African-Americans Support Obama’s Same-Sex Marriage Stance

[babylonsister]

African-Americans Support Obama’s Same-Sex Marriage Stance
by Allison Samuels May 11, 2012 4:45 AM EDT
African Americans who oppose gay marriage are reconsidering their beliefs, thanks to Obama’s shift, Allison Samuels reports.



Annie May Johnson grew up next to the tobacco field her parents worked in Lillington, North Carolina. At 75 years old, Johnson long held the belief that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman, no matter the times. That’s what her parents taught her years ago, and it’s what the good Rev. Mosley preached each Sunday morning at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church during her childhood.

Johnson never believed her view on the issue would waver. But that all changed on Wednesday, when President Obama announced publicly that he was in favor of same-sex marriage, a change from his 2008 campaign stand. Saying his beliefs had evolved from his support of civil unions instead of same-sex marriages, Obama sent ripples through the country and caused Annie May Johnson to take a second look at an issue she thought she’d decided on long ago.

“I always saw marriage as a man and a woman being together for a lifetime,’’ says Johnson, on the phone from her North Carolina home. “That’s all I ever saw growing up, and that is all my parents saw in their day. But when Obama said he now was in favor of it, I thought maybe I’ve been too pigheaded about this thing for too long.’’

snip//

“This isn’t a wedge issue for blacks with Obama, no matter how much the media would like it to be,’’ says James Petersen, Lehigh University professor of African Studies.

“He’s smart, that’s why I voted for him,’’ Johnson says. ‘’So why wouldn’t I listen to what he has to say and listen to all of it. The right may not do that, but I do.’’

more...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/05/11/african-americans-support-obama-s-same-sex-marriage-stance.html

[JoePhilly]

1. The media's doing everything it can to split off parts of the AA community on this issue.

[babylonsister]

2. That might be a losing battle; from the article...

The most recent Pew poll taken this past April showed only 47 percent of African Americans oppose gay marriage today, nearly 20 percentage points lower than in 2008.

[pnwmom]

3. I think Obama citing the Golden Rule was especially effective.

Among the older age group, the people who have the most trouble with the idea of marriage equality, the Golden Rule is widely understood and accepted as a Christian ideal (even if it isn't strictly in the Bible.)

[Arkana]

5. You know who else used Christian morality as a way to shame bigots?

Lyndon Johnson. It's how he managed to get the Civil Rights Act through a Congress with a ton of segregationists

[pnwmom]

6. Too bad the current Repubs, led by the tea baggers, have no shame. n/t

[JoePhilly]

8. Yea, I think its ultimately a losing battle ... but ... that won't

stop them from trying.

Saw one article, I think on MSNBC.COM in which they interviewed African Americans in North East DC area ... "Obama is going against God" seemed to be the prevailing kind of response, at least according to the article.

And then down here in NC, no discussion of Amendment one goes by that doesn't include ... "The AA community voted 2-1 FOR Amendment one ... could that spell disaster for Obama in 2012?"

I think the media is going to try to keep the election close, and this will be one of the many tactics they use.

[babylonsister]

9. Depressing, but there's time to change minds if they are willing. Then

we have to deal with the voting restrictions. Sigh. Another uphill battle; I hope our Prez is up to it, and think people will absolutely know who the right choice will be. Bring on the debates!

[JoePhilly]

10. The good news ... Mitt will continue to say really stupid things.

So we've got that going for us!!

[Arkana]

4. Well this is going to make Dick Morris shit his pants.

He was on TV last night gloating about how black people aren't going to support Obama because he came out in support of gay marriage.

[LiberalFighter]

11. He was probably diddling with himself when he said that.

[pipoman]

7. I don't know the numbers

but these statements like, "African-Americans Support Obama’s Same -Sex Marriage Stance", or any statement with such blanket assertions are ridiculous. It simply isn't a true statement. Maybe, 'more African-Americans Support Obama’s Same -Sex Marriage Stance than previously', or something.. Is it too much to ask for media to quit making shit up?

This isn't about me disagreeing with Obama's stance, I don't disagree. It is about alienating voters who disagree on this issue and don't like being minimized, ignored, and denied.

[LiberalFighter]

12. We need those are on panels supporting same sex to challenge those statements as lies.

Cut the efn legs off of the teleprompter reading pretending to be experts.

[ruggerson]

13. Never underestimate the power of the presidential bully pulpit

especially when employed by someone as eloquent as this President.

[LetTimmySmoke]

14. I can count the number of black voters that will turn away from Obama over this on one hand.