Resurgent Man Benjamin Watson Values Life

Toggling between those who identify the problems to those who are trying—in their corner of the world—to solve them, today I’d like to highlight Benjamin Watson. He first came to my particular attention (culturally) after the riots in Ferguson, MO and his articulate, heartfelt, and sensible Facebook post went viral. Then, when he stood up and spoke at the recent March for Life in the Mall at Washington, DC, I decided to highlight this Resurgent man because any Resurgent man like Benjamin Watson values life.

He values life enough to stand up and say so, not just at the March for Life, but also in his book Under Our Skin: Getting Real about Race. Getting Free from the Fears and Frustrations that Divide Us. He writes,

“The solution to the problem of race in America will be found only by ordinary people, “good” people, looking inside themselves, being honest about the assumptions and biases that have formed, and beginning to change what’s in their hearts.”

His wise introspection goes beyond just race, though. In a recent interview,

“Baltimore Ravens tight end Ben Watson calls upon men to take responsibility for their actions and protect women and young girls from facing the devastation of abortion.

Watson, who addressed the tens of thousands of pro-life activists participating in the 2017 March for Life, has been speaking out about abortion and, particularly, the disproportionate number of abortions in the black community.

‘When it comes to the black community, we represent a larger proportion of abortions than I would like, than any of us would like,’ he explains. ‘And so, to me, it’s a big challenge to men, as well – not just black men, not white men, but just men in general – to step up and protect women, to protect young girls, to protect the pre-born.’

‘Men were made to be protectors and caretakers, and a lot of what we’re seeing when it comes to this topic would be a thing of the past if our men would stand up and be men,’ Watson urges.”

Benjamin Watson epitomizes Resurgent Men in action. If he’d get highlighted by mainstream media, his words of encouragement could go a long way toward healing American families, black or white. His affirmation of what manhood looks like is a throwback to a different time, a better time–and frankly, it’s time now that this nasty parenthesis in culture came to an end in which men are relegated to the sidelines while women try to play every position on the field. The Do-it-Yourself-and-Do-it-Alone feminism has been a real problem for too long.

I’m one woman who will be glad to see the day when manhood comes back into style. When manhood, genuine manhood, comes back, we’ll see healing of families and healing of the races. God meant for men to be men and not just benchwarmers in the game of life while their sons and daughters get raised on Facebook Live with the morality of gangs and rap musicians.

As Watson says,

“The problem of race is deep and wide and requires seismic change. But if we look to government to solve it, we might as well feel hopeless. If we look corporate America to solve it, we’ll be waiting a long, long time. And if we agree with Ta-Nehisi Coates, who tentatively suggests that “the only work that will matter, will be the work done by us,” then we will truly despair, for we know how well that has worked. If we follow that track, we’ll quickly add in disbelief, as he did, “Or perhaps not.”

As I’ve said, the problem of race is not “out there.” It’s “in here,” in the human heart. And though there is no task in heaven or on earth more difficult than changing the human heart, I believe in the one who can do it. It requires a supernatural solution.

Yes, I believe in God. You see, I know how God can change a person’s heart.”

And that’s why Benjamin Watson is one amazing Resurgent man who values life and knows that true life will keep us from despair. It will keep us from discouragement as we press on to value the life present in men and women, teens, and babies. Black and white. Young and old.

A Resurgent man like Benjamin Watson values life because he knows who gives it.

1 John 2:13 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, dear children, because you have known the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you have known him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one. 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world– the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does– comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

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