Well, it’s finally official. Mr. Barack Obama has been sworn in as this nation’s 44th President! 
Let’s chat about it.
Now, he’s not a gospel artist or industry exec, but I think he has a place on this blog. After all, he did enlist the participation of several gospel artists on his campaign trail, such as Beverly Crawford and, more controversially, Donnie McClurkin. Mary Mary publicly endorsed him before he was elected, Yolanda Adams and BeBe Winans are on a compilation CD in his honor, a truckload of gospel artists performed at various inaugural celebrations, and Dionne Warwick just performed “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” in celebration of him at the Stellar Awards on Saturday, in which we all had to take out our cell phones and wave ‘em in the air with the lights out. So, yes… it’s relevant!
My question: what does it mean for us in the gospel music industry?
You may, at first glance, say “NOTHING,” but I think it says something that many of the biggest and greatest in gospel music, and some of the most prominent institutions and organizations we have in the industry, have made a very clear statement that President Obama is our kind of leader.
What does that assume? What does it neglect? Who’s being embraced? Who’s being overlooked? Does EVERY gospel music artist, exec, and fan love President Obama? Are we sure? Does it matter?
Talk to me!
Note: I love him like he’s my uncle or something, so if you say something mean about my President, it’s on and poppin’. 
It's kinda hard to respond to this 'cause it's just so BIG. What does it mean for the gospel music industry? I don't know that I'm really qualified to say... But my hope is that Obama's presidency is just a signal of what's happening in our culture --- especially in music. As a white man (choosing to do what's right, lol)...(well, I'm actually more pink than white...but anyway) - As a white man who loves gospel music, I hope that even more people open their eyes to the amazing works that the gospel music circle brings to the table. I know that here in Dallas, it's not easy to find a "Christian" radio station that plays a diverse list of artists. It's either super-white p&w (which is good) with maybe a "Shackles" Mary Mary play every once in awhile - or it's really traditional gospel. I hope that Obama's presidency is an indicator of how in all areas of life, we'll begin to enjoy and appreciate all different kinds of culture and music...to find it's worth....and to maybe even join in with something that's different, even if it's not something you've grown up with all your life.
Hmmm, this is a big question. I'm not sure how everyone feels about him. I do think, though, that he's loved for so many different reasons, that many people just agree on the fact that they love him. For example, many Black people love him because we believed he was and is qualified to do the job, but then I love him because he's Black (let's keep it real). Others might love him because he takes a more liberal stance on abortion than others. Others might love him because they heard he is a Christian. BTW, weren't we impressed that Pastor Rick Warren yesterday did not cower from the Name of Jesus yesterday in closing his prayer?! I mean, say what you want to, but that took guts! Anyway, there are lots of reasons why we love him. I absolutely think it matters. I think it's what got him elected.