If you haven’t been paying attention to the Prop 8 aftermath, you’ve noticed the tension surrounding the minority vote.  And, btw, welcome back, I’m sure the rock you’ve been living under was comfy.

But around the state there were some real champions within the African-American clergy. They recognize a civil rights issue when they see it.  In fact, a group of Northern California leaders came together on October 19 to stand against Proposition 8. Here’s a flyer for that event.

While it wasn’t successful, it is through strife that you find your true friends. You learn that people like Eric Lee will stand up with you. But it is tough to find a better friend than Rev. Dr. Amos Brown of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco.

Dr. Brown is the leader of the local chapter of the NAACP, and here in California, the state and local chapters were outspoken in their opposition to Prop 8. But sometimes you get a bit of blowback.

“I would say about 25 percent of the people made it known they are not coming because of our position,” Brown said. “We will go ahead with our friends who have the sense to know the issues well, that it is equal protection under the law and not a religious issue.

“The Yes on 8 position does not represent the spirit of Jesus.”(SF Chron 11/21/08)

These things will happen as we move towards equality.  The NAACP did the right thing, and continues to do the right thing by joining the lawsuit against Prop 8.

By the by, if you are interested in attending the dinner in SF tonight, it’s at the Cathedral Hill Hotel at 6 PM and features NY Gov. David Patterson.