African Americans respond to President Obama's stance on DOMA

After the mess and blame placed on African Americans for Prop 8, many were curious to see where the community stood on the DOMA issue.

Well, Washington Post may have an idea of that answer.

Some say the decision is dismaying, though not damning. Others may be rethinking their views, given the influence Obama has in the African American community. And there are those who don't seem to care much at all. 

"I don't think that this is a deal breaker in terms of whether we are going to support the president ... but it doesn't help," said Cheryl Sanders, pastor of a small church in the District, who described herself as fairly conservative theologically. 

She is among the 68 percent of churchgoing African Americans who oppose same-sex marriage and among the 90 percent who support Obama. 

As a question on its own, churchgoing African Americans are against same-sex marriage. But when the issue is wrapped up into a larger political context, it becomes just one of many and generally not the deciding one, said the Rev. Al Sharpton, an Obama ally. 

 However, some folks have a different view. Like the minister Anthony Evans who leads the National Black Church Initiative

"The president has harmed himself on this issue," he said. "He has openly offended the black church, and he didn't need to do it." 

 However, according to the article, Anthony will continue to support the president. I also believe, that the overall majority of us will support Obama in 2012.  Gay Marriage will not send a huge number of Blacks to the other side. In fact, his stance will challenge their beliefs and possibly begin the much needed conversation.

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