Two white pastors in Texas are facing backlash after using their pulpits to project their bigotry and disdain towards Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the trailblazer as a jezebel. The controversy started on Jan. 3 with Steve Swofford, a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Rockwall, Texas.
“What if something happens to [President Joe Biden], and jezebel has to take over? Jezebel Harris? Isn’t that her name?” Swofford told his attendees.
Hey @DannyAkin; it’s “crystal clear” that a pastor “must also have a good reputation with outsiders” (1 Timothy 3:7). Does that include someone like Steve Swofford calling the President cognitively dysfunctional and @VP Jezebel?pic.twitter.com/sCCXbDAJwv
— Kevin Driver ⚡️❤️ (@KevinDr_ver) January 29, 2021
Two weeks later, Pastor Tom Buck of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, followed Swofford's example.
“I can’t imagine any truly God-fearing Israelite who would’ve wanted their daughters to view jezebel as an inspirational role model because she was a woman in power,” he said in a tweet, which still remains on the platform as Buck’s supporters continue to chime in.
I can’t imagine any truly God-fearing Israelite who would’ve wanted their daughters to view Jezebel as an inspirational role model because she was a woman in power.
— Tom Buck (@TomBuck) January 22, 2021
A day later, Buck doubled down on his stance.
"For those torn up over my tweet, I stand by it 100 percent," he said. "My problem is her God-less character. She not only is the most radical pro-abortion VP ever, but also most radical LGBT advocate. She performed one of the first Lesbian 'marriages.' Pray for her, but don’t praise her!"
For those torn up over my tweet, I stand by it 100%.
My problem is her godless character. She not only is the most radical pro-abortion VP ever, but also most radical LGBT advocate. She performed one of the first Lesbian “marriages.” Pray for her, but don’t praise her! https://t.co/O8iet6xUiL
pic.twitter.com/snQIHKN98u— Tom Buck (@TomBuck) January 23, 2021
Dwight McKissic, a Black Southern Baptist minister who described himself as a friend of Buck, condemned the comment.
"To refer to the Madam Vice President in any context as 'Jezebel' is simply unwarranted and disrespectful and extremely harmful to the image of Southern Baptists, when this label emanates from the heart and mouth of an SBC pastor," McKissic tweeted. "Consequently, I choose not to engage in any further fellowship with Tom Buck."
to the Madam Vice President in any context as “Jezebel” is simply unwarranted & disrespectful & extremely harmful to the image of Southern Baptists, when this label emanates from the heart & mouth of an SBC pastor. Consequently, I choose not to engage in any further fellowship…
— Dwight McKissic (@pastordmack) January 23, 2021
The term "Jezebel" has roots in slavery, and it's used to associate sexual promiscuity with Black women, according to the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia.
Harris became the target of another ignorant attack last year when Sen. David Perdue (R- Ga.) mocked her name, as Blavity previously reported.
“Kamala? Kamala? Kamala-mala-mala? I don’t know. Whatever,” Perdue said.
Harris is the first Black woman and first Asian American to become vice president, as Blavity previously reported.
