Commentary by Wanda
“For the problem of the Twentieth Century is the problem of the color-line” is a famous line from one of the most prolific black sociologists of the 20th century, WEB Dubois. Dubois believed that the power to overcome the color-line could be attacked through political power (the right to vote), civil equality, and education–collectively. Dubois' message was to all African Americans but I want to specifically address those who claim a conservative Christian perspective. Elections are right around the corner and for the past several years, I have witnessed many African American Christians vote based purely on “traditional family values” and the protection of the family (anti-same sex unions). When these candidates and officials talk about protecting the family they are never referring to "Pookie" and "Nay Nay’s" family…trust me! For if they were, there would be a greater emphasis on increasing minimum wage, improving education, and attacking drugs and violence in our cities. Some of our esteemed African American religious leaders parade these conservative candidates in their pulpits, pose with them for photo opportunities, and affirm these candidates based merely on their opposition to abortion, same sex unions and homosexuality.
I believe that the black church should be the agent for social change. Instead of focusing solely on prosperity, personal pursuits, financial literacy, and materialism, the church should be the prophetic voice addressing all the issues that their parishioners battle week in and week out in their respective communities. Many pastors resist discussing politics from the pulpit for fear of offending their members. But how is it possible that the black church, with a conscience, can distance itself from social activism? Lack of quality education, access to healthcare, and insufficient social security benefits are issues that affect African Americans disproportionately, so how can we remain silent?
Years ago in Atlanta, black pastors would interview local political candidates and then provide recommendations to their congregations. This type of collective power brokering resulted in informed citizens and an active leadership. What type of power would the African American community yield if pastors would revisit this type of collective political power?
African Americans of the middle and lower classes can’t afford to vote merely on moral issues when their economic stability is being threatened. As many continue to base their political ballot on whether or not a candidate is a member of The First American Church of Whatever and is Pro-Life and anti-gay, the gap between the haves and have nots widens, more and more black children slip through the cracks and our grandparents continue to be unable to support themselves. I know there are a myriad of other issues that this country deals with outside of the oppression of blacks and poor (we are not only homophobic, but also xenophobic – border issues and immigration laws); we’ve created powerful enemies and stand in fear of an attack on our liberty and, with the heightened threat of North Korea, our very lives. When we are made to focus on hot topics like abortion and homosexuality, we can forget that many are underemployed, undereducated, and undervalued as citizens of this country.
Don’t forget to exercise your right to vote on November 7th. Get involved in a local organization that addresses issues that help to make your community better. Check the candidates voting history and the causes they support – don’t let Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, and Anti-Same Sex Unions be your guiding decision, find out how they stand on economic and social issues that impact your community- because your very life depends on it.
Response by Cantice
Now I see the light. I wondered why Wanda would want to partner with me (someone who disagrees with her on the most essential spiritual doctrines and political ideologies) on anything, let alone a blog. But now I’ve got it. She brings it all to bear in this week’s commentary; she wants to convince all five of my conservative black friends to vote for Democrats.
Even if she does, it won’t impact the November 7th election. I can’t believe she wastes a whole page talking about people who vote on the basis of abortion, and same-sex marriage. I’m the only person I know who switched parties because of the life issue. The other people who vote Republican were going to anyway. The problem is exactly the opposite of what Wanda bewails. “Our” people, people in general, don’t vote based on morality; they vote (and Wanda urges them to) based on economics, and a limited knowledge of economics at that.
Wanda’s says the black church isn’t political enough because they’re not holding forums and interviewing candidates. I think that educating members about “The Peace Plan” and the "five global giants" (something that my “black church” does) as defined by Rick Warren has the capacity to make a greater difference than interviews and forums for addressing politics in our country and the world.
Morality doesn’t stop at marriage, it reaches into the economy. Let’s talk about raising minimum wage (this would be more of a conversation if we owned more of the businesses that were forced to comply with this regulation); I don’t think that anybody is satisfied with minimum wage. We’re not supposed to be. The best way to overcome the dissatisfaction is to keep acquiring the skills to qualify for more highly paid positions. This isn’t elite thinking, this is common sense. When I made minimum wage during college work study, I wasn’t mad. But neither did I expect to continue making that wage after graduation. Lowering our expectations for workers doesn’t create a better economy or society. And believing that economic status blurs the line between moral and immoral is an ideology that I detest. The bible is explicit; it is worse to be immoral than poor. I know poverty intimately, but I refuse to return to immorality.
It is a dream of mine that one day we will have a party system that actually requires a moral person to make hard decisions around Election Day. We’re not there yet and Wanda’s commentary assures us that we aren’t even close. If those who cry out against suffocating economic pressures or concealed racism would add the atrocity of abortion or other moral topics to their list of oppressions, I guess I would respect them more. As I once told my mom, if I feel like my life as a black person is being threatened, then I have a voice and a vote and any other means necessary to fight back. The young humans that I switched parties to vote for don’t have that power.
Five Global Giants: http://www.thepeaceplan.com/
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