Nigger, stay in your place!

That's the headline the New York Times really wanted to run about African American Bush supporter Rev. Herbert Lusk, II.

Lusk, of Philadelphia, allowed use of his church for a rally for Judge Samuel Alito, the Bush Supreme Court nominee. But by identifying Lusk as a "maverick" who "pledged his support for a Bush presidency" and consequently received "1 million dollars", the Times coded its anger at Lusk for not being a good nigga and staying lock step with the other black Bush bashers. By the way, if you want to see the reporter, Laurie Goodstein's real views, click on her name and see the list of anti conservative stories she churns out for the Times.

The plantation style racism oozing out of the NYT's story about Lusk is astonishing for a couple of reasons. First of all, why is a newspaper run by a cross dressing fanatic trying to brand a black minister because they don't like what he does or who he allows in his church? Especially when they say nothing about the liberal black church leaders who sell open their pulpits to politicians and political pandering all the time.
Secondly, politics and the black church have always been entwined. Why, the civil rights movement was conceived, birthed, nursed --and when wounded-- comforted in the black church. African American churches have historically been very active in political matters. A report[PDF]entitled the Public Influences of African American Churches released by the Leadership Center at Morehouse College found that 38% of black churches strongly agreed that black churches should be involved in politics. 42% of the 1,956 churches who responded to the survey agreed. Twenty-nine percent said that "international, national or local political issues are frequently discussed as part of the regular worship services."

But when the liberal plantation owners get wind of a black pastor advocating a cause other than evil Republican racism (translated anti-civil rights), the whips and dogs come out. That's what the NYT really wanted to call for. Whip Lusk's black back until he gets back in line."

"In one person, Herbert Lusk represents what is wrong with mixing religion and government," said Barry Lynn, [the white]executive director of Americans United.
During last year's election cycle,Lynn' s organization sent letters to church leaders all over the country telling them that IRS regulations forbade all tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations — including churches — from promoting or endorsing candidates. According to Lynn, this means no partisan preaching or electioneering from the pulpit. But, Lynn and his group have only filed complaints against churches who are associated with conservative ideology.

The bottom line is freedom of speech and association --and the use of one's sanctuary-- should be for everyone, not just for black preachers who dream Democratic dreams. Related/
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