On election night in 2008 in California, where marriage equality was on the ballot in the form of Proposition 8. As the night progressed, it became clear that same-sex couples in California would lose their recently won right to marry. The elation that many felt about President Obama’s election was countered by spontaneous protests and visible outrage at this inequity. Almost immediately, it was wrongly reported that the African-American community had voted for Proposition 8 by 70 percent. Many of us watched in horror as latent resentments, outright racism and homophobia bubbled to the top of the national political scene. In comes film maker Yoruba Richen who has been shooting “The New Black,” the film from which this Op-Doc video is adapted, for the past three years. In the course of production, Yourba realized that the issue of gay rights in the black community is in many ways a fight over the African-American family, which has been a contested space since the time of slavery. So marriage is not just about marriage for black people — it’s also about how blacks have become accepted as legitimate participants in American society.
Now this issue is playing out in Maryland. In February, the State Legislature passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. And just as with Proposition 8 in California, opponents to this bill collected enough signatures to put it on the ballot next week.
But there are some key differences from California’s experience: this will be the first time a gay-marriage referendum is on the ballot in a state with such a high percentage of African-Americans. This will also be the first vote on gay marriage since President Obama and the nation’s pre-eminent civil rights organization, the N.A.A.C.P., came out last spring in support of marriage equality. Both faced a backlash from some African-Americans, especially those in the religious community. But no matter which side you are on, the gay marriage question in the black community has forced a conversation, which is taking place in the pulpits and the pews, the hair salons and barbershops — and ultimately at the ballot box.
Take a look at a piece from Yoruba Richen’s documentary
WATCH:
Yoruba Richen is a documentary filmmaker who has directed and produced films in the United States and abroad in Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. Her previous film, “Promised Land,” showed on “POV” in 2010. She is a 2012 Guggenheim fellow.
IS THE BLACK CHURCH IS HAVING ISSUES WITH VOTING FOR OBAMA?
Some black clergy, seeing no good presidential choice between a Mormon candidate and one who supports gay marriage, are telling their flocks to stay home on Election Day, a worrisome message in a tight race.
The pastors say their congregants are asking how a true Christian could back same-sex marriage, as President Barack Obama did in May. As for Republican Mitt Romney, the first Mormon nominee from a major party, congregants are questioning the theology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its former ban on men of African descent in the priesthood.
There’s no question which candidate is expected to win the black vote. In 2008, Obama won 95 percent of black voters and is likely to get an overwhelming majority again. But the nation’s first African-American president can’t afford to lose any voters from his base.
“When President Obama made the public statement on gay marriage, I think it put a question in our minds as to what direction he’s taking the nation,” said the Rev. A.R. Bernard, founder of the predominantly African-American Christian Cultural Center in New York. Bernard, whose endorsement is much sought-after in New York and beyond, voted for Obama in 2008. He said he’s unsure how he’ll vote this year.
It’s unclear just how widespread the sentiment is that African-American Christians would be better off not voting at all. Many pastors have said that despite their misgivings about the candidates, blacks have fought too hard for the vote to ever stay away from the polls.
Black church leaders have launched get-out-the-vote efforts on a wide range of issues, including the proliferation of state voter identification laws, which critics say discriminate against minorities. Last Easter Sunday, a month before Obama’s gay marriage announcement, the Rev. Jamal-Harrison Bryant of Baltimore formed the Empowerment Network, a national coalition of about 30 denominations working to register congregants and provide them with background on health care, the economy, education and other policy issues.
Yet, Bryant last month told The Washington Informer, an African-American newsweekly, “This is the first time in black church history that I’m aware of that black pastors have encouraged their parishioners not to vote.” Bryant, who opposes gay marriage, said the president’s position on marriage is “at the heart” of the problem.
Bryant was traveling and could not be reached for additional comment, his spokeswoman said.
The circumstances of the 2012 campaign have led to complex conversations about faith, politics and voting.
