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Black Evangelicals and the 2008 White House Race
Thu, 12/20/2007 - 23:23 | PoliticsReligion
A Washington Post article addresses some of the issues being debated by Black evangelicals in considering candidates in the upcoming presidential race. Many who supported and voted for Bush in 2004 are now torn between the two major parties:
In the 2004 election, there was evidence that an appeal aimed at those differences could work. President Bush nearly doubled his share of the black vote in Ohio. Bush promised colorblind appointments and launched the faith-based initiative, and the timing of his run coincided with several state ballot initiatives banning same-sex marriage that turned out large numbers of evangelicals, [John C.] Green said. The Republicans running this year have not made the same appeal.Will socially conservative Black pastors have as big an impact in the next presidential election as they had in 2004?
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Comments
I think that the Republicans
I think that the Republicans have every chance of pulling the black evangelical vote this year WITHOUT a push from their pastors.
Why?
Hillary.
The perception of the Democratic Party as the lesser of two evils has been murdered not only by the Clintons' unbelievably persistent race baiting but also by the silence of the DNC on the matter.
For weeks we have been treated to some of the most thinly veiled racist remarks that we have seen since white America showed its stripes with the OJ trial. Day in and day out our patriotism has been questioned and our faith has been called "hate mongering," "delusional," "racist". This has become "THE" black church!
Moreover, we have been witness to the structuring of a new age Jim Crow standard that has been sanctioned at every turn by the white voters and politicians of the Democratic Party. The "Is your Christianity good enough" standard. Name for me a white politician that America has suggested should have to leave his/her church because of their pastor not meeting the approval of white America?
Hillary Clinton has cinched the deal now.
She was asked to separate her political attack on Obama from her denigration of the other 8,000 members of the church! She made NO attempt to do so! In one fell swoop she denounced the decision of 8,000 people to worship in the church of their selection!
And did the powers that be in white (or black) America object? NO!!! Not one iota!
I am sick of our more visible African American figures whining about their being rejected for supporting Hillary!
No one gives a hoot if they support Hillary or not! What is in play is whether or not they support US! Whether they, as Sheila Jackson Lee had the unmitigated gall to verbalize, feel their allegiances to the Clintons can or should excuse their forgetting their allegiances to US!
All of these eye openers are going to leave the Democratic Party with no means by which to pull the black evangelical vote back into the fold. There will be nothing Tavis or Sharpton or Jackson can say after they have sat back and allowed us to be subjected to the most humiliating, hostile, denigrating, verbiage imaginable.
Had our "leaders" cared about us at all---they would have easily found a way to speak out for us without taking sides.
Heck---maybe they would have been able to use their cherished relationship with Clinton to help her see just how offensive she was being. Or maybe they have tried and failed.
Nonetheless---if they wanted to keep the black evangelical in the Democratic fold---they would not have watched Hillary dismantle the Democratic "less racist" firewall. Failing to do that, those who cared about the black community would have said "don't stereotype my people, my churches, or the patriotism of my people merely to play out your silly season games!"
Shame on ALL of the black intelligencia!
Black evangelicals are pathetic
Excellent Comment! You hit the nail on the head!
You might want to clarify on
You might want to clarify on Evangelicals...maybe some those you are referring to are more like, what I would term "black skinned Evangelicals"...for the most part like the white majority, with just a few hints of their heritage.
They would be different from "urban evangelicals", who aren't as white as the "main" group...they value social justice as much as issues as sexuality and abortion. You might not hear as much about them because they are busy DOING the work, rather than worrying about what sin the government is (or really is NOT) addressing, whether abortion or racism. Both have equal value in terms of being detrimental to society.
For some discussion on it...
Urban Evagelicals and another blog entry
http://revolutioninthespirit.blogspot.com/2008/01/emerging-urban-evangel...
http://revolutioninthespirit.blogspot.com/2008/01/some-emerging-thoughts...
