Cornel West and John Legend are must-see-tv as they discuss gays, the black community and homophobia on Real Time with Bill Maher. Both offer support and critiques of our community after some choice pot-shots by national security expert Richard A. Clarke. West agrees that many blacks may be homophobic but "it's not a big issue across the board. Black people are not more homophobic than other folk. But black people are homophobic. ... We need more Americans to speak up against homophobia. We've got to defend the gay brothers and the lesbian sisters."
Bravo. The love-fest continues with super-fabulous John Legend, who schools Richard Clarke on a few things. Clarke attempted to blame John Kerry's 2004 loss solely on the homophobic black vote in Ohio. John Legend, an Ohio native, debated Clarke toe-to-toe on the politics of his homestate: "[Homophobia] is coming back ... It's a big issue but in the black community but we don't vote on that issue, we tend to vote on other issues." Legend also repeated instances of intimidation and voter fraud in his homestate. Clarke discounted the GOP's nationwide gay-marriage wedge platform and apparently forgot or never heard about the voting fiasco in Florida. Not to mention the fact that Kerry's campaign was just plain ole' sloppy from start to finish. Rod 2.0 ♥ John Legend.
Jasmyne Cannick has the video and spot-on-commentary.
Cornel West On Gays (Jasmyne Cannick)
Real Time with Bill Maher: Episode 78 (HBO)
Previously:
What Becomes a Legend? (Rod 2.0) "Black Gays Went to the Back of the Bus" (Rod 2.0)
Cornel and John were great guests. I also saw that.
Posted by: greg | 16 May 2006 at 12:33
Good catch, Rod! I've been meaning to mention this, as well. Two black men openly showing support for the gay community is a rare moment for television.
Posted by: j. brotherlove | 16 May 2006 at 19:18
Legend makes me feel all warm. It's truly amazing the paradigm of change we're on the cusp of experiencing.
I can't help but wonder what artists five / ten / fifteen years ago would have said and if it would have been the same or said at all!
Posted by: midnight lounge | 18 May 2006 at 14:57
I don't promote or support "panty men". But you certainly don't trash them when the media or other spy's are around. They are the ones buying your stuff.
Posted by: Lexington | 11 July 2006 at 07:20
Grrr,this video is a couple years old i know,but ive been trying and trying to find this video since it happened,and i havent managed to catch it,and was very interested in what they had to say...
Posted by: Rory27 | 28 March 2008 at 07:53