the young people's professor

I perceive this as powerful and inspiring at the same time...it speaks on many levels in how the Black community (hell all communities) have extreme faith in this man and God

I am a black gay man. Religion, as practiced by most black people these days, causes me anxiety to say the least.

Your way of looking at that scenario is perfectly valid, however, I look at it another way.

I'm sure you know by now that exit polls show that 70% of blacks supported Prop. 8 in California. The exit polls also show that 75% of black women supported Prop. 8!

This lop-sided support of Prop. 8 is almost entirely due to the hold religion has on so many black people.

When black preachers get their hands on Obama, he will throw gays under the bus just like he did his preacher and eventually his entire church. What makes you think he won't.

Great picture. Yes, MOST black people in the U.S put Obama in the White House, therefore, "WE" as black people need to pray for him everyday and every night for his safety because of Obama's historical achievement. Pray that he continues to guide this country with his wisdom, passion and his strength.

This picture just shows me that Obama has got "us". We got "HIS" back. Can no one mess with him without going through all of us.

In addition, I want to address the person who mentioned about "religion" in the black community. I feel what you are saying. I don't see Obama throwing gay people under the bus. I truly believe he is a man of integrity and he will stand by his word. His speech on Tuesday night made me feel that he includes his gay brothers and sisters as his family. NO worries....

-Fred

This is anonymous again. Don't get me wrong, I voted for Obama. I certainly didn't want a Republican president picking the next U.S. Supreme Court Justices. But having said that, I do not want religion in the White House! What happened to separation of church and state? George Bush is a so-called "born again" Christian and look where that got us.

Religion (especially the Christian and Muslim religions) is associated in my mind with homophobia. Religion fuels homophobia. Religion is the engine that drives homophobia and gives it strength. That picture with Obama in the circle of prayer (or whatever) frightens me. Again, WHAT ABOUT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE?

You're right - definitely interesting!

Anonymous again: Do you think, as an openly gay man, that YOU would be welcome in that circle?

I love how you write. Hope all is well.

I'm skeptical, although this does not tarnish my recognition of the implications and limitations of a black-man as president. I see what you're saying; but this image makes me think more intensely about race, gender, sexuality, and nationalist tendencies. The scene prompts me to think about the things that get marginalized in order to generate
this narrative of faith and generational and gendered approval. I look at this scene, then, and think about it as a limit-concept that should prompt us to question the remainders. In that sense, this scene is not exceptional, since something always remains. And to one of the respondents, I understand what you're saying about Obama and gay right, but let's be frank: making gay marriage a state issue is throwing people under the bus when we think about issues such as property and legal rights over another among other things. In any case, great provocation. More soon I hope.

Hmmm,

I certainly have no issue with Obama being a man of faith, or that so many people felt the need to intercede with prayers (frankly, given this country's history, it couldn't hurt the job ahead of him, or the personal safety and security of him and his family).

I am confident that this country will be a better place for everyone in 4 years, and that of course includes Black LGBT folk.

Now, the Prop 8 and marriage equality drama is a longer story than many people who put themselves out there as "leaders" have been able to wrap their heads around. I'm not always in agreement with Jasmyne Cannick, but I fully agree with her analysis here

I totally agree with Anonymous. He put everything in words what was going on in my brain.

I do NOT want religion in the white house. It's seperation of church and state and it's religion that is causing all the problems. All I hear is "Marraige is between man and woman in the bible" and "it's not moral".

Look at where religion has got this country and in the middle east.

For Anonymous ::

For one to say that the “Christian [faith] is the engine that drives homophobia” is truly sad. Yes the Christian faith – as a whole – speaks out against homosexuality but it does not fuel homophobia. Maybe I am naïve in saying so, or maybe I have just been blessed to have been in a “circle” that offers open arms to everyone regardless of race, sex, religion, and/or sexual preference, but to generalize and put EVERY Christian in that “homophobic” category is nothing short of what “extremist” and uneducated “religious” people have done to the gay community.

Also, to ask if as an openly gay man if one would be accepted into that “circle”, of course you would. Don’t let the actions and the words of Christian extremists (or any other religion for that matter) taint your view on the accepting and loving nature that Christianity has to offer. If you have been shown anything other than that…I am truly sorry.

For Keisha ::

To say the religion is causing all the problems in our nation is asinine. Our nation is a blessed nation. Do you have clean drinking water? A bed to sleep in? Food to eat? Electricity? Opportunity to receive an education? We don’t have to worry about famine, or having war in our back yard. The above happens in countries where God is not recognized. In nations where there is separation from church and state.

This will be an argument until the end of time, but this nation was built on a religious foundation. A foundation that we, as a nation, are to seek after God. It is my firm belief that this country is doing so well (and I am comparing us to undeveloped and war torn countries) because of this nations faith in God and for our “religious” leaders.

You want to take God out of schools, out of our judicial system, out of our government…go ahead. You think this county is bad now with religion? Wait to see what happens with out it.

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