NYT Op-Ed: "Showdown On The Big Tent"...A Response

By Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell

The New York Times published an Op-Ed titled, "Showdown On The Big Tent".

To the Editor.

One of the "learnings" that has emerged from both the presidential primaries and the general election is that some white conservatives and liberals have a limited understanding and appreciation of the black church. The expressions of surprise and shock in response to the prophetic tradition of some of us in the black church as expressed by Rev. Jeremiah Wright,  formerly of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago once the Pastor and Church of the Obamas, revealed an unawareness of the distinctiveness of the black church. All of us have  the right to respond differently to the tone and content of sermons, but some conservatives in their responses to Rev. Wright and Trinity Church revealed a lack of appreciation of the black prophetic tradition, best expressed in the 20th century by Martin Luther King, Jr. who was nurtured and nourished by the black church.

Caitlan Flanagan and Benjamin Schwarz in their Op-Ed raised the question, "Can the left tolerate a struggle between blacks and gays?" Their article was a response to the vote in California to support a legal ban against same gender marriage contained within Proposition 8. The motivation for their article was their report, "7 in 10 blacks voted to support traditional marriage", because of "an enduring antipathy toward homosexuality". The black church they suggest, is the source of this antipathy.

Despite the fact that Flanagan and Schwarz write, "The attitude of white, liberal Hollywood toward African American churches has long been one of almost participatory respect". They reveal how shallow that respect is when they say the music of the black church is "smoking hot", with this limitation, ("although it makes reference to Jesus Christ as a personal savior").

But, the most disturbing sentence in the article is this: "Many gay activists have begun quietly to suggest that had Hillary Clinton been the Democratic nominee, Prop 8 would not have passed." Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have similar positions on same gender marriage. Obama formerly belonged to a church of a denomination (the United Church of Christ) that supports same gender unions and marriages, while Hillary Clinton belongs to a denomination (the United Methodist Church) that does not support either. But, if Hillary Clinton had been the nominee, Proposition would not have passed? Does this suggest that if Senator Clinton had been the Democratic nominee, blacks would have not voted? Or, all of the white supporters of Senator Clinton would have voted against Proposition 8, while black supporters would not?

I, as an African American clergyman who has been an active ally/advocate of gay rights in church and society am unapologetic for, nor ashamed of, my support that is shaped by my attempt to follow Jesus and my belief that all people have a right to Constitution-granted equality and access. But the content, tone and attitude of condescension expressed in the article is another illustration of the gap of understanding that exists between some white liberals and a people and their black church. The black church from pulpit to pew as it has worked for civil and human rights, has been a source of guidance and inspiration for all people whose humanity has been demeaned by legalized prej udice and bigotry. It would be tragic if some white liberals who are disappointed, hurt and angry about the support for  Proposition 8 as am I, would join white conservatives in their demonization of the black church and its members.

Flanagan and Schwarz suggest that the response to Proposition 8 has created a "Showdown in the Big Tent." Do they suggest they have the right and privilege to determine who belongs and/or  does not belong under the tent. James Baldwin asked of those who viewed racial integration as blacks integrating with whites; "Who wants to be integrated into a burning house?" I ask, "Why should black people want to be under any tent that is a liberal version of white maternal-paternal-ism?" The election of Barack Obama gives us the opportunity to create a "new" Big Tent. I say to those who say we cannot; "Yes We Can!"

Gilbert H. Caldwell