Sayville Pastor: Duck Dynasty Furor is More Than a Freedom of Speech Controversy

The following is an open letter to the editor written by Pastor Gary Brinn of the Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ.

The media insanity over the recent homophobic comments by one of the stars of "Duck Dynasty" just won't seem to quit.

The Robertson family chose to trade their private lives for celebrity, and have pocketed millions in the process.

However, the corporation that has been the vehicle for that celebrity has no obligation, First Amendment or otherwise, to continue to serve as a soapbox for views that are not in keeping with its own values.

Far more disturbing is the media's almost total failure to address the racist comments made by Phil Robertson, comments so misinformed that they brought the NAACP and the Human Rights Campaign together. Mr. Robertson's revisionist history would give us "blacks" who were "happy and singing" before civil rights, "pre-welfare, pre-entitlement."

Many good Christians do not share Mr. Robertson's views. Sadly, Mr. Robertson does represent a strand of right-wing extremism that is rampant in our nation, and that has become the public face of Christianity. It is a movement that depends on racially coded language and hate-speech dressed up as economics and faith.

Sometimes, as at rallies both before and after the election, the racism is blatant. I am still aghast every time I see the images of "Put the White Back in the White House" t-shirts. I have no doubt that the current manufactured crisis is really meant to position Willie Robertson, CEO of the family business, to run for political office.

The United Church of Christ and its predecessor religious movements have been closely tied with the struggle for liberty, justice and equality for five centuries. Congregationalism played a key role in the creation of an American identity, and fought for the rights of slaves, women, and other oppressed peoples. The Minister Emeritus  of the church I currently serve headed to Selma in support of Rev. King during the dangerous struggle for Civil Rights.

Yet our progressive Christian tradition has been largely silenced by the mainstream media, eclipsed by louder voices, voices that have turned the extravagant welcome of Christ into a divisive structure of white male power.

I encourage those that would follow Christ to reclaim the gospel. And as you encounter misinformation about the Duck Dynasty "controversy," remind people that A&E has a right to deny a forum to ignorant and racist hate speech.

Blessings,
Pastor Gary
Sayville Congregational United Church of Christ