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At New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore, dozens of African-American ministers applauded as the speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates assailed the impact slot machines would have on the state's poor and working-class communities.
"The idea of putting slots in communities where there is the least resistance ought not to be tolerated," said Michael E. Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, who, judging from the enthusiastic response, was clearly speaking to the choir.
But a few miles away, a leader of one such community was singing a different tune: "Without slots, we got nothing," said Jean Yarborough, who lives near Pimlico Race Course.
As Maryland begins anew the debate over expanding gambling, deep divisions persist within the black community. Many African-American leaders fear the pathology that critics say is sure to accompany the opening of casinolike slots emporiums: more bankruptcies, broken families and crime.
But others view the machines, and the money they will bring, as an economic boon for fragile neighborhoods.
The view of the African-American community could be pivotal in the debate, which returns to Annapolis next week when the General Assembly reconvenes. Prominent among the areas proposed for the gambling devices are sites in Baltimore and Prince George's counties, home to the state's largest populations of blacks. That makes the votes of black lawmakers vital to getting a slots bill passed.
But opinion within the black community is far from united.
Tobe Johnson, professor of political science at Morehouse College in Atlanta, said that the views of African-Americans on gambling are shifting as legal games of chance have spread across the country.
Historically, he said, gambling has "to some extent been a way of life" in the black community -- since long before states began sponsoring lotteries and other forms of gambling.
"A large cross section of blacks played the 'policy rackets,' or the numbers, every day -- from Harlem to Mississippi," Johnson said.
But views changed as states got into the gambling business to pay for broader government programs and services, Johnson said.
Many blacks regard lotteries and other forms of state-controlled gambling as "largely a transfer of money from the underclass to the middle and upper class," he said.
"Ministers and others have come to see this as another level of exploitation of the black community," Johnson said.
Strong opposition was expressed at the New Shiloh legislative breakfast meeting this week in the Mondawmin neighborhood. As leaders of churches in the city and in Baltimore and Howard counties, they could become a potent lobbying force against slots.
"I'm totally opposed," said Rev. Olin P. Moyd of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church on Reisterstown Road. "If slot machines come, it will spread like a disease. We have to find another way to raise revenues. "
Preachers' role
Del. Adrienne A. Jones, a Baltimore County Democrat, said the preachers can play a crucial role in the slots debate by rallying their congregations.
"They can get up in the pulpit and make sure people are aware of hearings," Jones said. "They impact quite a few people."
Jones, a slots opponent, organized Busch's meeting with the ministers. She encouraged them to make their presence felt in Annapolis on issues such as slots.
"You truly are the eyes and ears of the people," Jones told the preachers. "You have a fundamental grasp of what people want in your community."
"The idea of putting slots in communities where there is the least resistance ought not to be tolerated," said Michael E. Busch, an Anne Arundel County Democrat, who, judging from the enthusiastic response, was clearly speaking to the choir.
But a few miles away, a leader of one such community was singing a different tune: "Without slots, we got nothing," said Jean Yarborough, who lives near Pimlico Race Course.
As Maryland begins anew the debate over expanding gambling, deep divisions persist within the black community. Many African-American leaders fear the pathology that critics say is sure to accompany the opening of casinolike slots emporiums: more bankruptcies, broken families and crime.
But others view the machines, and the money they will bring, as an economic boon for fragile neighborhoods.
The view of the African-American community could be pivotal in the debate, which returns to Annapolis next week when the General Assembly reconvenes. Prominent among the areas proposed for the gambling devices are sites in Baltimore and Prince George's counties, home to the state's largest populations of blacks. That makes the votes of black lawmakers vital to getting a slots bill passed.
But opinion within the black community is far from united.
Tobe Johnson, professor of political science at Morehouse College in Atlanta, said that the views of African-Americans on gambling are shifting as legal games of chance have spread across the country.
Historically, he said, gambling has "to some extent been a way of life" in the black community -- since long before states began sponsoring lotteries and other forms of gambling.
"A large cross section of blacks played the 'policy rackets,' or the numbers, every day -- from Harlem to Mississippi," Johnson said.
But views changed as states got into the gambling business to pay for broader government programs and services, Johnson said.
Many blacks regard lotteries and other forms of state-controlled gambling as "largely a transfer of money from the underclass to the middle and upper class," he said.
"Ministers and others have come to see this as another level of exploitation of the black community," Johnson said.
Strong opposition was expressed at the New Shiloh legislative breakfast meeting this week in the Mondawmin neighborhood. As leaders of churches in the city and in Baltimore and Howard counties, they could become a potent lobbying force against slots.
"I'm totally opposed," said Rev. Olin P. Moyd of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church on Reisterstown Road. "If slot machines come, it will spread like a disease. We have to find another way to raise revenues. "
"They can get up in the pulpit and make sure people are aware of hearings," Jones said. "They impact quite a few people."
Jones, a slots opponent, organized Busch's meeting with the ministers. She encouraged them to make their presence felt in Annapolis on issues such as slots.
"You truly are the eyes and ears of the people," Jones told the preachers. "You have a fundamental grasp of what people want in your community."
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