So an old friend asked in Facebook for me to sign a petition asking President-elect Obama to change his mind about Pastor Warren. If you're not keeping up, Obama's team announced that Pastor Warren will be giving the invocation at the Inauguration. I had been meaning to complain to President-elect Obama about this but I did not make time to call Obama's office or send an e-mail.
I signed the petition and then went to change.gov to send a letter of complaint to the transition team. If you're wondering why I'm ticked off aobut Pastor Warren, I came across this interesting quote from Rep. Barney Frank (a Massachusetts Democrat): "Mr. Warren compared same-sex couples to incest. I found that deeply offensive and unfair." If you want to read the entire article, check it out here.
From what I've read in the news, Obama's team wants to show that they're trying to welcome those of differing opinion and to create a new America. So why does this bother me as I'm not gay? I believe that all Americans deserve to be treated as equals.
While listening to the most recent episode of the Savage Love podcast earlier today, Dan Savage said that having Pastor Warren give the invocation would be like having a white supremist there, comparing the hateful things Pastor Warren has said to how Black Americans would feel if a white supremist had been chosen.
I have to admit that I'm a bit mystified by Obama's choice. Having open arms for all Americans is a good thing, but does that include someone who thinks that the sex gays have is similar to incest. Isn't that a bit extreme?
Yes, we live in a land in which we have freedom of speech so I'm using mine now. Pastor Warren should not give the invocation at Obama's inauguration. How many other pastors have suffered and worked hard to help their flock and Obama's team takes the opportunity to give an olive branch to the conservative right? That doesn't sit well with me and I'm happy to hear that others are speaking out too.
Let me get one thing straight: Obama works for us. It's not the other way around. He's a public servant and our tax dollars pay for his salary. I believe it is our duty as Americans to speak our mind and so I have. I do not want to see Obama pander to those who didn't vote for him. There's a fine line between being all inclusive and fawning.
If you've read this far, I ask for you to have your voice heard too: Speak out. Ask Obama to change his mind and see how his decision to have Pastor Warren give the invocation is hurtful to many Americans.
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