Pauron Wheeler is a Write-in Candidate
Save Richmond, Virginia

RECONCILIATION DAY
March 30, 2007

"Slavery Statue Symbolizes Forgiveness"

There has been an eerie hush about Reconciliation Day. One of the duties of a leader is to lead. Was there a greater time when we needed our leaders to step forth and remind America of Reconciliation Day? When its citizens start murmuring and complaining about symbols, street names, park names, and historical figures that are reminders of the slavery era, there should have been a reminder that Virginia has acknowledged its faults and asked for forgiveness. Forgiveness was granted and there is a statue of two embracing symbolizing reconciliation. Where were our leaders during all of the protest and riots? This was dereliction of duty on a monumental or massive scale.

This is a critical time in America’s history. It’s time for an awakening. If we have decided that we are going to murmur and complain until things are perfect then our nation is going to be destroyed by its own people. Things are not going to be perfect because we are not perfect. No one is perfect. Do we throw away a whole bushel of apples because of a few bad ones? NO! We weed out the bad ones. This is not like the 60’s. The laws are now in place for every citizen to succeed. It’s time for America to work on its HEART. This a new era. The year of 2020 has been a wake up call to get real with our faith. “Papa don’t take no mess” I don’t know the papa that the ‘Late James Brown’ had in mind but the Papa I am referring to is our heavenly Father. God is patient. But His patience does run out if we continually don’t correct our ways.

Virginia Repented of Slavery
Where is the Love? Where is the Forgiveness?
Where is the Church?

 

Even though Virginia had one of the largest interstate slave markets, it was the capital of the Confederacy and in the 1960’s led the way in Massive Resistance to integration, it is now up to the descendants of its victims to forgive. America, Africa and England have confessed of their sins and ask for forgiveness. Since 1619, the start of slavery in America, Virginia was America. I believe it was appropriate for Virginia then to speak for America in March, 2007. From the words of former Governor Timothy Kaine “In 2007, Virginia became the first state to officially apologize for slavery.” In my opinion, March 30, 2007, was one of the most monumental underappreciated unifying event in American history, if not in human history. It was the culmination of at least three preceding events in Richmond:

1. In 1993 was the “Healing the Heart of America”events, led by Rob and Susan Corcoran, challenged Richmond to a call for an honest conversation. Twenty countries and 30 US cities were represented resulting in a documentary film of Richmond’s “walk through history” created by Karen Greisdorf.

2.On Nov. 17, 2003 was the Tredagor Initiative. The vision of this group was to inspire courage and honesty which hopefully would lead to a heart change of repentance and forgiveness.

3.On October 7, 2006 was the opening of the American Civil War Center at the Tredegar Iron Works. Here are a couple of quotes during that event taken from Rob Corcoran’s book, “Trustbuilding”: “I felt most strongly about being open not using any coded language to talk about slavery and the war aims”. Another historian says, “I hope it will get African Americans of the present day to take a fresh look at the Civil War in a way that engages them…”

On March 30th 2007, The Slave Trail Commission commemorated America’s first Reconciliation Day. For this occasion, three continents were represented: North America, Europe and Africa. Even a Richmond leader shouted,“I forgive, I forgive!”, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Mission accomplished? Well… No. Reconciliation depends on both sides. One side needs to repent and the other side needs to forgive. Forgiveness was spoken but has not yet taken place in hearts and therefore not manifested in deed. March 30th should be a national holiday! Sadly, it is not even commemorated annually in Richmond. In fact, I would dare say that it has been forgotten. The following picture was taken recently.

The following picture was taken recently.

MAY WE FORGIVE

I wrote “May We Forgive” as a Christian alternative song to ‘Auld Lang Syne’ sung to the same tune. This song is desired to be a tool for reconciliation and entering the new year free of bitterness, hate, and unforgiveness. Because of the war America is in, the weapons in this song are needed now.

The song is on the track below and the lyrics are highlighted in bold script. The scripture references are in normal print.

May we forgive Mark 11: 25-26
25-And when ye stand praying, forgive……if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26-But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Unite in Christ Eph. 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ.
Together we can win
Unforgiveness in the Church can create a barrier and make us less effective.
The lost and dying world for Him
I John 4:8 He that loveth not knowth not God; for God is love.
Who died that we might live I John 4:9
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
And live eternally with Him
All nations, tongues, and kin. Rev. 5:9,7:9
WE ARE GIVEN A GLIMSE OF HEAVEN
5:9 And they sung a new song saying thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred and tongue, and people, and nation.
7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.
The world will know who Jesus is
By our love for all men(mankind/humanity). John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.

Pauron for Mayor

P.O. Box 26841

Richmond, Virginia 23261