Many years ago we invited Star Parker to speak at a meeting of the Saddleback Republican Assembly. In that club meeeting this African-American activist/author shared her life story before becoming a Christian. You can easily check it out on Google. Star Parker is founder/president of an organization whose acronym is the same as one I am involved with called “CURE.” In this case it represents the “Coalition for Urban Renewal and Education” while our CURE group stands for Californians United for Redevelopment Education.”
Let me quote from the Executive Summary contained in a recent Policy Report received from Mrs. Parker that relates to the CA Prop 8 argument.
“The Impact of Homosexual Marriage on the Black Community” by Star Parker & Philip Johnson.
Today we stand at a crossroads in American culture and morality, the likes of which has never been witnessed during the entire history of our Republic. The issue of homosexual marriage and its possible legalization has come to a fevered pitch and is now at the forefront of the American public square. It is interesting to note that homosexual activists seem less worried about the democratic process when it comes to the possibility of a Constitutional Amendment being passed which would effectively outlaw homosexual marriage. Perhaps that is because they have been able to rely on state judiciaries to promote their cause, and are wagering that a supermajority in the House and Senate is next to impossible.
Be that as it may, the consequences of legalizing homosexual marriage would be disastrous to the American public in general, and to the African- American community in particular.
Black Americans have been especially vulnerable to the rapid changes of a morally-fluid society over the past three decades as their community has been ravaged by high rates of out-of-wedlock births, single-parent families, and sexually-transmitted diseases. As a result, a greater percentage of black-Americans find themselves in poverty, criminal activity, and poor health. However, those African Americans who maintain households that hold to traditional marriage (one man and one woman only) fare much better and live longer, healthier, and more prosperous lives.
Some claim that the fight for legalization of homosexual marriage is the moral equivalent of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Nothing could be further from the truth. From the outset of that argument, one would have to concede that homosexuality is inherent. This ntion is completely unfounded as scientists still have yet to provide any credible evidence that homosexualty is the result of genetic or biological causes. Case study after case study has only proven that homosexuality is most probably the result of environmental factors, and therefore, may be abnormal and could be corrected.
Many black Americans consder the theft of language from the civil rights movement to support the gay marriage an insult to their heritage and culture. In fact Gallup News Service released an article in February 2004, which showed that 52 percent of black Americnas favored the passage of the Federal Marriage Amendment while only 42 percent opposed it.”
Skipping ahead to the conclusion of this Policy Report they state “homosexual marriage in particular, and homosexuality in general, are not civil rights issues.”
For additional information on CURE simply go to their web site:
‘Black Americans have been especially vulnerable to the rapid changes of a morally-fluid society over the past three decades as their community has been ravaged by high rates of out-of-wedlock births, single-parent families, and sexually-transmitted diseases. As a result, a greater percentage of black-Americans find themselves in poverty, criminal activity, and poor health. However, those African Americans who maintain households that hold to traditional marriage (one man and one woman only) fare much better and live longer, healthier, and more prosperous lives.‘
… has this woman never heard of divorce? Let’s ban that, shall we? Glass houses…
SMS
Frankly, I’m tired of the ignorant, non-scientific argument that being gay is a choice. It’s the real underlying reason that Prop 8 was put on the ballot even though we were preached to repeatedly for the better part of a year that the Yes on 8 people just wanted to ‘protect marriage and families’ (from what I still haven’t figured out). Now that it’s all over, Prop 8 proponents everywhere are spouting biblical garbage, essentially admitting that once again, they lied.
‘Everyone knows that one mother and one father is best for a child.’ Says who? The churches? Who cares what they think? They still think the world was created in 7 days! They should seriously lose their tax-exempt status.
Besides, if the Prop 8 people were caught spouting these religious talking points earlier they’d have alienated voters and not helped their cause, much like #5 is claiming that I’m doing here. If my calling out the liars makes it harder for him/her to talk to others about Prop 8, well, that’s too bad. What’s my other option? To lie and say Yes on 8 was truthful the whole time only further justifies their razor-thin victory which utilized their own lies and others’ fears.
‘Oh, we’re the victims. Oh, we want religious freedom.’
Oh please.
SMS
Lets not forget that Coretta Scott King stood in the side of equality and often spoke of the equal rights for gays and lesbians. She lives in the spirit of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and his struggle for equality for all!!
And, who was one of Dr. King’s loyal and trustworthy friends? Bayard Rustin, who has been left in the closet by this homophobic nation we live in, and refuse to acknowledge him and his commitment.
Star Parker is just another obstacle to be moved aside.
