Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

African American Studies

Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 61 - 90 of 169

Full-Text Articles in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies

In-Terracial Conversation, Cheryl Dunye, Alexandra Juhasz Jan 2018

In-Terracial Conversation, Cheryl Dunye, Alexandra Juhasz

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.


“Jailed On The Charge Of Sodomy”: A Same-Sex, Interracial Marriage In 1888, Adam Yeich Jan 2018

“Jailed On The Charge Of Sodomy”: A Same-Sex, Interracial Marriage In 1888, Adam Yeich

Nineteenth-Century Ohio Literature

Adam Yeich explains and presents an Ohio newspaper report of a same-sex, interracial marriage in 1888 in Arkansas. This article includes the full text of the newspaper report, an introduction explaining its significance, and a bibliography.


Black Lives Examined: Black Nonfiction And The Praxis Of Survival In The Post-Civil Rights Era, Ariel D. Lawrence Jan 2018

Black Lives Examined: Black Nonfiction And The Praxis Of Survival In The Post-Civil Rights Era, Ariel D. Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

The subject of my thesis project is black nonfiction, namely the essay, memoir, and autobiography, written by black authors about and during the Post-Civil Rights Era. The central goals of this work are to briefly investigate the role of genre analysis within the various subsets of nonfiction and also to exemplify the ways that black writers have taken key genre models and evolved them. Secondly, I aim to understand the historical, political, and cultural contributions of the Post-Civil Rights Era, which I mark as hitting its stride in 1968. It is not my desire to create a definitive historical framework …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 26 [27], Wku Student Affairs Nov 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 26 [27], Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Alvey, Rebekah. Finding His Way – Timothy Caboni
  • Coyle, Cameron. WKU Police Department Builds Trust with More Diverse Force
  • Ziege, Nicole. Student Government Association Discusses Strategic Planning, Passes Two Bills
  • Lee, David. College Heights Herald Reserve Fund
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon re: Responsibility
  • Ho Ho Herald – Christmas Gifts
  • Leonard, Nicole. Gender Disparities Impact Health Care Policy
  • Semester Recap
  • Fletcher, Griffin. Mr. Devastating: Male Pageant Aims to Defy Sexism – Delta Sigma Theta
  • Mohr, Olivia. New Restaurant Hickory & Oak to Come to Town
  • Moore, …


We Just Need To Pee: Bathroom Bills And The Intersection Of Human Rights, Gender, And Race, Lena Tenney Nov 2017

We Just Need To Pee: Bathroom Bills And The Intersection Of Human Rights, Gender, And Race, Lena Tenney

Biennial Conference: The Social Practice of Human Rights

Although rarely publicly discussed, bathrooms are a fundamental element of everyday life. In fact, the majority of the population does not question their right or ability to access public restroom facilities because they are a mundane aspect of daily routine. However, the recent rise of “bathroom bills” in state legislatures has sparked significant media coverage and highlighted activist movements seeking to guarantee safe, affirming, and legally protected access to bathrooms for people of all gender identities and expressions.

