I am nauseated. I may never be able to eat another waffle again. Apparently, the Values Voter Summit (a right-wing conservative “family values” organization) thinks an “Aunt Jemima” parody is a humorous way to depict Barack Obama on a fake waffle box. You’ve probably seen it. I won’t link to it, or the Values Voter Summit as I don’t wish to give them even the small amount of traffic generated on this blog.
Focus on the Family, one of the sponsors of this conference, has never been my favorite organization, and particularly since they departed from practical advice for families to dive headfirst into far right politics. But this is too much; they have now lost me for life.
I wrote them the following:
I am appalled and incensed that an organization purporting to support Christian family values would tolerate and even find humorous, this racially demeaning caricature of Barack Obama on the waffle package.
Is this what passes for family values with your organization?
This attitude bears no resemblance to my family’s Christian values. I have taught my girls that God loves all of us equally — even Barack Obama, whether you agree or disagree with him. Racism is a sin, just as much as any of the other sins you love to rail about.
Obama and Hilary Clinton are just as precious in the sight of God as James Dobson. No better, no worse. I don’t believe it pleases God in any way for Christians to laugh at and perpetuate racism and portray Obama in this offensive way.
Talk about his policies that you agree or disagree with. But don’t stoop to tactics that leave Satan rubbing his hands in glee.
Is this really the way Christians need to treat each other? Are you pleased with your cleverness? Do you think you are funny? I don’t and I doubt that many African-American Christians do, either. Don’t you think that Christ calls us to at least be respectful and treat each other with love?
There is no love in racism.
The facts: just so you know: I am a white, middle-aged wife (21 years) and mother of two and attend church every Sunday and Bible study every Thursday. I am neither Democrat nor Republican and still don’t know who I’m voting for, so there is no political motivation for this letter. Just a desire to see Christians behave more like Christ.
Do I think they will respond? I doubt it. I’ve never given them any money and never will. But I hope they do. I hope they are filled with remorse for representing Jesus in such a sorry way. I disagree with Obama on some things; I agree with him on others. That’s inconsequential. He is a child of God.
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Yes, in the unlikely event that Hell actually does freeze over, I will certainly post their response.
On the slim off-chance that you do get a reply from Focus on the Family, you need to post it here for us all to see.