I didn’t want this to become Barack Obama week here at the blog, but it seems like much of the best thinking on issues of racial reconciliation in society are related to things happening in and around the Obama campaign. Which, I suppose, should not be that surprising.
Briefly, I wanted to call your attention to Rev. Eric Redmond’s thoughtful and thought-provoking piece over at his A Man from Issachar blog. In the post, he responds to a question that was brought to him by an aquaintance at the recent Hampton University Ministers’ Conference: “How can any Christian African American vote for Obama, given his views on abortion and same-sex marriage?” Eric’s reasoned response offers several points worth pondering.
And while I’m still riding the Obama wave, allow me to belatedly call your attention to a piece that my colleague LaTonya Taylor forwarded to me earlier this week, a Washington Times article that asks the question, “Who decided to call Obama black?” Given his mixed-race heritage, why is it taken for granted that Obama is a black man? And what does our labeling of him as a black man say about racial politics and identity in America? Also worth a read.
Man, I thought the next post was going to be ‘Hancock vs Jesse’ in the consolation match. Oh well. 😉
As far as the racial construct goes, it seems like people are considered “white” only if they look 100% white or very close. If some other racial heritage is evident at all, then the person is considered to be of that heritage that contains the darker skin. Further, someone seems to be considered black if they have any black features, even though less than half of their ancestry is black. I’m sure there are a few reasons for this; some pointing to our racist past (and present) and some just sort of neutral whatever reasons (darker features being more dominant genetically, for example). (Forgive my eloquence) For example, Tiger Woods is considered black when less than half of his ancestry is black. (end parentheses) 🙂
I think Obama is aware of this label, since one of his latest ads emphasized him growing up in the Kansas heartland and being raised by white people.
Ed,
Man I check in all the time but rarely do I comment becasue of all the good dialogue… my opinion usually is expressed through someone else. But I had to chime in on this one concerning the “is he black” stuff.
As a biracial man (black and white) I have always leaned toward my African American culture for a few reasons…
1. Becasue my “white side” of my family disowned my mother (she is white) and all her children initially, this lead to me being raised by my father’s side of the family. I therefore am accustomed to and appreciative of that part of me. I think this is the case for a lot of folks of my generation (and certainly before) who were born with a black father and white mother. I know plenty of folks who were “mixed” but rarely knew their white culture nor was it celebrated. It was definitely learned becasue white culture is the norm and every text book teaches/preaches/promotes it.
2. I think the “one drop” rule is also in full effect here. That is there was a time when if you had any black in you (whether it was a little or a lot) you were considered black. This was not a pretty thing either. The doctor who delievered me and my brothers (a white man with race issues) put on our birth certificate “negroe” under the race question. This is very common but the kicker is he even put “negroe” for my mother! In his eyes she was black because she was having black kids and was married to a black man. Granted they don’t use “negroe” anymore but you get my point. My birth certificate reminds me everytime I have to use that I am black.
Anyway I just wanted to chime in. Thanks for the post Ed!
Holla!
This is my second post because the 1st one was lengthy and I didn’t want to take up to much space.
Continued…
This is why I think Barak is considered “black.” There was no point growing up where I felt like I was excluded from the black community. Yeah I was called “high yella” and “red bone” but never was there any negligence on my family or communities (which was all black) part.
So for me it is a no brainer as to why Barak is considered the “first African American ” presidential candidate with a legitmate chance.
I’m done.
Grace and Peace
Judy – Hancock vs. Jesse … That’s hilarious! Thanks also for your great observations. I guess one question I’d have for you is, what do you think of our society’s acceptance of this racial construct?
Aaron – Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I hope you’ll decide to chime in more often.
No disrespect to anyone’s post on this blog. I just like fact that people comment, and I have you as one of my links Ed.
People in this country are in a lot of pain and frustration over the race issue. I’m glad that the talk is out in the open so people can deal with their real heart and soul issues on this racial situation.
I have bi-racial family and grew up with good bi-racial friends inside and outside of the church. The real issue was posed in your post, was this:
How Can a ‘Christian’ African American Vote for Obama?”
