Shalom To Sister Martina Davis Correia A True Champion

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the struggle for truth, freedom, justice, and equality-- I'm writing this post not in sadness that we lost one of our dear sisters to cancer, but to celebrate an extraordinary life of fighting the mainstream for justice.

Sister Martina Davis Corriea passed onto glory yesterday (Dec 1, 2011) after a long battle with cancer. The battle that really spoke to her legacy had nothing to do with cancer but rather with the battle she so courageously fought -- the battle against the gigantic legal system that had convicted, imprisoned, and sentenced her brother, Troy Anthony Davis, for more than twenty years on death row on circumstancial evidence. Troy Anthony Davis was "executed" on Sept 21, 2011.

Think about that for a moment........ more than 20 years of fighting a multi-billion dollar legal system of judges, attorneys, politicians, wardens, media, courts, etc. A struggle to end the death penalty and a system that would seek to take the life of anyone, especially, when no physical evidence existed but only circumstantial evidence and multiple recanted testimonies of witnesses who lied in court, while a similarly situated White death-row inmate was removed from death row even though physical evidence existed along with a confession.

Fighting the mainstream is one thing, but what happens when your own people join the status quo and fight against you also? 

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This is struggle our dear Sister Martina faced for so many years.

When so many voices of prominence, from within the Black Community, came out against her cause and struggle for justice--she never gave up.

When Black ministers and so-called Black leaders turned a deaf ear and cowardly walked away from lending their support--- she persisted.

When Black clergy members spoke in her favor "in private meetings" but would NOT speak out with her publically--she simply knocked the dust off of her feet, picked up her cross, and continued the good fight.

Despite Black opposition from so-called Black leaders (and you know who you are) Sister Martina showed through her actions and committment to justice that she "out-led" much of the "recognized status quo-endorsed" Black Leaders. Many times when she and I met, she spoke of her disappointment with the vast majority of "Black Leadership" --- men and women who looked the part and dressed the part but would not stand up to live the part.    

                   This is NOT an attempt to discredit any Black clergy member.
Those few (from the local Savannah Black Community) who gave their support and were not afraid of any backlash from the status quo are to be commended. True leadership is prepared to stand against injustice. However, those Black leaders that chose to remain "safe Negroes" by not going against the mainstream view, well, they just revealed the "Toby" that is still alive and well within their plantation hearts.

Despite much opposition Sister Martina attracted support that reached all around the globe, literally. Locally, The Savannah Chapter of The National Action Network (NAN) led by Sister Alicia Blakely, who was assisted by Brother Ivan Cohen, Sister Solana Plaines, Denise Chaney, and others came to her aid. Also assisting in the struggle were the Daughters of Mary Magdalene founded by Sister Marilyn Jackson, and The Geechee Institute founded by Sister Patt Gunn.

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What Are We To Learn From Sister Martina's Work Ethic?
1) Stand Up For Justice
2) Be Bold and Fearless When Facing The Opposition
3) Walk Alone Even When "So-called" Leadership Refuse To Act
4) Stay The Course No Matter How Long The Struggle Might Take
5) Despite Your Own Imperfections, Remain Faithful and True To Our Creator and Savior (Yahweh Elohim Yahshua)
6) Leave a Legacy of Love To Inspire and Enhance Future Generations
7) Receive Your White Robe Along With 7 Of The Most Powerful Words Ever To Be  Spoken To A Human Being: "Well Done, My Good And Faithful Servant"

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Servant Emannuel Branch at Prayer

     Stay Blessed Sister Martina Davis Correia.
 
Thank you Father Yahweh Elohim for allowing this Sister-Servant to shine your light upon our lives through her devoted struggle for justice. In a single word that I believe describes her best would have to be......"DETERMINATION."

Sister Martina, you are truly determination personified. Know that the Yahshua University Family will love you always. Through your legacy, may we all be inspired and energized enough to move without fear of the maninstream elite and to never give up.

                                                                                               1Love and Shalom, 
                                                                                         Servant Emannu'el Branch

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Brothers and Sisters, I ask that you please grace this blog with your expressions of love for a devoted "Sister-Champion For Justice" such as this.    I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!