"The Worst of-Best of Times"

I thank God for blessing me to see another day. But amid my joy, I'm sad. I'm sorry, and my heart is broken because of what's going on in my hometown, as well as black communities across America. As I heard a pastor say one Sunday, for us (Black folks), these are the worst of times and the best of times. This thought came from a novel by author Charles Dickens, entitled A Tale of Two Cities, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The book is a historical, fictional political commentary.

- Reverend Dr. Rocky Brown, 3rd

These are the worst of times because young black males are killing each other daily, but then these are the best of times because we are making advances in medical technology and living much longer. A sister in my neighborhood is 103 years old, takes care of herself, and is still the head cook at her church and an adviser to the Usher Board.

These are the worst of times because too many of our children are still dropping out of school, and those who are still there are being misled. However, these are the best of times because some of us are graduating not only with advanced degrees but at the top of the class. We are superintendents and the heads of major companies.