Medgar Evers Widow To Deliver Invocation At Obama’s Inauguration, First Woman & Non-Clergy To Do So

[Tx4obama]

Medgar Evers Widow To Deliver Invocation At Obama’s Inauguration, First Woman And Non-Clergy To Do So

Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of civil rights activist Medgar Evers, has been chosen to deliver the invocation at President Obama‘s public inauguration later this month. The Washington Post reports “it is believed to be the first time a woman, and a layperson rather than a clergy member, has been chosen to deliver what may be America’s most prominent public prayer.”

The inaugural committee has also chosen evangelical pastor Louie Giglio to announce the benediction. Giglio is a conservative and a contrast to Evers-Williams.

In a statement released Tuesday, the president said Evers-Williams and Giglio together “reflect the ideals that the Vice President and I continue to pursue for all Americans – justice, equality and opportunity.” Evers-Williams, who served as chairman of the NAACP in the 1990s, said in her own statement released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee that it was a “distinct honor” to be included.

2012 is also the 50th anniversary of the murder of Medgar Evers, who was assassinated for his activism.

-snip-

Full article here: http://www.mediaite.com/online/medgar-evers-widow-to-deliver-invocation-at-obamas-inauguration-first-woman-and-non-clergy-to-do-so/

[NYC_SKP]

1. Love it!

[libdem4life]

2. There are many of these "small events" that speak largely about our President and to our

people at conscious and unconscious levels. He may not have yet been able to do all the big things he wanted or that we expected, but sometimes it's the smaller, less visible acts and events that weave more simply within the social fabric.

This is no small event, but one that many may not otherwise recognize.

[appacom]

3. Beautifully said.

Thanks much.

[SouthernDonkey]

4. I look forward to hearing her!

And think that her giving the Invocation is a wonderful honor in recognition of his sacrifice. I wish I could be there to hear it in person. I worked with Bobby DeLaughter's son for several years in Memphis, and have done a lot of reading about Medgar Evers.

[Jakes Progress]

5. Nice. Now if only he had done that the first time.

Instead of ass-hat warren.

[SpartanDem]

6. Nice!

[whistler162]

8. How dare the President do this.....

She isn't <fill in the blank> enough or I don't like her stand on <XYZ>!

[Jakes Progress]

9. I liked this better before he made her share the stage

with his second gay-hating preacher. Picking a gay-baiter for prayer two times shames Obama.

Does he get these guys because his handlers told him to or because he agrees with their message.

[Connie_Corleone]

10. Well, he's no longer on the program.

So she won't be sharing the stage with him, thank goodness.

[Jakes Progress]

16. Yep. That is a relief.

Let's see if he gets it for the next pick.

[great white snark]

11. Agrees with their message?

That statement shames you-that is if you had any to begin with.

[Jakes Progress]

15. Wow. 17 words

from the snark. Even if four of them are mine.

How does it shame me that Obama keeps inviting gay-bashing ministers to gain public exposure? You like these guys? I don't. I don't think a good progressive president should be wallowing with them. My question, a thing you usually avoid dealing with, was about why he keeps doing this. One reason might be that he doesn't know what is going on and he just follows the advice of his handlers who think that inviting right-wing religious nut jobs will make the tea party start to love Obama. That's not a good road to go down. It means he is clueless of what is happening and that he has hired idiots to run things. It's also not a good thought that he harbors some of the homophobic, old-time religion blather that these guys espouse.

How about you give me a really good reason for why Obama has picked right wing, gay-bashing mega preachers to share the stage with him at his two inaugural events. I'm open.

[grantcart]

12. Medgar was such an inspiration and his murder was so brutal for his family.

This is such a sweet honor.

[Hekate]

13. Yes it is, grantcart.

I look forward to watching this Inauguration.

[whistler162]

14. So they are letting a representaive from

the big oil companies, ARCO, give the invocation!<SARCASM>

Surprised no one has actually complained about her giving the invocation because she worked for ARCO for many years.

[Kath1]

17. I love it.

The Washington Post reports “it is believed to be the first time a woman, and a layperson rather than a clergy member, has been chosen to deliver what may be America’s most prominent public prayer.” Obama's the strongest advocate for women ever in the White House.