Marion Barry, Morality & Gay Marriage

11 May 2009 Author: Cheryl Contee (Jill Tubman)

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M – Th 11p / 10c

Gaywatch – Marion Barry

thedailyshow.com

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I have to admit that it was disturbing that this clip showed lots of older black men, including DC’s Former Mayor-for-Life Marion Barry, proclaiming that recognizing out-of-state gay marriages in Washington DC is the apocalypse come. Well, it ain’t. I found John Stewart’s rip on DC’s infamous crack-smoking & whoring former mayor, who loudly proclaimed his “morality” in recently voting no on gay marriage to all that would hear, humorous. Yet it’s a fact that Barry was the lone vote on the DC Council that voted no — a council that remains majority black. The clip makes black folks look backward and bigoted — none of the pro-gay marriage council members are shown in the clip or have received much attention. There are 7 black members of the DC Council out of 13, including the Chairman, Vincent Gray.

It’s an unfair criticism & characterization of our community. Sure, gay marriage is a controversial topic — but no more among us than among the general population. Personally, I think the vote is a great step forward for equal rights for all citizens. Still, the clip is funny becuz well, having grown up in DC during the Barry years, I’m all for making fun of him in the interest of ensuring that Marion’s future ability to be an un-credit to the race is as limited as possible.

Tags: Daily Show, gay marriage, John Stewart, Marion Barry, Washington DC

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Nardwilly
This is not news and did you consider I might view those as sin also. Surely these are not new concepts.
Nardwilly
I will repeat. I am a citizen. Any change in law is seeking my approval. I know they do not care personally, but as a citizen it is my responsiblity to support or oppose new law based on my understanding of the best interest of society.
I agree with you on what they are asking. I believe they should not have it.
Nardwilly
Once again not from Christian text. Sorry that my position is not subject to your practiced arguments against the bible.
Nardwilly
I understand my beliefs will have little or no effect. The law can have an effect. I oppose the society approving homosexual marriage. I believe it is bad for society for the reasons previously stated..
http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com cheryl aka jill tubman
Agreed — if you don't like gay marriage, then don't marry someone of the same sex. What gives you the right to say what someone can or cannot do with the person they love? What threatens your peace about 2 people who love each other and want to make a commitment to each other. It's bigotry & hate.
http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com cheryl aka jill tubman
thanks for this craig. great post
http://craighickman.blogspot.com CraigHickman
My pleasure.
AM2k9
Again: Let's stick to the DC case. Can you honestly say that the right of our gay brothers and sisters is the number one priority facing DC? Can you say that with a straight face? Now, one can make the argument that marriage is NOT a human right. Will gays that dont get marry be lesser persons than those who do? Will they have less rights? Liberty and Happiness can actually be pursued without the sanctioning of the State.
Going back to the point I've been trying to make all along about the DC case. In DC, there's massive economic inequality along racial lines; their school system is a failure….there's a safety + security concerns (especially in the communities of color)…an overwhelming number of people of color dont have access to healthcare…..Why isnt the DC council addressing these issues? And can we honestly say that Gay marriage was the number one concern? If like you say, we can walk and chew gum at the same time…..DC already has gay marriage……the clock is ticking on these other issues….should I hold my breath?
Nardwilly
I am a citizen expressing an opinion on what should be legal. Being a citizen gives me the right and responsibility to say what the law should be.
Nothing threatens my peace. It is not bigotry and hate. It is a position against sin.
kalagenesis
Because the gays like the criminals,pornographers,entertaiment industry have money so they can buy the agenda like the gays have bought this site.Where are the gays on black concerns,Jena 6,Katrina,Sean Bell?Silent but they have the nerve to steal our voice and struggle for their selfish sick agenda?
Anonymous
I was in Cleveland, Ohio on business during the 2004 election. I was in a cab when a radio announcement featuring a group of African-American pastors endorsing George Bush because of his support of “traditional marriage” came on.
It is important to note that Cleveland, Ohio was just named the poorest city in America the previous week. So these pastors serve the poorest city in the union, a city with high unemployment, high rate of teen pregnancies and the list goes on, and the fight they want to have is over gay marriage.
That DC City Council meeting caused me to have the same reaction I had in Cleveland, disgust.
khrish