The Rev. George Nelson Jr., senior pastor of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, participated in a conference call with other African-American pastors the day after Obama’s announcement during which the ministers resolved to oppose gay marriage. Nelson said Obama’s statement had caused a “storm” in the African-American community.
Still, he said “I would never vote for a man like Romney,” because Nelson has been taught in the Southern Baptist Convention that Mormonism is a cult.
As recently as the 2008 GOP primaries, the SBC’s Baptist Press ran articles calling the LDS church a cult. This year, however, prominent Southern Baptists have discouraged use of the term when addressing theological differences with Mormonism. Many Southern Baptist leaders have emphasized there are no religious obstacles to voting for a Mormon.
Nelson planned to vote and has told others to do the same. He declined to say which candidate he would support.
“Because of those that made sacrifices in days gone by and some greater than others with their lives. It would be totally foolish for me to mention staying away from the polls,” he said in an email exchange.
Romney has pledged to uphold conservative positions on social issues, including opposing abortion and gay marriage. But many black pastors worry about his Mormon beliefs. Christians generally do not see Mormonism as part of historic Christianity, although Mormons do.
African-Americans generally still view the church as racist. When LDS leaders lifted the ban on blacks in the priesthood in 1978, church authorities never said why. The Mormon community has grown more diverse, and the church has repeatedly condemned racism. However, while most Christian denominations have publicly repented for past discrimination, Latter-day Saints never formally apologized.
Bernard is among the traditional Christians who voted for Obama in 2008 and are now undecided because of the president’s support for gay marriage. But Bernard is also troubled by Romney’s faith.
“To say you have a value for human life and exclude African-American human life, that’s problematic,” Bernard said, about the priesthood ban. “How can I judge the degree to which candidate Romney is going to allow his Mormonism to influence his policies? I don’t know. I can’t.”
Romney said in a 2007 speech that LDS authorities would have no influence on his policies as president. He also said he wept when he learned that the priesthood ban had been abolished because he was anxious for it to be lifted. But that has done little to change perceptions among African-Americans and others.
“Obama was supposed to answer for the things that Rev. Wright said,” said the Rev. Floyd James of the Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, at a recent meeting of the historically black National Baptist Convention. “Yet here’s a guy (Romney) who was a leader in his own church that has that kind of history, and he isn’t held to some kind of account? I have a problem with that.”
Obama broke in 2008 with his longtime Chicago pastor, Jeremiah Wright, after videos of his incendiary sermons were broadcast.
Many Democrats and Republicans have argued that Romney’s faith should be off limits. The Rev. Derrick Harkins, faith outreach director for the Democratic National Committee, travels around the country speaking to African-American pastors and other clergy. He said concerns over gay marriage have receded as other issues take precedence, and no pastors have raised Mormonism in their conversations with him about the two candidates.
“There’s just no space in this campaign for casting aspersions on anyone’s faith,” Harkins said in a phone interview. “It’s not morally upright. It’s not ethically appropriate.”
The Rev. Howard-John Wesley, who leads the Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va., said he is telling his congregants, “Let’s not make the election a decision about someone’s salvation.” Last spring, when it became clear that Romney would be the GOP nominee, congregants starting asking about Mormonism, so Wesley organized a class on the faith. He said congregants ultimately decided that “we could not put Mormons under the boundaries of orthodox Christianity.”
But Wesley said, “I don’t want Gov. Romney to have to defend the Mormon church, the way President Obama had to defend Jeremiah Wright.” Wesley, whose congregation has more than 5,000 members, said he will be voting for Obama.
The Rev. Lin Hill, an associate pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Va., said in a phone interview that he plans to travel with other local pastors to about 50 congregations over two weeks to hold discussions and distribute voter guides that will include a contrast between historic Christianity and Mormonism, and educate congregants about the former priesthood ban.
Hill is active in his local Democratic Party but said he’s acting independently of the campaign. He said Mormon theology becomes relevant when congregants argue that they can’t vote for Obama because, as a Christian, he should have opposed gay marriage.
