NPR: The Faith Vote ... and Tension in South Africa

The Faith Vote ... and Tension in South Africa

As Lee mentioned earlier, whirlwind day yesterday. And another one today.

Yesterday, I moderated a discussion at the National Press Club, tied to a new book by leading evangelical leaders Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, and Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., a pastor and frequent commentator on public policy issues. You will have heard both of these men on many news outlets, including this one. They have teamed up to write Personal Faith, Public Policy. The book takes a fresh look at some of the leading public policy issues, and calls evangelical Christians to recommit to values and to look at values issues more broadly. It makes the argument that Christians may have allowed themselves to become too closely identified with one political party, and have not embraced the full gamut of issues that Christians should be concerned with.

My question to them: are you saying your failings were in areas of public relations (failing to be understood), or of works (failing to do justice by focusing too narrowly on a narrow set of issues)?

Anyway, deep discussion. We were joined at the event by David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, the Rev. Jim Wallis, the internationally known author of God's Politics and author of a new book, The Great Awakening, and the Rev. Sam Rodriguez, leader of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (you would have heard him on this program before).

Tomorrow, we'll try to bring you a reprise, or a condensed version, of the conversation.

Just below is the video we talked about in our roundtable of South African students. If you are a sensitive person, it takes a strong stomach to watch. Just be warned. And, it's in Afrikaans so you have to infer what is being said (unless, of course you speak Afrikaans).

Finally, did you love our fashionistas. But how about that whole thing with giving up your Capri pants and boot cut jeans? I am so mad.

And peach is out? Harumph.

I am wearing a peach sweater today in protest. But the capris? ... They've made me think twice.

Michel Martin

4:55 PM ET | 03-13-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Michelle, I sincerely appreciate your facilitation of discussions and the fact that you always ask the questions that I want answered. Race matters, and it was interesting to listen to your interviewees iterating, almost to a fault, that race does not matter in terms of the NY governorship and theascension of the first person of color and physically impaired individual to that post. Interestingly,the very next conversation was about those heinous racists videos from S. Africa. You tied this to the presidential race, and yet no one wants to directly acknowledge that since race matters, Barak has specific talents to bring to American leadership and part of that comes from his experiences in this world as a person of African decent. Sure, Gov Paterson will enhance quality of life for NYers specifically because of his racialized experience in America, and like the race, we are a racially charged nation. I firmly believe that many in America are unable to even conceive of an adequate, if not superb, Black (male) leader, and our pop culture only seems to reinforce the image of us as ultimatelydelinquent. Look at Detroit's mayor, for example, whom many view as typical. I do believe that having a radical new face govern Sen. Clinton's so-called home state, will go lengths to reorganizing how American view people of color in leadership positions,and for the first t ime, NYers will no longer have to dream of this, but will have the opportunity to experience this first hand. Again, 'Race Matters', as Dr. Cornell West insists, and Black folks have very unique gifts to contribute to our nation, for example, reconciliation both on a personal and interpersonal level as well as on the international agenda, which is hopefully peace.

Sent by Diepiriye S. Kuku-Siemons | 6:41 AM ET | 03-14-2008

About your fashion segment:

I'm one of the listeners Michel might have been referring to thinking who died and made today's commentors queens.

First of all, I have an affinity for belts but I'm wise enough to know skinny belts DON'T work on me. So rather than look uncomfortable, I'll lose the belt or wear the wider belt that makes me feel pulled together.

Second, the big purses are popular because they are functional. Also, if you have the height (like I do), you can always rock it.

Finally, what was the dig about capri pants with people living in South Florida? I've been a resident for the past decade and I can tell you that capris have not been (or will ever be) in my closet. I don't speak for all the ladies in South Florida but I do know one thing about them; "skin" is very much an accessory down here and they will rather be seen in micro minis or shorts than capri pants.

On A Serious Note:

Thanks for highlighting the college students in South Africa dealing with the subject of integration even years after apartheid.

Sent by Moji | 9:05 AM ET | 03-14-2008

Michel...
You're doing a great job. I really enjoy listening to you. I heard the tail end of the conversation with students from a university where some type of racial insult was perpetrated but I got no details.

Sent by Alim Gaynor | 9:07 AM ET | 03-14-2008

Love my Capri pants and I'm not giving them up. Sorry! Not gonna happen.

Sent by ernise | 9:51 AM ET | 03-18-2008

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