Posted on 03/17/2008 11:41:36 AM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The eruption of outrage, shock and fear that is flowing over Barack Obama’s campaign like hot lava because his pastor has preached some strident sermons tells us one thing for certain: Many white people don’t know black people at all.
If they did, they would know that Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago is hardly the only black minister who uses the pulpit to rant against racial duplicity and injustice. The black church has always been the place for letting our hair down and speaking our peace -- a safe haven from the criminations outside. It’s how and why the black church became the nursery for the freedom and civil rights movements. Not every minister seasons his or her sermons with political commentary, and not every one who does is as fiercely spoken as Rev. Wright, but there is nothing unusual about the black clergy as social agitator. Guess the shockees didn’t know that.
It seems they were also clueless that, when race, racism and discrimination do invade the pulpit, it is not always in the context of forgiveness and humility. Much of black America is resentful, angry and distrustful -- rightly so, some of us would say. Did the uninitiated honestly believe that slavery, lynching, Jim Crow, white resistance and flight, economic and educational duality, hyper-incarceration and yawning disparities in wealth, health and longevity have had no lasting effects; that all of that is really no big deal -- something we can kick off as easily as our Sunday shoes?
Surprise.
This could be a teaching moment for the society at large, which would do well to pay closer attention to 35 million of its members and to give heed to their accounts of their own experiences. Unfortunately, and typically, the alarmists are threatening to make it a Waterloo for Obama.
The candidate has denounced Rev. Wright’s statements about America’s treachery, honest as they were.
Obama has even removed his Wright from his ministerial council. That had to be painful for Obama, who has otherwise spoken devotedly of the preacher who “brought me to Jesus,” performed his marriage ceremony and baptized his daughters.
Those pounds of flesh are not enough for the alarmists, however. They and frothing pundit after frothing pundit want the candidate to rebuke Wright categorically -- mind, body and soul.
Obama is in the unenviable position of having to court a large and diverse audience -- the American electorate generally and Democratic voters particularly -- that includes a good number of people who have no knowledge of, curiosity about, nor sympathy for the black experience, while, at the same time, remaining true to what he knows about Rev. Wright specifically and the black church generally.
It’s a delicate balance, and Obama has tried to strike it, explaining to journalists that the anger and disdain expressed by Rev. Wright reflect common themes in “the black memory,” albeit not sentiments he shares.
In a fair world, Obama would be able to elaborate about the black perspective and thereby give some context to Wright’s comments and the facts of black expression.
But, then, in a fair world, there would be no racial divide to bridge. Of course, Obama’s detractors would never consider that.
And vice versa.
methinks if the writer had any larger of a chip on her shoulder, she would have severe back pains.
Then they should not have tax exempt status!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess Pearl Harbor and 9-11 WERE our fault after all.
The most racist people in America today are black liberals. Bar none.
The Simpson verdict and more importantly, the reaction to it, were a clear signpost for me. Actually, a confirmation of a hypothesis based on observations.
No it shows that the charge of racism goes both ways and how these hustlers have become wealthy from pitting us against one another for the longest time.
Obama himself has disavowed these comments, so the whole argument that they are somehow justified has been negated.
Unless Obama is lying. :)
Debbie Mathis may be cute, but she certainly isn’t very smart. This isn’t really about what black preachers say in the pulpit, it is about whether a leading presidential contender agrees with what his hate-filled pastor preaches.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If Obama is reading this, I think Deborah Mathis would be a great press secretary for you. Honest I do. This isn’t a trick or anything. Honest.
It’s not that I don’t know black people, but I do know a 1st class America-hater when I hear one.
“Many white people don’t know black people at all.”
If they did, likely they’d realize that racism is hardly a white-only problem.
Perhaps todays focus on race relations will help pave the way (finally!) to a truly color-blind society, rather than a loose association of victimized ethnicities.
Meanwhile, Barack Hussein Obama remains the wrong guy at the wrong time.
If Obama is reading this, I think Deborah Mathis would be a great press secretary for you. Honest I do. This isn’t a trick or anything. Honest.
I don’t think, with the sentiments that Wright expresses that he is Christ minded, he is just a reverse David Duke in disguise. Obama’s destruction though by the Dem white base though will probably destroy the nipple lock blacks have had on the party for so long!
Well now that the good rev has enlightened me I really don't think I want to know them. Of course I didn't think all blacks subscribed to separatist notions but who am I to argue?
People in positions of authority, power, and influence should handle that responsibility with caution. Telling the white community that there is nothing wrong in Wright's comments at the pulpit and those at other black churches of the same flavor, is just crap.
While driving from New England to Pennsylvania I flipped through the radio dial. Driving over the GW Bridge I was treated to some interesting black programing. The Rev. Wright has many people that spew the same crap. He is not alone in his hatred and beliefs. It opened my eyes.
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