After thoroughly analyzing the Michael Berry controversy, I found myself having mixed emotions about the entire matter. Without a shadow of doubt, I was mad as hell at Berry, who not only campaigned for the Houston City Council At-Large #4 seat as, “A listener, A leader,” but allowed me to unwittingly greet him with a handshake and receive him as a friend of my community when he showed up at an Acres Home Citizens Chamber of Commerce Network/Luncheon with my friend Rep. Sylvester Turner.

Nevertheless, after his vote against the proposal to endorse a study of Congressional H.B. 40 set off a chain of events that led to the door steps of his fashionable Midtown home, Berry’s stupid decisions could be the best thing that has happened in Black Houston since we mobilized to re-elect Mayor Lee P. Brown to his second term. As embarrassing as it is to be snookered by a fork-tongued White man, Berry’s arrogance and unrepentant disrespect for 15 of Houston’s outstanding pastors and a Black political icon that would be mayor, he just might have lit a fire under our community leaders who had fallen asleep at the wheel.

Unless those 15 pastors, who photo appeared on Berry’s campaign flyer (that he papered Black Houston with) doesn’t consider Berry’s actions a wake-up call, they obviously don’t have any shame in their game. Other than Rev. J.J. Roberson, who-- from his past anti-Black community endorsements-- has made it quite obvious that “Show Me The Money” is his favored sermon, I think they owe their congregations an apology. A Sheperd’s first obligation is to protect his flock from wolves in sheep’s clothing, and although Berry is still a pup, he definitely will grow into a political wolf if we allow him to.
Rev. Harvey Clemons, Jr., who expected Berry to vote for his controversial $90 million Pleasant Hill deal admits that he was grievously ticked by Berry’s devious deeds, that stirred his Fifth Ward roots. Clemons thanked AAN&I for our article (“Strike Three! The Ugly Side of City Councilman Michael Berry”), that was published in our July 17-23, 2002 edition that was complimented by Anthony Ogbo’s timely cartoon illustrating Berry cracking, “I just love Black folks.” And that was long before he was asked to vote on the reparations proposal. Berry, in fact, had just announced he was running for mayor, although his Judas’ kiss was still wet on Turner’s cheek.

I know the Black community would love to hear how the éclat pastors feel about being pimped by Berry. And, as Black Texan’s strongest editorial voice, it’s our obligation to report all news without fear or favor, therefore AAN&I will be contacting them for their responses that will appear in a future article, whether they have “No comments,” or cite scripture about “all things working for good.” We are certain that Rev. Michael P. Williams, of Joy Tabernacle, has something enlightening to say about allowing White politicians to pimp our community, insofar as he was one of the major players in making Farrakhan’s “Million Man March” a success.

We are also told that Rev. C.L. Jackson is also not one to be messed with, even if he has mellowed somewhat in his declining years. Surely Bishop N.H. Henderson, Presiding Prelate of Texas South Central COGIC and Rev. S.J. Gilbert, president of Houston Metropolitan Baptist Ministers Conference is smarting somewhat to have endorsed Berry. Other pastors pictured on Berry’s campaign flyer were: Rev. James Dixon, II (Community of Faith); Dr. Joe Ratliff (Brentwood BC); Rev. Ralph West (Brookhollow BC, the church without walls); Rev. Samuel Compton (Mt. Canaan BC); Rev. James Nash (Greater St. Paul MBC); Rev. Willie Davis (Greater St. Paul MBC); Rev. E. E. Coats (Wesley Chapel AME); Rev. Thomas Murray (New Life (MBC) and Rev. J.C. Hooker, president, Northeast Ministerial Alliance. Rev. T.R. Williams’ (New Faith BC) name only appeared in the literature along with the names of organizations including: A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance, Northeast Harris County Ministers Alliance, Houston Baptist Ministers Assn. of Houston & Vicinity, Houston Forward Times newspaper and Afro-American Sheriff’s Deputy League.
If you’re wondering why we want to hear a word from our men of God, you can thank Berry, who has unwittingly rekindled Black Houston’s militant spirit and perhaps awakened a sleeping giant (Black voters), who have allowed too much to go unchallenged in their city far too long. Thank you little Mikey, but I’m afraid I can’t get Quanell X, Kofi Tarahaka, et al, off your back. Truthfully, the way Quanell’s group, the National Black United Front, et al showed up at Berry’s home, as promised, gave me a rush. I thought about the old days when Rev. Jew Don Boney led a contingent of angry African- Americans to Mayor Bob Lanier’s River Oaks home.

And if it made me feel good to go Berry picking the old fashioned way, I know it energized many of our young Black people, as well as politically apathetic older people who have quit going to the polls or who have even stopped struggling for dignity and respect. Quanell, who challenged Berry to a one-on-one debate on Roger Gray’s KPRC Talk Show on August 6, once again told Berry (via telephone hook-up) that he has made a major mistake to think he can insult Black Houston with impunity. Berry, who failed to show up at KPRC, was still upset that the Houston Local Action Committee for Reparations had nerve and verve enough to violate the sanctity of his home.
Berry, who hinted that the group played the dozens by threatening his mom, testily said that he was through talking about reparations and refuses to be intimidated by the group. Quanell assured him, “You can refuse to sit down and talk with us, but that won’t stop us from talking about you.”
Well-said Quanell. If you don’t mind African- American News&Issues will borrow that line to send to all political (Black or White) snakes and sellout Judas Goats, including religious leaders who have allowed politicians to exploit and pimp our community without retribution far too long. In essence, the Black community is not mocked, therefore, as promised, AAN&I will be contacting every pastor that appeared on Berry’s campaign flyer and if they won’t talk to us, we definitely will talk about them.