African Americans see a black man, thinking African Americans see a man with a multi-racial heritage. A thought provoking question by African American pastor that knows that many African Americans (those that are emotionally led) see this as a black man period. Hence his question is a good one :
How Can a ‘Christian’ African American Vote for Obama?”
Any mature , thinking conservative Christian should have a problem voting for a someone coming from that stand point. Call values voting, or voting your conscience if you like. With those views he holds, there will be many African Americans that attend what we call bible believing churchs that will ignore where Obama stands on those issues, and will go to the polls and help put this man in office, because he’s black in their eyes.
They will ignore the liberal church he attended for 20 years (though I don’t believe it was a true weekly commitment like most of us that go have), they will ignore the fact that Reverend Wright’s theology was unbiblical (as long as people look at the racial issues, why bring up a theological one?) they will ignore the fact that Obama will continue in those views of killing the unborn and they will vote on a Tuesday and go to church on a Sunday, and shout when he wins!
In spite of all the race issues, and campaign drama he’s poised to win.
As a Christian that is African American I sincerely have a hard time voting for this man. I understand his heritage ethnically. But since it’s out, How Can a ‘Christian’ Vote for Obama?” In light of God’s word is the issue.
I certainly understand where Eric is coming from knowing his audience, and how the question was posed to him. I have a great deal of respect for many of the African American pastors that work within the Southern Baptist Convention, while it has grown more multi-cultural/multi-ethnic over the years it takes obedience to the Spirit of God in our lives to continue with them striving for racial reconciliation. That’s what makes your blog, and books so important Ed.
God bless you and the readers of this blog.
This post reminds me of something that happened earlier this year after I posted a series of blogs on Obama. I’d had a wacky dream about me and Obama in the White House. So, with my tongue in my cheek, I posted a few blogs on ‘what if.’
In response, a writer friend, whom I’ve gotten to know via emails and forum posts, emailed to persuade me not to vote for Obama. At first I was flattered… ‘Gee, you read my blog.’ But then I realized what was going on. She’s a white woman (in an interracial marriage, btw) trying to talk me out of what she thought was my vote.
In her mind, since I was black I was going to vote for the black man. NOT! I was angry for a few days after that. Okay maybe more hurt than angry.
As a black woman in America I don’t like to be pigeon holed like that. It all points to the troubled-path we reconcilers try to follow .. you know the path, it’s the one where all blacks think alike.
NOT!
1. What do I think about that construct. Hmm, a few things. Keep in mind that this is my unresearched opinion. It seems in one sense to separate people into two groups: white people, then everyone else. Of course there are other distinctions that can be made, between Asian and Latino, black and Native American, etc., but the first division seems to be white, then everyone else. This is troubling on a couple of levels. It seems to imply that white is the standard by which all races are compared, and that whiteness is superior on some level. For example, I have a friend who lived in India (of Indian descent) until he was about 10. He told me that his father made him cover up in the sun so that his skin would not get any darker than it already was. I guess because of British influence and rule, light skin was deemed superior and dark skin was undesirable. So if you’re somehow ‘tainted’ by some other race with darker skin, you don’t get to be white anymore. Since there is nothing inherently better about any race of people, this belief obviously wrong.
As a white person I also don’t like being separated from every other racial group on the planet. There’s this weird concept that other groups have heritage, culture, music, struggle, and that white people are cultureless somehow, which is impossible. It’s like our culture was wiped away along with our melanin. My heritage and history is not better than anyone else’s, but it is unique and I cherish it. I sunburn, and yet I still bleed. Anyways…
2. As far as the question in the title of the post, “How Can a ‘Christian’ African American Vote for Obama?” I think the reaction of a conservative white Christian like myself needs to change from an accusatory, “How could you?’ to listening and understanding a different point of view. I think one key to the reconciliation process that does not exist for the most part is the concept that: I can understand where you’re coming from and not condemn you, while still disagreeing with you. Do I think a Christian African American ‘should’ vote for Obama? No. Do I see how a Christian African American could vote for Obama and still consider him a brother in Christ? Yes. Disagreement doesn’t have to equal disrespect, disownment, or hate. Right?