This paper will illustrate that bathroom access is not only a matter of public policy, but also a question of human rights. …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 19, Wku Student Affairs Oct 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 19, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Coyle, Cameron. Students Express Concern Over WKU Alert System
  • Alvey, Rebekah. Faculty Regent Reflects on Term – Barbara Burch
  • Eastham, Lillie. Glow Walk Honors People Affected by Cancer – Relay for Life
  • Ziege, Nicole. Student Government Association Fails to Pass Resolution Supporting Dreamers – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
  • DeLetter, Emily. Scheduling Software Aims to Simplify Registration
  • Huff, Taylor. Do You Support the Fairness Ordinance?
  • Austin, Emma. Editorial Cartoon re: Faculty Regent Election
  • Part-time Faculty Deserve a Say in Faculty Regent Election
  • Hormell, David. The …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 18, Wku Student Affairs Oct 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 18, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Alvey, Rebekah. Faculty Regent Ballot Results Tossed Over Part-time Vote
  • Moore, Noah. Stand Proud – Pride Festival
  • Stahl, Matt. Event Celebrates Young Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math – SkyTeach
  • Collins, Emma. Hiring Process Changes to Address Budget Deficit
  • Harsh, Spencer. New Tracks to Add to your Playlist
  • Smith, Alexis. Editorial Cartoon re: Fairness Ordinance
  • Fair Play – Fairness Ordinance
  • Burgess, Kelly. Raising the Granola Bar of Collegiate Nutrition
  • Heichelbech, Evan. Offensive Line Coach Recovering from Brain Surgery – Mike Sanford
  • Jessie, Alec. Conditioning …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 17, Wku Student Affairs Oct 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 17, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Coyle, Cameron & Monica Kast. Multiple Shots Fired Near Campus Late Tuesday Night
  • DeLetter, Emily. Powerhouse – Jadier Rivera, Weightlifting
  • Alvey, Rebekah. Bowling Green Hosts First Pride Festival on Saturday
  • Hornsby, Morgan. Student Finds Sisterhood, Growth with Major Redz – Melody Dickerson
  • Huff, Taylor. #MeToo Social Media Campaign – Sexual Harassment
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon re: Candy Corn
  • Leonard, Nicole. Direct Discussion: Hollywood Confronted Rape Culture, So Should We
  • Dimeo, Chris. Babylon Offers Authentic Oasis of Middle Eastern Cuisine
  • Porter, Sam. Friday Night Lights – …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 8, Wku Student Affairs Sep 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 8, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Ziege, Nicole. Student Government Association to Fund Inaugural Pride Festival
  • Austin, Emma. American Dreamer – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Immigration
  • DeLetter, Emily. Second Tuesday Salons Focuses on Incarcerated Men, Songwriting
  • Collins, Emma. Virtual Reality Event Focuses on Refugee Crisis – No Lost Generation
  • Coyle, Cameron. Cage the Elephant Offers WKU Free Concert
  • Eastham, Lillie. LGBTQ Groups Host Annual Ice Cream Social
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon re: Condoms
  • Leonard, Nicole. The B Grade Women in the Public Eye: Sex Double Standards Impede Universal Respect
  • Hovell, …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 6, Wku Student Affairs Sep 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 6, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Alvey, Rebekah. Losing Community – Levi Hanson, ROTC, Transgender
  • Hornsby, Morgan. WKU, Bowling Green March to Defend Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – DACA
  • DeLetter, Emily. University of Kentucky College of Medicine Construction Continues
  • Ziege, Nicole. Student Government Association Approves Funding for Legal Observer Training
  • Burgess, Kelly. Eating Produce or Producing Waste
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon re: Dating
  • Murrer, Erick. Godless Entertainment
  • Johnson, Kalyn. Working Towards a Cleaner Planet on Campus – Sustainability
  • Porter, Sam. WKU Aims to Make History in Illinois – Football
  • Manlove, …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 3, Wku Student Affairs Aug 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 93, No. 3, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Singleton, John. Laundry Prices Increase on Campus
  • Chisenhall, Jeremy & Evan Heichelbech. He’s Back – Mitchell Robinson, Basketball
  • Sadrinia, Yasmine. Café Kicks Off International Year of Bosnia
  • Mohr, Olivia. Student Government Association Makes Sustainability Permanent Effort
  • Coyle, Cameron. WKU Chief of Police Decision is Imminent
  • Alvey, Rebekah. WKU Develops New Diversity, Equality Plan
  • Johnson, Kalyn. English Majors: We’re Not All Teachers
  • Editorial Cartoon re: Welcome to WKU – Red Towel
  • Murrer, Erick. From WKU with Love: Learning Life Lessons on the Hill
  • Dimeo, Chris. Taste …


Bricolage Propriety: The Queer Practice Of Black Uplift, 1890–1905, Timothy M. Griffiths Jun 2017

Bricolage Propriety: The Queer Practice Of Black Uplift, 1890–1905, Timothy M. Griffiths

