News for November 7

The Politics of Race and Gay Marriage

On the night that the U.S. elected its first African-American president, California voters approved Proposition 8, a state referendum to amend the California constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Some analysts have linked the referendum’s passage to minority voters who, they say, supported Obama. Bloggers on race and LGBT issues question this link and ask whether these analyses are too superficial, and discuss the work that still needs to be done to address homophobia in all communities. Links include:

Womanist Musings |  “By saying it is all the fault of the blacks, it creates members of the gay community that are black as invisible, as well as ignores the efforts that blacks made to get this proposition defeated. It further ignores the fact that a significant number of white people voted for the passage of this bill as well.  Blacks by themselves did not single handedly cause this bill to pass. I also feel it is necessary to discuss part of the reason that some blacks did vote  yes on 8.  The Christian church and the black community have a long history. It is no accident that our leaders have always come from the church, or have had a strong involvement in the Christian church.”

Racialicious |  “It would appear that the passing of Prop 8 had a bit more to do with targeted outreach and good messaging than the inherent homophobia of nonwhite communities. Now, I am not saying that people of color can’t be bigoted or homophobic – we are. But what always chafes me about these issues is that people jump to a gut reaction like “blacks have a problem with homophobia” in their community without taking the time to figure out why something happened the way it did.”

Salon |  “In some ways what was astonishing is that it had come this far so soon. Over and over again I heard on television people say, “I didn’t think I’d see a black man become president in my lifetime.” I must admit I didn’t think we’d be voting on same-sex marriage, and coming within 500,000 votes out of 10 million, in mine. Even eight years ago, when Proposition 22 banned same-sex marriage in California, the margin was 61.4 percent to 38.6 percent. Now it’s less than 5 percent .”

Slate |  “The narrow margin of victory for California’s Proposition 8, an amendment to the state constitution banning gay marriage, may be attributable to millions of dollars in donations from members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. … LDS leaders expressed support for Proposition 8 in letters to congregations, Web videos, and outreach efforts with the Protect Marriage Coalition”

• Related link: Etheridge Stops Paying Taxes in Prop. 8 Protest  |  TruthDig

Barack Obama: A Post-Imperial Presidency?  |  Empire Remixed

How will an Obama presidency break with the imperial pretense of not just the Bush/Reagan dynasty, but with the imperial pretense of America herself. Can you be a President of the United States of America and not be imperial? Or to put the question in terms of this website, can Obama remix the American empire?

What’s Next for Affirmative Action?  |  The Atlantic

In the coming months, Americans will watch closely to see how America’s first black president governs on issues of race. His supporters are divided. As a recent Washington Post article noted, some black supporters see Obama’s election as “advancing the black community,” while some white volunteers are thrilled by the notion of “post-racial” politics. In liberal academic circles, where Obama has strong multiracial support, the notion of colorblind policies is considered naive, even reactionary. But the Obama crowds in South Carolina memorably chanted “race doesn’t matter” after his victory there in the Democratic primary.

Do Republicans Have a ‘Yes We Can’?  |  CSMonitor.com

Reinventing the GOP won’t be easy. But American democracy needs a strong conservative party. With a freshening of ideas, Republicans could eventually become the comeback kids.

Does Religion Make You Nice?  |  Slate

The positive effect of religion in the real world, to my mind, is tied to this last, community component—rather than a belief in constant surveillance by a higher power. Humans are social beings, and we are happier, and better, when connected to others. This is the moral of sociologist Robert Putnam’s work on American life. In Bowling Alone, he argues that voluntary association with other people is integral to a fulfilled and productive existence—it makes us “smarter, healthier, safer, richer, and better able to govern a just and stable democracy.”