Obama's gay marriage stance could shift views of other blacks

[xchrom]

http://www.thegrio.com/specials/perry-on-politics/obamas-gay-marriage-stance-could-shift-views-of-other-blacks.php

Marriage law is decided by states, not the federal government. If President Obama decides he supports gay marriage, nothing will immediately change. And it's not clear taking such a stance would either lose or win the election for him.

Here's why his stance matters: Obama is a considered by some Democrats, particularly African-Americans, as a leader, and not just in terms of politics. His stature and extremely high support in the black community has silenced or weakened voices, like that of Tavis Smiley, who have tried to take on the president. He collects not just the votes of African-Americans, but black athletes, entertainers and other public figures who greatly admire and respect him.

What that means is that an open declaration of support of gay marriage by Obama will not be ignored by black voters. African-Americans voters, according to polls, are more likely to oppose gay marriage than other Democratic blocs of the electorate, and a look at the results by county and precinct suggest black voters largely backed the gay marriage ban in North Carolina.


*** little reminder to mr perry -- not all marriage law is decided by the states.
other wise we'd still have inter-racial marriage discrimination.

[monmouth]

1. Dr. King was the epitome of civil rights, he would have embraced this..n/t

[MNBrewer]

2. Mrs. King did

Many of the pivotal civil rights leaders of that time who are still around have embraced the continuing progress of equality across the spectrum. Some haven't, some have.

[polichick]

3. I sure hope this influences some Americans!

[chollybocker]

4. Hopefully.

But not necessarily.

For example, when Dick Cheney voiced his own support for gay marriage, it didn't exactly switch-on the great bulb of enlightenment over the heads of the 'Olde Crumudgeonly Teapug Fundy White Guys' demographic.

Religious beliefs are the greatest barrier to full equality.

[ShadowLiberal]

5. It won't make much of a difference at all to most people

The only way I can see it effecting anything is making people in heavily anti-gay areas perhaps a bit more brave at admitting they're pro-gay marriage, since Obama's a more 'main stream' public figure (in public opinion) then most other big figures who have endorsed gay marriage.