis; and that whatever changes shall prove necessary to this end shall be consistently, unflinchingly, and promptly made.'
"'Let us boldly and with high purpose meet the duty of the hour.'
In another section of the lengthy discourse, Bishop Arnett addressed the topic of "The Greatness of America," as follows:

"Let us see what it is that makes us so great; wherein lies our strength. What has made us one of the greatest powers of the earth, politically and intellectually? Have we come to the conclusion that it is Righteousness that exalteth a nation? We have met to-day at the request of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and also the Governor of our beloved State, Rutherford B. Hayes. For what? Why call us from our homes? Why come to the house of God? Why not go to the hall of mirth and to the places of amusement to-day? No that is not what they want us to do. We are commanded to go to our 'several places of worship, and there offer up thanks to Kind Providence which has brought our nation through the scenes of another year, and blessed the land with peace, plenty and prosperity.' Then as Americans we have reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on the greatness of our beloved country; at this the close of the first hundred years of experimental government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To be a citizen of this vast country is something, and to share in its privileges and duties is more than something." - Dr. Benjamin W. Arnett, 1876 "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" -

CENTENNIAL Thanksgiving Sermon, DELIVERED BY REV. B. W. ARNETT, B. D., AT ST. PAUL A. M. E. CHURCH, URBANA, OHIO 1876 - available in the "Library of Congress - Historical Collections" - "African-American Pamphlets from the Daniel A. P. Murray Collection," 1820-1920; American Memory, Washington, DC.
This historical treasure is one which should be prominent in our national discussions, especially now, when our philosophical foundations are being challenged, and when the views of a learned man like Dr. Arnett might shed light on centuries-old ideas about America's history. His theme: Righteousness Exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to any People."
"Withdraw from Christendom the Bible, the Church with its sacraments and ministry, and Christian morality and hopes, and aspirations for time and eternity; repeal all the laws that are founded in the Christian Scriptures; remove the Christian humanities in the form of hospitals and asylums, and reformatories and institutions of mercy utterly unknown to unchristian countries; destroy the literature, the culture, the institutions of learning, the art, the refinement, the place of woman in her home and in society, which owe their origin and power to Christianity; blot out all faith in Divine Providence, love, and righteousness; turn back every believer in Christ to his former state; remove all thought or hope of the forgiveness of sins by a just but gracious God; erase the name of Christ from every register it sanctifies—in a word annihilate all the legitimate and logical effects of Christianity in Christendom—just accomplish in fact what multitudes of gifted and learned minds are wishing and trying to accomplish by their science, philosophy, and criticism, and what multitudes of the common people desire and seek, and not only would all progress toward and unto perfection cease, but not one of the shining lights of infidelity would shine much longer. Yes, the bitterest enemies of this holy and blessed religion, owe their ability to be enemies to its sacred revelations - to the inspiration and sublimity of that faith which reflects its glories on their hostile natures. They live in the strength of that which they would destroy. They are raised to their seats of opportunity and power by the grace of Him they would crucify afresh; and is it to be thought that they are stronger than that which gives them strength? Can it be supposed that a religion which civilizes and subdues, and elevates and blesses will succumb to the enmities it may arouse and quicken in its onward march? Are we to tremble for the ark of God when God is its upholder, and protector, and preserver?” - Dr. Benjaming W. Arnett, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Urbana, Ohio, Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon, November 1876
Dr. Arnett, an A.M.E. Minister and Ohio State Legislator, was invited to publish this remarkable sermon commemorating the Centennial of the Declaration of Independence by the following method:
To:
Rev. B. W. ARNETT, B. D.
Dear Pastor:
Will you please prepare your “Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon” for publication: together with whatever matter pertaining to the colored people of this city, you deem worth preserving.
We make this request of you, believing that the publication of such matter, will be of benefit to the present and succeeding generations.
Yours Respectfully,
J GAITER
J. DEMPCY
C. L, GANT
Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES
Urbana, O.
December 7th, 1876
J GAITER, J. DEMPCY, C. L, GANT
Trustees W. A. STILGASS, W. O. BOWLES

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.