I attended the Shelby County Democratic Party's monthly meeting last night. It was well attended with a nearly packed meeting hall. It was one of the more civil meetings SCDP has held in some time. Though some I'm sure would say this was just the eye of the storm. You could cut the tension with a knife. Chairman Keith Norman moved the meeting with his normal flare and disarming humor. There is little question that Norman possess strong leadership skills. What I feel he lacks, which is very common among natural leaders, is the ability to acknowledge weaknesses. This opens them up to criticism and alienate them from those that might be willing to help. Now that's not meant to be an attack, but nothing more than an observation.
The way to prevent this alienation requires building relationships and sometimes being the learner and not the teacher. Keith Norman is the pastor of the very successful First Baptist Church Broad. Often I've found it to be difficult for a pastor who is the shepherd of his/her congregation to transition into being a political figure who is the servant to his constituents. It takes a unique individual to not confuse these two roles, which is why for the most part I prefer my pastors to stay behind the pulpit, and my politicians to stay - well for politicians if they can just stay from behind bars I think they are doing fine.
I spoke with Keith earlier that day and he made it clear he had no interest in running for another term as the Party's Chair. He spoke of the many projects occurring at his church which he felt would be taking up much of his time. You could see he was at peace, and that was good. I like Keith. Some have told me in private that they find him to be arrogant. I disagree. It is common for outspoken black men to be labeled arrogant. A few decades ago they were called uppity. With his 6'5'' plus frame and baritone voice I can imagine this intimidates some but that fault lies with them and not Keith.
I asked the Chair if he would like to post his views on the Shelby County Democratic Party and his time as its leader on my blog. He agreed. I hope to bring Keith Norman's post to you, my readers, soon.
14 comments:
I have been a member of First Baptist for three years and Pastor Norman is a good man. You right about how people will attack you just because they are jealous.
To me it doesn't make sense. If you are called by God to preach shouldn't that be enough? And what's with all these churches on every block? Never met the Pastor Norman so this isn't about him specifically I'm just seeing too many of these holy people acting unholy. If you want to preach then preach. Sure some have to do side jobs to make a living but politics is the last place they should be going. By the way no pastor should be living in a million dollar house when his members are just getting by. Somethings wrong with that. In Memphis churches have become big business.
The problem is with all the little clicks. You can see it at the meetings, each group sitting together and whispering. What confuses me is why would anyone want to chair that circus.
You hit the nail right on the head. There are a lot of little people who are intimidated when they see a strong Black man. Don't let nobody keep you down KN.
You need to know the truth from the executive committee members.
Me and my wife get up earlier on Sunday to have breakfast togeter and get ready for church. We go to St. Andrew AME Church. Reverend Robinson is our Pastor. A few years back he took a high position job for the government. YOu could see it had a impact on his duties as our Minister. If the Church can pay you a "FAIR" salary then you need to be of the Church. When he left that job things got better at the Church. If you are "CALLED" then you need to do the work of God not man. These Pastors sometime get a big head and want to be a big shot making all this money and being powerful. If you are "CALLED" then these things you should shun. Be of the work of the Lord. Humble yourself, be modest, live simply. Thats all that needs to be said thank you for this really good place to share our thoughts.
Scroll down and read Reginald's piece "Bailey wants to be SCDP chair" and the comments.
Milton you are to nice to this guy. The blame for the state of SCDP rest squarely with the Chair. Keith No'man has done nothing to help us move forward! All this man thinks about is himself! He did nothing to help with Kennedy Day, he did nothing to help raise funds (In 2006 he gave Harold Ford, Jr. $3,000. If he cares about us why doesn't he give that kind of money to the Party?), he did nothing to improve educating the public and he did nothing to help support deserving candidates. This was a stepping stone and nothing more!
Lets see him answer those charges. $50 bucks says he won't take you up on your offer Milton. He will never post here. He has nothing to say.
GW Gibson...the republican in democrat clothes...wants to be chair. In his dreams.
JW needs to sit out this one dance, simply because he will have a difficult time explaining who he supported for city council last election. Otherwise, he is a great guy.
Mr. Milton some of these comments that attack Norman are unfounded. No one person can do every thing. If this group is failing it's because the members let it fail. Everybody want Somebody to do what Nobody will do.
To 8:28 A.M.
Keith has a lot of talent. As I said some ministers have the ability to work in the secular and sectarian world without confusing the two. Keith just might be such a person, but he will need to be willing to reach out for help more. Something I think he can do.
Don't see Norman comment, just mail me the $50 bucks.
When Pastor Norman does respond, please ask him what were the events that caused the Ballotgate fiasco. It's been four months now and no real explaination has ever been given as to how the SCDP ballot included the unauthorized addition of the "VOTE NO ON REFERENDUM" box.
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