Here’s an interesting look at Race, Religion and Same-Sex Marriage, via the New York Times. Writes openly gay columnist Frank Bruni, “the quest to legalize same-sex marriage — now permitted in six states and Washington, D.C. — has met particular resistance from African-Americans.” He notes that black oppositon played a major role in passing the anti-gay-marriage Prop. 8 in California and defeating an attempt to pass marriage equality legislatively in Maryland.
Bruni points out that the Human Rights Campaign has launched a media campaign using video testimonials by black celebrities and civil rights leaders to speak up for marriage equality. That’s certainly fine. Since HRC can’t/won’t work to make inroads among non-Democrats, at least focusing on winning over a large but recalcitrant part of the Democratic coalition makes sense.
3 Comments for “Race and Marriage”
posted by Houndentenor on
We still have problems with racism in the gay community and homophobia in the African American community. I applaud any effort to address either problem.
posted by Regan DuCasse on
There are more components that make this issue more complex than most people talk about. Especially marginalized or minority communities.
What blacks, Jews and gay people have in common, IS such status. There is less political clout if at the whims of a popular vote, but also in the arena of marriage and family expansion said communities have more risk of becoming MORE of a minority.
That is to say, it’s taken for granted that intra community relationships and the success of child rearing is the same and it isn’t.
For black Americans, the kind of economic stability that supports families is still very elusive. Sometimes being married or staying that way hasn’t been as much of an option. Especially since the pool of eligible black males to black females is so, so small. Indeed, gay men have much in common with black females in that regard. It’s hard enough to find someone compatible and good for you and committed in the long term, but there are less in number to choose from. Making the opportunity less in some ways.
The gay community is confronted with the meme that they don’t reproduce, so therefore are worthless to society in general. There is a great deal of guilt laid on Jews and blacks in the same regard. You’re further decimating a minority already under siege if you aren’t marrying or making children as your community thinks you should.
A new tactic being used to engage black people against Planned Parenthood is that black children are victims of genocide. Furthering Margaret Sanger’s agenda of eugenics.
And this is coming from people like Focus on the Family and FRC, orgs that couldn’t have cared less about black people until they saw an opportunity for a political ally against gays. They sure don’t have any people of color representative of the LEADERSHIP in these groups.
But let’s be for real and honest in ways those who are anti gay are not: they don’t care about ALL children, but the children of their respective tribes. They don’t care about babies who are living in poverty, neglect and abuse right now. But more about POTENTIAL babies and embryos.
As evidenced by attacks on contraception and abortion, but at the same time, the thousands and thousands of children abandoned to welfare and foster care aren’t living in the homes of those keeping them from potential gay parents.
And they are active against any security and support through marriage for the children of gay couples and parents.
In so many ways, theirs is still one of very primitive, clannish entitlements. That ONLY biological children and the parents who have them matter. That means that identity and belonging to a specific tribe matters more here.
And orphans and those without anyone to claim them, truly don’t.
Lineage over character, so to speak.
So much guilt or tribal rivalry is laid out on the gay/Jewish/black person. Making babies for one’s country or cause isn’t new, even if it takes a loveless marriage or unwanted child to do it. It’s the cause that matters more, than the people affected by it.
We know there are no negative consequences of gay marriage out of proportion to or unexpected of marriages everyone else has. However, respective minority communities as aforementioned, have been forced to have OTHER priorities, and concerns. Essentially because of systemic bigotry and discrimination that still damages to this day.
Something conveniently forgotten as to who the cause of it has traditionally been.
And it’s not gay folks.
Black civil rights leaders like Coretta S. King, Rep. John Lewis, Andrew Young, Julian Bond who have stated without ambiguity,their support for marriage equality have the street cred no one in the FRC, NOM and so on could ever claim.
Notice how FRC and NOM are very careful not to go toe to toe with any of them in a public forum.
Good for HRC. Yes, better than nothing.
But it’s important to note this footrace didn’t start with the same options and opportunities and support at the same time as the majority to reach the finish line with the same success.
Can’t ignore that either.
posted by Jorge on
I hesitate to object to a presenation that passionate.
I’ll use something from it.