At the Soul Train Awards, taped in Las Vegas shortly after the 2012 election but not aired on BET until this past weekend, actor Jamie Foxx hailed President Barack Obama as “our Lord and Savior.”
Here are Foxx’s exact words:
It’s like church in here. First of all, give an honor to God, and our Lord and Savior, Barack Obama.”
When the crowd roared its approval, Foxx repeated, “Barack Obama! Y’all stand up!”
And they did…
For the time being, let’s not argue why BET thought it wise to air this segment when they had two full weeks to edit Foxx’s irreverent comments. And let’s not take the time – for now – to debate why there even needs to be a Black Entertainment Television network, solely devoted to black actors, singers and other artists.
Yes, there are several cable networks such as Univision and Telemundo that are aimed at Latino audiences. However, they broadcast exclusively in Spanish, mostly to attract foreign viewers, recent immigrants to the U.S. or those who simply prefer to listen to TV in their native language.
The last time I looked, the vast majority of white Americans and African Americans speak English.
But I digress.
My sole bone of contention – and one that I will gladly pick – is with Eric Marlon Bishop. That’s Jamie Foxx’s given name.
Mr. Foxx, I will defend to the death your right to say what you please. After all, this is America and your freedom of speech is protected by the greatest governing document ever written by man, the Constitution of the United States.
However, sir, I cannot imagine for a moment why you felt compelled to say what you did. You had to know that you would be offending millions of Americans by equating the president of the United States with the Son of God.
And yes, many of those who were offended were black evangelicals who – if they watched from home – were as aghast at your comments as I was.
They may have supported President Obama in 2008 and again in 2012, although I would argue that doing so violated some of the most important tenets of their faith. However, I am sure that most, if not all, of them would draw the line at calling Barack Obama their Lord and Savior.
In Proverbs 26:4-5, the Bible says “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
This seeming contradiction is anything but. Solomon is simply saying that when a fool says something foolish, we are not to stoop to his level by answering him in like manner. In other words, we are to reply to a fool, but to take the high road when doing so.
And so, Mr. Foxx, I am limiting my response to you today by simply saying that you abused your constitutional right of freedom of speech with your inflammatory and slanderous comments. Men and women of all faiths died to secure you that right and you have proven unworthy of their sacrifice.
During the recent presidential campaign, Mitt Romney was excoriated by the mainstream media for not withdrawing his support for Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock. However, Governor Romney did strongly denounce Mourdock’s comments about abortion as it relates to rape.
For this reason, I am calling on President Obama to likewise repudiate Foxx’s comments. As a self-professed Christian, Mr. Obama should be more offended by Foxx’s heresy than anyone.
However, I’m not holding my breath waiting for that to happen. Because blaspheming Jesus Christ is accepted practice in Hollywood these days – but don’t you dare criticize the one Russell Crowe called “the light & the future.”