It is a difficult question
It is a difficult question for all people - what are the factors that compel each of us in the important decision of how we vote and how we stand up for our beliefs - does one decide based on politics, religion, race or gender? Or, does one carefully consider all pertinent factors in deciding who we would have lead us - who we believe is best suited to lead us? The latter is always the preferred approach, but sadly too often it is decided upon the former. Can Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton transcend the prejudice that would disallow their consideration based solely on their race or gender? Do those of strong Christian belief feel compelled to turn to Gov. Huckabee and away from Gov. Romney?
One can only hope and (for those of us of faith) pray that our country can, and has, evolved to such extent that we can attain such heights. Politics, religion, race and gender aside (if that is truly possible), do we as a country have the fortitude, the courage and the real faith to do just that? I believe that we can and that we will. That is a strong belief - one that is shared by so many Americans; so much so that we dare to achieve it, not in our lifetime, but in this year.
If we are to change the face of America, in America and throughout the world, we have to be fearless in changing the face of our leaders. The time to do so is now. The courage to do so is in us. And if we do that, the world will be positively changed for us having demonstrated that as Americans, as a nation, we are not afraid to redefine who we are and what we might become - to the betterment of all people.
Dr. King had this dream, and his truth is marching on.
Over the years our young
Over the years our young people in the black community talk about in the DAY!! We as parents, uncle and aunts, grandmothers-fathers try to make them understand those young people that will listen on how it was, to sit at a counter and wait to be arrested-standing in the back of a bus with no seat empty in the black section, but lots of empty seats in the white seating section. Dr.King I hope didn't give up his life for nothing. Black people in this internet community-Whites in Iowa vote for one of us! Can't we do the same for ourselves, by changing our image around the world; not white folk but us! Black Man exit Air Force One as the President of America. Dr King, the content of this man is in play because whites in Iowa saw a good man who wants to unite a nation at war with itself and wants to make a change as you did by standing for FREEDOM for all. To my brothers and sister of South Carolina help Sen. Obama make it to California where we will and can put this Brother into the White House so that our children will never have to say this [A BLACK MAN CAN NEVER BE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA]. Let's help put that idea to bed forever. Obama 08.
My wish is that black
My wish is that black evangelicals will stop listening to the right Revs long enough to actually consider the record of the candidates. As long as the candidate professes to love Jesus there will be no questioning, and if told by their ministers the sheep will dutifully follow. After all, isn't that how we now have the current administration that's in power. No one looked at the fact that he never ran a successful corporation (anywhere but into the ground); as Governor of Texas, the state had the highest teenage pregnancy rate, the highest capital punishment rate, one of the highest rates of illiteracy - but W. not only professed that Jesus
was his savior - (didn't he run on "compassionate conservatism") - and he would be so much better than Al Gore and the greedy do little corrupt congress.
Well 7 years later, how many unnecessary deaths, U.S reputation trounced around the world, corporations writing the rules, another gilded age, torture, extra-ordinary rendition, healthcare going thru the roof, media consolidation to the detriment of the public good, scandals every other week. Yet the sheep are
once again moaning about gay marriage, abortion - stay out of other people's bedroom & doctors' offices.
Right now there are far more important issues that need to be dealt with, and professing a faith in God without showing how that faith should be working to uplift everyone is merely lip-service.
I would really like to ask evangelicals and all people that profess a faith a few questions: does your faith not ask to treat others as you would like to be treated? Doesn't that mean that exactly what it states. I don't recall it saying only if you are Muslim, Jewish, Cristian, Buddhist, etc., it doesn't mean if they look like you, pray like you want them to, dress the way you want. It means that if you wouldn't want someone to stab you in the back - then don't do it to them first.
What happened to being your brother's keeper? Does that only apply if he/she happens to be born to your mother - or can we apply it to Canada or Mexico when we have these unfair trade policies in place where they aren't even paid one dollar a day for a full day's work. Then we have the nerve to jump on the illegal immigrants - they may be wrong for coming - but I don't see Oprah hiring a whole lot of illegals on her set.
