Notes From D.R. | Random Thoughts on the Passing Scene

In today’s Boston Globe, columnist Adrian Walker asserts that Deval Patrick’s bid to become the state’s next Democratic governor isn’t over yet, despite recent reports of turmoil in his campaign. If Walker’s right, and Patrick does rally to receive the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, it could set off a major controversy in this state concerning two perpetually hot-button issues–race and gay marriage.

Patrick, who has established himself as a left-wing golden boy, has been a stalwart supporter of same-sex marriage, a stance that has earned him the ire of Bishop Gilbert A. Thompson, an influential African-American Boston minister; earlier this year, Thompson was accused of denouncing Patrick during a May 22 sermon. Thompson, who has been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage since the November 2003 Goodridge decision legalizing it, will obviously not support Patrick’s bid to become the state’s first black governor–but his refusal to do so will make him a subject of tremendous liberal scorn, especially black liberal scorn.

Like most inner-city black churches, Thompson’s church is made up of those who value "racial solidarity" when it comes to politics; his parishioners are the type of people who rally around ethics-challenged State Senator Dianne Wilkerson because "she’s one of us." If the past is any indication, they will also rally around  Patrick; though blacks may be heavily against gay marriage, their disagreement with Patrick on the issue is unlikely to keep them from supporting a "brother’s" bid to become Governor.

Of course, this will set one "brother" against another. Thompson has made it clear: he stands for the principle that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and that anything else that’s branded a "marriage" is an offense to God. Thus, he cannot possibly support someone who claims that there’s nothing wrong with same-sex marriage. Just because both men are black doesn’t mean that Thompson can–or should–ignore his policy differences with Patrick.

However, those who will inevitably attack Thompson for opposing Patrick will not understand this point. The above-linked Boston Phoenix article quotes African-American Boston political consultant Joyce Ferriabough as saying, "I’d be surprised and saddened if someone of Bishop Thompson’s caliber…publicly denigrated Patrick over an issue that isn’t a priority in the black community." By saying that the issue of same-sex marriage "isn’t a priority in the black community," Ferriabough exposes herself as being unable to comprehend Thompson’s reasoning. To Thompson, same-sex marriage, and the opposition to same, is in fact a priority to blacks; since it is incumbent upon black parents, like all parents, to seek a moral cultural environment in which to raise their kids, they are to be vigilant against that which conflicts with the establishment of such a moral cultural environment. In Thompson’s eyes, same-sex marriage–i.e., calling something a "marriage" when it doesn’t involve one man and one woman–is by definition in conflict with the establishment of a moral cultural environment in which to raise children, and as such must be opposed. To say that the issue of gay marriage "isn’t a priority" to blacks betrays a profound lack of understanding as to why blacks such as Thompson are so opposed to the concept.

If Thompson is very vocal next year in his opposition to Patrick’s nomination and potential election as governor, expect to see Ferriabough and others–some even within Thompson’s own church–rise up to denounce him, perhaps even going so far as to smear him as an "Uncle Tom." They will ignore the fact that Thompson has no choice in the matter–in the name of preserving his own credibility as a moral leader, he cannot possibly support someone who embraces a concept that Thompson has declared fundamentally immoral. To Thompson, certain things are more important than "racial solidarity"–certain things like morals and values. However, his inevitable bashers will never understand that.