Things Worth Celebrating
Posted by caclarkfrieson on September 15, 2006
On Monday, September 11, 2006, I cried, because Monday was a dreadful day ― for many reasons that I want to share.
On that day, God blessed me to see my 53rd birthday; but aside from that, it was the 5th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in the history of our nation, the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States. What a day to have to celebrate my birthday! How could I celebrate as the deaths of thousands of human beings were being commemorated all over the country ― on the television, on radio stations around the nation and in communities across the U.S.?
Yet for more compelling reasons, Monday was a dreadful day because it was the day that I sat in United States District Court in Montgomery, Alabama, and witnessed the sentencing of a long-time friend and comrade, Mr. Roy Terry. As Mr. Terry stood and faced a Federal Judge, and expressed his deep regret and sorrow for any unintended harm done to his former employees, or others affected by his alleged actions, I cried, for in that apology, I saw Roy Terry for the man that I have always known him to be…a man of integrity, humility, soft-spoken, and sincere. I cried, because in listening to and internalizing Mr. Terry’s words, my heart was wounded because in that same moment in some spiritual place within me, God revealed to me (once again) that in human relationships, there has to be some place deep within the heart where one knows another individual for who and what they are….and appreciates that individual for who and what you know them to be ― regardless of what everybody else may be saying or thinking about that individual. Otherwise, there is no spiritual value to our relationships with one another.
How could I possibly celebrate 53 years of my life, when my friend is on the verge of losing 6½
years of his life? I thought about myself, and what I would have on my mind if I for some reason I ever found myself in the same position…. I thought, “If this were me, wouldn’t I want my friends standing by to support me through this trial?” And I cried; and found myself wondering, “Would any of my friends show up on my sentencing day? Would they show up as friends, or as self-righteous and judgmental spectators?”
Realizing that there are still many young naïve blacks who are critical of Mr. Terry, my heart was hurt. These youngsters don’t have a clue about the kind of personal equity (sweat, sleepless nights, never-ending days, pacing the floor, prayer, and hard work) is involved in establishing and running a successful black business. They don’t understand that being black and in business doesn’t mean that you’re rich or even wealthy; it often means having to meet a new financial challenge each and every day of your life; and if you are truly committed, it sometimes means trying to hang in there and stay, even when staying makes no sense! And I cried. I cried because no matter what a person may do, if we know them on a spiritual level, their deeds whether right or wrong, legal or illegal can never overshadow the intentions of the heart.
Sitting in the courtroom that day allowed me to reflect on many negative truths about African Americans and the decline in the “black solidarity” that we are always claiming to have for one another, as well as the “Christian love” that we are so good at pontificating about.
Sitting in the courtroom that day also brought out numerous revelations about the truth in Mr. Terry’s case ― which will never really be told. The fact that the final sentence was so drastically reduced from the 11½ years originally proposed by federal prosecutors, ought to speak volumes to everyone about the true strength (or weakness) of the government’s case against Mr. Terry.
We have heard a lot of preaching and prophesying both in the media and in the streets, about the 401k. But, that day, we learned that the employees’ 401k contributions were not lost, as had been previously asserted all over the place. Yet, the media ain’t talkin’ ‘bout that!
I believe the whole passel of overzealous media hounds owe Mr. Terry an apology for all the lies and half-truths that have been published and perpetrated generating far too many undeserved presumptions, speculations and prejudices about his life-style and his intentions in whatever acts he may have committed.
As the proceedings neared the end, it appears that the longer this case has continued, the less severe the proposed actions against Mr. Terry have grew.
On a spiritual level, I believe that anything Mr. Terry may have done as CEO of Terry Manufacturing Company, was done in an effort to preserve the integrity of the company and enable him and his family to continue to employ those who depended on Terry Manufacturing Company for their livlihoods.
Although Monday, September 11th was a dreadful day, I celebrated my birthday by remembering who I am ― and whose I am. I remember that God allowed me to come into this world in the month of September, a month ruled by the earth ― it is a sign of love, deep loyalty, and integrity, and a strong sense of commitment to that in which I believe. On Monday, September 11, I celebrated my loyaly to a life-long friend and comrade.
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Copyright 200t by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
This article was composed and written by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, and appeared in the September 15, edition of The People’s Voice African American Weekly News (www.peoplesvoiceonline.com). This article may be reprinted with permission from the author:
Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
email: caclarkfrieson@msn.com
322 Wilkie Clark Drive
Roanoke, Alabama 36274
334.863.4885
256.276.8640
