My Dear Brother Jameis: While sitting at home tonight preparing my message for this weekend I was surprised when my phone began to ring. Text message after text message from those in my city, from leaders to ordinary citizens saying in their own way, “Pastor Mike Jameis needs you; they’re going to make an example out of him.” My friend called and said turn to ESPN, and when I did, all I could do was change the channel. They’ve just suspended you for the entire game. I knew it was coming when I saw how certain ESPN analysts instantly began to fight against you and demand that something be done to get your attention. I absolutely believe you need a wakeup call, and I pray this gets your attention. I can remember watching you play in high school and thinking, this boy is going to be special, and you have completely exceeded all expectations on the field. Well, I believe you have it in you to exceed and excel off the field as well. What bothers me about the media is the fact that they lack “CONTEXT.” Context is the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and the terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed. The media has mastered feeding the public non-contextual stories and attractive headlines. They’re totally disregarding the fact that what you yelled out was a phrase from a trending video that’s gone viral on college campuses. They’re making it seem as if you yelled out a vulgar term because you felt like it, when in fact you guys were being 20-year-old college students making fun of a viral video that everyone in the café knew about. With that said, YOU STILL SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE IT! Wake up and realize that you are held to a different standard. Wake up and realize that whether you like it or not because of the Heisman you are the Ambassador of College Football. Wake up and realize that Mike Brown from Ferguson will never have the chance to attend college, and growing up in Bessemer you know better than anyone that you could’ve easily died in those streets. Wake up and realize we need you to get it together. In 2008, the picture of a Black Man was restored. Dr. King changed the mindset of America concerning the African American Male, but time, violence, gangster rap, and some bad apples put a blemish in the heart of Americans concerning black men. In 2008, a black man from Chicago changed that, and proved once again that there’s nothing more inspiring than a black man who’s focused and favored. My brother out of every little boy in the world GOD picked you! He chose you to accomplish extraordinary things and you must cherish that. With all of the negativity that’s going on in the media concerning black men you have an opportunity to change that perception starting now! This is a classic example of how a moment of fun can turn into a major problem, and honestly weve all been there before. My heart goes out to you, because Im positive the same people who were blowing your phone up after the championship and the Heisman arent calling now. I really wish I could talk to you and let you know Im in your corner. I wish I could let you know that I myself have made some bad decisions, and didnt think I could outlive them or bounce back but GOD was faithful and still blessed me. I wish I could let you know that its going to be ok. I wish I could let you know that you have an opportunity to do what so many dream about and will never have the opportunity to do, so take advantage of it. I wish I could just be there for you. I wish I could let you know that hundreds of kids from Bessemer and Birmingham are looking to you for hope. I wish I could let you know that you have too many people trying to destroy you, so dont give them the pleasure of allowing them to watch you destroy yourself. I wish I could tell you I love you and Ive got your back. If youre connected to Jameis or his family, please forward this message to him and email me his contact information. I can be reached at [email protected]. I dont want anything from him. I just cant stomach seeing yet another amazingly gifted and talented black man go down. Sincerely, Pastor Mike McClure Jr. Affectionately known as PMJ
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 18:51:32 +0000
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