Yesterday People For the American Way’s president, Kathryn Kolbert, put out a statement on Blaming Black Voters for Prop 8 Loss is Wrong and Destructive:
The past 72 hours have brought an extraordinary range of emotions – great joy at the election of Barack Obama and defeat of John McCain, and sadness and anger at the passage of anti-gay initiatives in Florida, Arizona, Arkansas, and California. That sadness has turned to outrage at the speed with which some white gay activists began blaming African Americans – sometimes in appallingly racist ways – for the defeat of Proposition 8. This is inexcusable.
As a mother who has raised two children in a 30-year relationship with another woman, I fully understand the depth of hurt and anger at voters’ rejection of our families’ equality. But responding to that hurt by lashing out at African Americans is deeply wrong and offensive – not to mention destructive to the goal of advancing equality.
Before we give Religious Right leaders more reasons to rejoice by deepening the divisions they have worked so hard to create between African Americans and the broader progressive community, let’s be clear about who is responsible for gay couples in California losing the right to get married, and let’s think strategically about a way forward that broadens and strengthens support for equality.
Via Pam Spaulding who has gathered statistics and background. The statement should be read in its entirety. For more see also: Jeralyn@Talk Left, Ampersand@Alas, a blog and Ta-Nehisi Coates.