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NYC Liberal

(20,136 posts)
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 09:47 AM Jan 2013

Widow of Medgar Evers to deliver invocation at Obama inauguration

Source: Washington Post

President Obama has picked Myrlie Evers-Williams, widow of slain civil rights icon Medgar Evers, to deliver the invocation at his public swearing-in later this month. 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 Tuesday plans to announce that the benediction will be given by conservative evangelical pastor Louie Giglio, founder of the student-focused Passion Conferences, which draw tens of thousands of people to events around the world.

The contrasting choice of speakers are typical of a president who has walked a sometimes complicated path when it comes to religion — working to be inclusive to the point that critics at times have questioned his faith.

In a statement released by the inaugural committee, the president said the careers of Evers-Williams and Giglio “reflect the ideals that the Vice President and I continue to pursue for all Americans - justice, equality and opportunity.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/inauguration/medgar-evers-widow-to-deliver-invocation-at-obama-inauguration/2013/01/07/293904e2-592e-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html

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Widow of Medgar Evers to deliver invocation at Obama inauguration (Original Post) NYC Liberal Jan 2013 OP
This is outstanding news. NYC_SKP Jan 2013 #1
+10,000 n/t Tempest Jan 2013 #3
K&R BumRushDaShow Jan 2013 #2
A great choice. Now, 4 years ago we had Prick Warren. Why was that? CurtEastPoint Jan 2013 #4
Re-election 2012. Now Obama's the Honey Badger. nt msanthrope Jan 2013 #17
YAY! No crappy Rick Warren or any other megachurch grifter. catbyte Jan 2013 #5
A milestone moment. BVictor1 Jan 2013 #6
Now, to see if reality is invoked instead of metaphysical beings. Coyotl Jan 2013 #7
Which are also mere expressions on those constructs which exist LanternWaste Jan 2013 #22
The Civil Rights Act is real, has real consequences, for example Coyotl Jan 2013 #24
A proud moment OccupyManny Jan 2013 #8
Good! No Pulpit Pimps. Joe Bacon Jan 2013 #9
I can't think of a better choice to honor a fallen hero mountain grammy Jan 2013 #10
It's an inauguration, not a damned church service. longship Jan 2013 #11
I have always wondered that. It's very exclusionary to non-Christians. MotherPetrie Jan 2013 #29
Full circle for me, It was his death that catapulted me into the urgency for change. The murder of freshwest Jan 2013 #12
the No God Hot Rods are as staunchly dependable as the gunners NBachers Jan 2013 #13
I like this choice! hamsterjill Jan 2013 #14
Awesome. nt bemildred Jan 2013 #15
If we must have one... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2013 #16
Myrlie is an inspired and inspiring choice, watrwefitinfor Jan 2013 #18
Also, he was murdered by cowards at a distance -- by a GUN. tgnyc Jan 2013 #19
"The Right To Vote" .. it's an awesome message of historical Cha Jan 2013 #26
This is an excellent choice bluestateguy Jan 2013 #20
great pick and..... madrchsod Jan 2013 #21
Far better would be no invocation at all. DavidDvorkin Jan 2013 #23
On Martin Luthur King Day, too! Good for Pres Obama and VP Biden! Cha Jan 2013 #25
I was looking forward to that Saddleback dude praying up the joint again. Bucky Jan 2013 #27
At least it won't be that bitch boy, Franklin Graham! BigDemVoter Jan 2013 #28
 

BVictor1

(229 posts)
6. A milestone moment.
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 10:18 AM
Jan 2013

Because of the work done by her first husband and Mrs. Evers herself, is one of the reasons that we have a President Obama.

It kind of makes me want to watch 'Ghost of Mississippi' again.

Much blood has been shed by those fighting for Civil Rights to reach this moment.

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
7. Now, to see if reality is invoked instead of metaphysical beings.
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 10:28 AM
Jan 2013

It would be great to hear invocations to our proudest and most eloquent expressions of the American ideal of a future in a promised land of freedom, justice, and equality for all, where humanity lives as the one family we are.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
22. Which are also mere expressions on those constructs which exist
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 04:43 PM
Jan 2013

"The American ideal of a future in a promised land of freedom, justice, and equality for all, where humanity..."

Which are also mere expressions of those constructs which exist no where but our own imaginations, and not in fact, part and parcel of reality-- but merely more metaphysical interpretations of it...

But I do realize many imaginary constructs are held as more concrete than others.

 

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)
24. The Civil Rights Act is real, has real consequences, for example
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 05:03 PM
Jan 2013

and imagination led to it, no doubt. It exists outside of imagination today.

OccupyManny

(60 posts)
8. A proud moment
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 10:39 AM
Jan 2013

For all Americans. We need to work to eliminate term limits for this president who is one of the best ever. He saved our country.

Joe Bacon

(5,165 posts)
9. Good! No Pulpit Pimps.
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 10:49 AM
Jan 2013

I fully expect to see those TV pulpit pimp parasites throw yet another fit. And I could care less about those crooks.

mountain grammy

(26,646 posts)
10. I can't think of a better choice to honor a fallen hero
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 11:01 AM
Jan 2013

than to have his equally heroic widow pray for our President and our country. God know we need it.

longship

(40,416 posts)
11. It's an inauguration, not a damned church service.
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 11:30 AM
Jan 2013

The presidency is not some high priesthood.

Why do they have to have prayer?

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
12. Full circle for me, It was his death that catapulted me into the urgency for change. The murder of
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 11:41 AM
Jan 2013
Medgar Evers was the first of so many deaths of those working to bring this country forward.

watrwefitinfor

(1,400 posts)
18. Myrlie is an inspired and inspiring choice,
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 02:21 PM
Jan 2013

at this time. For many reasons.

But mostly because the civil right that was central to Medgar's struggle and death was the right to vote.

Perhaps POTUS is sending a quiet message.

Wat

tgnyc

(1,218 posts)
19. Also, he was murdered by cowards at a distance -- by a GUN.
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 03:46 PM
Jan 2013

An especially poignant connection to current events

Cha

(297,590 posts)
26. "The Right To Vote" .. it's an awesome message of historical
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 07:29 PM
Jan 2013

proportions.

On Martin Luthur King Day

bluestateguy

(44,173 posts)
20. This is an excellent choice
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 04:34 PM
Jan 2013

I'm pleased that the president has learned his lesson and will not repeat the insulting selection of Rick Warren.

Cha

(297,590 posts)
25. On Martin Luthur King Day, too! Good for Pres Obama and VP Biden!
Tue Jan 8, 2013, 07:23 PM
Jan 2013

"Myrlie Evers-Williams and her children, Reena, Van and Darrell, photographed shortly after her husband (and their father), Medgar Evers, was assassinated in 1963. Fifty years later she will deliver the invocation for the inauguration of the President of the United States.

“I am humbled to have been asked to deliver the invocation for the 57th inauguration of the President of the United States – especially in light of this historical time in America when we will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement.” (NBC)
http://theobamadiary.com/

On Giglio

The invocation comes at the start of the inaugural ceremony, and the benediction comes at the end. An inaugural official said Giglio was picked for the benediction in part because of his work raising awareness about modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Those were core issues at his most recent conference, Passion 2013, attended by more than 60,000 mostly young evangelicals in Atlanta.

“During these days it is essential for our nation to stand together as one,” Giglio said in a statement. “And, as always, it is the right time to humble ourselves before our Maker.”


Thank you, NYC Liberal
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