“If you’re going to take a tenet of a religion and let that dissuade you from voting, then we have to,” discuss Mormon doctrine, Hill said. “We want folks to have a balanced view of both parties, but we can’t do that without the facts.”
The Rev. Dwight McKissic, a prominent Southern Baptist and black preacher, describes himself as a political independent who didn’t support Obama in 2008 because of his position on social issues. McKissic said Obama’s support for same-gender marriage “betrayed the Bible and the black church.” Around the same time, McKissic was researching Mormonism for a sermon and decided to propose a resolution to the annual Southern Baptist Convention that would have condemned Mormon “racist teachings.”
McKissic’s Mormon resolution failed. On Election Day, McKissic said, “I plan to go fishing.” And you know what go ahead and maybe the boat will tip over. I am so DAMN TIRED of our BLACK CHURCH and its issues with President Obama over Gay Marriage. He is The President of The United States. NOT THE PRESIDING PRELATE of a church. It’s his job to be a service to ALL Americans. LGBTQ People pay taxes and in many cases more than the church which is tax exempt! But you know I like the fact that the Christians will “BALL THEIR FIST AT GOD” and let him know that they’re going to vote for a Man whose religion tells people that God is on the planet “Kolob” whereas when we pray we’re suppose to “Our Father which art in HEAVEN”?
If President Obama is doing anything contrary to God’s word. I thought he has to give an account to God for his wrong doings? If so why are you angry at him over this issue and have become judge, jury, and executioner? Well Black preacher man lets look at our community shall we? As we are no different from any other RACE. YES there are many African Americans who have been successful in their quest for higher achievement. But let us look at the other side of things. High rates of teen pregnancy, High rates of being uneducated, High rates of HIV and other related STD’s, Not to mention other Health related issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity. Also to add a 57% percent divorce rate where there are many Pastor’s fall under this percentage along with having babies out of WEDLOCK. We're NOT GOING TO MENTION THE DL ISSUES! Why aren’t you working along with the community to help CORRECT these issues? Do you think Mitt Romney plans to help? After all you have seen his ad about President Obama and welfare saying he’s taking from the whites and giving to the blacks which we all know ISN’T TRUE!
Where have you Black Preachers been when the white clergy has literally called this man everything but what he is and that is The President of The United States of America! They have called him a NIGGER, A MUSLIM, A NON AMERICAN and also PRAYED FOR HIS DEATH. Hell Franklin Graham got on television and actually said he questioned if the President is a Christian? So I guess he was wasting time in Jeremiah Wright’s church all that time? Where were all you BIG SHOT WEALTHY PASTORS? Somewhere collecting money from the offering plate? Listen people we can all agree to disagree but we all must RESPECT each other even if you do not agree with one’s lifestyle this divide and conquer will only continue to DESTROY us as a community! We all deserve to be able to live with LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL!
Vanessa Long Explains Why She Returned To Bishop Eddie Long
After months of staying quiet New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Eddie Long’s wife Vanessa allegedly left him in the middle of his boy sex scandal last year and now she explains why she came back. Sources report she Addressed the church’s women’s ministry in late August, Vanessa reflected on the period in which she nearly divorced Long in the aftermath of 2010 allegations that her husband had seduced male minors in his care.
In a video posted online Vanessa Long addresses the New Birth congreation telling them,
“I was in the middle of a storm, and I got off the ship.”
Ultimately, the New Birth elder saw this controversy as a test of faith that strengthened her resolve to serve her church community.
“I realized that the best thing I could do was to let you see me as a woman, just like you. A woman capable of making good decisions and a woman capable of making bad decisions,” Long said. “Instead of condemning myself, I can use what happened as an opportunity to minister myself to someone else going through a storm.”
Vanessa NO!!!!
Some people are GLUTTONS for PUNISHMENT?…..Well what do you think? Sound off. Should she had left?