Even if a white conservative Christian is 100% correct in saying that an African American Christian should not vote for Obama, we (as white Christians) need to remember ( or learn) that our practice of Christianity is not complete or perfected yet either, and that these African Americans we want to look down upon could teach us a thing or two about what it means to follow Christ. Maybe that’s part of what it means to put up with each other’s weaknesses (real or perceived).
Excellent post on so many levels, Judy. And just because I needed the laugh tonight… My favorite part was:
“I sunburn, and yet I still bleed.”
I am a WHITE Christian who is leaning toward Obama. I struggle with some of his policies– most notably the Abortion one… But my vote tends to go to the candidate I agree with the most… not the one I disagree with the least. I’m rather tired of the political game… this cycle of popularity polls and smear campaigns that attempt to affect said popularity polls. I’m trying desparately to filter out “The Machine” that tries to tell me who I should vote for. (ie, if you’re black, you vote for Obama. If you’re priority is national security, vote McCain. etc…) I’m a big boy, and I can make my own judgments, and I don’t need “The Machine” to make my decision for me. And when it comes down to it, from what I hear and read about BOTH candidates, (I try to stick to direct quotes and interviews as much as possible), I “AGREE” with Obama more than I do McCain. Perhaps I DISAGREE with Obama more, as well. But as I may have mentioned in a prior comment, it comes down to the fact that my vote goes toward the candidate I feel will be the best, overall (the sum total of Pro’s minus Con’s), for the country. Even for this culture. I feel Obama represents me– my priorities, my beliefs, my vision for this great land and for the world, etc…– more than the other guy does. That’s how a “white Christian”, at least in one case, could vote for Barack. But then… I guess I’m not really answering your original question… 🙂
Tyson,
I appreciate what you said man! I like your thinking because I think it isn’t hi jacked by the religious right.
As a pastor I liked to believe that I love Jesus and care about His church. I am pro life but not limited with it. I think God actually cares just as much about the “born” as He does the “unborn.” I think He despises
So I guess these arguments about abortion are so “old” to me and just a cop out to the real issue. The church is still struggling with seperating itself from the lies of those folks in the past who made our parents believe that every Christian had to vote Republican and if you didn’t then your faith was in question.
These folks talk about the preserving of life but could care less about war torn countries or little Tyrone who needs a miracle to become productive in society because he was born in a neighborhood where the schools are overcrowed and options are limited. How is being pro life mean that your only against abortion?
Anyway I just think it is a very limited argument that is getting really redundant. I am very much opposed to abortion but I will be voting for O’bama because being “pro life” involves more than just abortion. It involves war (peace rather), education, health care, foreign aid, and yes the poor.
Judy,
You said…
“Even if a white conservative Christian is 100% correct in saying that an African American Christian should not vote for Obama…”
After reading this (and all of it within context) I can honestly say that I appreciate your efforts to be “sensitive” to others and acutually listen to folks I think the next step is actually listening with the idea that maybe folks are right and maybe you are wrong. It is one thing to say I want to hear your side of the story, it is another thing to say I am “open” to actually changing if what others say is actually right.
I am not trying to get on you but I think there has been a certain amount of fakeness in race relations in the church where the dominant culture is now wanting to hear “the other side” but that is it… just hear. I think folks of color are starting to pick up on this now as well. Its almost like saying you really like a song because of the “beat” but you never really listen to the words. So folks go on playing the song on their radio and even by the cd but never actually stop to listen to the words.
I feel like this is what has become of the popular racial reconciliation movement of the white church. Listening to the beat but not taking time to hear the words. The reconciliation catch phrases like…
1. We need to hear where they are coming from…
2. They could teach us a lot.
3. We need one another
These are all good but I think it needs to go to the next level. Actual meaningful relationships that involve families and not just an occasional coffee date where white folks ask a bunch of questions or occasionally buying a Kirk Franklin album and playing it in your car.