Here’s another view by Sikivu Hutchinson
Voting for Prop 8 is a betrayal of civil rights principles and a hypocritical denial of some of the real crises that imperil black families. ……
The perception that black folk in particular are more receptive to homophobic propaganda is partly grounded in reality and partly grounded in stereotype. Polls have shown that African Americans are 10 percent more likely to support Prop 8 than other racial groups. Because the pro and con polling numbers for Prop 8 are so tight, black support for the measure could put it over the top. And what exactly do black straight people like me have to be threatened by? Cultural nationalist supporters of Prop 8 argue that homosexuality and the insidiously labeled “gay lifestyle” (a slur that presumes that gays and lesbians are monolithic) threaten the already besieged black family. Given this belief, African Americans are presumably more invested in propping up heterosexism because of the pathologization of black families. Yet Prop 8 rests on the same logic that prohibited interracial marriages, a premise that the California Supreme Court cited in its ruling in favor of legalizing same-sex marriages. Slavery and antebellum patriarchy were rooted in rigid definitions of family and marriage aimed at preserving property rights, lines of descent and white purity. This legacy continues to influence the gender hierarchies underlying so-called traditional family structures and to police families that aren’t nuclear or heterosexual.
Voting to amend the California Constitution will extend this legacy. It signifies a concession to flat earth politics, a betrayal of civil rights principles and a hypocritical denial of some of the real crises that imperil black families. As straights we live in communities that are devastated by the large number of black children in foster care due to parents who are either unwilling or unable to take care of them. As straights we lament the absence of affirming role models for children in a racist hyperviolent culture that devalues black lives, yet fail to connect this to a cult of masculinity that demeans women and gays and lesbians. As straights we engage in the schizoid rhetoric of championing black self-determination yet vilify full citizenship for gays and lesbians as a “European” thing. As straights we cherry pick who is “rightfully” part of the community based upon heterosexual privilege while disrespecting the valiant heritage of black liberation struggle exemplified by gay freedom fighters such as Audre Lorde and Bayard Rustin.
Although there are several California-based African-American churches that have consistently advocated for gay and lesbian partnerships, black religious fundamentalism is still the number one barrier to aligning a progressive black civil rights agenda with LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) rights. Gay and lesbian families of color are invisible in the mainstream media, yet they are an integral part of communities of color. Contrary to the propaganda of black fundamentalists, gay and lesbian caregivers, parents and grandparents nurture black children alongside and within so-called straight households. As a black atheist and parent, I want my seven-month-old daughter to grow up in a culture where — gay, straight or bi — her entire range of personhood, love and commitment to another human being is not legally bound by the Paleolithic mores of religious fundamentalism. In this regard, voting no on Prop 8 is the only moral choice.
Larry –
You know I love ya, but aren’t you white almost to the point of albino? What color are your spoons? Are they silver? Gold maybe? 😉
That would explain why you had to co-opt someone else’s thoughts on the subject to make your point.
SMS
No Sarah. I will always look to those who have lived and experienced issues of the day. Star Parker has been an activist for the black community for many years. Rather than engage in plagerizing I quoted directly from their executive summary. Let me also point out that I had this document prior to the election but did not use it until today.
And, although you and I will disagree on many issues, we are still friends.
PS: Our spoons are from the 99 cents only store, or some other high end outlet
‘PS: Our spoons are from the 99 cents only store, or some other high end outlet.‘
Cheapskate! You live in Mission Viejo! 😛
SMS
SMS.
Wait a minute.
We do have a few golden spoons now that you remind me. They were from the Golden Spoon when we purchased some yogurt.
I love it. All the same arguments that were being made to disenfranchise blacks are now being made by blacks to disenfranchise GLBT’s equal right to life, liberty, and property because of a religious interpretation of the law and the fear that they might have to actually marry a gay – ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh – nnnnnoooooooo.
Probably have to watch them kiss and everything. eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww!!!!
Now if blacks could choose to be white and instead chose to be black we could discriminate against them too just like we can the gays. The blacks even said we could. wwwwwoooooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s always a nuanced view that’s used to justify bigotry. For me its simpler….
This is the best argument ever for School Vouchers we have ever heard!
This way…people can go to Church Schools and not have to watch the STD
movies which involve boy on boy, girl on girl, dog on leg….SEX!
As this story continues to have legs let me add some additional text from the CURE Policy Report.
“The Negative Effects of Gay “Marriage” on Traditional Marriage.
Studies of gay marriage and its effect on traditional marriage (marriage betwween one man and one woman ) and family breakdowns have been conducted in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, countries where homosexual marriage has been legalized for over a decade. Contrary to arguments espoused by gay marriage advocates, findings demonstrate that homosexual marriage does not bolster or promote traditional marriage. Nor does gay marriage have a neutral effect on traditional marriage. Rather, studies show that since homosexual marriage has been legalized in these countries, traditional marriage has been on the decline. Stanley Kurtz, former Harvard anthropologist, reports the following on the effect of legalizing gay marriage in Scandinavia:
Gay marriage is both an effect and a reinforcing cause of the separation of marriage and parenthood. In states like Sweden and Denmark, where out-of-wedlock birthrates were already very high, and the public favored gay marriage, gay unions were an effect of earlier changes. Once in place, gay marriage symbolically ratified the separation of marriage and parenthood. And once established, gay marriage became one of several factors contributing to further increases in cohabitation and out-of-wedlock birthrates, as well as to early divorce.”
This is the same tired, old, recycled and distorted crap that’s been circulating for years. Congratulations for adding nothing new to the discussion.
Bill.
Thank you for your well articulated contribution to this post