Obama Addresses Homophobia and Anti-Semitism at Ebenezer Baptist

Almost 40 years after the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, the first, viable black presidential candidate speaks out on the slain civil rights leaders legacy. Speaking at Atlanta's Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King once served as pastor, Sen. Barack Obama talked about the racial politics of the 2008 presidential election, personal responsibility, and, achieving the goals set forth by King.

But it will be Obama's pointed remarks on bigotry around homophobia, anti-Semitism and xenophobia within the black community—especially the black church community that he was addressing—that will be remembered:

For most of this country's history, we in the African-American community have been at the receiving end of man's inhumanity to man. And all of us understand intimately the insidious role that race still sometimes plays - on the job, in the schools, in our health care system, and in our criminal justice system.

And yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that none of our hands are entirely clean. If we're honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King's vision of a beloved community.

We have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them. The scourge of anti-Semitism has, at times, revealed itself in our community. For too long, some of us have seen immigrants as competitors for jobs instead of companions in the fight for opportunity.

Every day, our politics fuels and exploits this kind of division across all races and regions; across gender and party. It is played out on television. It is sensationalized by the media. And last week, it even crept into the campaign for President, with charges and counter-charges that served to obscure the issues instead of illuminating the critical choices we face as a nation.

If we're honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to King's vision. These are dynamic words, and, in this part, the senator and presidential candidate is fulfilling MLK's legacy to judge men and women on the content of their character. The much-needed reference to homophobia—at such an historic location—is a strong reminder of an ugly subject that needs more discussion in the black church community. It's also an olive branch extended to the LGBT community, especially black LGBTs, the second this week, after the Barack Obama campaign's much-criticized decision to enlist "ex-gay" (or is it "re-closeted"?) pastor Donnie McClurkin. Since then, Obama has stressed his strong positions on gay rights.

On the other hand, it's not fair that Obama, by virtue of his skin color, should be one of the few (black) leaders and the only presidential candidate to do this. "Addressing bigotry in any community that has suffered oppression at the hands of the majority can, and must be done," observes Pam Spaulding at Pam's House Blend. "Particularly in a year where we have both a woman and a black man with a credible chance of winning the nomination and making it to the White House."

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Some Background:
Yolanda King Remembered at Ebenezer Baptist [R20]
Gay Rights Ally Yolanda King Dies at 51 [R20]
"MLK Would Favor" Gay Rights [R20]
Live Blog: Coretta Scott King Funeral [R20]
MLK Observances Include Coretta Scott King [R20]
Gay-Bashing" at Bermuda Mega-Church [R20]
Obama on Omar on "The Wire" [R20]
Why Obama is Losing Black Voters [HuffPo]
Welcome to the Campaign, Barack [HuffPo]
Deb Price on Blacks LGBTs and Obama [R20]
Report: Barack Obama Campaign REJECTS Michael Eric Dyson and TWO Black Gay Pastor [R20]
Obama Tries Distance from "Ex-Gay" McClurkin [R20]
Obama Campaigns with Ex-Gay Donnie McClurkin [R20]
Bishop: "No Faggots or Sissies" [R20]
Democratic Debate Addresses Homopohobia, Race [R20]
Democratic Candidates Debate Gay Issues [R20]
Behind the Gay-Friendly Faces [Advocate]
Hillary: The Advocate Interview [R20]
Obama on McClurkin to "The Advocate" [R20]

Comments

[Luther]

Excellent point Dean, and, i have to say I agree, he can't discard his Mom being white and should never deny his white side. That said, in this country, th term biracial seems to be moot, since what people see is what you are.

And, I sure hope that you are on the front lines of the virulent racism within the gay community.

[Cadence]

Dean, it's not racist to say Obama is Black, if that's how he labels himself. I hate when people say he is Black because that is how society sees him; in my opinion that's bigoted. But there is no issue if he is the one who steps out and says his race is Black. And it's not up to you or anyone else to try and alter that label.

