Never mind that the idea that black voter outreach allowed Prop. 8 to pass is simply incorrect, deeply misguided, and endlessly repeated. It misses the stunningly obvious fact that first-time voters in this election--the group Obama got out--voted overwhelmingly (62-38) against Prop. 8. The issue of gay marriage in California is not divided on racial lines as you suggest. It's generational. If you feel the need to single out one group to blame for Prop. 8 passage, you may as well redirect your rant and demonize the elderly.

Furthermore, your estimate of the black voter turnout--which comes from CNN and is widely discredited--hugely exaggerates the size of the black electorate. California does not actually have enough black voters to reach those number. In reality, it was closer to 6 per cent and would not have made the difference--even if the black vote had been divided exactly like the white! And, anyway, why is it that the white sponsors and backers of Prop. 8 are above scorn? What, exactly, are you trying to say with this article?

Come on. Do your homework. The lazy, liberal-baiting myth that black enfranchisement cost Californians the right of same-sex marriage is pure racial scapegoating and does not add up.

Agreed. People have been pointing the finger at race when things like age and religiousity were much better predictors of support for Prop 8. I'm suprised that Saletan brought out all of the polling data on race but didn't bring up the data for age or religion at all.

I also agree. I've been a fan of Saletan's writing and I'm, frankly, pretty disappointed at this blatant racial baiting. To link the passage of Prop 8 to the overwhelming African-American voter turnout for Barack Obama completely (and disrespectfully) de-legitimizes the huge accomplishment of putting an African-American in the Oval Office. Not to mention the incredible new voter turnout and the ability of one man to inspire a nation to finally participate in a meaninful way in their democracy.

Still, I think this controversy exposes a really interesting fault-line in the Black voting bloc, one that a lot of people ignore. Black people are NOT a monolithic constituency. They worry about everyday matters and hold steadfastly to traditions based in religion - ie, opposition to homosexuality. Progressives leading protests of "NO to 8" should have considered these nuances rather than flatly blaming Blacks for its passing.

These are links to some really interesting articles that might be of interest:

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A majority of the African-American people I have known over the years would vote republican if it weren't for all the racism inherent in large parts of the party. I've had the racial discrimination vs sexual orientation discrimination discussion on a number of occasions and I'll admit to being surprised by the large number of blacks who see no comparison at all. Still, I don't have any fancy polls to base this on, just anecdotal evidence. Being black and gay seems to me to be one of the more difficult arrangements available.

It is sad to see people try to spin the disporpotionate amount of homophobia in the black community, but if discussing it "de-legitimizes the huge accomplishment of putting an African-American in the Oval Office" I guess Obama's election really isn't going to change much in this country. Should blacks not be challenged on their bigotry? Is Obama a sign of progress for America as a whole or just blacks?