Hi Friends —
This past Sunday, I published a new page on TruthUnity entitled "The Johnnie Colemon Puppet Project" and emailed subscribers about the page and the project. Many people found the images on the page offensive. Several people unsubscribed from the newsletter, and, fortunately, a prominent minister emailed me to explain the feelings the images engendered and how she felt about seeing them on TruthUnity.
I then understood how and why the project and post would be perceived as offensive; I unpublished the page, apologized to her personally, and asked if she would meet with me so I would learn not to repeat sending offensive material. She is a generous spirit. She accepted my apology and agreed to meet with me next week.
This letter is to apologize to those who were offended, to explain to those who saw no offense the feelings of others who were offended, and, most importantly, to apologize to the puppeteers whose love for art, children, and Johnnie Colemon has unexpectedly backfired. I have a special request at the end.
I am the publisher of TruthUnity. I created the project, wrote the blog post, and decided to publish photos of the puppet as it was being created, along with several different images of lips and hair. I regret those decisions and ask you to accept my apology for them.
For those who did not find the images offensive, I learned that they evoked some painful memories of the past when Black people were depicted in a derogatory manner, similar to the "Black Face" with big red lips during the Jim Crow era. Although no harm was intended, seeing one's spiritual leader portrayed that way hurts many. Most importantly, we must fully grasp the significance of such images and their impact.
The people most hurt by this contest were the puppeteers. Our project began with asking how children could learn from Charles Fillmore's mind and Myrtle Fillmore's heart. A James Dillet Freeman puppet was created so children would know who wrote the Prayer of Protection. I remarked that the most revered leader we have is Johnnie Colemon. The puppeteers took that on as an artistic challenge to honor her. They did that with great love for their art, for children, and for Johnnie Colemon.
My special request is to not allow this mistake on my part hinder the development of puppet ministry in our churches. I invite you to imagine what Fred Rogers and Jim Hensen would say and what I said last month, "Has a puppeteer blessed you? Is it possible that their gift of imagination is as powerful as love and wisdom? Is it possible that we need to raise up and emulate the work they do and recognize how puppets can bless others in unknown ways? Is it possible that a humble puppet can be our own spiritual guide?"
Puppeteers transform lives. They know our answers lie within us. And their puppets draw out those answers. They transport us to a world where our perceived limitations no longer exist.
I thank our puppeteers and ask everyone who reads this message to shift their focus from hurt feelings to children's ministry. We will continue address hurt feelings as we progress as a spiritual movement. But we need to embrace, thank, and support those who do puppet ministry.
Sincerely,
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
