If the black church has had anything, it s independence. The relationship takes away its prophetic voice. The black church has lost its ability to cultivate independent political voices, said longtime political strategist Lu Palmer, founder of Chicago Black United Communities, a political and economic development organization. I think the church in general, with very rare exceptions, has capitulated to the Daley regime, Palmer said. But some black ministers argue their ties with Daley ensure their neighborhoods are considered in city planning and decision making.
Prophets dictate to politicians.
I speak before thousands every Sunday. The government doesn t tell me what to say. I believe I can work with the mayor, but I won t compromise my theological or political beliefs, said Bullock, a registered Republican. This is not the Daley who blocked Martin Luther King Jr. from coming to the city. It s the Daley who appointed a black police chief.