True 1 Cor. 12 stuff where white folks are starting to actually believe they need the black church just as much as they think the black church needs them.
I am done but this whole political stuff with O’bama has shown me another side of the racial divide in the church and to be honest I just want us (the church) to start being real and moving forward as a close family and not distant cousins we only see on “special” occasions.
Grace and Peace folks!
I thought I was done but I think I need to elaborate a little more.
I said above that I believe the white chuch needs to start believing they need the black (folks of color in general) church just as much they think the black church needs them. I think this is when true biblical reconciliation happens. When the white church can say… ” we need the hand (black church), the eye (Latino church) and without them the body will not function. I think when this “need” is realized then we will be getting somewhere.
Statements like…
“I can understand where you’re coming from and not condemn you, while still disagreeing with you. Do I think a Christian African American ’should’ vote for Obama? No. Do I see how a Christian African American could vote for Obama and still consider him a brother in Christ? Yes. Disagreement doesn’t have to equal disrespect, disownment, or hate. Right?”(Judy)
Not trying to pick on you Judy but this is exactly what I am talking about. Just cause you are trying to to hear people out doesn’t make it an honorable thing. Yes it is better than the generation before that said they were “color” blind but it really isn’t that far from that of being color blind. You are going to hear what I am about to say but you have already made it up in your mind that disagreement is a given. Whats the point of you hearing my side of the story if you don’t take the time to interact with the information and my experience that is presented?
So in closing this is what it sounds like from the white church…
Hey we want to listen to you guys even though we disagree and that isnt’going to change. But by all means go ahead and do your little dance and we are watching and listening with our mind made up.
No thanks. I can think of a whole lot of things that I would rather engage in then those type of conversation. It still says supremacy to me. Part of me is sorry that this is the way it is and that I am the one “calling” folks out who believe they are doing the right thing by hearing the beat but not listening to the words. I don’t write these things with bitterness but rather with a passion to see authentic racial reconciliation within the body of Christ.
To come full circle again this is the disturbing thing about this whole O’bama thing and how race and political party hi jacking has reared its ugly head again.
I know I said I was closing but what can I say I was raised listening to African American preachers who often said they were going to close but go for another 1 hour! 🙂 Beautiful culture… yes it is!
Totally unrelated to the above post…
Mr. Gilbreath, Just wanted to say that I read your book and I really enjoyed it. I’ll be subscribing to your blog and hopefully we’ll be in touch.
After reading this post I realize that I was very accusatory and in no way was this my intent. Forgive me for not being clear on a lot of points.
Anyway I hope you can decipher what I am talking about in spite of all the rambling. Take it with a grain of salt.
Grace and Peace,
Aaron- I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m following your thought… and if __I’M__ following, it must be pretty clear. 🙂
I do appreciate your clarification/sensitivity toward the accusatory tone, which I admit I was struggling with a little… I hold that bridgebuilding takes workers on both sides of the chasm reaching toward the middle. And the initial step IS indeed striving to understand, or “see the other side” (as Mr. Gilbreath agrees throughout his work). At times I fear that “the community” is done reaching out. “It’s THEIR turn now! We’ve done all WE can!” As “justified” as this position may be historically, the minute either side goes on the offensive, or disengages, gives up, gets tired or otherwise starts circling the proverbial wagons, the reconciliation game is over. But… post 12 clears your position up in my mind, at least… Thanks!
Tyson,
Thanks for your grace! I certainly need it. Anyway yeah I am with you in a lot of ways but I need you to clarify what you mean when you say…
“At times I fear that “the community” is done reaching out. “It’s THEIR turn now! We’ve done all WE can!” As “justified” as this position may be historically…”
When you say “the community” who are you referring to? When you say “THEIR” and “WE” whom do you mean?
I think this will help me understand your comments a little more but like I said earlier I am with you when you say…
“the minute either side goes on the offensive, or disengages, gives up, gets tired or otherwise starts circling the proverbial wagons, the reconciliation game is over.”
