Juanita Bynum

Ms. Bynum,

I am scared that your actions in recent weeks are rendering you about as credible to the cause of fighting domestic violence as O.J. Simpson. Let's begin with your performance on TBN. While I can appreciate the prayer and praise, there is also a time for well thought action and spiritual sobriety. For instance, I did not understand your illogical and irresponsible assertions such as "on that ground that night I slipped into my purpose." You were a victim of domestic violence, period! There was nothing atoning or redemptive about what happened to you. All of that rhetorical jargon about not breaking the covenant with your husband and being spiritually submissive only re-circulates the very notions of power and abuse that fosters domestic violence in the first place. Rather than doing the "Harlem Shake" to Byron Cage that night, why didn't you use your platform to present the phone numbers to domestic abuse hotlines and women's shelters? Or how about providing resources for women who currently find themselves in violent relationships. Say what you will about Bishop Jakes' response, or lack thereof, to your situation, at least he didn't turn a tragedy into a praise-a-thon.