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9/10/2004
John the Baptist
 John Kerry Politicians have no shame. When it comes to earning the "black vote", everytime an election rolls around, all of a sudden, everyone remembers how "religious" and "deep" and "spiritual" they are, and church appearances abound. If I were a pastor, I'd charge their shady behinds to come speak to the congregation. The cynical part of me is tempted to think some of them actually do. To be clear, I'm not a fan of campaigning from the pulpit; not even when I am in support of the candidate. To be more specific, I detest it. It is abuse and misuse of God-given authority and influence. I use the term "pulpit" loosely. In this case, it was the 124th Annual Session of the National Baptist Convention, which took place this Thursday in New Orleans. Jesse Jackson was there, and you better believe John Kerry wasn't too far behind (reg required).
It doesn't take a child prodigy to realize that the "black church" (I hate that term) is largely Democrat. This is because the black community is largely Democrat. It can therefore be deduced that the predominately black "National Baptist Convention" was a safehaven for John Kerry to practice his choir-preaching. It's amazing how bold people get when they know they have nothing to lose. John failed to realize that sometimes the choir is more jacked up (vernacular translation: in a very bad condition) than the congregation itself (those of us who were raised in church know what this means). The choir folks, has issues.
Among his many foibles (one being commencing his speech with the lyrics to Amazing Grace...how cliche), once again, Kerry made the grave mistake of attempting to quote scripture for personal gain. Then again, I suppose it's not so grave because Kerry keeps doing it. If we were to adopt the "Dr. Phil" method of pyschology in this instance, we know that humans don't repeat behavior unless there is some sort of pay-off. In Kerry's case, it's votes and the continued admiration from and false-comradery with 1) The black church 2) The black community 3) Jesse Jackson (HA!)
I only caught a glimpse of the news reel, and I thought I was going to be sick. Here are a few excerpts from his speech, I also know that George Bush has asked the question, "Does the Democratic Party take African American voters for granted?" Well, here is my answer. The Book of Matthew reminds us, "Beware of false profits which come to you in sheep's clothing." (Matthew 7:15). The president who in the last four years couldn't even find time to meet with NAACP... the Black Caucus ... or the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. The president who turns away from African American needs...who scorns economic justice and affirmative action...who traffics in the politics of division -- and then claims he is a friend of Black America can not conceal his identity no matter what clothes he wears. And here is the other part of my answer: We will march with you every step of the way to full equality for all Americans. This November we're going to have a new march on Washington to bring your voice and our concerns right to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I'm ready to march with you. Will you march with me?
Together, we can close the gaps of inequality that impede the progress of our nation. Together, we can stop being what W.E.B. DuBois called, "a nation within a nation," and what John Edwards and I have called two Americas. Some have questioned this idea. But, Mr. President, I ask you to spend time with struggling families in the hills of Appalachia ... or in public housing in Detroit ... or in the barrios of East LA and then tell me our journey to build one America is finished. Our job, between now and November is to end the division between the fortunate America and the forgotten America. We must come to together to build one America. I can't believe he critized Bush for not meeting with the NAACP. If I were president, I wouldn't meet with those ninnies called the NAACP either. In fact, with their rapid increase in Tom Foolery, the NAACP has lost credibility even among black Democrats.
And another thing, "the hills of Appalachia"?? Either Kerry is trying to channel Dr. Martin Luther King, or he secretly hired Maya Angelou as a speech writer. Neither is favorable in this case.
Kerry wouldn't dare enter a "white church" (hate that term too) with this tripe. The thing that really gets me is that people give a standing ovation to this calculated appeal for black votes. Few people question the use of scripture in such a context. Even fewer question the motives of such an appearance. I long for the day when politicians take a risk and start telling the choir things they don't want to hear. Even better, I wish the choir would just get right.
(NYT Article Access - Username: refuse Password: registration)
Update: - Capitol Hill Blue weighs in.
- Booker Rising refutes Kerry's claims that the Bush administration has done nothing for black progress.
posted by ambra at 9/10/2004 01:52:32 AM | link to this entry |
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