[Mark Norris]

This is why I love this man. He is one of the few leaders that courageously speaks out against homophobia.

[Mark Norris]

This is why I love this man. He is one of the few leaders that courageously speaks out against homophobia.

[Luther]

Cadence, I don't consider myself "bigoted" but, its not as if he can say he is "white" when he looks black, and, the history of this country, past and present says that if you look black, you are. And, even though he is half black, and, takes that as his persona, more power to him, just like I say about Halle Berry, but, I do not think its fair to call someone a "bigot" for seeing the US in the real way it is, and, its still black and white, with few shades of grey.

[Rod McCullom]

This comment thread is careening into a debate on racial politics. That was not the intent of the post.

Cadence is correct. Barack Obama is bi-racial, and, has described himself as "black" or "African-American" and chooses to self-identify with the black community. If you read his books (hint: one is being advertised on this blog), he talks in detail about his journey of self-awareness, and, why he chose this route. Or, you can just listen to any speech and hear the senator express himself in those terms or express affinity with the community.

[Jimmy]

Him calling himself black is racist?
Since when?

At any rate, I'm glad that Obama addressed the issue. Points for him.

[Andy Niable]

Great speech, and certainly not the safest political move so close to South Carolina's primary. But very courageous.

I ask: if Hillary gave the same speech to a primarily Black or other "minority" crowd, would she be seen as trying to address the problem, or condescending and criticizing?

More importantly, WOULD she give such a speech on that subject in that particular context?

Sometimes the messenger is important as the message.

If you were moved by the speech, get busy and find your caucus location or the date of your primary... even if you don't vote for Obama. Get involved.

[Derrick from Philly]

Dean:

The "one drop" doctrine was the only good thing to come out of slavery. If the Brazilians believed in the "one drop" rule, black & brown (& yella') Brazilians wouldn't be second citizens in the nation they built. The white parent or grandparents should be recognized if they treated the child well, but our society has dictated for 300 years what that child's racial identity is. Don't let no light-skinned black child go around believing he is white, he'll get his ass and his soul kicked.

Racism has to do with believing your race is superior to another. Very few black, Asian, African, Native American, Arab people on this Earth can honestly believe they are superior to the white men who ruled them for 400 years. Maybe the Japanese can, but that's about it. We can be bigots, but I don't think we can be racists.

At this point we (Democrats & Progressives) have to take the great historic chance with either Obama or Clinton. I'm starting to get the "spirit of hope" but, it's still a huge risk... so be it.

[Redd]

I am intrigued by the implications of Andy's question. Is it just me, or does it seem to anyone else that Obama directs all of his finger-waving and preaching about homophobia, anti-semitism, and anti-immigrant sentiment toward an African American audience? I'm not saying that these aren't important issues to deal with, but was Obama carrying this torch when he won in Iowa? For some reason, this rubs me the wrong way. And to return briefly to his comments on Omar from the Wire, it still seems ambiguous to me whether Obama doesn't give a full "endorsement" because the character is gay or because he's a criminal.

[Redd]

I am intrigued by the implications of Andy's question. Is it just me, or does it seem to anyone else that Obama directs all of his finger-waving and preaching about homophobia, anti-semitism, and anti-immigrant sentiment toward an African American audience? I'm not saying that these aren't important issues to deal with, but was Obama carrying this torch when he won in Iowa? For some reason, this rubs me the wrong way. And to return briefly to his comments on Omar from the Wire, it still seems ambiguous to me whether Obama doesn't give a full "endorsement" because the character is gay or because he's a criminal.

[Doug Cooper-Spencer]

Thanks for this piece, Rod. Finally, I am able to form a bond with Obama. Until this piece I simply felt a strong distrust for him when it comes to defending gay rights. He's not where I want him to be yet (supporting gay marriage), but this speech definitely makes up for 'McClurkingate'. I wonder how the homophobes will relate to him now?

[Mel Smith]

Mr. Obama greatly helped us out.