The position of the black church, however, is complicated due to its marginalized, segregated and generally socio-economically unequal status in society. Its position as pillar of the community and the institution which white society 'respects' places it in an ambiguous status with respect to both whites and blacks. The church on complicated matters of race, sexuality and gender constructs the image of the religious tough guy, who rather than using open sadistic methods to deal with differences, uses so called tough love. Tough love, ironically, is often more sadistic than regular street toughness, by dint of the hypocrisy upon which it is based. But then there are the politicians.
Black politicians are preachers in the secular arena, or preachers in the streets.
A unique hybrid. They try to combine the streets with the moralizing and pragmatics of the preacher. In some ways they bring together the weaknesses and intolerances of both worlds. All three are proudly black as defined in their particular domains. A deep and potentially self-destroying irony.