William Joseph Barber was born in Indianapolis on August 30, 1963; just two days from the greatest American protest yet seen by Church and State —‘The March on Washington’. (Talk about when ‘Stars Align’). He was a kindergartner when his, (ordained in the Disciples of Christ Church and Physics Teacher) Father, moved the family to Washington County, NC. At 15 he was elected President of the local NAACP Youth Council. His leadership continued with his election as President of his student body at Plymouth High. With total and complete consistency in his calling, he was elected President of his student body at North Carolina Central University. His graduate Degrees are earned from Duke and Drew.
I first took notice of Pastor Barber in 2013 when I saw an online news break; how his ‘vision made incarnate’ gave way to what he then called “Moral Mondays”. I must admit that what caught my attention first was his appearance in a ‘Clergy Robe’ at the steps of the North Carolina State House. I have never worn a Clergy Robe except in the Preaching Context; so I’m like, OK Rever…endddd! Some very real ‘Word of God’ stuff you bringing. Bring It!… ON! Saying, I thought, attention to Church on Sunday and attention to Sate on Monday. WOW —what a vision!
On April 29, 2013 the Carolina Justice records the words of Dr. Barber; at that moment in history President of the North Carolina State NAACP: “We have written to Governor McCrory and to the General Assembly, asking them to reconsider their assault on the poor, the unemployed, our many citizens without healthcare and our embattled public schools. They have already voted and passed legislation to:
•Deny federal funds for Medicaid to 500,000 poor North Carolinians. •Take unemployment benefits from 165,000 North Carolinians. •Raise taxes on 900,000 of North Carolina’s poor and working poor by ending the Earned Income Tax Credit to pay for tax cuts to 23 millionaires. That took over a billion dollars last year from public education, made plans to implement a voucher plan to hand out public money to private schools, and reduce eligibility to preschool for poor children. •To re-start the death penalty and repeal the Racial Justice Act that has exposed the racially discriminatory application of the death penalty. •To codify anti-labor language in our state constitution. •To roll back Early Voting, ban Sunday Voting, end same-day registration and impose an unneeded poll tax disguised as Voter ID bill that will cost the state millions, deny student ids from private schools, increase disenfranchisement of formerly incarcerated, charge parents a $2500 tax (poll tax) if their college student votes at college and not at home, and leave us with voting laws more restrictive than Alabama and South Carolina.
When you pursue policies that hurt most voters, you can’t afford a big turnout. Many of those pushing this agenda got into public office because of a race-based redistricting plan that is the most discriminatory since the 19th century. Its racial impact is undeniable. And the Voter ID bill is simply a modern poll tax in disguise; even more restrictive than the ones passed in Alabama and South Carolina. Ending the popular Early Voting and Sunday Voting is an outrage. They do not want the people to vote.”
I have a friend from my Seminary days who has her name on so many church rolls. If you ever worshiped with her you would know that she is that one who moves deeply into the ‘Call to Discipleship’. Period. “Why you be joining all these churches?” I asked. She just said she don’t know, she just feels something? …during the call to Discipleship!
As I followed The Right Reverend William Barber’s Moral Monday Movement, I found in him a boldness for speaking ‘Truth To Power’ TO Legislatures across the country. In that, I was ‘feeling… something’ — so I joined the ‘Moral Monday Movement’. I have said on numerous occasions that he is that ‘Single Voice’ in our times. Even when the masses infiltrate to change the directives of the movement… HIS Truth to Power can still be… HEARD! Kinda like an Isaiah; THAT VOICE crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare ye The Way of the Lord”!
Soooooo. On Monday, this week, April 17th, 2023, Dr. William J. Barber arrived in Nashville to bring the “Moral Monday Movement-Poor People’s Campaign” to the Tennessee State House; to shine a global planetary ‘Light of Justice’ on the Tennessee Legislature; still operating on the same premise of where this work began TEN YEARS ago —in 2013 Raleigh at the North Carolina State House.
by email: myfathersmansionpress@gmail.com
