The Call for Unity to Solve Our National Problems Together
Years ago, I was invited to a large congregation to help forge racial unity in the community. The message I presented was called “We need each other.” This message resonated with many people, and years later people are still saying how this message needs to get out across the country. Upon constant affirmation of the message, I decided to put this message in a much broader context, as a book, to reach others across the nation who have a deep yearning for national unity. Looking at the political scene and the deep divisions in our nation, we are on the cusp of another Civil War. Many Americans believe as I do, we can defuse this possibility by working together across racial, economic, and political lines to save our nation from itself. We can strengthen our democracy and dismantle hurdles in our way. We can smooth down rough roads of opposition against egalitarianism. We can crush racism and sexism and build bridges of opportunity for every community and create a more just and humane society. We can disrupt the fusion of hate, bitterness, and injustice that is creating luminous darkness from sea to shining sea. If America means anything, it means opportunity. We have an opportunity to transform darkness into a marvelous light of love, justice, brotherhood, and sisterhood.
Reginald F Davis is a pastor, scholar, and author of several books in the field of theology and religion. He preaches, teaches, and lectures at churches, colleges, and universities across the nation. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas; a Masters of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, New York; and a Ph.D. from Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida. He has served as dean of students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. He is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention, the American Baptist Churches of the South, the National and Progressive Baptist Conventions, the Hampton Ministers Conference, and the local Tri-County Pastor's Council in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Davis believes the Word of God is the best education of all because it is the power of God unto salvation. At the end of his life's journey, he wants to be able to say as the Apostle Paul, "I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course; I have kept the faith." He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his wife and family.