Well said bro!
Grace and Peace,
Aaron,
I understand that this forum of blog comments is limited, so no hard feelings.
I’ll try to clarify a little without messing this up even more.
My comments about listening to the other side, disagreeing, etc. were limited specifically to the question posed in this post, “How can a Christian African American Vote for Obama?” I’ve researched, listened, considered different points of view, and have come to the conclusion that I will not vote for Barack Obama for president. I guess in a sense my comments were pointed to white Christians I hear that are baffled and speak in judgmental terms toward blacks and other Christians who will vote for Obama or some other Democrat that is not Pro-life or conservative. The first step is to at least know what the other point of view is. Even if your point of view isn’t changed, once you learn what another Christian is thinking and what motivates their actions you can respect their point of view even if you don’t agree with their conclusions. I would hope that the same is possible coming in the other direction.
The one thing you said that troubled me most was:“These folks talk about the preserving of life but could care less about war torn countries or little Tyrone who needs a miracle to become productive in society because he was born in a neighborhood where the schools are overcrowed and options are limited. How is being pro life mean that your only against abortion?”
I’m sure there are Christians that are like this, but for the most part this is not true. Conservatives like myself care about these issues, but disagree with liberals on what the solutions should be. It’s not fair to say that Christian Democrats don’t care about abortion, and it’s not fair to say that Christian Republicans don’t care about the poor and other social issues. I just think this is a harmful stereotype of the so called “Christian Right.”
I would certainly hope that disagreement is not a given on other issues.
Peace Y’all
Judy,
I guess we are going to have to agree to disagree:) Just joking! How hypocritical would that statment be coming from me after what I wrote about folks not listening… lol!
Anyway I guess you can say that is a stereotype of the Christian Right but some stereotypes are true whether we want to believe them or not. These days if any thing is labeled a stereo type it is automatically untrue. Not sure I have come to that conclusion but I do think we have to be sensitive. I think some are true! For example… I have heard some folks say that African American’s are “loud.” I don’t know that this is the proper word but it is true that in African American culture the volume is up. The culture is oozing with celebratory music, laughter, and a wonderful playfullness. This in no way is a bad thing but to me a beautiful thing ( I am a little biased since this is what I grew up in). So yes African Americans are celebratory in all that they do and yes the volume isn’t down like in a presbyterian church service (I reformed so I had to throw it in there). All this to say some stereotype are just true.
In this case I think it is pretty true as well (I am just being honest). Historically conservative Christians have been one issue voters. I think this is a true stereotype. I know some will throw in big government vs small government, and welfare reform but every sermon I have ever heard, every chapel service at Moody Bible Institute, every Christian radio station plea has been about abortion. Any other issues are an after thought and often just thrown in there after someone like me challenges them by saying God cares about the “born” just as much as He does the “unborn” or God cares about His creation (environment), or God hates injustice toward the poor, etc.
I have been immersed in “white evangelicalism” since I went to college and I have traveled the country to conferences, seminars, etc. and this is always the case. I am not trying to push my “weight around” here by saying this but I am not going to by the “that isn’t a fair assessment” line.
Judy you are definitely the exception (multiple issue voter) and not the norm (abortion is THE issue) when it comes to why you vote Republican. I do think there are a lot of conservative Christians starting to think about the environment, the poor, foreign affairs, etc. and I am excited about that but this has only began to come on within the last 10 or so years. Even if you say… “everybody I know thinks like this and is a multiple issue voter”… I still cannot by it as the norm. I have been in to many mainstream white evangelical circles and I know better. Sorry!
Just so you know I am not affiliated with any party. I was for Bush in 2000 and was opposed to Kerry in 2004 (all though by that time I was not a Bush supporter at all). So I am not coming to you as a democrat but rather someone who takes each election into consideration based on the candidates and not their party. And I am not suggesting that even this is some how the “high road” in voting but rather my particular “bend.”
Peace Judy!
