Espousing conservative ideals, speaking at GOP convention triggers powerful backlash against South Side pastor
After July Fourth, Pastor Corey Brooks posted about awakening and feeling “desolate” because many who had previously supported his mission were now abandoning him. Those who have worked alongside Brooks do not question the legitimacy of his work but should question what on earth could cause a fellow South Side pastor, friends, and associates to so vehemently turn on him.
One could automatically picture something earthshattering like a Scandal episode where Olivia Pope would need to come to his rescue. But, no. First, people with whom he has associated for years were incensed by his July 4 “Rooftop Revelations” segment on Fox News. During his TV appearance, Brooks had the audacity as a black man to speak about the person who taught him to love America.
In the segment on Fox, Brooks stated:
“I’ve had to listen to how America is a systemically racist nation run by white supremacists who will never see me as nothing more than a black body. I never bought into any of that.”
Brooks then explained that his admiration for the country stemmed from his grandfather who lived in a small town in Tennessee. Although Brooks’ grandfather endured the humiliation of racial segregation, he still spoke of the possibilities afforded to all if one is willing to work to achieve their goals.
Inconceivable!
How dare Pastor Brooks overlook slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, and continued systemic racism to speak with passion about America’s promise? One of his “friends” even questioned the validity of Brooks’ conservative views, wondering if he merely gave the talking points Fox News and its viewers expect of a right-wing media outlet.
And the very idea that, whether prominent or not, black people cannot accept a black pastor’s non-cookie cutter views on race should make us all irate. For the biggest problems within Chicago begin with the race grifters who encourage a victimhood mentality by consistently blaming white people and systemic racism for every problem. Major contributors include Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Stacy Davis Gates. All are black and none have done anything to benefit the lowest income areas of Chicago.
“Kingmaker” Preckwinkle was key to Cook County State’s Attorney Foxx and Mayor Johnson’s election wins. Preckwinkle’s enthusiasm for Foxx’s willingness to forgo prosecutions in order to rebalance a broken system is summed up in her statement to the Chicago Sun-Times:
“We’ve allowed the police, particularly in the city of Chicago to, you know, beat people, torture people, shoot us down on the streets without accountability. This is a profoundly racist country. To have somebody who’s prepared to acknowledge the harm that’s been done to individuals and communities by wrongful convictions and police misconduct and prosecutorial misconduct is refreshing.”
Surely all can agree that it is refreshing to have 109 people shot and 19 killed over the July Fourth weekend. All Chicagoans fleeing bullets, carjackings, and thefts are renewed by Foxx’s makeover of the justice system. Chicago is, in fact, so racist that not prosecuting crime is a form of reparations for past injustices in the U.S. However, Preckwinkle is losing a bit of her mojo, as seen with Clayton Harris’ defeat in the Democratic primary for Cook County State’s Attorney.
Then there is Mayor Johnson, who sprints away from reporters’ questions, talks about biking to work while surrounded by a legion of officers providing security, and most recently blamed President Richard Nixon for the shocking gun violence in the city. He sees dead people.
When he is not whining about “white supremacy” ostensibly enveloping Chicago, Johnson is pouring tax dollars into giveaway programs like Our Bike Chicago, which has handed out over 2,000 free bikes. Likewise, Johnson, has provided government summer jobs to youth; nevertheless, still the violence persists. Most importantly, though, is the utter failure of Chicago’s public schooling system, which prevents Chicago’s youth from a brighter future. Instead of busying herself finding solutions to improving alarmingly low student performance, Stacy Davis Gates concentrates on political goals, primarily the election of progressive candidates who will assist her in achieving every demand on the CTU’s punch list.
Moreover, in the “greatest freakin’ city in the world,” money and power trumps everything. Officeholders with both power and money will perform obligatory appearances in blighted neighborhoods to show that they sympathize with the plight of the downtrodden, then promise to throw money at the problem. When initiatives do not work, the powerful will claim it’s due to insufficient funding and white supremacy.
Meanwhile, Pastor Brooks and Project H.O.O.D. are left high and dry because Chicago refuses to provide grants to a black leader who espouses conservatism. Clearly, Project H.O.O.D. does not sit idly waiting for city grants to support residents living in need. Before his appearance at the Republican National Convention, Pastor Brooks was taking heat. Since his rousing address to GOP faithful in Milwaukee, the ire directed at him has ramped up. In the first weekend following his appearance at the convention, protesters mobilized outside New Beginnings Church.
What causes such angst? Perhaps it is Tawanna Cotten, the Director of Workforce and Resources, who helps those in Woodlawn find jobs. Cotten partners with organizations willing to provide tutoring so those without an adequate CPS education can pass the initial tests to become tradesmen. Beyond that, Cotten helps those with housing issues, working tirelessly to help families facing eviction.
Meanwhile, Rafi is the Director of Re-Entry Services. He helps men and women who have recently been released from prison find shelter and work. Those in the program connect with Rafi because he had, like them, spent time behind bars. While there, Rafi became skilled teaching others to pass the GED. Project H.O.O.D provided Rafi the opportunity to use his background to assist other former convicts transition to life without bars. He oversees the OSHA training and certification, so former prisoners can reenter society by learning skills in the construction trade and are ready for job placement with OSHA training completed. In addition, Rafi connects lawyers with juveniles or adults with criminal pasts to begin the process of expungement.
These are just two examples of the community efforts Project H.O.O.D. has engaged in without either public expressions of support of financial aid from Mayor Johnson, former-Mayor Lori Lightfoot, or former-Mayor Rahm Emanuel. So, while politicians and fellow clergy talk the talk, Pastor Brooks is being crucified for walking the walk.
Should it matter if Pastor Brooks is a conservative? Brooks is serving his community and put his life at risk sitting on a rooftop not once but twice trying to fulfill a dream to provide an economic opportunity center, which is under construction. Yet, Brooks is being metaphorically robbed, beaten, left on the side of a road, and in need of donations from Good Samaritans to continue his cause. As Rafi said: “This is not about politics. This is about people.”
Rafi’s words would be correct in a functioning city. However, everything in Chicago is about politics. Black voters have finally come to the realization they have been used in the trade of false promises for votes. But it has been so ingrained government will provide their every need that it will take generations to undo the harm caused by the false promise of the Great Society and government programs that followed.
The construction of the Robert R. McCormick Leadership and Economic Opportunity Center will provide much needed support for those in Woodlawn. There will be more space to continue tutoring, training, and mentoring. Kids will have a safe place to meet friends, and adults will congregate for community events. There will be restaurants and a bank. One day, a boys’ school will open. When these plans become reality, Chicago’s dominant political figures who have turned their backs on Pastor Corey Brooks will line up for photo-ops in a dishonest attempt to share recognition for his successes.
When that day comes, Brooks may not be able to turn the other cheek.
