Author: Larrell Wilkinson

Hopeful Wholeness

Reflection on the Killing of Mr. George Floyd

By Larrell Wilkinson on

To all my Brothers | Sisters | Those I Have Yet to Meet: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’…’Love others as WELL as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them” [Matthew 22: 37-40, MSG].

No matter one’s skin color or social standing, I encourage ALL to at least value the lives of others while working toward loving others. If you find it challenging to value the life of another and/or LOVE others, then my prayer is that you will open your heart to God and allow Him to “transform your heart & mind.” Let us work to not believe all the negative stereotypes about people we don’t know. Instead let us challenge our thinking, be intentional about overcoming biases, and work to do “life” with one another. In the process, we will learn to love one another. Strength, Encouragement, & Comfort to the family of Mr. George Floyd. #georgefloyd #racisimisasin

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Profiles Wholeness

A Call for Solidarity, Working against Racism & COVID-19

By Larrell Wilkinson on

By Larrell L. Wilkinson

On April 8, 2020, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for greater unity in efforts to combat COVID-19. Since taking office in May 2017, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Director-General outlined five priorities for the WHO: universal health coverage; health emergencies; women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health; health impacts of climate and environmental change; and a transformed WHO. Dr. Tedros previous experiences included serving as Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2012–2016 and Ethiopia’s Minister of Health from 2005–2012. Dr. Tedros holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Health from the University of Nottingham and a Master of Science (MSc) in Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the University of London.

Earlier today, Dr. Tedros remarked about the first 100 days of the WHO’s efforts to address COVID-19.

In his remarks on April 8, 2020 regarding WHO’s effort against COVID-19, the Director-General focused at least some of his comments on racism and unity. “I can tell you personal attacks that have been going on for more than two, three months. Abuses, or racist comments, giving me names, black or Negro. I’m proud of being black, proud of being Negro,” exclaimed Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus related to comments and threats made against him in the wake of this pandemic and questions regarding WHO’s response. He also called for solidarity in efforts to address COVID-19, stating “My message to political parties: do not politicize the virus. If you care for your people, work across party lines and ideologies.”

A lot has been learned since the reception of the first reported case of pneumonia from an unknown cause was officially received at the WHO on December 31, 2019. This case was first detected in Wuhan, China and received from the WHO Country Office in China. As more has been learned and efforts have been made, public health officials and leaders around the world have continually refined their initial and subsequent efforts to address COVID-19. The WHO is no different in their process of “learning as they address, refining towards progress.”

All of us have a role in this fight (COVID-19) that threatens our health, our humanity. Let’s work to not add to the unfortunate circumstances by exploiting differences among us. Instead, let’s build on our common humanity, show the love of Jesus Christ, and work towards solutions together.

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Lizzo Sponsors Lunch for Emergency Room Staff at Several Hospitals

By Larrell Wilkinson on

As many across the country are quarantined due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and as the number of deaths due to COVID-19 continue to rise, it is good to remember our men and women who are on the frontlines of this health battle. Many of the nation’s health workers are laboring long hours with minimal resources to confront this new disease. In an awesome gesture of gratitude, the recording artist Lizzo sponsored lunch for emergency hospital workers on the frontlines of COVID-19. Lizzo posted on Twitter her remarks to the hospital at the University of Pennsylvania, “thank you so much…you are keeping us safe, you are keeping us healthy.” Lizzo sponsored lunch for several hospitals. See the pictures and appreciations below.

Shout out to Lizzo for this amazing gesture. Thank you, frontline workers, (i.e. health care, grocery, trucking, mail, warehouse, etc.) for caring for our health and well-being during this time of uncertainty and vulnerability. The uplifting acts of generosity that individuals from all walks of life are doing is making a positive difference for individuals, communities, our country, & the world. We are all in this fight (against COVID-19) together. Let us all continue to live, work, play, and pray together…keeping in mind social distancing of course!

Larrell L. Wilkinson

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Choose to Be Healthy!

By Larrell Wilkinson on

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as the “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being” and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  Although other descriptions of the word “health” exist, overall most people understand what it means to be in good health or “healthy.”  Look at the following questions:

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Positive or Negative: Choose Positive

By Larrell Wilkinson on
Positive or Negative: Choose Positive

Circumstances in life can weigh US down.  As individuals, we not only experience challenges inwardly, but also face difficult situations externally.  Although it may be difficult at times, we must be positive [over negative].  “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8 New International Version).

One aspect of being positive is addressing the negativity within and/or around us.  To do this, a person might:

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Profiles

The Wish of One Young Woman for a Better Birmingham

By Larrell Wilkinson on

During the first week of the year 2019, I had an opportunity to speak to a young African American woman (I am not sharing her name to protect her privacy) while waiting to pick up my vehicle at an auto mechanic establishment in downtown Birmingham.  I asked her the following question, “If you had a magic wand that would grant you one wish to make Birmingham better, what would your wish be?”  I continued, “no matter how you feel about the metropolitan area now, whether you believe it is good, bad, or great currently, the city can always be better.  So what would your wish be?”  Below is a summary of what she said.

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Hopeful

Tennessee Judge Explains His Views about Black Lives Mattering

By Larrell Wilkinson on

According to Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle / USA Today reporter Stephanie Ingersoll, a Tennessee Judge Wayne Shelton exclaimed, “Black men are more dangerous to other black men than white Klansman ever were.”  While presiding over the preliminary hearing of Vincent Bryan Merriweather on Thursday, January 3rd, according to reporter Ingersoll, Judge Shelton went on to say that he is “sick and disheartened by what he sees as a lack of respect for human life, especially among young black men willing to shoot at one another for little or no reason.”

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