Quotes from Kevin Powell

Release yourself from the prison of hatred. Forgive

forgiveness of one's self and of others opens up the doorway to new possibilities.

Some traditionalists may insist there is no redeeming value in "secular" music. But recent history has shown that a steady diet of gospel music does not exempt anyone from making destructive choices. From Kirk Franklin's pornography addiction to the domestic violence involving evangelists Juanita Bynum and Thomas W. Weeks III, it's clear that tuning out secular music is not a guarantee of righteous behavior.

The silence of men in the face of sexism is an agreement that it is OK to oppress and abuse and attack women and girls whenever we feel like it.

Taking time for a self-inventory is a necessary first step toward making the transition from a religion focused on belief to a spirituality based on behavior.

Silence is unacceptable in the face of injustice, and being neutral is being a coward and an accomplice to the evil sides of our history.

I could continue with a list of other challenges faced by our current religious institutions, but addressing these three areas would be a great start toward improving the lives of Black males: Stop thinking of divinity as limited to the confines of a building. Stop building our faith on fear of damnation. Stop seeking personal salvation above the good of the whole.

most of the work toward empowering Black males must come from Black males. And nowhere is our love of God more evident than through acts of service.

Displaying good character as a means of avoiding retribution after life is not just problematic but inherently selfish.

stated, "What you consume is what you will consider." According to this logic, if one wants to be whole, healthy, and productive, one should seek out and digest information that encourages such attributes.

In an effort to reclaim our humanity, let us find new motivation for living by opening our minds to broader concepts of spirituality.

When we don't forgive, we trap ourselves in spiritual prisons.

Our steps toward a more productive spiritual path begin with recognizing the need for change. We can no longer afford to seek analog solutions to digital problems.

Feelings of alienation, marginalization, and isolation cause some of us to adopt a "me against the