Not sure if this is okay for DU... someone let me know? Before your alert, and I'll remove.

[Bluetus]

11. FWIW, the black church tradition is vastly different from the white church tradition

Naturally there are overlaps, as each person makes their own choices. Coincidentally, I attended a meeting today at a "black Presbyterian" church on the subject of outreach through the arts (these are programs we have been collaborating on for years.) I agree that many black folks attend more regularly, but I contend this is a byproduct of the community and its history in America. Black folks had to hang together to survive the original slave centuries, as well as the racist society that remained when slavery was legally ended. The church is not as much about heaven and the afterlife as it is about the values of looking out for each other. By the way, Jesus talked more about those values than he did about the afterlife.

I was always a little confused as I got to know many of my black friends. It seems like whatever name comes up, the answer is always "Oh yeah, we go way back. You know he's a cousin of mine, don't you?" There is just a much higher degree of connectedness in that community, and it can be a beautiful thing.

I guess what I am saying is trying to compare "black Christian votes" to "white Christian votes" in some kind of equation is fraught. But I will also say that all the black folks I know well, are very in tune with what is going on politically, and they think about the long cause. Their struggle has always spanned generations. And I believe this means they will give Talarico a fair hearing and I think they will have his back strongly. I'm sad to say this is not as likely for white Christians supporting Crockett.