Paul Morton Attempts to Separate Church from HIV Reports
There are reports that a minister is infecting women in the Full Gospel Church in Atlanta congregation with HIV. Not only is he passing along a deadly disease but he is reportedly married as well which means he is also committing adultery. Since the story hit the media the pastor of the church has decided to speak out to try and separate himself and the congregation from the incident saying that he is not a minister there, but only the husband of his assistant and is not a member. This is what Straightfromthea reports:
The man he is speaking of is Craig Lamar Davis and while the Bishop attempts to separate himself from the chatter, he actually just made it a bit more interesting.
Morton admits that Craig is the husband of his assistant, but he states it’s not a Full Gospel problem.
Bishop Paul Sylvester Morton, who heads Full Gospel the church, recently issued a bit of clarification on the matter via the social networking site, twitter.
What do you think about the tweets by Bishop Morton. Do you think he is correct in feeling like this is not a church issue? Do you think he helped the situation, or just made himself look bad now?
Join stars, models, fashionistas, and designers on September 6, 2012, as they flood stores in cities across the country and around the world for fashion’s most iconic extravaganza.
With special limited-edition products, celebrity appearances, and unforgettable performances, FNO 2012 is promising to be even bigger and better than before!
A ruthless drug smuggler known as the 'Godmother of Cocaine' who was jailed in the U.S. for three chilling murders has been gunned down by a motorcycle-riding hitman.
Griselda Blanco, 69, was believed to have ordered dozens of executions during the notorious 'cocaine cowboys' era of the 1970s and 80s in Miami.
In a grim irony, the mode of her killing was eerily similar to the brutal drive-by killings she herself introduced to slaughter her enemies.
Although she was suspected of murdering many more, the Colombian was eventually convicted of three killings in 1985, including that of a two-year-old boy, for which she served nearly 20 years behind bars.
In 2004, she was deported to her native country and maintained a low profile in her hometown of Medellin.
According to Columbian press reports, she was walking out of a butcher's shop yesterday when two gunmen on motorbikes pulled up before one pumped two bullets into her head.
For a woman who had been credited with inventing the notion of a 'motorcycle assassin', the manner of her death came as no surprise to many, it was reported in The Miami Herald.
'Made many enemies': Brought up in the slums of Medellin, Blanco went from a simple pickpocket to command an empire that shipped an estimated 3,400lbs of cocaine a month
Murderous matriarch: Blanco ran her empire with three of her sons, two of whom were later assassinated in Columbia, while three of her husbands have also been killed in drug-related violence
Nelson Andreu, a former Miami homicide detective who had investigated her, said: 'It’s surprising to all of us that she had not been killed sooner because she made a lot of enemies.
'When you kill so many and hurt so many people like she did, it’s only a matter of time before they find you and try to even the score.'
'It's only a matter of time before they find you and try to even the score' Former murder detective Nelson Andreu
Brought up in the slums of Medellin, Blanco went from a simple pickpocket to command an empire that shipped an estimated 3,400lbs of cocaine a month.
She also symbolised the blood-soaked era of the 1970s and 80s when gangs would ambush their rivals in public, leading to her cartel being dubbed the 'Cocaine Cowboys'.
She ran the empire with three of her sons, two of whom were later assassinated in Columbia, while three of her husbands have also been killed in drug-related violence.
Blanco's exploits were also popularised in the 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys, which explored the rise of the drug in Miami during the 1970s and 80s which inspired the films Scarface and Miami Vice.
Interviewees argue that Blanco played a major role in the history of the drug trade in the city and other areas across America.
Detectives believe she was behind at least 40 murders and maybe even as many as 240, but could only link her to three.
Two of them, drug dealers Alfredo and Grizel Lorenzo, were shot at their South Miami house after failing to pay $250,000 for 5kg of cocaine.
Blanco was also convicted of ordering a shooting that led to the death of two-year-old Johnny Castro, who was shot twice in the head as he drove in the car with his father, Jesus 'Chucho' Castro.
She was fully expected to end up on Florida's Death Row.
But she was able to cut a plea deal after the prosecution's case suffered a major setback when a chief witness was caught engaging in phone sex with secretaries from the attorney's office.