Judy,
One more thing about the “disagreement” rhetoric. I am not just talking about voting tendancies but a lot of other issues that I feel the white church is “hearing the beat but not listening to the words.”
The racial reconciliation talk is just that to me like I said and needs to start going deeper. So this idea of “hearing the other side” in my mind amounts to nothing in areas such as…
– Ensuring that diverse leadership is in place for these white operated/funded ministries in urban ethnic areas.
– Being sensitive to “how” folks go about giving to those in need.
– Being more about empowerment instead of paternalism.
– Ensuring that the have’s aren’t degrading the have nots in their giving.
I can go on and on naming areas where folks are not listening but saying that they are. Until I start to see the dominant culture taking more strides in being open to folks of color being in leadership (willing to set under diverse leadership), not having to be in control of the money, allowing their children to play/dance/and God forbid even “date” folks of color, etc. I will still stand on the statement that we are not close to where we need to be.
We live in a racialized society in which the churc is racialized as well. Hard fact to swallow. I hate it trust me. I pray that as a pastor of a church in a multicultural (ethnic diversity + economic diversity = multicultural) community that we as the church of Christ will break down the walls of history and move forward as the church of “every tongue, every tribe, and every nation” that Christ purchased by His blood! Amen!
Talk to you soon Judy! By the way thanks for stopping by my blog. I look forward to “building” with you more in the future. I looked at your blogs and noticed that you haven’t been writing of late so I will be waiting for your next post.
Grace and Peace!
great dialogue y’all. keep it rollin! Thanks for continuing to kick things off Ed!
Ed,
Forgive me for getting off topic a little. Judy and I were in our own “little world” there for a while. Actually I was in my own little world and Judy was trying to stay on topic.
Anyway sorry about the rabbit trail on your blog homie!
Peace,
Aaron
Aaron,
No apology necessary. I’m glad that you folks are able to have a thoughtful and respectful conversation here. I’m learning a lot. Thanks for sharing your views.
Ed G.
Just for the record, I haven’t bought a Kirk Franklin CD in years.
Is his new stuff any good? 😉
I hear it’s got a good beat. I couldn’t quote you the lyrics, though.
🙂
that is so funny! Well done Tyson!
No profound comment. I don’t think I ever considered whether or not he was black. That seemed obvious. Sigh. I guess nothing is ever that cut and dried these days? Or maybe nothing ever has been?
Where do we go from here? I hear so many people speak of Mr. Obama as the Great Redeemer, it reminds me of a people that begged the Prophet Samuel for a King (1 Samuel 8 “Give us a King”.
This is a Nation that doesn’t realize that throughout history God has allowed certain leaders to rise only to have famine, turmoil, grief, and poverty fall on the nation. This was many times to draw them back to God, not a man. President Clinton was in Sin while in the Office, and Sin came down on the Nation. Bush may have been the tool of God’s Wrath. Don’t look to McCain or Obama as your help, Lift your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help, your help cometh from the Lord. Psalms 121
Whomever wins the office as President of The U.S.A. will need our Prayers beginning right now. May their heart be towards God who is concerned about more than the middle and upper class, knowing that the poor we will always have.
Many of the poor today were once the middle class, what a shock it must be for them to see how quickly they have been forgotten. Thank God Our Father and Creator for this great nation, and the Presidential Candidates, but I will put my Trust in Almighty God during this time of Spiritual, Economic, Personal, and World Crisis.
John 19:10-11(New Century Version) Pilate said, “You refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have power to set you free and power to have you crucified?” 11. Jesus answered, ” The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God…..
Psalm 62:11 KJV
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
God was well aware of what would happen during the Bush years, and He knows the heart of Obama and McCain, do you?
May the Holy Spirit lead you, and Jesus the Christ be with you when you elect the next President of The United States of America.
This has nothing to do with the election, but since Kirk Franklin’s name came up….. yes, his newer stuff is DEFINITELY worth checking out. Kirk has some of the most honest, searching, heartfelt lyrics you’ll find anywhere in contemporary music.