 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?  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.  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"  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 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!!!!!!!
6 Comments
SISTA PATT GUNN - FOUNDER - THE GEECHEE INSTITUTE
12/2/2011 10:37:16 am
"Go placidly among the noise and haste and remember what peace there is in silence." Desiderata - Author Unknown/
Sister Tabatha
12/2/2011 11:13:32 am
When I see this special woman Yah placed in our mist I must say how blessed we are to have known her or have had the honor of meeting her. She was a light for all to see what it takes to stand against the odds and say I will fight for what I believe.I know she was an angel here on earth to teach us all what love is.Please keep her family and her son in your prayers. 12/4/2011 01:08:56 am
Sister Martina although we have missed you pysically you are very spiritual to yahshua Elohim and as i have read through your work you were doing to yahweh is people here on earth was very awesome through faith and death has no boundaries.Its not good as a family of yahshua to loose our members like troy davis who justices was not followed it is very sad to every one of us and i shall take time to pray for these family.
Ivan Cohen
12/4/2011 09:13:57 am
I would have never known that nine years ago I would meet and make the acquaintence of a truly phenomenal woman. The Bull Street library was my second home away from home after work. I would spend countless hours reading the newspapers and magazines to stay current with world events. In the auditorium across from the browsing room a young lady unknown to me was setting for a program where she would discuss fairness for prisoners families. I was so taken with the program and the person that I told others I knew about it. This is how I met the person who later became known to me as Martina Corriea. I was enriched by her presence, I will be impoverished with her absence. I take comfort that her, Miss Virginia and Troy will be reunited as a family. They were robbed of that opportunity during their earthly existence. 12/6/2011 10:54:18 pm
In these world we are like a shadow, we should have freedom if its a black man who is sick should also be treated should be treated genuinely there is a total mistreatment to Yahweh is people especially the black .All of us we loved Davis and sister Martina but Yahweh loved here most but we shall recall your work here on earth.
marilyn jackson
12/19/2011 12:36:15 am
The pictures that you showed of Sister Martina was a reflection of her strength and courage to challenge a racist system and to save her brother. Only in America, a Black man is guilty until proven innocent. My heart bleeds when I think of this brother suffering on death row for twenty years for a crime he knew he did not commit. Most hurtful, was the day of execution. Since he was blessed in the past to escape the hands of the murderers, I am haunted with the thoughts and feelings he had on that dreadful night. I am thankful that Brother Ivan, Brother Majid and the African Drummers, 57 Kevin, Brother Devin, my grandchildren; Rashad, Imani, Zhi, and Kiana and all th other brother from Savannah State University and the sisters that traveled across Georgia to support Brother Troy Davis. I do believe that on that day, Troy Davis was in the person of Yahweh. His words were the same as Yahweh's while he was stretch on the death table. The way he was viciously strapped down was the symbol of a cross. Troy prayed for the the murderer who was to administer the poison into his vein and he used all of his strength to speak to the slain officer's family. This is something he always wanted to say but this was his only opportunity to say it because this wicked no justice system denied him the right to speak to the media or the press. His sister Martina was Mary Magdalene because just like Mary Magdalene she stood by Yahweh until the end. If we are still trying to visualize what happened when they crucified Yahweh, you do not have to wonder anymore because Yahweh allowed us to see his murder through our beloved Troy Davis. On this same note, we also the works and dedication of Mary Magdalene through Sister Martina. We all must learn through these two spiritual figures because they left a valuable message for all of us. That message is the stop the death penalty because of it's prejudice on Black, Latino, and white people of poor economic background. Moreover, the message they left was for Black people to stand up and fight for injustice, inequality, and racism that has poisoned the fiber of the city of Savannah, Georgia. Leave a Reply. |
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AuthorServant Emannu'el Branch, a son of Yahweh and one of the redeemed of Yahshua the true Messiah. A sign to help all nations and tongues, without regard to race, color, or gender get prepared to meet the original Creator and Son face-to-face and name-to-name. This is my purpose. Categories
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