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There’s Nothing Like the Smile of a Black Man

© By Robyn G. Robinson

 There is nothing like the smile of a Black Man

The Genuine Warmth that emanates from your brown eyes

The Love that sparkles from your eyes

I’m not talking about the perfunctory, obligatory smile that strangers sometimes exchange in passing

A Black Man’s smile has the power to transform him, thereby transforming all those around him!

Lips

Teeth

Nose

Forehead

Chin up

I smile at Black men

Not to flirt or tease, or as a come-on!

I smile at Black men

I smile at Black men

Because there’s nothing like the beauty of a Black man, especially the smile of a black man!

I smile at you, because I like your sense of style, your walk and your hair (or lack of)

I smile at you because I understand your swagger and your bravado and your audacity

I smile at you because I savor the surprised look on your face when I smile at you

And then you smile back at me:  a Big smile, a Real smile      

There’s nothing like the smile of a Black Man

I smile at you, Black man, because of the rarity of your smiles

I smile at you, Black man, because so many other people greet you with dread, fear, apprehension and suspicion

I smile at you, Black man

Because to me you are my husband, my father, my son, my grandsons, my uncles, my nephews, my cousins, the men of my church and community —my family:  I Love You

I smile at you because I see in you the Image and Likeness of God who created you

I smile at you because you are all that’s Right and Good about Black men

I smile at you Black man because

You are my brother

When you smile back at me, my heart lifts and expands

I take delight in you

Because

You’re Real and your smile is Real!

There’s nothing like the smile of a Black Man

 I hope everyone had a blessed Mother's Day.  This year was bittersweet for the Robinson Family, as it was our first Mother's Day without Howard's mom, Lola who passed away on September 28, 2009.  She was a very vivacious, pretty Christian lady with a wonderful laugh and a great sense of humor.  She always had a pan of dressing, some greens and a sweet potato pie or two in the freezer....just in case!  She was super-organized (or was it OCD??!!).  She had picked out her dress to buried in, written her will & obituary, completed all the details of her funeral and had all her business fixed years before she was even diagnosed with Ovarian cancer in 2008.

   When I first met her and my future father-in-law, Oddie, they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like their own daughter.   Grandmommy, or Grandma Lola, as my children affectionately called her, had an adventurous streak, and would even ride the roller coasters, and other scary rides, at Cedar Point with the kids!  She was lots of fun and loved to tell a good joke, though she usually couldn't quite get the punch line just right.  She'd slap her knee and let out her loud, infectious laugh anyway!  She never lost her charming, lilting Mississippi accent:  it was very melodic.  (I can still hear her voice in my head.) And if you were trying to keep a secret, Grandma Lola was not the person to tell it to:  she couldn't hold water!  Yet, she was trustworthy.   

   She and my father-in-law called me Robbie......boy, do I miss hearing them call me that.  They, and one other person (Ray,a co-worker of mine at the Kalamazoo County Jail) were the only folks to ever call me Robbie.   All three have since passed away. 

   So this Mother's Day was our first without Grandma Lola.  Howard & I opted to spend the day celebrating the gift and miracle of life with my beautiful mom, Quella and the Lockett family. My sister, Cynthia, hosted the entire family in her lovely home and we had a wonderful time reminiscing, and strolling down the memory lane of our childhood, growing up with such strict (Thank you, Jesus) parents! 

   I'm thankful for the 30+ years i was blessed to know and love Lola Alexander-Robinson.  I thank her for giving life to the man who would become my husband and the father of our two children.  Grandma Lola taught me so much and I think about her every day. 

 Celebrate life and don't put off today for tomorrow....because one day there won't be a tomorrow!  LOVE, LIVE, LAUGH......Celebrate!  And, greatest of all really get to KNOW JESUS!  He will help you get through the trials, tibulations and troubles that are a guarantee in this life.

Robyn 

Jesus is the Answer

I don't know about everybody else, but I'm deeply disturbed by the homicides, and in one case murder/suicide, that have recently claimed four young lives here in Kalamazoo County. All of the alleged perpetrators of these crimes have been black males. Here's a brief summary:

-Young black male killed, allegedly by another black male, at an apartment complex in the city of Kalamazoo.

-Young black male accused of carjacking, kidnapping and ultimately murdering the victim in a small town where violence and crime is rare

-Black male killed his girlfriend, then turned the gun on himself in an apparent murder/suicide across from a local community college in an outlying area

All of these people, victims and victimizers alike, are somebody's children. My heart goes out to all the people affected by these crimes: their spouses, children, parents, friends, neighbors, co-workers, relatives...the list goes on and on. For those that are the accused, their families will do the time right along with them. As for the dead, their families and circle of friends will forever grieve their loss and wonder what might have been.

What's the answer? First and foremost, I know that Jesus Christ is still the answer for the world today. When we feel helpless, we can still pray and intercede for our families and community. As the Lord gives you the opportunity, witness to people so that they will be ready to meet the Lord, because as these deaths demonstrate, we truly don't know which day will be our last day. Many of our local churches do outreach & jail ministry. Many church members actually go into the communities to witness! Don't stop. Let the church get with one accord and unify herself. We have an enemy that desires to "Kill, steal and destroy" us, but Jesus has come that we may have an abundant, full life (read John 10:10).

It's time for the entire community to come together. So, let's not major in minors but focus on what's really important: OUR CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE FACE OF OUR COMMUNITY! Let's invest wisely in that future. Any other ideas?

Robyn

This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!"

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration:  "The Strength to Love"

The Greater Kalamazoo community came together on Sunday, January 17th, 2010 at The Galilee Missionary Baptist church to celebrate the life and great legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

Galilee was packed:  people were lined up and standing all along the walls.  The Ushers had to bring extra seats and place them in the aisles.  The Holy Spirit flowed freely in the service and the people were excitedly anticipating hearing the sermon, and welcoming back keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Otha Gilyard, former pastor of Kalamazoo's Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  The choir was full of a mixture of singers of all ages, religious denominations, and races.  It was truly a wonderful sight and the choir sang beautifully and with anointing!

The program included a Special Presentation by Congressman Fred Upton.  Congressman Upton got up and had a few words and then announced that the Fred Upton Community Service Award would be presented to a couple.  I thought to myself, "How wonderful.  Dr. & Sis. Warfield have worked so hard and done so much in the community."  And I thought of other couples who work tirelessly to make Kalamazoo a better place for all of us.  Pastor Denise Posie then came forward and announced the winners.   To our utter surprise, shock and amazement Pastor Posie said, "The Recipients of the 2010 Congressman Fred Upton Community Service Award are Howard and Robyn Robinson!"  I do mean it was a surprise:  we had no idea!  The Northside Ministerial Alliance's nominating committee had even managed to keep it a secret from my dad, Bishop Dr. T.D. Lockett!   Pastor Posie mentioned the radio ministry we do every week and how it blesses the churches and the entire community of people that call in with announcements, birthdays, anniversaries, etc.    

God bless you! 

Howard & Robyn Robinson