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Bricolage Propriety: The Queer Practice of Black Uplift, 1890-1905 situates the queer-of-color cultural imaginary in a relatively small nodal point: the United States at the end of the nineteenth century. Through literary analysis and archival research on leading and marginal figures of Post-Reconstruction African American culture, this dissertation considers the progenitorial relationship of late-nineteenth century black uplift novels to modern-day queer theory. Bricolage Propriety builds on work about the sexual politics of early African American literature begun by women-of-color feminists of the late 1980s and early 1990s, including Hazel V. Carby, Ann duCille, and Claudia Tate. A new wave of …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 37, Wku Student Affairs Feb 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 37, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Dick, Jacob. WKU Sues College Heights Herald Over Access to Records – Title IX
  • Kast, Monica. WKU Tied Among Grant Winners – Fulbright Awards
  • Miller, Callie. City Makes Plans to Improve Biker & Pedestrian Facilities
  • Williams, Tyger. Welcome Notes Greet Incoming Refugees
  • Chavis, Danielle. Local Restaurants Provide Sanctuary for Workers – Immigrants
  • Alvey, Rebekah. Faculty Aims to Prevent Flu Epidemic Through Education
  • Vogler, Emily. Editorial Cartoon re: Obstruction
  • Faltering Fairness: City Officials Fail to Meet the Low Bar of Open Discussion
  • Harsh, Spencer. In Midst …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 36, Wku Student Affairs Feb 2017

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 92, No. 36, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news. This issue contains articles:

  • Austin, Emma. Gary Ransdell Declines Sanctuary Status – Immigration, DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
  • Ziesig, Kathryn. City Commission Tables Fairness Ordinance
  • Alvey, Rebekah. Event Empowers Students Through Political Education – Black History Month
  • Williams, Jamie. Video Contest Aims to Raise Sexual Assault Awareness – Voice of Justice
  • Williams, Jamie. Student Government Association Offers New Scholarships for Marginalized Groups
  • Keltner, Bryson. School of Nursing Changes Program Degrees
  • McCarthy, Casey. Dual Credit Enrollment Continues to Rise
  • Vogler, Emily. Editorial Cartoon re: Big Red
  • Johnson, Kalyn. Looking …


Black, Queer, And Blessed: Toward A Biblically Based Black, Queer Narrative Of Leadership, Arthur Leon Tredwell Jan 2017

Black, Queer, And Blessed: Toward A Biblically Based Black, Queer Narrative Of Leadership, Arthur Leon Tredwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the evolution of traditional African-American religious leadership as it evolved during the first half of the twentieth century. It traces the two primary models of Black religious leadership that emerged from White, cis, benevolent and dominating models of patriarchy. This task is accomplished primarily through a survey of the ministries of Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and Jr. (1908-1970) and their consecutive sixty years of ministry at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, Harlem, New York. It intentionally engages the issue of homophobia, demonstrating how it operates in Black churches generationally.

Determining these historical patriarchal models of leadership to …


The Spaces Between Us: A Queer<=>Intersectional Analysis Of The Narratives Of Black Gay International Students, Bryan S. Hubain Jan 2017

The Spaces Between Us: A Queer<=>Intersectional Analysis Of The Narratives Of Black Gay International Students, Bryan S. Hubain

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The experiences of international students along the lines of race and ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and nationality are virtually unknown. This study utilizes experience-centered narrative inquiry to explore the experiences of Black gay international students, and how they are racialized and sexualized in American higher education. Using a Queer and Intersectional framework, this study highlighted power structures and processes that continue to marginalize Black gay international students in the U.S. and in their home countries. Their narratives reflected significant moments or events that were important to them and how they understand their identities and realities. This study provides a strong foundation …


"The Least Of These": Towards An Integrated Queer Of Color Critique Of The Prison Industrial Complex, Jahqwahn J. Watson Jan 2017

"The Least Of These": Towards An Integrated Queer Of Color Critique Of The Prison Industrial Complex, Jahqwahn J. Watson

Senior Independent Study Theses

The prison is a site of social death and death-making. the technology of social death originates in the American institution of chattel slavery and has reemerged in the prison industrial complex. The text Prison and Social Death approaches social death in prisons through the lens of reproductive justice, but the author does so in a way that neglects the influence of race in one’s prison experience. Using the lens of necropolitics, I seek to understand how the markers of race, gender, and sexuality compound to produce experiences unique to the black woman/queer/and trans folk in the prison. Necropolitics contend that …


Abdurraqib, Samaa, Iris Sangiovanni, Samar Ahmed Nov 2016

Abdurraqib, Samaa, Iris Sangiovanni, Samar Ahmed

Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection

Samaa Abdurraqib is a Black, queer, Muslim woman living in Portland, Maine. Abdurraqib was raised in Columbus, Ohio. She attend the University of Ohio, and later the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she received a PhD in English Literature. After graduating she worked as a visiting professor at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. Next she went on to work the American Civil Liberties Union in Maine as a reproductive rights organizer. She now works for the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. Her advocacy and organizing work has included places such as Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine, …


