For the last couple of days I have been mostly quiet about the controversy surrounding Reverend Rick Warren and the Invocation at the Obama inauguration. Quite honestly, I wanted to think about it and chose my words carefully. What I can't shake is the firm belief that the invitation is just wrong, hurtful and a horrible way to begin the Obama presidency. I am not willing to use this single action as an indicator of what to expect from the entire eight years of the Obama Presidency, yet the symbolism of Warren leading off that special day is so sad for those of us who worked so hard for Obama. In one stroke, he took a moment of celebration for an oppressed minority that has suffered so much the last eight years and returned us to cold reality.
Rick Warren is not a good man. I am sure he does admirable work on global warming and HIV/AIDS but his hateful, divisive and ill-chosen words around Proposition 8 were inexcusable in that the ramifications of those words helped deny millions freedom and respect. "Unrepentant" homosexuals are not even allowed to join his Saddleback Church! This is a man of God? This is an oracle of wisdom? You know, Governor George Wallace was in some ways a populist and advocated programs for the poor. Some of his education programs and food programs were excellent. However, he was a racial bigot. He excluded African-Americans from enjoying the richness of his good work. I can't imagine that any programs he advocated would have justified him being given the leading role in any Presidential event given his views on segregation. It would simply not have happened. And the same can be said of Rick Warren: he is a religious bigot and his views on denying full rights and dignity to millions of LGBT Americans are vile.
Watching Warren answer questions on NBC's Dateline made the entire situation even more offensive. He laughed at the questions asked by Ann Curry. While comparing same-sex marriage rights to pedophilia and incest, he had the unmitigated gall to proclaim how liberal he was because he actually talked to us! He continued the nonsense by saying literally "some of his best friends are..." as to justify his views. Rev. Warren has every right to his opinions but he can not use religion as a reason to deny Constitutional rights. Marriage is a civil issue and not a religious issue.
Now, on the short term, what to do about his speaking at the Inauguration? Some have advocated boycotting the Inauguration but in reality there will be so many hundreds of thousands there that it will be impossible to judge who is present and who is not. In addition, many in our community have worked hard for this moment and despite Obama's lamentable, tone-deaf judgement, they should enjoy it fully. Personally, I love the idea that when Warren gets up to deliver the invocation, everyone who cares about justice just quietly turns their backs on him. Can you imagine the powerful message and indelible image of a thousand in silent protest refusing to look at nor acknowledge this man while he intones his hollow words?
On a longer term, this action by Obama shows us that in many ways, like so many others running this year, he just doesn't get it when it comes to marriage. It clearly illustrates that he certainly doesn't get the pain, the sickness in the pit of our stomachs and the sadness we all felt when Proposition 8 passed. In many ways, I guess this cold - but not surprising - reality just reminds us of the enormous amount of work we have to do in the community. Most importantly, no one individual is going to make justice appear over night so we can just sit back and celebrate. Our work is our work and we clearly have to fight hard for our rights within and without this administration. The good news is that he is not George W. Bush and we have the opportunity to make great progress if we do our job.
Obama has made his first huge misstep. I totally disagree with his inclusive 'big tent' explanation, especially when it makes us feel outside the tent. I am counting on Rev. Joseph Lowery that day to let the world know of our struggle. He has been a valuable friend for years. It is unlikely that anyone can censor him.
As for Obama, I am thrilled that he won over McCain. I look forward to amazing new policies on a number of fronts. I am not willing to toss him out, declare him evil or proclaim him our enemy based on a one-minute prayer. He hasn't even been sworn in yet. But given his actions with the Rev. Warren, we need some expression in appointments and policies that we are indeed part of this great adventure. And we need it pretty damn soon.
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