Rhetoric Race and Religion
GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney’s “47%” comments don’t sit well with some African American Mormons in Harlem. In fact the comments don’t reflect the candidate’s own practices as a Mormon leader.
On the third Sunday of August with nearly eleven weeks remaining until the presidential election, the women’s group of Mormons (official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints) in Harlem received a rare appearance during their meeting: a man. Not just any man, but Bishop Jay Salmon, their congregational leader.
Bishop Salmon, a tall and slender figure, didn’t stay for the entire hour-long meeting. His presence lasted barely five minutes, but the topic of his message was noteworthy.
“Bishop came to speak to the sisters about the election,” said Polly Dicky, 68, a member who attended the meeting. “He said that members don’t vote like they should, and he encourage us to go out and vote.”
Dicky, an African American Mormon residing in Harlem, reflects that it was the first time in her 23 years with the church that she has heard of any bishop reminding the congregation to vote. She noted that Bishop Salmon never suggested whom his congregation should vote for and suspected he encouraged the men’s group as well.
Although the church maintains neutrality in all political races, the current match up in this year’s presidential election is particularly exciting for Mormons. For the first time in American history, there is a chance that a Mormon will become the next President of the United States. Facing off against this possibility is the re-election Barack Obama, the first African American president in American history.
Thus, the spotlight shines brightly on African American Mormons, who are forced to navigate between religious identity, race and political values.
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