“I can’t help but think about the emasculation of black men in our society.”
In the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and the continuation of our season of social unrest, one legendary Detroit pastor and gospel singer is letting his faith drive his church’s and community’s response.
And like the very best of us, he’s putting that faith into action with an event on Friday, August 27.
Marvin L. Winans, pastor of Detroit’s Perfecting Church and founding member of the legendary gospel quartet The Winans, is leading A March 4 Justice, in solidarity with the Commitment March in Washington DC.
According to Winans, the event may look more like civil rights marches from decades ago than some of the more recent demonstrations we’ve seen.
“It’s going to be different in that it’s a march for justice and a prayer for peace,” Winans EXCLUSIVELY said by phone. “That’s all we’re going to do. When God wanted the walls to fall, He told them to walk around for six days.”
“So we’re gonna walk, and we’ll pray,” Winans said. “And we’ll pull down strongholds, and watch changes happen in our society.”
I had to ask the pastor whether he could give a word of encouragement to the people of Kenosha, Wisconsin, who are still reeling — along with the rest of the world — after this week’s shooting of Jacob Blake.
“I can’t help but think about the emasculation of black men [in our society], that this man was gunned down in front of his three children,” Winans reflected. “I have to stop because it brings tears to my eyes that his life is [seen as] so insignificant.”
“And then they want to trump up things,” Winans continued. “They said he had a knife on the passenger side of the car, on the floor. Well, he was on the driver’s side. If they thought Blake was out of line, there were three policemen there. Couldn’t they have grabbed him and handcuffed him?”
I suggested that, in lieu of seven bullets in Blake’s back, a single one may have sufficed — IF the police officers really thought Blake had been a threat.
“One bullet in the foot would have stopped him,” Winans asserted. “All I can say to the people of Kenosha is ‘pray.’ I don’t have anything else. So that’s what we’re going to do in Detroit: pray.”
“And then, at the end of the march, when we get to Hart Plaza, we’re gonna shout!”
Look to Pastor Winans’s Facebook page for more information on Friday’s March 4 Justice in Detroit.
Look to The Hub next week for Pastor Winans’ reflections on UK gospel singer Lavine Hudson, and stories of some of the other artists with whom he’s collaborated during his time with The Winans — including Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo! Winans also teases an upcoming cover of one of The Winans’ beloved classics, “The Question Is.”
Michael P Coleman is a freelance writer who, as a kid, talked to strangers and got punished. Today, he talks to strangers and gets published. Follow his blog, his IG and his Twitter.