What happened to being competent instead of incompetent cronyism in getting a job? What happened to real standards of excellence and morals in our own behavior, before we can check anyone else.
As we go forth into this new year, let us all take a long look at ourselves and the people that we have elected, if only to make better choices the next time. Let us really analyze the records, and not just give away our vote/voice because someone has professed Jesus as his savior. Before I give my vote to another soul (I need to borrow a line from Barry White) - I want that person to practice what they preach.
Black “conservative” clergy
Black “conservative” clergy will not carry as much of a substantial impact in 2008 as in 2004. Discerning people of faith have awakened and recognize that there are those who profess faith while seeking the vote, political policies reflect otherwise once they are in office. There will certainly be those of us who will not exercise independent judgment at the booth, taking their lead from clergy and perhaps being led astray once again. It is an interesting paradox that many of the so-called “conservative ministries” live self-justified lavishly liberal lifestyles, which do not coincide with their conservative political convictions. I often wonder do we believe that one has no bearing on the other?
That great man of faith Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sacrificed life and its material adornments to uplift the people, breaking bread, walking, talking, and living among the people. He represented the best of us, and of humanity in his mission to serve the people, calling the politician to order, demanding accountability, for the benefit of the people. Today, what I sadly observe is the world and its politics growing influence in the church, I see division between those who have and those with the least among us up front and personal in the church. Rather than the church setting the standard for equity and justice in the world as established by God, the world dictates to the Church, with the acquisition of individual material wealth as the measure of prosperity.
And we, people of faith, sit, pondering why we cannot synergize the wealth, the intelligence, the youth, and the hope (for those who care) of our communities. Dr. King would be greatly disappointed with many of us; surely this is an understatement? Might he ask why we as a community, and as a nation continue to write blank checks to self-serving politicians and clergy alike, while the people suffer? Wasn’t it loyalty to the people, not the establishment, that infused Dr. King’s passion in pursuing human dignity and prosperity for the people? I pray that we come to an understanding that the pulpit and the political podium are not interchangeable. I pray that we all have a prosperous new year, growing in Love and Faith.
Peace be with you
I hope not and it probably
I hope not and it probably won't but black people need to get a clue. Why do black folk always fall for the odey-doke?
In the words of Malcolm. The
In the words of Malcolm. The Black Preachers that supported Bush were hoodwinked and bamboozled. Not one promise was truly kept. They should feel rather foolish and return to their mission of uplifting their communities, from whense cometh their wealth.
Some of them will be busy with the IRS and the Congressional Investigations about their wealth.
Will the real Black Preachers, in the tradition of Martin Luther King, please step forward.
I really don't think so. I
I really don't think so. I am sorry to say this, but Black evangelicals in particular often don't realize when the game has changed. In fact, if this administration keeps showing its true colors, black evangelicals are gonna really find out who they are in the grand scheme of things; but again, I don't think they get the message.
W.E.B. Dubois talked about the problems with black evangelicals in his day in some of his writings. This is nothing new. The evangelical wing has suffered some major hits just this year alone. People have and are continuing to lose their "fear" of evangelicals. For a while now, they have been able to get their bluff on. Society has often "feared" them, but when you too often get caught up in the thing you preach against, it really damages your credibility.
The problem that I have with the black evangelicals is that they don't speak from their hearts. They sound so scripted. They sound like parrots repeating phrases they have heard others say over and over again. It is as if they have a manual on their night stand that says, "How to be a Black Evangelical in Ten Easy Steps".
I guess I can understand. It was all those gay folk getting revenge on us for not letting them marry that they caused all those people in New Orleans to die after Katrina. Their rampage set off the issues in Jena and kept Genarlow Wilson in jail. It seems that it is these same homosexuals in Corporate America that are sending jobs overseas and reducing the availability of quality health care to our communities. This cultural war is bigger than I imagined.
