As the popular tale goes among "Progressives who are Black" - "bigotry and prejudice" is evidence of conservatism. In my adult life I have been convinced that conservatism is no boundary for "bigotry, prejudice, racism or hatred". We just need to consider how the other side expressed all of these points in their unique way.
I was first introduced to the gospel singer 'Tonex' when I watched him on some interview program on BET several years ago. It was clear that he was a left-wing gospel singer from a "God is our abundant healer who does not judge anyone" type of church. What caused him to stick into my mind, however was his comment that said something to the effect of:
Radio was a medium of full expression of the soul until the conservatives started to scrutinize the content and the words said over the air.
WTH?
I was sure at this point that this guy was not worshiping the same "Jesus" that I do. I don't know HIS type of "Jesus".
None the less this type of statement and rationale is par for the course on BET and within the mainstream Black Establishment streams of communication. Most people are on a constant struggle to rebel against what they see as the "White Supremacist cultural order". Too many people lose their own consciousness in their fight against their enemy, failing to see how contradictory their entire package is.
It matters not to me that Anthony Williams came out as a gay male. Regardless of what I might wish - he is going to do what he is going to do in private. Instead his "coming out" as a person with arbitrary notions of cultural dignity and consciousness that showed me that "there is something wrong with that there boy. He ain't right".
The Gospel Industry Turned Against Him
At stands to reason in the mind of Tonex (as I imagine it) that when he came out of the closet and his former friends in the gospel music industry and venues turned their backs on him that this was proof of their "conservatism" - as expressed in their bias against his homosexuality.
I reject this 100%.
They weren't "conservative" while he expressed himself musically, going against the grain with his dress and pushing the line with his lyrics. Instead he was surely welcomed in to the Black Progressive Christian church as expressing his creative talents as granted from God above.
As I recall it - without even looking it up - Tonex was married to a woman and then later got divorced. It is possible that some of the severed relationships have to do with his dishonesty with his own sexuality and person-hood.
To me proof of a "conservative Black church" would be the more clear articulation of the cultural standards that the Black community believe are the most tried and true means by which our community can thrive as a collective AND THEN the active enforcement of these processes within our cultural enforcements.
Bigotry is hating on someone. No clear pathway for them to follow in line with that individuals value and role in the society.
Conservatorship is the articulation of the necessary foundation of the man and the woman in unity to fortify our community and culture. Instead of telling the people "we don't believe in that type of thing" the conservator tells them WHY and the reasons why it is important for them to align their actions in with the broader development goals.
Tonex did not receive the wrath of conservatism.
I have a strong suspicion that the people who were hating on Tonex had their own set of compromises going on. The SYSTEM within which they operated failing to provide the needed corrective rebuke to have them travel more close to the straight and narrow. Instead a universal agreement that none would "hate upon" the other in a massive ball of complicity.
Rev Anthony Williams Today
It comes as no surprise though that his present parishioners faithfully follow him today as pastor of their church. Again - it matters not what I think about this. The only thing that matters is that the people within the church, fully literal and able to read the bible for themselves are pleased that what the modern form of Anthony Williams is telling them from the bible is indeed a version of the biblical truth with veracity.
I have a gut feeling that I would not choose to partake in the messages that his church is offering. I have had my fair share of samples of the more cosmopolitan churches. Their messages that are full of what appears to be acceptance but which lack clarity and resolve in direction of what one should do and limit themselves from fails to provide proper guidance in the case when they become the establishment order through which those who call themselves Christians must model themselves into.
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