Barack Obama
Praise and protest marked the "Embrace the Change" gospel fund-raising concert series in Columbia, SC that culminated the "40 Days of Faith and Family" campaign designed to court value-voters for presidential hopeful, Senator Barack Obama.
The week prior to the concert series was marred with controversy over Obama’s inclusion of Pastor Donnie McClurkin, a Grammy-award winning gospel artist who gay activists and bloggers tagged as anti-gay and homophobic.
Angry gay rights advocates called the Illinois politician a hypocrite for not dropping the singer from the program knowing they have opposing views.
The concert series, touching down in 3 cities in 3 days, was an effort to play up the affections of little old ladies, earn the confidence of country preachers and their congregants, and as a huge lover of gospel music (especially the legendary quartet - The Mighty Clouds of Joy), show some discriminating African American voters that he is indeed “Black” enough.
In comparison to the previous two stops in the cities of Greenwood and Charleston, heavy security was in place in the event of a possible ruckus.
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Donnie McClurkin in South Carolina (photo: Mona Austin)
The worshipful event drew people from miles around who were not attracted by the controversy, but by the artists.
Doris Miles of Timonsville, SC purchased her bargain priced ticket (only $10 per show) to hear the gospel all-star line up that included, in addition to McClurkin, The Mighty Clouds of Joy, Mary Mary and Deitrick Haddon.
“I’m here to see the performers and have not followed the campaign as closely as I would like to,” she submits honestly.
Some people, like Columbia resident Cynthia Winn, hadn’t heard about the controversy and came to learn more about Obama’s platform.
Yet others came to take care of business.
Before the concert began Sunday night, a small group of members from the local chapter of The Gay and *** Pride Movement (GLPM) quietly resisted McClurkin’s participation as a woman marched in front of the venue waving a large rainbow colored flag; others carried posters and wore black tape across their mouths.
The group’s President Michael Vandiver has known he was gay since the age of 3 and was “disappointed” that McClurkin was not removed from the program.
“We’re not so much against Donnie, it’s some of the things he has stated that caused problems. He makes it sound like we’re a bunch of pedofiles,” Vandiver exerted.
Gay activists are especially vexed by McClukin because he said the lifestyle is a choice.
GLPM showed up in part to support the local pastor of Garden of Grace United Church of Christ, Andy Sidden who the Obama campaign organizers invited to do the opening prayer to have an openly Gay presence and appease the wishes of those who opposed McClurkin’s involvement.
“I couldn’t sing, but I could pray to bring the balance ... sort of,” stated Rev. Sidden.
The energy was lop-sided in favor of the popular singer, however. Explosive cheers filled the inside of Township Auditorium when Mc Clurkin explained his beliefs about homosexuality.
“We don’t believe in discrimination, we don’t believe in hatred. The whole premise of God is love. But there is a side of Christ that deals with judgment. And all sin is against God,” Pastor McClurkin retorted while refusing to surrender to the criticism he received a week prior to his appearance.
The audience of mainly African American church-goers seemed to wholeheartedly accept a traditional Pentecostal minister’s viewpoint versus embracing the post-modern philosophy of a new breed public servant.
McClurkin, an ex-gay who said he was “once touched” with the same thoughts and feelings, is the pastor of New York based Perfecting Faith Church. He espouses a gospel that obliterates sin, and restores sinners.
The charismatic preacher shouted the core of his beliefs to the ready ears of approximately 2,000.
"I don’t speak against the homosexuals. I tell you that God delivered me from homosexuality, said McClurkin. "No matter what blog you read, let me tell you, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature!”
A crescendo of applause followed this statement. Senator Obama’s stance holds less conviction.
“I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin’s views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division,” said Obama in a statement on October 22.
How the senator’s or his spin doctors’ handling of this dilemma on the divisive Gay Rights issue translates in the South Carolina primaries for Obama could make or break him. Receiving the majority of votes in SC is critical because primaries run early in this state. This state is key to beating his chief competitor for the Democratic bid for the most powerful position in the free world. Obama is running against the wind of seasoned former First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. At least by sheer numbers, he appears to be careening off course. According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News poll she is ahead of him by more than 20 percent, with a lead of 13 percent among African American voters.
To help Obama get re-positioned as the forerunner, African American religious leaders and LGBT leaders have united to find a common ground. A letter received from the Obama ’08 press folder included a joint letter from two usually misaligned factions. In it they acknowledge both Sen. Obama and McClurkin’s viewpoints as valid and valued by different factions of the voting population and articulate the reality of allowing differences to continue to divide Blacks.
“If we are to confront our shared challenges,” the letter states, “we have to join together, build on common ground, and engage in a civil dialogue even when we disagree.”
Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. (Chair, Obama National African American Religious Leaders working Group) and Stamp Corbin (Chair, Obama National LGBT Leadership Council) and Sharon Malheiro (LGBT Activist) were among the leaders in support of this move toward unity.
Obama was there last night in spirit only via an EPK of his wife Michelle, reflecting on the husband and leader she knows. Footage of his journey as a politician and a videotaped apology for not being there were shown on a large screen in Greenwood. To show his Christian identity he attended church services in Greenwood and Charleston and is scheduled to appear in Manning, SC this week.
“Forty Days of Faith and Family” was a metaphor for change inferred from The Holy Bible. Forty days recurs in the Bible as a period of time that preceded a life-altering shift. It rained for forty days when Noah and family survived the flood that wiped the slate of a corrupt humanity clean as documented in the Book of Genesis. Obama, a member of Chicago’s Trinity United Church of Christ is campaigning on the promise that he is the change agent a failing Washington needs to re-establish trust in the nation’s leadership. He wants to send a message to the religious right that they do not have a monopoly on God or voters who are influenced by their religious principles.
Today, Tuesday, October 30, those who have joined the “Church of Obama” will march from the State House to the SC Democratic Party headquarters and officially declare Obama’s candidacy for the Democratic nomination in South Carolina.
Meanwhile, in Columbia, the concert ended with Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary and members of Mighty Clouds of Joy chanting “Obama for President” in rhythm with his song “Hail Jesus You’re My King.”
Eurweb.com
http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur38078.cfm
