Tedashii 'Draws the Line' Between Racism and the 'Mistreatment of Gays'
Rapper and Christian Tedashii was recently questioned by the popular hip-hop blog VladTV about his views on homosexuality and if he believes gay activism can be compared to the struggle for civil rights in the 1960s.
Although he sees some similarities between both activist movements, he acknowledged that they're still very different because, he explained, black people were viewed as sub-human at one time in America.
"I think there are similarities, but I draw a line to an extent," Tedashii said. "For me, growing up in the South with my mom, grandmother and aunts — one aunt who was old enough to see her parents not be considered people is a definite line in the sand, compared to [being] a person and culturally people are wanting to ostracize and kind of negate preferences."
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"The issue here isn't for me taking what I believe and then using it to oppress," he said. "In this country, just being a citizen, I'm OK with you choose to live a certain lifestyle. In this country you have the right to do so. But equally, I have the right to come and say, 'Have you considered a different option?' Here's what prompts me to say that.
"From a Christian perspective," he continued, "I think the Bible is clear on what God allows and what God doesn't allow. I don't think homosexuality is permissible. ... I equate anything opposite of what God calls a person to do to be an issue."
When he talks to people about the Gospel and shares what the Bible teaches on an array of sins, Tedashii emphasized that he continues to love people, and treat everyone as equals, even if he disagrees with them about homosexuality. "I inform them about what the Bible says and then love them from there."
Tedashii goes on to explain that dialogue is needed when dealing with deep issues such as gay marriage and homosexuality. Many people within society have gravitated toward taking stances with their ideology instead of discussing these topics more deeply with those who hold different beliefs than their own.
"Dialogue has been forgotten. And now it's just blatant stances that come out. And so I have my stance, you have your stance, and any movement either toward one another or away from one another gets blown up in the worst sense when it comes to relationships," he said.
Tedashii gave an example of this by explaining to Vlad that he's unsure of his position on whether same-sex attraction is a choice or if it's something people are born with. He said that he's been discussing homosexuality with a few of his family members who are engaged in that lifestyle.
"These conversations happen for me and for them so that we can both understand on another," he said. "But in having those conversations that's the point I'm trying to make. Somewhere along the line people stop talking and people stop trying to understand the other, so much so that these stances have been made."
