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Related: About this forumAfrican-Americans Support Obama’s Same-Sex Marriage Stance
African-Americans Support Obamas Same-Sex Marriage Stance
by Allison Samuels May 11, 2012 4:45 AM EDT
African Americans who oppose gay marriage are reconsidering their beliefs, thanks to Obamas shift, Allison Samuels reports.
Annie May Johnson grew up next to the tobacco field her parents worked in Lillington, North Carolina. At 75 years old, Johnson long held the belief that marriage is strictly between a man and a woman, no matter the times. Thats what her parents taught her years ago, and its what the good Rev. Mosley preached each Sunday morning at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church during her childhood.
Johnson never believed her view on the issue would waver. But that all changed on Wednesday, when President Obama announced publicly that he was in favor of same-sex marriage, a change from his 2008 campaign stand. Saying his beliefs had evolved from his support of civil unions instead of same-sex marriages, Obama sent ripples through the country and caused Annie May Johnson to take a second look at an issue she thought shed decided on long ago.
I always saw marriage as a man and a woman being together for a lifetime, says Johnson, on the phone from her North Carolina home. Thats all I ever saw growing up, and that is all my parents saw in their day. But when Obama said he now was in favor of it, I thought maybe Ive been too pigheaded about this thing for too long.
snip//
Hes smart, thats why I voted for him, Johnson says. So why wouldnt I listen to what he has to say and listen to all of it. The right may not do that, but I do.
more...
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/05/11/african-americans-support-obama-s-same-sex-marriage-stance.html
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)babylonsister
(171,075 posts)pnwmom
(108,980 posts)Among the older age group, the people who have the most trouble with the idea of marriage equality, the Golden Rule is widely understood and accepted as a Christian ideal (even if it isn't strictly in the Bible.)
Arkana
(24,347 posts)Lyndon Johnson. It's how he managed to get the Civil Rights Act through a Congress with a ton of segregationists
pnwmom
(108,980 posts)JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)stop them from trying.
Saw one article, I think on MSNBC.COM in which they interviewed African Americans in North East DC area ... "Obama is going against God" seemed to be the prevailing kind of response, at least according to the article.
And then down here in NC, no discussion of Amendment one goes by that doesn't include ... "The AA community voted 2-1 FOR Amendment one ... could that spell disaster for Obama in 2012?"
I think the media is going to try to keep the election close, and this will be one of the many tactics they use.
babylonsister
(171,075 posts)we have to deal with the voting restrictions. Sigh. Another uphill battle; I hope our Prez is up to it, and think people will absolutely know who the right choice will be. Bring on the debates!
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)So we've got that going for us!!
Arkana
(24,347 posts)He was on TV last night gloating about how black people aren't going to support Obama because he came out in support of gay marriage.
LiberalFighter
(50,966 posts)pipoman
(16,038 posts)but these statements like, "African-Americans Support Obamas Same -Sex Marriage Stance", or any statement with such blanket assertions are ridiculous. It simply isn't a true statement. Maybe, 'more African-Americans Support Obamas Same -Sex Marriage Stance than previously', or something.. Is it too much to ask for media to quit making shit up?
This isn't about me disagreeing with Obama's stance, I don't disagree. It is about alienating voters who disagree on this issue and don't like being minimized, ignored, and denied.
LiberalFighter
(50,966 posts)Cut the efn legs off of the teleprompter reading pretending to be experts.
ruggerson
(17,483 posts)especially when employed by someone as eloquent as this President.