Ua12/2/2 2016 Talisman - Identity, Wku Student Affairs Oct 2016

Ua12/2/2 2016 Talisman - Identity, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

2016 Fall Talisman.

  • Street Style
  • Home Sweet Home – Nashville, McKee, Bowling Green
  • Doyel, Rachael. Happy Gas – Theatre & Dance
  • Robb, Hayley. Stick & Poke – Tattoos
  • Martin, Lindsey. Self-Made – Dexter Banks, Tattoos
  • Sullivan, Abbey. Cover-Up – Tattoos
  • Pettway, Shantel. Natural Roots – African American Hair
  • Voorhees, Jessica. Living Laboratory – Benjamin Benton, WKU Farm
  • Perry, Natalie. Frog in a Water Well – Keunsik Junk aka Brody
  • Hormell, David. I Wanted to Touch Lightning
  • Good, Hannah. Coffee Talks
  • Reyes, Taylor. Ice Cold – Alpha Phi Alpha
  • Games, Ann. Working the Desk
  • Voorhees, Jessica. Killer Queen – Lane French, …


Jam On The Vine By Lashonda Barnett, Shawn(Ta) Smith-Cruz Jul 2016

Jam On The Vine By Lashonda Barnett, Shawn(Ta) Smith-Cruz

Publications and Research

Book review of Jam on the Vine by LaShonda Barnett from the perspective of a lesbian and lesbian of color audience of readers.


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 20, Wku Student Affairs Apr 2016

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 20, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

  • Dick, Jacob & John Reecer. Former WKU Tight End Arrested for Assault, Public Intoxication – Tyler Higbee
  • Harney, Lashana & Erick Murrer. Finding Alex Miller – Transgender
  • Collins, Emma & Monica Kast. WKU Hears About Importance of Voting from Acclaimed Speakers – Politics
  • Collins, Emma. University Presidents Suggest Compromise on Budget Cuts
  • Moore, Mollie. Take A Daily Break With a Good Book
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon Register to Vote
  • Rock the Vote – Politics
  • Hardin, Scout. The Down-Low on Getting a Glowing Complexion
  • Scarlett, Gabriel. Back on Track – …


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 15, Wku Student Affairs Mar 2016

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 91, No. 15, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

  • Shaffer, Hannah. WKU Mourns Over Loos of Kathryn Costello
  • Mathews, Carly. Water, Water Everywhere – Leslie Ford, International Program
  • Collins, Emma. Reagan-Era Economist Art Laffer to Speak at WKU
  • Kast, Monica. Kentucky House Approves Cuts to State Judicial System
  • King, Jennifer. Editorial Cartoon Miss Potato Head Beauty
  • Winstead, John. Justice, Not Legislation – Gays, Lesbians
  • Critchelow, Andrew. Three of February’s Best Album Releases – Music Review
  • Wagner, Nick. Mezcaleros – Mexico, Mezcal, Alcohol
  • Pettway, Shantel. Love the Way You Lie to Be Held Next Tuesday – Sexual Assault Awareness …


Interview With E. Patrick Johnson, Bernadette Marie Calafell Jan 2016

Interview With E. Patrick Johnson, Bernadette Marie Calafell

Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.


Sexing While A Survivor: Black Queer Desire, Je-Shawna C. Wholley Jan 2016

Sexing While A Survivor: Black Queer Desire, Je-Shawna C. Wholley

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The vast sexual exploitation of Black queer women is under addressed by therapeutic and family counseling experts alike. Scholarship on the subject shows that a history of sexual trauma can have direct negative implications on women’s sexuality and ability to access sexual pleasure. However, therapeutic and family counseling interventions lack an intersectional analysis that directly address the unique experiences of Black women – and even further, Black queer women, who are survivors. In this research study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Black queer, lesbian, bisexual and same-gender-loving survivors of sexual assault to assess how they located agency, empowerment, and pleasure …


Queering Sugar: Kara Walker’S Sugar Sphinx And The Intractability Of Black Female Sexuality, Amber Jamilla Musser Jan 2016

Queering Sugar: Kara Walker’S Sugar Sphinx And The Intractability Of Black Female Sexuality, Amber Jamilla Musser