No. Holding ones breath accomplishes nothing. you should get out there and demand that this issues are handled. You know cause a fuss about it, don't just write about it. Get their attention the way we did back in the 50s and 60s. Warm bodies make a huge difference to a situation. that's what's being done for the “single Payer” insurance thing going on. If you are there in person with many, you can't be ignored. health care is on the table right now. Make certain that Washington gets its fair share. And there are things in our communities that we, ourselves, must assist in stopping. We can't always depend on the government to make our communities as safe as we want them. In my neighborhood, if something is going on that is a problem, criminally, I call the cops and stand outside until they get there. If you cause people to feel uncomfortable doing illegal things in your community then they tend to move away from the non-comfort area onto some where else. A stand that has to be taken early in the game, because once it's allowed to set in it becomes harder to take that stand. That's what I did in my neighborhood. I didn't live in a big city and I know that people who do have to have a stronger force; but someone has to stand up against some of these things and try to form a coalition among yourselves. I truly believe that there is power in numbers, and the sqeaky wheel gets the oil. all the laws in the city are not going to help if we don't get involved.
And legally, yes, the ones who do not marry are not protected (legally) for each other just like in heterosexual marriage. I'm certainly not saying nor suggesting that it makes one a lesser person. People have a choice in heterosexual marriage to make the choice; to marry or not and it does not make them lesser as human beings. This just should be such a minor issue and the Black community does not have time to fight about it. As you, yourself point out. We have issues that are much more pressing; so why do we get so upset since it really does not affect the other issues for us that you point out. We have to learn to dismiss the use of our community for division and learn to come together with others to make for a stronger coalition to change things that we can. That is all I am saying.
khrish
To allow people the pursuit of happiness and endowing them with the rights that protect them legally could never be bad for a society. For you, this is a moral issue and you cannot legislate your morality. Anyway, this issue has already been solved. You know, even God gives folk the right of choice, don't you agree. We have bigger fish to fry in the Black community and we should stop letting things divide us or deter us from the issues that need solving there, especially deciding who should be allowed to marry whom.
khrish
Well it's finished and you lost. Ok? Just remember, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
http://craighickman.blogspot.com CraigHickman
What do you think the DC council should do to address the issue of economic inequality and poverty?
::
(Silence…)
khrish
No. Holding ones breath accomplishes nothing. you should get out there and demand that this issues are handled. You know cause a fuss about it, don't just write about it. Get their attention the way we did back in the 50s and 60s. Warm bodies make a huge difference to a situation. that's what's being done for the “single Payer” insurance thing going on. If you are there in person with many, you can't be ignored. health care is on the table right now. Make certain that Washington gets its fair share. And there are things in our communities that we, ourselves, must assist in stopping. We can't always depend on the government to make our communities as safe as we want them. In my neighborhood, if something is going on that is a problem, criminally, I call the cops and stand outside until they get there. If you cause people to feel uncomfortable doing illegal things in your community then they tend to move away from the non-comfort area onto some where else. A stand that has to be taken early in the game, because once it's allowed to set in it becomes harder to take that stand. That's what I did in my neighborhood. I didn't live in a big city and I know that people who do have to have a stronger force; but someone has to stand up against some of these things and try to form a coalition among yourselves. I truly believe that there is power in numbers, and the sqeaky wheel gets the oil. all the laws in the city are not going to help if we don't get involved.
And legally, yes, the ones who do not marry are not protected (legally) for each other just like in heterosexual marriage. I'm certainly not saying nor suggesting that it makes one a lesser person. People have a choice in heterosexual marriage to make the choice; to marry or not and it does not make them lesser as human beings. This just should be such a minor issue and the Black community does not have time to fight about it. As you, yourself point out. We have issues that are much more pressing; so why do we get so upset since it really does not affect the other issues for us that you point out. We have to learn to dismiss the use of our community for division and learn to come together with others to make for a stronger coalition to change things that we can. That is all I am saying.
khrish
To allow people the pursuit of happiness and endowing them with the rights that protect them legally could never be bad for a society. For you, this is a moral issue and you cannot legislate your morality. Anyway, this issue has already been solved. You know, even God gives folk the right of choice, don't you agree. We have bigger fish to fry in the Black community and we should stop letting things divide us or deter us from the issues that need solving there, especially deciding who should be allowed to marry whom.
khrish
Well it's finished and you lost. Ok? Just remember, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
http://craighickman.blogspot.com CraigHickman
What do you think the DC council should do to address the issue of economic inequality and poverty?
::
(Silence…)
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