Born Again in the Hoodie

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

This is where we are in this country on Trayvon Martin, in a predicament. I talked about this case on the radio with two female ministers on Saturday.    No, we are not young, black males, but on any given day while walking down any street in a hoodie, we might as well be. Race is still an issue in 2012, and that's a shame. But ultimately, we don't have a skin problem. We have a sin problem.

As female ministers, all three of us have raised God fearing young men who respect authority and value human life. Yet, all of our children have worn hoodies and we have worn them. All of our children have made professions of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I have hoodies of my own, also. I have given away "Jesus Saves" hoodies for two years now. So, this is not a band wagon statement by no means.

I am born again in the hoodie. I was born in the 'hood, and born again in the 'hood. But, just because I was born twice while in the 'hood, doesn't mean I have a hood mentality. Geraldo Rivera is wrong. My hoodie doesn't define me. My relationship with Jesus Christ defines me. Moreover, I identify with the "Trayvon Martin's" of the world, and so do other female ministers like myself.

We have to stop judging people by what they are wearing. Just because a young black male is walking down the street in a hoodie at night in a gated community, doesn't mean he is "up to no good" and he does not belong there! When he is killed, certainly he deserves the same justice as the person who killed him. If Trayvon Martin had killed George Zimmerman, Trayvon would be in jail right now and no one would be protesting.

Also, church folk have to stop being so overly critical about what people are wearing while at the same time saying "Come as you are." We are just too hung up on the outward appearance while the inward man wastes away.

Rev. Pat stated she preached her initial sermon in a mini-skirt suit. However, God has done a tremendous work in her over the years, and she would never think to do that now. It is God who finishes the work He starts in all of us. We have to demonstrate to our young people that God loves the and we love them if we expect them to love themselves.

The predicament is God is speaking to EVERYBODY in the Trayvon Martin case. I hear him saying, "Can you hear me now? Let your relationship with Me define define you. I love you. Wear your hoodies, drink your tea, and eat your Skittles, but you must be born again!
Left, my son, Brandon in my step-son Jonathan's UK hoodie after the UofL loss to UK this year. Brandon is a U of L fan and graduate.

It is not Mohammad, Buddha, Confucius, nor New Age that saves.  Jesus saves!  Join our discussions on the Jesus Saves Social Network.