Publications and Research

This essay analyzes the controversy surrounding artist Kara Walker’s 2014 installation, A Subtlety, or the Marvelous Sugar Baby, to unpack the pleasures and dangers that subtend discussions of black female sexuality. What Walker announced as a tribute to the labor of brown and black bodies produced myriad conversations about pleasure, danger, and black female sexuality. Most art critics argued that the piece reclaimed black female agency; many visitors criticized the work (and the public response to it) as disrespectful and problematic. In the essay, I argue that both of these responses highlight the difficulty of talking about black female …


Introduction: The 1970s, Shelly J. Eversley, Michelle Habell-Pallán Oct 2015

Introduction: The 1970s, Shelly J. Eversley, Michelle Habell-Pallán

Publications and Research

Introduction to special issue, "The 1970s," of WSQ (Women's Studies Quarterly), edited by Shelly Eversley and Michelle Habell-Pallán.


Ua12/2/2 2015 Talisman: Resurgence, Wku Student Affairs Jan 2015

Ua12/2/2 2015 Talisman: Resurgence, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

2015 Talisman yearbook.

  • Osborne Sam. Into the Woods – Big To-Do Music & Arts Festival
  • Spalding, Shelley. The Outliers – Greeks
  • Badjie, Haddy. The Right to Live – Racism
  • Gibson, Helen. Net Worth – Soccer
  • Greer, John. Sustaining Seasons – Sustainability
  • Wegert, Sally. Bloom – Eva Ross
  • Cislo, Everett. Harvest – Hemp
  • Kolb, William. Preserve – John All
  • Voorhees, Jessica. Making Strides – Track & Field
  • Greer, John. The Science Guy – Bill Nye
  • Cole, Tanner. Lip Service – Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • Belknap, Abby. Race to the Senate
  • Gibson, Helen. Game of Loans – Student Financial Aid
  • Belknap, Abby. …


Treasure Hunt Without A Map: Archival Research At The University Of Pennsylvania, Meghan Strong Jan 2015

Treasure Hunt Without A Map: Archival Research At The University Of Pennsylvania, Meghan Strong

English and Creative Writing Independent Study Projects

Under the supervision of Meredith Goldsmith in the English Department, I spent this semester developing archival research projects for lower level students in the humanities. My project corresponded with the aims of the Council for Undergraduate Research, which works to develop undergraduate research skills throughout the disciplines. The Kislak Center is a nearby resource that has the potential to provide students with opportunities to develop crucial research skills while discovering little pieces of history that are hidden away in the archives. The final exercises presented here focus on the subjects of Walt Whitman, Marian Anderson, and Michel de Montaigne.


Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 15, Wku Student Affairs Oct 2014

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 90, No. 15, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky news.

  • Brown, Leah. Regent to Leave After Seven Years – Patti Minter
  • Henderson, Andrew. Speak Out: Voices Rise Against Domestic Violence – Barren River Area Safe Space, BRASS
  • Cole, Tanner. A Two-Wheeled Mission – Sustainability, Big Red Bikes
  • Harney, LaShana. Gary Ransdell Hosts Casual Dinner for LGBTQ Students – Gays, Lesbians
  • Crumbie, Trey. College Heights Herald Advertising Manager Arrested, Four Charges Filed – Sidney Wahle
  • Parker, Jacob. Happiness Is Running with Roomies
  • Editorial Cartoon Happy Face Emoji
  • Cole, Tanner. 10 Great Things About Being a Hilltopper
  • Isham, Mercedes. Don’t Let …


Leadership In African American Politics: The Role Of President Obama On The Issue Of Same-Sex Marriage, Kevin Christopher Faulk Aug 2014

Leadership In African American Politics: The Role Of President Obama On The Issue Of Same-Sex Marriage, Kevin Christopher Faulk

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In 2008, African Americans overwhelmingly supported Senator Obama in his bid for the Presidency. Their supported averaged at 95% of African American voters. At the same time that Senator Obama was on the ballet, Prop 8 - legislation designed to amend California's Constitution to define marriage as between a man and woman - was passed with a large majority of African American support. Why did strong Democrats vote in favor of a law that most Democrats rejected? Previous research has concluded it was the role of the Black Church in African American politics that moves the community to a more …