I get the message. It's the gay marriage folk that are causing all of the destructiveness in our communities. Who knew that when Martin Luther King III and Rev. Sharpton marched around the Justice Department, they were warring against the gay marriage forces that are locking our brothers up at record rates and brutalizing them in the streets. We even have a brother in Washington state who has threatened to take on Microsoft because of their "gay agenda". Trust me, Microsoft is being punished enough right now. Their gums are still bleeding from Vista being the failure that it is.
I am so glad that I have some "on-time" brothers to keep me informed of what the devil is trying to do. Tavis, I got my "wa clothes" on. See you on the battlefield.
I hope not this time.
I hope not this time. Claptrap is not what we need to try to gain approval for candidates running for office. When I see candidates at Church on Sundays I laugh because first off I have no idea who they are and what position that they are campaigning for-so for me it makes no difference … It was once said that “A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well, than a fool from a mountain top”. No longer are we foolish enough to be dragged and persuaded by mere appearances and unnecessary mangled conversation when it comes to these Cheetahs running for office.
This fast running/talking Cheetahs can no longer intoxicate us with their feathered smooth words-having intimate moments with us knowing that lies are underneath the surface of their agenda. Being that we have become politically informed -we are a nation of people that goes past the handshakes, the fox trap smile and the superficial glance-we have received in the past. It is more to a man/woman than the appearance. “Just because a man tells you he knows the bible doesn’t mean that he lives it”. Same with our political world, people say enticing and believable words to get you past the starting line. Nevertheless, in the end they leave you flummoxed about who they really are.
I think that is why God says to put no trust in man. It may very well be that man has limited powers to move and process things that he has promise. In addition, when he falls short, we become angry and disappointed. Being in office comes with many challenges I suspect-but how do you promise to pass laws and change things when you know that each step has its process and it includes more than just your intentions? A wise man once said, “At every crossway on the road that leads to the future, each progressive spirit is opposed by a thousand men APPOINTED to guard the past.”
I believe that some of the candidates go into office-not very many-but some go in with good intentions that are met by aggressive opposition. In addition, it is just like being at the line of scrimmage where you know what you promise the people -yet getting across that line of scrimmage is urgent but you cannot cross over that line because the defense team has you blocked. They are standing there with arms folded shouting no change and here you stand with a bag filled with ideas and you cannot get across that line. So what do you do? How do you keep from disappointing the people? How do you explain the truth, letting them know that everything in life has its process? You cannot, and for that matter-no one can go into office and make changes without evaluating the beginning and the long-term effect your decision will have on the people around you. If one can do that, he/she will be dancing to their own disastrous beat.
“If a man does not keep peace with his companion, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”
Be honest and open to the public about your process, explain to them your goals/agenda and not necessarily give out a timeframe but give us some indication of how this process works. Inside details are better than standing on the outside without a clue.
I think America would be more tolerant with the process if the candidates kept us well informed. For example if the candidate promises once he/she got into office, they would create jobs and boost the economy-but that is all they tell you-then that is just liking holding on to a closed account. You know that that account serves no purpose. So tell me from the beginning to the end “how are you going to make this happen”? Do not tell me it never rains in California without giving me the reason why. To every action, there is a reaction.
There’s this thing I like to call “The etiquette level of Communication” … I do not want to sound biased and closed-minded but I think our problem lies within the universal of men who refuses to communicate whether in business or relationships-men generally don’t communicate well. They act is if their souls are tormented by the word communication. They'd much rather toss around their egos/testosterones instead of communicating with others to find a common ground of resolution. This is where we seem to be going wrong here. However, you know what - Senator Obama displays that special characteristic of communication - he really does. He appears to be genuine at heart and a good listener. His Etiquette level of Communication is someone different in a business aspect – from with our former candidates.
Therefore, when it all comes to a 212 boiling point - Preachers nor celebrity has a large signature of approval as they once did.