Mr. Hannaham provides an effective common-sense response to Gary Kamiya's wishful thinking. Any poll that implies that Black folk no longer see themselves as a collective unit and having a collective destiny i consider propaganda of the first order. White Supremacy as a form of exclusion by force of governmental law may be a thing of the recent past, but its spirit and tradition remain. Most of white society remains as implacable and defensive about race as ever...just ask them.

I too, as a 50 year old Black Male revel in the beauty of seeing a dark brown skinned African-American woman, full of hip as a first lady...hopefully she'll put down the hot comb from time to time and let her natural wooly hair see the light of day!

individuals who consider gay marriage/homosexuality a moral issue (and thus voted in support of prop 8) are not going to change their minds...those in favor of gay marriage should put more effort in bringing more supporters to the voting booth rather than trying to browbeat/intimidate people who are exercising their democratic right to disagree.

I find it strange that the multitudes of gay marriage advocates actually expect those with religious convictions (of whatever ethnic group)to give sanction to a lifestyle they are in moral opposition to.

a perfect example of why gay activists have thoughtlessly hijacked the definition of a "civil right". Black folk will NEVER equate the desire for gays to "marry" with our history of slavery/segregation in the U.S. If the concept of "civil unions" is not a satisfactory option then stand on your OWN GROUND as a community and demand your right to define yourself and just be on its own merits...alone. Trying to jacket everyone who disagrees with the gay community as a "homophobe" or spouting "hate speech" is the refuge of weaklings in need of a crutch.

drdarkney...labeling someone a "bigot" or a "homophobe" because they don't agree with you is going to accomplish what?...restless nights?...a crisis of conscience?...what?...please believe, many folks aren't losing any sleep over it.

you have forgotten that we don't live under a theoracy, we live in a DEMOCRACY...there is no governmental religious hierarchy we have to answer to...no religious group to bestow approval...on the other hand, you can't expect religious-minded people not to exercise their right to vote. Name calling is a poor substitute for the ballot box. Gays waste a lot of energy trying to be "accepted". You want gay marriage?...try rustling up some more voters!

Mr. Benjamin's analysis clear and on point; and the evidence of the "unlovely truth" he exposes is reflected in many of reader responses to his article. White people who have their racist nationalism exposed respond like someone who forgot to lock the bathroom door while they're sittin' on the toilet...when somebody walks in on them, the response is surprise, embarrassment and sometimes anger.