State of the Black Union...Disappointing

The absence of any substantive conversation about the divisive tactics and issues used to distract Blacks and keep us at odds at this year’s State of the Black Union hosted by television and radio commentator Tavis Smiley in Houston, Texas, was deeply disappointing and frustrating.  Often billed as the national forum for discussing the issues that are most important to Black America, this year’s forum was used to launch Smiley’s Covenant With Black America, a comprehensive plan on how to build a stronger Black America.

One fact that we cannot ignore is that Black pulpits continue to be for sale to the highest bidder and Black votes are being sold to the GOP under the guise of protecting America’s moral values.

Going into 2008 presidential election, Black Americans are more divided than ever on issues of political ideology and moral values.  So any meaningful exchange about Blacks and political power must include divisive wedges that keep us from that power.

Looking back at how and why Blacks voted the way they did in Ohio in 2004, it is crystal clear that gay marriage is an issue for Black Americans and a definite hindrance to us having a united political voice on the issues that matter the most to us.

During the multitude of speechifying made during the Black Union, there was a huge emphasis placed on holding both the Black and the majority leadership accountable.  When we fail to address socially and politically critical issues like gay marriage, we fail our community. 

I’ve been told the average Black American is not concerned with my civil rights as a lesbian.  Well maybe they should be.  In fact, any Black that is concerned about the future of Blacks in America should be.

We will never be able to make any systemic changes in our healthcare, well being, educational reform, environmental racism, access to affordable neighborhoods, jobs, wealth, and economic justice if we’ve already made up our minds before we get to the polls based on who is or isn’t supporting gay civil rights.

We already know that there are huge disparities for Blacks as it relates to health, education, and economics.  If we really want to have a conversation about the state of Blacks and our political empowerment, we have to talk about those issues that are keeping us from it, starting with the role of today’s Black church.

The Black church directly and indirectly continues to be the influencer.

One very telling statement about the state of the Black union is that when asked by National Public Radio’s Michelle Martin about whether or not he encouraged political tithing, Reverend Dr. Floyd Flake, former U.S. Representative now pastor of the 10,000 member Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Jamaica, Queens, replied yes, but not before your church tithes.

So how is it that you can have Nation Islam Leader the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and Reverend Al Sharpton on the same panel as the Hi-Impact Coalition’s Bishop Harry Jackson and there be no conversation of wedge issues used to divide Blacks?

After pledging to fight homophobia in the Black community last year, Sharpton participated in a faith-based conference of Black churches to address lesbian and gay issues while Farrakhan extended his hand to gays last year during the Millions More Movement March.

Bishop Harry Jackson is an ardent supporter of banning marriage for gays and along with white Christian evangelical Lou Sheldon, was instrumental in organizing Black pastors around the country to fight to protect the institution of marriage. 

Thank God or whoever you believe in for economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux and author Cornel West.

Dr. Malveaux was the sole voice of reason as she clearly articulated the frustration that many people have with today’s Black church and “pimp daddy pastors,” even to the disapproval of the audience. 

While Dr. West was the only person I heard include the phrase sexual orientation in describing some of the disparities that Blacks face.

But gays weren’t the only ones excluded from this year’s Union.  There was relatively no mention of the impact of HIV/AIDS on Blacks either.  A shocking surprise considering that all the wealth and economic justice in the world won’t do us any good if we’re not alive to enjoy it.

I think it’s wonderful that we can get the corporate sponsorship to put on these lavish events.  But if we’re really trying to make change, we’re going to have to be unafraid to have those conversations that ruffle collars. 

The courting of Black pastors by Republicans using moral values as common ground is problematic if we’re trying to build a unified voice and vote for the best policies for Blacks.  Dancing around this issue doesn’t do us any good. It’s happening, we know it, and we know who’s doing it. 

Accountability doesn’t begin and end with whoever is in the White House. We are also accountable to each other and as long as we take the attitude that our lesbian sisters and gay brothers issues aren’t our issues, we’ll continue to allow ourselves to be divided and conquered.

Not talking about it is bad. to  Not wanting to talk about it is worse.

Comments

[S.Palmer]

Jasmyne I really appreciate your website and the compiled and organized sharing of issues and concerns concerning the black and/or black lgbt community. I always love reading your passionate comments, although I am not always in total agreement with your comments or approaches, I appreciate your heartfelt intention. I am extremely proud of your actions and work. You inspire me and many others. Your annointed-- and keep your head up Gurl... Stay Strong in Love and dont forget that while we have to deal with a lot of stupid ass people in this society-- let us recognize that our greatest truth is in our expression of self love. Real TRUTH doesnt always need to be defended-- It just needs to be lived peacefully and confidently. No one can take that way, nor threaten it- especially when your at peace that thisis the power that fuels your political and social efforts. Much love to you and thank you so much.

[rick hatton]

is there a video copy available of the presentation of The state of the black union hosted by tavis smiley with harry belafonte anf louis farakhan? If so where can I get a copy?

