Posted on 03/17/2008 12:07:32 PM PDT by jdm
Sometime between April 2006 and today, the church Barack Obama has attended for 20 years, Trinity United Church of Christ, quietly edited the “About Us” page of their web site, removing their statement of commitment to “the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981.”
Here’s the page from 2006, saved by the Internet Archive: Trinity United Church of Christ - About Us.
And here’s the current page: Trinity United Church of Christ - About Us.
The section that was removed:
Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:
1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the Black Community
3. Commitment to the Black Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.
(Hat tip: LGF readers.)
UPDATE at 3/17/08 10:05:37 am:
The Internet Archive shows that the page was edited sometime between March 15, 2007 and March 29, 2007.
UPDATE at 3/17/08 10:29:09 am:
There’s still a PDF file titled “The Black Value System,” hosted at the church web site, and it’s even more extreme than the 12 precepts quoted above.
UPDATE at 3/17/08 10:35:36 am:
An excerpt from the PDF file, on the subject of “Middleclassness:”
Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must keep the captive ignorant educationally, but trained sufficiently well to serve the system. Also, the captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.
Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:
Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us”.
So, while it is permissible to chase “middle-incomeness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method-the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness”: If we avoid the snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright, the leadership, resourcefulness, and example of their own talented persons.
UPDATE at 3/17/08 11:02:00 am:
The Black Value System does indeed have a page at the Trinity web site, but there is apparently no link to it: Trinity United Church of Christ - The Black Value System.
Instead, at the bottom of the “About Us” page linked above, they have a link to Rev. Wright’s “talking points” about The Black Value System.
Black ethics.. is that anything like black humor?..
these types of political liability churches?
What about their tax exempt satus?
It speaks to his character(or lack thereof) and judgement(or lack thereof)....
No one is stoppin' ya from goin' home. Buh-bye.
That’s what Internet Archive is for.
THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM
Statement of Purpose
We honor Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, because of the exemplary manner in which he has thrice withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of excellence despite these systemic denials has inspired the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ. We have prayerfully called the wisdom of all past generations of suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination, the Black Value System.
And we shall, beginning in 1982, institute an annual Black Value System-Educational Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd.
This year, 1981, however, we recognize Dr. Byrd as the first recipient of the Dr. Manford Byrd Award which will be given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the Black Value System.
The Black Value System
These Black Ethics must be taught and exampled in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect the following concepts:
Commitment of God
“The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism and become Black Christian Activist, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all humankind.
Commitment to the Black Community
The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of substance to the strength and continuity of the Black of the Black Community.
Commitment to the Black Family
The Black family circle must generate strength, stability, and love despite the uncertainty of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to withstand warping by our racist competitive society.
Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out and expand that blessing to the less fortunate, especially to the children.
Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black Person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as well as every aspect of our environment. Also it develops within us the ability to fashion concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black Education must include elements that provide high school graduates with marketable skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.
Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of Black minds.
To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase, geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must recognize the relativity of one’s best: this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.
Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
“It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago” Whether this is true or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate transportation and reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are in competition with other cities, states, and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a goal of the Black workforce.
Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of self-disciplined persons, if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self discipline coupled with a respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress, and a model for Black Youth.
Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must keep the captive ignorant educationally, but trained sufficiently well to serve the system. Also, the captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.
Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:
Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.
Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which while training them to earn more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us”.
So, while it is permissible to chase “middle-incomeness” with all our might, we must avoid the third separation method-the psychological entrapment of Black “middleclassness”: If we avoid the snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary” contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will be deprived of their birthright, the leadership, resourcefulness, and example of their own talented persons.
Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills Available to the Black community
Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions.
Pledge Allegiance to all Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace The Black Value System.
Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System - to Measure the Worth and Validity of All Activity in Terms of Positive Contributions to the General Welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards Freedom.
_____
I'm curious about the "talented tenth" - "Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another."
Are white people the killers?
God Bless America!
You guys are acting ‘as if’ we conservatives and/or Republicans (not necessarily the same thing) are all having to play by the same rules that the DemocRats do and have for decades (more like half a century?). Since when?
I see no reason for glee over this. The leftist/socialist media will simply give Obama or Hillary (whichever wins the nomination) a free pass, just as it gave Al Bore and Hanoi John, and just as it always does. Did Kerry ever fully release his military records? No. Why? Because the media let him get away with not releasing them. Obama or Hillary will likewise get a free pass. In fact, much like Senator Teddy “Hic” Kennedy, they’ll get a lifetime of free passes.
I have no reason to expect anything new with this election. Quite the contrary. I think the Dems are so desperate and determined to win this one, they’ll stop at nothing to do so. (yeah, I know, I know...what’s new here too).
I hope this reflects a 'sea-change' and means that they are going to become more Christ centric in their worship; and that this 'website' adjustment is not just due to political considerations. If it is the former - great - that is wonderful news.
We need to keep our eyes on eternity, and not revel in the temporal.
In a nut shell.
I haven't fought in any riots since '67 & '68.
They were interesting times. Newark residents in many areas were armed to the teeth, waiting for the "rioters" to come into their neighborhoods.
Lucky for the "rioters" it never happened.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE
Change you can delete.
Is it legal to put up a “mirror” site somewhere with the content as it was?
“Also, the captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.
“Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:
“Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.
“Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.”
It’s worse than imagined. I can’t believe most blacks would actually believe this. If in fact they do, there is little hope until they at some point come to grips with reality. This is the ultimate victim mentality.
They added a video of a white woman! Unbelievable!!!
McLame will never use it - that would hurt his “good friend Senator Obama”.
I long for a candidate with guts (not to mention conservative ideas!)
Bookmark for ammunition and BTTT.
ROTFL!!!!
What appears to be coming to light is that Black Churches are jusr as bad as Mosques for formenting hatred against America.
“middle-incomeness” is a white-man trait that should be avoided by at all cost if it makes one less 'black'.
Thus being well educated, hardworking and successful away from one's own 'black community' is considered traitorous.
Just ask any black republican how many Oreos have been thrown their way.
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