Pastors and spiritual leaders speak out against “Preacher Pimp” painting at Tubman

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Some local ministers are speaking out against the “Preacher Pimp” painting at the Tubman African American Museum.

It is part of the museum’s Black Artists of Georgia Exhibit.

Ministers, pastors, and other spiritual leaders marched to the museum and expressed their concerns during a news conference Saturday.

They prayed and declared their fight against the painting will not end until it is removed. The pastors say the painting is offensive, and they want it to come down.

“Just to leave it hanging in the air, Pimp Preacher, that if you read what it said that means that all preachers and pastors, spiritual leaders are lumped in that bunch, that’s damnable,” said Macedonia Church Pastor, Eddie D. Smith Sr.

More than 60 people showed up for the pastor’s news conference, but not everybody was against the painting, including its artist, Rudy Mendez.

Mendez says his art work shows pimps and preachers have certain things in common, including money.

Both have flocks, he says. A preacher has a congregation as a flock and a pimp has prostitutes as his flock, he explained.

“I feel like this whole thing is about the right to freedom of speech and I wanted to come out as an artist and show my support for the museum.”