In 1925, Carter G. Woodson published a collection of speeches delivered by African Americans titled "Negro Orators and Their Orations." While Woodson’s work was the focus of my talk at #PAC2022, he wasn't the first one to address Black oratory in a more structured way. One of the earliest treatments we have on oratory from an African American is from William G. Allen, who served as a professor of rhetoric at Central College in McGrawville, New York.

A thought about Jesus' forgiveness.
What if Jesus was trying to demonstrate what to do when forgiveness is simply too hard? Father forgive them, because I can’t. Father forgive them, because I might just cuss. Father forgive them, because I might lose my mind up in here. Father forgive them, because I might call somebody and roll up on some folks. Father forgive them because this is some mess I can’t understand. Father forgive them, because I don’t know where to turn.

For the past 10 years, conservatives have consistently told us what they would do if they were elected. They did not try to hide what they would do. And for this, WE constantly rewarded them with elected office. The question is will WE rewarded again in November? I remember when elected officials LOST their congressional seats because they tried to PROVIDE people with health care. Conservatives ran on destroying health care and WON!

Okay, I feel like another twitter thread. So here goes. I am still thinking about the article in the @nytimes on Black people leaving white churches as I prepare for a keynote address at the conference on Communication ethics. nytimes.com/2018/03/09/us/… While the story centers on Black people trying to find a home in largely white congregations and eventually leaving, @JLWeisenfeld noted that this is also a story about racial reconciliation.

There is much buzz going on on social media about this story published by @nytimes: nytimes.com/2018/03/09/us/…. The better title may have been "Black Folks get Woke on #WhiteEvangelical churches and Leave. So I will take time out of my writing schedule for today to comment on this story. First, much love to the people who shared their stories. In talking with people who found themselves in similar situations, I know it wasn't easy.

Okay, I am back to this wonderful thread on forgiveness. First, @Pastor_Earle and I have a soon to be published chapter on the subject in an upcoming book on the #CharlestonMassacre. Basically, in the chapter, we titled, “But, I Forgive You?”: Mother Emanuel, Black Pain and the Rhetoric of Forgiveness," we examine the rhetoric of forgiveness and how forgiveness, as a trope, performs in public when expressed through black pain.