Blanco later entered into a bargain with new prosecutors and was given three 20-year sentences in 1985. She only served a third of that time.
Prior to the mid-1970s, marijuana had been the main import into Miami and the surrounding areas.
But over the following years this was replaced by more lucrative cocaine.
Crime lords used many different tactics to smuggle drugs into the country, but the main routes were by boat or air.
The distribution networks were highly elaborate and technology such as electronic homing devices were employed to keep track of shipments.
Condominiums were bought near the ocean to act as reconnaissance stations to look out for coast guards and cartels monitored the radio frequencies of Federal, State and local authorities.
Legitimate businesses were then bought to shield these operations from the outside world.
The 2006 documentary Cocaine Cowboys, right, reveals that much of the economic growth in Miami came from the drug trade as the cash that flowed into these businesses went on to indirectly finance the construction of many high-rise buildings in southern Florida.
When law enforcement finally got on top of the corruption, many companies folded because of falling sales.
Terrence J Confirms New E! News Co-Host Gig
We confirmed the news a few weeks ago, but now it’s official. Terrence Jenkins, known as Terrence J on BET’s 106 & Park, has taken his talents to another TV show. He is now the official new cohost for E! News, teaming with Guiliana Rancic. Terrence confirmed the news.
“I’ve always had a passion for the wide spectrum of pop culture that E! News covers so well; I can’t wait to get started. I’ve had a great career so far, and it¹s all been building toward this. And then getting to work with great people like Giuliana and the entire E! News team just makes this seem like an even more perfect opportunity.”
No word on his former co-host Rocsi Diaz’s new gig (we’ve heard from unconfirmed sources that she’s pursuing her acting career), but congrats to both Terrence and Rocsi!
Wanna KiKi? See K. Michelle Before Her “Bridge “ Work
Check out the video, before K.Michelle got her teeth done.
WATCH:
And K Michelle Now!
Now KiKi!
Cassie Comes for Her Haters
OK who pissed in Cassie's Cherrios? Your girl just went awf on random bloggers and anybody else who has something to say about her relationship with Diddy...
Well you’ve been warned!!....LOL!
Rihanna is Targeted by PETA for Wearing Snake Skin Boots
Animal rights activists have recently began rave about Rihanna’s recent fashion choices even calling her a “freak”. PETA is slamming the pop star after she was spotted wearing a pair of snake skin boots last week as reported by Rumorfix.
This is what they had to say:
“Rihanna may not have a clue that snakes killed for boots are often nailed to a tree and skinned alive. Of course, they can’t go on Oprah to cry about it,” said a PETA spokesperson, referring to Rihanna’s recent appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s The Next Chapter.
“Wearing reptile skin is creepy and callous, and it makes her look even more out of touch. She and Lady Gaga seem so desperate to be freaks instead of recognized for their talents that you have to wonder if they realize that they are being laughed at.”
Lady Gaga has been at odds with the group for weeks now after she was spotted wearing a fur Hermes coat.
John Travolta Tries to Force Gay Lover to Make a Sex Tape?
John Travolta's gay lover reveals how the actor tried to force him into making a sex tape.
John Travolta used his celebrity status to manipulate his former gay lover, and the man claims in an exclusive new interview that the A-list actor even tried to pressure him to film a sex tape!
Doug Gotterba had a passionate six-year relationship with Travolta while he was his private pilot, and he revealed the shocking news that the Grease star wanted to film their sexual escapades.
“It came up, but I said no,” Gotterba exclusively told the National Enquirer about Travolta asking him to film a sex tape.
“He wanted to film it, and I said no,” he said about the actor’s desire to record their trysts.
Gotterba said that the subject came up “when we were watching porn in his bedroom.”
He told the Enquirer that he met Travolta in February 1981 and they soon became lovers, but that he always felt like the actor was in control of the relationship.
“If he didn’t get his way, I knew about it. Whenever he got his way, I was treated like royalty,” Gotterba explained.
