The suggestion that the black community is inherently homophobic is racist.

[yardwork]

I'm reading here that people think that the black community is somehow so homophobic, the Democrats have to tolerate homophobia in order to be welcoming to the black community.

This is complete and utter bullshit. And it's incredibly racist.

I know many African Americans who are gay. I know many more African Americans who are straight but not homophobic.

Yes, there are black churches that promote homophobia. There are lots of white churches that promote homophobia, too. Homophobia is a problem among fundamentalists. It's not a "black problem." Homophobia is a human rights problem.

The suggestion that a candidate would have to pander to the worst kind of homophobes in order to get the black vote is horrible. It's racist. Stop it.

[yardwork]

1. kick

[maddiejoan]

2. I agree

So why would Barack associate himself with someone like Rev Caldwell?
It's not as if he has to do it. So your point actually makes it all the worse for me.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/1/21/12830/0021/1023/440373

[yardwork]

8. And that's my point.

[mike_c]

3. depends on what you mean by "inherently...."

I'd certainly argue that the "white community" is inherently homophobic and although I can't experience what it's like being a member of any other community, most that I know of appear to be more-or-less the same in that regard. That isn't to say that there aren't MANY folks of all colors who aren't homophobes, but as long as homophobia is a majority viewpoint, and I suspect that it is the majority perspective for BOTH the white and black communities in America, it's fair to regard those communities as inherently homophobic-- by choice.

That last bit is the rub. There's nothing about anyone's race that predisposes them to either homophobia or to tolerance, so homophobia isn't "inherent" in that sense. But as long as any community participates in a culture of intolerance, it will foster homophobia automatically.

[yardwork]

7. Good point. My point was that it is racist to suggest that blacks are somehow especially homophobic

I've been reading that here on DU - the suggestion that we should tolerate homophobia when black people express it, because homophobia is part of black culture or something. Utter hogwash on so many levels.

[NOLALady]

4. You're right.

It's racist BS.

[ecstatic]

5. I'm so sick and tired of seeing that meme on DU of all places

Where is the evidence? Where is the proof? Maybe black voters should stay home so that republicans can keep winning.

[AndyTiedye]

6. There Has Been a Very High-Profile Campaign to Stir Up Homophobia in the Black Community

It's the sort of thing Karl Rove would do. Spread the meme that being gay is a white thing.
Drive a wedge right through our party. For whatever reason, Obama has bought into it.
Someone is being played. We just don't know who yet.

[yardwork]

10. A Democrat should know better than to associate with the "ex-gay" movement.

That should be a no-brainer.

[JackBeck]

9. Ted Haggard comes to mind.

Homophobia isn't more prevalent in any group. It's an equal opportunity offender, and yes, saying AA/Blacks are more homophobic is racist.

[MagsDem]

11. Oh really?

Well any blanket statement has a large potential to be wrong for some of a population of people. But, as a gay rights activist for many years, I can tell you that the black churches have traditionally marshalled their congregations against passage of civil rights for gay people. And they very much resent the gay community even asking for civil rights, since it's a "black" thing to them.

In Washington state, our biggest opposition to civil rights came directly from the black community and it's preachers, and legislators elected from their communities. That might be because the white churches here tend to be more liberal than in other parts of the country.

Also, ask your african american gay friends if it is not more difficult to be "out" in their own communities of color. I hear this all the time from AA gays.

[yardwork]

12. Here in the south, most Christians - white and black - are homophobes.

I'm seeing Obama's decision to use "ex-gay" preachers in his campaign excused on the basis that the African American has some special affinity for homophobia. Bullshit. Fundamentalist churches - white and black - have an affinity with homophobia. It doesn't mean that it should ever be excused on the basis of culture.

[BootinUp]

13. "inherently"

that would be an inappropriate suggestion. And if I were discussing a study on the issue of gay rights I wouldn't use the word homophobic either.

But there are valid reasons to study popular opinion on gay rights, and those studies may include breaking down the results by race. I would guess that the Black community consists of a majority of Baptists and that this may explain some of the polls we have seen.