I can't believe it. He did it, he actually did it. All these years of listening to Presidential candidates on the stomp, blathering on about what they are going to do, only to get elected and dupe us all. That's basically been the order of things for quite sometime and you and I have grown accustomed to business as usual. So, what in the world does this skinny, punk from Chicago think he's doing upsetting the order of things? We all heard him for two years on the campaign trail (actually four years, if you count his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention), going on about Change, Hope and surrounding himself with people who might disagree with him. You know, that diversity, inclusion, tolerance thing that we all claim to applaud. But, considering the uproar of the past few days over his selection of Rick Warren to give the inaugural prayer, it seems we must have thought he was lying. So, here he goes upsetting the currents of our expectations. Despite the fact that he made himself abundantly clear, as was our custom for the entire campaign, we chose to listen to what we wanted to hear and made him into what we desired him to be, as oppose to just accepting Mr. Obama for who he said he was. But, a greater issue emerges from his selection of Rick Warren, the authentic meaning of tolerance. In an interview with Anne Curry, the best selling author was asked how he could befriend someone like Obama, whom he differed with on issues like abortion and Gay rights. She was actually serious. I knew she was because she did her trade mark head tilt when she asked it. Well, after I came to I could remember thinking to myself: "What alternative universe does she live in?" I can't think of a single person I call friend or family whom I don't have some difference with, be it personal and/or political. Seriously, would marriage even be a possibility if such a thing were true? But, as strange as the question was, it was surprisingly expected. In an atmosphere rife with extreme ideologies, the prospect of Rick Warren sharing the same space with Barack Obama is indeed extraordinary. However, it is equally extraordinary in an America attempting to recover from its deep divides that any group would choose to use this moment to broaden those divisions. The fact that Rick Warren opposes Gay Marriage, is about as shocking and controversial as Clay Aiken coming out. Surprise! Most Christian ministers are opposed to Gay marriage and homosexuality in general; and might I add the great majority of Imams and Rabbis do as well, but, we all know how politically incorrect it is to sound off on any religion outside of Christianity, don't we? This is not only the wrong time for this, but, Warren is hands down the wrong target. Though many may try, Rick Warren, whatever one might think of him or his beliefs, is hardly Bull Connor. It is indeed laughable to remake the likes of Warren into the devil when one considers his many works and the manner in which he has conducted himself thus far.
What we have before us are two men who have been consistent about who they are as individuals. They are also blessed with that rare gift of being able to engage and even appeal to those beyond their comfort zone. It's a powerful, but, vulnerable position to be in, because although one can draw a massive and diverse following, one runs the danger of being crucified by hard line ideologues who somehow maintain the illusion that you are indebted to them, when the reality is that you are not. In my opinion, considering their very high profile positions both Barack Obama and Rick Warren are proven examples of authentic tolerance. The ability to hold fast to who you are, yet, being willing to engage and even grow from the opinions or ideals of others; and when you disagree, you are capable of maintaining your civility. That is a stark contrast to those who would much rather give lip service to tolerance than put it into practice.
Copyright JLI 2008
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