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Jasmyne A. Cannick:
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I just so happened to have read your article (today) regarding Travis Smiley's State of the Black Union. I must say that I had similar concerns as you, but for other reasons that I will touch on shortly. Fortunately, I was able to watch much of the conference on C-SPAN. Let me share a few brief comments.
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We as a (Black) community continue to fail in our overall analyses regarding the dynamics of Black America, primarily because we tend to never take our analysis far enough--to the level of questioning the basic assumptions for which one operates. You have to question why individuals hold the views that they hold. This will explain much of their behavior and the choices that they make.
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One reason Blacks fail to recognize the (Black) GLBT commuity is due to the underlying prejudice and insensitivity of "the Black church"--although we know that it goes much deeper than this. For example, Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, a religious conservative, believes that the "correct" agenda for African-America is "the same as the one for white and other Americans: Love of God, country, and family; lower taxes, a good education, and a good environment to raise a family." He doesn't just believe that "liberal" blacks and those within the democratic party are misguided by the "evil Democratic platform," but he suggests that blacks need to turn away from "abortion on demand and homosexual marriage." Stated more clearly, gays and lesbians are not only "misguided," but engage in sinful, immoral behavior.
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A significant portion of the Black church underpins the Black community. Many of these churches are "conservative" in nature and hold similar views as outline above. Ironically, particularly due to the church's long-standing involvement in the civil rights movement, Black conservative churches by-and-large view GLBT issues as moral versus civil right issues. One would think that civil rights issues are moral issues (in general); and gay/lesbian concerns are a category of civil right issues--and therefore, are rights that need to be vehemently fought for similar to the many other matters (listed throughout your piece) that impinge upon the community. Historically, the Black church (and the community) was not so fractured over GLBT issues and subsequently united for a whole host of civil right concerns.
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As an example of another current issue needing a unified Black front--I haven taken issue with the Black conservative church, specifically with Rev. Floyd Flake (and others Black religious conservatives) on the issue of school vouchers. I can understand the need inherent in philosophy behind "love of God, country..." (etc, etc), but it is sickening and saddening to watch Black pastors used by the religious right (Louis Sheldon). Similarly, as the Republicans use the Christian right, they use Black Christian conservatives. This deceptive and immoral behavior!
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Another of your comments is appropriate here: "The courting of Black pastors by Republicans using moral values as common ground is problematic if we’re trying to build a unified voice and vote for the best policies for Blacks. Dancing around this issue doesn’t do us any good. It’s happening, we know it, and we know who’s doing it."
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I like your comment, "Thank God, or whoever you believe in, for..." This phrase seemingly is reflective of a viewpoint based on the constitutional (civil) right to believe or not believe in God--to hold views/suppositions that are acceptable to the individual, although this is not to say that religiosity is unimportant (depending on your point-of-view).
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HIV/AIDS, as well as many other issues, were not discussed--poverty for one, and the inability of American Capitalism to address the issues of the poor (generally) and the Black poor (more particularly). What does "Accessing good jobs, wealth, and economic prosperity" mean? The State of the Black Union does not address the underlying systems that have created the conditions needing deeper attention. A question that I continued to have was "Were there any (Black) poor people there?"
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Subsequently, shouldn't we recognize the inherent problems associated with having corporate America underwrite this conference? Are there any problems? Two, why don't "we" underwrite the conference? Three, are corporations "benign," and therefore, worthy of our continued allegiance? Should we build ongoing "partnerships" with corporate America? If not, why not? Four, do Blacks work and/or site on boards of these corporations? Etc.
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Finally, is there hope? I am longsuffering in my search! Whether there is hope or not may not be the question. More importantly, hope rings quietly as people like yourself attemp to stand up and shed light on much of the misguided discourse of our day. This is not to say that I have answers, but I agree with you final comment: "Not talking about it is bad. to Not wanting to talk about it is worse."
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PEACE!
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[jay lassiter]

I am glad someone said what you've said, Jasmyne.

As a regular fan of Tavis Smiley, I've often wondered why he was so chickenshit to take on the issues you've raised.

Seems like brother tavis is becomeing more and more like the commentators he seeks to distance himself from.

[Drew Jones]

Hi Jasmyne,
I thought your article was thought provoking. I too take issue with these "pimp daddy pastors". However, your piece missed critical self examination of African Americans who have created coalitions with Gay & Lesbian groups like GLAAD and others. Dont you think that they too bare some responsiblity for how gay and lesbian issues have been spot lighted in our community. For example, Blacks involved in the media campaign linking gay marriage to the civil rights movement-even going as far as stealing images and slogans knew that this would divide young and old, believer and non-believers in our community. In fact, I lay at their feet our recent set backs with Black Churches and HIV/AIDS, sexuality, and reproductive health education and testing. As a public health professional I see the harm that both sides are commiting while brothers and sisters continue suffering from HIV/AIDS and other socioeconomic woes.

[Monica Roberts]

Jasmyne,
It's time for GLBT African-Americans to say bump this, come out en masse and DEMAND our place at the table.

It's time for us to start joining the NAACP and other mainstream African-American orgs and force this debate out in the open.

I agree, we should not allow white fundies to drive wedges between us. But since these bigots for bucks want to keep pimping for faith based dollars and call GLBT peeps everything but children of God from their pulpits, it's time for us to repeatedly smack them around for their hypocrisy.

A bully will only keep picking on you until you kick his behind. WE GLBT peeps need to start dishing out some butt whippings.

[Doug Cooper-Spencer]

Jasmyne, this is a great article! You are right. So often our (the black community) analysis of issues that affect our community does not include conversations of gays and lesbians. It is why, I rarely attend such events. And when I have stood and voiced my concern over the absence of the subject of gays and lesbians in the black community, there is usually weak responses that show that the average Black American really does not consider us! I am glad for voices such as yours and many others in our (the black gay and lesbian community) that are speaking out. I now see that I must attend events such as Mr. Smiley's, as we all should, and stand up and demand to be heard. By the way, so many of these black events take on such a circus atmosphere that they usually lack serious conversation anyway.