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Wimby's Corner
by David Covin
Blue
Nile Press,
May 2011
409 Pages, Paperback, $15.00
ISBN: 0984435034
Genre: Fiction
WIMBY’S CORNER opens in Bardwell, Kentucky where we meet Wayne Hunter, an
unassuming giant of a man who is not much to look at, but has a big heart. Wayne feels stifled in Bardwell, yet his opportunity
to get out by joining the army is thwarted by his inability to read and write. After that embarrassing incident, he obtains
a job where he learns to read and write. His gentle nature mask a deeply raging temper that is seldom seen, but when placed
in a situation where he is disrespected in front of his girlfriend, this side of him is revealed and Wayne knows then that
it was time to move on.
As most blacks did in the 40s and 50s, Wayne moves to Chicago, where he obtains a job at a bakery until he
is scouted out by a pimp to work as a bodyguard and to assist in keeping the prostitutes in line. Wayne enjoys his new job,
newfound wealth and the attention of the women. What he is not prepared for is the betrayal by his boss. Once again, an out
of control temperament drives him to the point of no return and Wayne finds himself seeking a place to lay low. This time
he is led to Wimby’s Corner where everyone knows the other’s secrets and sins, but it is an unspoken rule that
the community sticks together. When Wayne’s emotions overload once again, will the residents of Wimby’s Corner
be so forgiving of this newcomer?
When I cracked WIMBY’S CORNER opened for the first time, I was immediately pulled into the tale of Wayne
Hunter. A third of the way into the book, my reading experience was hampered a bit because of a shift in the story in order
to provide the background of the residents of Wimby’s Corner – a lot of which did not add value to the story.
Also, there was a very substantial subplot which involves a different main character, Tommy Brown, was added midway in the
book. I would have preferred that both Wayne’s and Tommy’s stories were told in parallel instead using alternating
scenes or chapters and then brought together in the climatic ending. I did enjoy WIMBY’S CORNER despite the flaw in
the execution of the novel.
Reviewed by Paula Henderson
ARTIST ACCESS : ….
Spotlighting Artist who’s Words, Voice, Music, Acting or Images Uplift Your Spirit.
By Dabbs Email:dabbs@darrylwilliamssoul.com
The
Black Church, a conduit for spirituality and social change, has cultivated countless leaders throughout history. With an increasing
number of Black clergy speaking out in support of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, this legacy
continues.
“As preachers, we have to echo a message of inclusivity of all people in the family of God,” says
Rev. Kenneth Samuel, pastor of Victory for the World Church in Stone Mountain, Ga.
Research shows that that message is an influential one. According to a 2008 poll, among Americans who say
they have become more favorable toward gay and lesbian people in the past five years, 21% said that their religious leaders
were a contributing factor.
“If the pastor speaks a prophetic word about LGBT inclusion, even if they’re first met with resistance,
it can begin to change the hearts and minds of our community,” says Rev. Jacqui Lewis (pictured), senior
pastor at New York City's Middle Collegiate Church.
This resistance, however, can be very real for some church leaders. After speaking openly about his support
of the LGBT community, attendance at Rev. Samuel's church fell from about 6,000 to 3,000 congregants. But losing parishioners
is a chance some pastors are willing to take. Today Victory Church’s membership is back on the rise with people who
do not necessarily identify as LGBT but who want to hear that inclusive ministry.
One of the challenges LGBT-inclusive preachers face is overcoming people’s strident interpretation of
certain scriptures in the Bible. Although Biblical literalism has historically been used to justify the exploitation of African
Americans and the oppression of women, many still hold firmly to a literal reading of the text. But a literal reading of the
text without context can be misleading.
“Without a context for what is said, you do the Bible a disservice,” says Rev. Byron Williams,
pastor of Resurrection Community Church in Oakland, Calif. He points out that often people do not take an
anti-gay position based solely on what they believe to be accurate biblical teachings. Typically they are predisposed to anti-gay
sentiment then find scripture to justify those beliefs. But without understanding the historical ramifications behind these
passages, one cannot authentically convey what they mean.
On the other hand, other biblical teachings, such as ‘not wearing mixed fabrics’ have lost their
significance entirely as a result of what Rev. Lewis calls “revelation and time.” She encourages clergy to read
the Bible with their “heart, soul and mind,” examine what the scriptures meant when they were written and focus
on underlying themes like love.
For many Black pastors, this message of love extends to marriage equality. In fact, it was this message that
inspired Rev. Dennis Wiley and his wife to make Covenant Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
fully inclusive of gay and lesbian couples. “If we are going to treat LGBT people as equals, they need to be able to
consecrate their loving and committed relationship,” he says. Since marriage equality passed in the District, the church
has performed nuptials for about ten same-sex couples.
Almost immediately after New York became the sixth state to pass marriage equality, Middle Collegiate Church
conducted marriages for three gay and lesbian couples, simultaneously. "God affirms love," says Rev. Lewis. “When a
person falls in love and wants to make a commitment before God and their family to be in this sacred relationship, that’s
a blessing."
The importance of family is often central to the church’s advocacy for marriage for gay and lesbian
couples. “Love, mutual respect and care are hallmarks of family,” adds Rev. Samuel. “So all that the church
can do to support, bless and sanction family, we should.”
It’s no surprise that pastors so committed to spreading a message of tolerance take such a sympathetic
approach to even naysayers.
“Love is the only thing that’s transformative,” says Rev. Williams. “So our fight
has to be one with inconvenient love at its foundation.” Inconvenient love, a concept he frequently discusses at Resurrection
Community Church, emphasizes affirming people’s humanity even if you might not like what they have to say.
Of course, love isn't all it's going to take for faith leaders to continue to push the movement forward. In
addition to encouraging preachers to reexamine the Bible, religious advocates must emphasize central values and discourage
the singling out of a few passages to justify discrimination. Above all, according to Rev. Wiley, they must meet opponents
where they are without judgment.
But before any of that can happen, even more pro-LGBT pastors must be courageous, take a lead on faith and
speak up.
“We need to get our voices out there,” adds Rev. Lewis. “There are a lot people ready to
listen.”
REMEMBER THIS…...Words, Phrases, and Saying to Build Your Spirit………………. Darryl Williams
Sin
Fear is lethal it kills hope and happiness
and makes us its plaything and like a fungus it flourishes in the dark.
Hurt people hurt people. People who inflict pain on others have been deeply hurt themselves.
Published by
HELPING HANDS NYC
Bklyn, New York
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