“He used his celebrity and manipulation to get his way.”
For more exclusive details about Doug and John’s relationship READ Radaronline.com
Paul Morton Attempts to Separate Church from HIV Reports
There are reports that a minister is infecting women in the Full Gospel Church in Atlanta congregation with HIV. Not only is he passing along a deadly disease but he is reportedly married as well which means he is also committing adultery. Since the story hit the media the pastor of the church has decided to speak out to try and separate himself and the congregation from the incident saying that he is not a minister there, but only the husband of his assistant and is not a member. This is what Straightfromthea reports:
The man he is speaking of is Craig Lamar Davis and while the Bishop attempts to separate himself from the chatter, he actually just made it a bit more interesting.
Morton admits that Craig is the husband of his assistant, but he states it’s not a Full Gospel problem.
Bishop Paul Sylvester Morton, who heads Full Gospel the church, recently issued a bit of clarification on the matter via the social networking site, twitter.
What do you think about the tweets by Bishop Morton. Do you think he is correct in feeling like this is not a church issue? Do you think he helped the situation, or just made himself look bad now?
Celebs Spotted Out!
Actors Laz Alonso and Michael Ealy were spotted partying at DC’s Park at Fourteenth.
Tyga and his pregnant girlfriend, Blac Chyna get affectionate for the camera.
Rihanna stops to fuel up her jet (rich folk problems).
Halle Berry arrives at the airport in Cabo, Mexico, ending her vacation.
FUN TIMES!
Lil Scrappy & Erica Dixon Cover Rolling Out Magazine
Check out Lil Scrappy & Erica Dixon cover Rolling Out Magazine . Also check out some of the interview below:
As an engaged man …
Yes, the rumors of Scrappy and Erica’s engagement are, in fact, true. That much was confirmed the moment the couple walked into the photo studio with Erica sporting a gleaming rock on her left hand. As her smile matched the wattage of her bling, the most beloved member of the ”Love & Hip Hop” cast appeared to be taking the big news in stride.
“I’m in a very good place in my life right now,” she shared, while watching Scrappy take some solo photos. “I learned so much about myself through this process with the show, and now I’m just looking forward to this next chapter in my life.”
By why get married?
After all of the ups and downs endured by the pair, why make such a drastic about face instead of easing back into a committed relationship?
It just didn’t make sense from the outside looking in … that is, until you spend time with the pair. The playful petting, the overflow of affection for Emani, and the sincere look of admiration delivered one to the other all points to a foundation that has as good a chance as any to make it in the long run.
For Scrappy though, the decision to put a ring on Erica’s finger appears to be a continuation of his effort to live life in a very grown man type of way. “It was time for me to do something really grown,” he shared. “So I popped the question and the beautiful lady said yes … that’s why she has the ring on her finger. But now we’re just waiting for the next big step. I wasn’t trying to play around with it for a hundred years. I wanted to do something really big. “
Marriage does qualify as something big. But don’t expect a big wedding in an Atlanta church.
For better or for worse, the two have decided to venture down the road less traveled in Hollywood. Where it leads, no one can say for sure … but we can only hope that the cameras are there to document every single bit of it.
YAWN!
Hot Shots: Lady GaGa Channels Peacocks In Copenhagen
PETA who?
The above seemed to be the sentiment held by Lady GaGa yesterday, when she stepped out of Hotel Skt. Petri sporting a Peacock inspired head piece.
Rocking the fit just days after being blasted by PETA for her use of fur, the ‘Party Nauseous’ singer was pictured posing with fans as she made her way out of the hotel, days before she arrives in London to perform dates on her ‘Born This Way Ball Tour’.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Throw It In The Bag’
I don’t have kids so if someone could let me know if a bag on the head is a common play toy nowadays I’d appreciate it. Honestly, I’m out of the loop so I only have common sense to work off of, which apparently is more than most people, but nonetheless I’d like to know if I’m overreacting to plastic bag on the faces of children.
