1. Few thoughts to follow on disgraced white politicians who use black churches as stage for redemption narrative (Rob Ford trigger warning)
-
-
Replying to @HeerJeet
2. So Rob Ford has been hanging around black churches, singing gospel songs, etc. as part of his path to political redemption.
3 replies 3 retweets 3 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
3. Ford is hardly the first scandal-ridden black politician to use black churches in the manner. Wiener & Spitzer tried same gambit.
4 replies 3 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
4. Here's a good article on Wiener, Spitzer, race & redemption narrative: From: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/09/nyregion/among-blacks-spitzer-and-weiner-find-a-more-forgiving-crowd.html?_r=1& …
2 replies 2 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
5. For obvious historical reasons black churches have often rallied to politicians attacked by the political establishment.
1 reply 3 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
6. And narratives of loss and redemption (of Israel coming out of Egypt or the Prodigal Son) have a special salience in black Protestantism
1 reply 3 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
7. And of course black politicians, sometimes unjustly attacked ones but also sometimes corrupt ones (Marion Barry) make same use of church.
2 replies 3 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
8. But making allowances for all contextualizing, the whole Ford association with black churches feels very wrong & exploitative.
1 reply 5 retweets 2 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
9. Part of the problem is Ford wants redemption on the cheap -- i.e. without confessing sins & giving up his wretched ways.
3 replies 8 retweets 5 likes
10. There's also fact that Ford is a walking advertisement for white privilege.
-
-
Replying to @HeerJeet
11. Ford is not unlike a suburban white youth who has taken up hip hop. He's borrowed everything from black culture but the burden.
5 replies 29 retweets 26 likes -
Replying to @HeerJeet
12. Feel bit queasy about even discussing this stuff because redemptive promise of Christianity is actually one of the best things about it.
2 replies 3 retweets 3 likes - Show replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.