Barack Obama‘s decision to work with anti-gay preacher Donnie McClurkin may have tarnished his reputation, but it wasn’t entirely a bust. In the wake of the brouhaha, Obama’s gay and black Christian campaign teams have finally come together. Why weren’t they working together before? Good question.
So, what did Obama’s friends do with their cooperative effort? They released a letter urging voters to use the McClurkin stink as a springboard for unity.
Here’s but a taste:
As representatives of Barack Obama supporters from the African American religious community and the gay community, we are issuing a statement together for the first time. Our letter addresses the recent issue of Pastor Donnie McClurkin singing at Senator Obama’s “Embrace the Change” concert series. In the midst of division, we hope and believe that this is a moment to bring together communities that have been divided for far too long.
…
It is clear that Barack Obama is the only candidate who has made bringing these two often disparate groups together a goal. In gatherings of LGBT Americans and African Americans of faith, Obama has stated that all individuals should be afforded full civil rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and that homophobia must be eradicated in every corner of our nation. If we are to end homophobia and secure full civil rights for gay Americans, then we need an advocate within the Black community like Barack Obama.At the same time, while Obama has said that he “strongly disagrees” with Pastor McClurkin’s comments, he will not exclude from his campaign the many Americans including many in the African American community who believe the same as Pastor McClurkin.
We believe that Barack Obama is constructing a tent big enough for LGBT Americans who know that their sexual orientation is an innate and treasured part of their being, and for African American ministers and citizens who believe that their religion prevents them from fully embracing their gay brothers and sisters. And if we are to confront our shared challenges we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.
The letter later urges critics to consider the alternatives. Would we rather a candidate who ignores black people? Obviously not. Would we rather Obama neglect the gays? No, of course we wouldn’t. Would we rather have a candidate who took the time to investigate his allies and their views on his other potential allies? You bet!
As for Obama “including” blacks who hold McClurkin’s beliefs – well, that’s all well and good, but will he be taking time out of stumping to explain why he supports gay rights? Will he explain why McClurkin – and their – homophobic beliefs go against their so-called Christian love? Will Obama call for an end to all forms of discrimination? Only Obama can answer these questions. And we hope that he will.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
el polacko
so obama couldn’t find some secular music acts to take on tour ? pro-or-anti-gay, do we really want to elect (another) jesus freak ?!
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
That letter is one of the mostly cleverly constructed messages produced by a political entity. They took lemons and attempted to make lemonade.
Here is my translation of it. Senator Obama is supported by many LGBT Americans, and by many black LGBT Americans proud of his candidacy.
Senator Obama is a conservative Christian and embraces many of the views expounded by black fundamentalist preachers. This is true, despite the fact that Senator Obama is a member and communicant of the United Church of Christ, a liberal Christian denomination.
Senator Obama wishes to embrace many supporters, many of whom hold divergent theological, secular and political views.
Senator Obama has openly expressed his disagreement with any overt homophic comments. He nonetheless has no problem with garnering support from individuals who express homophobic thoughts and actions. For example, Senator Obama opposes same-sex marriage but favours civil unions, domestic partnerships and is against a federal constitutional amendment.
My supposition, and it is that…is that both his Islamic father and stepfather and his community have instilled in him a very conservative instrinsic opinion about male homosexuality. His choice of UCC membership is still baffling to me, other than to further confound the religious issue. This issue is important to a man with his name and innuendo about Islamic affiliation and the Shari’a law that in some nations torture and hang gay men. Lynching is a touchy subject, as it should be. Spiritual violence begins as verbal taunts and often ends in physical violence.
If Senator Obama was infused with a deep sense of justice and commitment, and not poll-driven pragmatism to accomodate both groups, my fear is that he would not be in our camp at all.
Rt. Rev. Dr. RES
Wow, Nigel is right. You have the most addictive blog on the net. The very best.
Leland Frances
Didn’t they buy that “big tent” used from the Republicans?
I’m surprised Isaiah Washington didn’t sign the letter. At least, then, I would have heard of one of the only 16 who did. As for their credentials; there are only about five people left on earth who haven’t been on one of HRC’s giant boards at one time or another. And why only “African American” signers? The homophobia within a specific race may affect the LGBT members of that race more, but they still affect all LGBTs of whatever race. The homohatred of one of the whitest white guys on earth, Fred Phelps, doesn’t hurt Black gays any less than it hurts white gays.
IF Obama had proposed an ACTUAL, sit down “dialogue” with McClurkin et al., as they posit, I would applaud him. But this was NEVER presented as that until after the bullshit hit the fan. It was the Donnie and Barack Show; live on our stage, singin’, shoutin’, and trying to scoop up Black votes from people who like McClurkin’s singing and either don’t mind his professional demonization of gays or also agree with it.
A lot of pretty words but it reminds me of the expression, “you pissed on my foot and now you try to tell me it’s raining.”
Sadder by the day. Harder and harder for me to keep telling people to vote for him in the general election if he’s on the ticket, but we must, we must. Everybody must also duck because I hear another blistering barrage from Black lesbian minister and Obama iconoclast incoming.
WWH
The letter is bullshit. The two groups hate each other and always will.