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Rev. Wright: A Neverending Cross for Obama To Bear
UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, Barack Obama denounced Wright's recent remarks and criticized him harshly. Read about it here.
One has to wonder about the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. No doubt, he is angry, with some justification, about his treatment in the media, as decades of work and devotion have been compressed to seconds-long clips that emphasize a few extreme-sounding remarks. But he seems dedicated to firing back--or, speaking out--in a manner that it is politically harmful to the most famous member of his church: Barack Obama.
On Friday night, Wright appeared on Bill Moyers Journal and came across as thoughtful and provocative. Moyers played long excerpts of his controversial sermons, and Wright was able to explain some of his more inflammatory quotes ("God damn America" and 9/11 was the chickens "coming home to roost.") His explanations won't do much for voters who don't like angry black men. But when the context of the remarks are provided, they lose some of their edge. Wright's appearance on this PBS show was a net gain for Wright, and it did not seem to generate any political fallout for Obama. Then came Sunday night.
Speaking at an NAACP dinner in Detroit, Wright gave a fiery speech, noting that being different is not the same as being deficient, meaning that because blacks are different from whites they are not inferior. (As an example, Wright claimed that when it comes to music, blacks clap on different beats than whites.) In the speech, Wright mocked white attitudes toward blacks. He made fun of John Kennedy's Boston accent--particularly how Kennedy pronounced his most famous and inspiring line: "Ask not what your country...." He did so to make the point that black children who do not speak Middle-America English are no different from a president. Often breaking into a pretend "white" voice, he displayed a fair amount of disdain for white folks who fail to understand black folks.
Whether Wright was wrong or right, his message and his manner of delivery cut against Barack Obama's message and his style of communication. The Illinois senator has tried to transcend race--without ignoring race. That's a tough task for a black (or a black-and-white) guy running for president. And with a speech like this, Wright was not rendering the job any easier for Obama. Wright is making race the issue--and doing so in a way that plays into the white stereotypes of black leaders: angry and over the top. Wright is a reminder: Obama is black, Obama is black, Obama is black. And this is where he comes from. Politically, he's a weight upon Obama. That may not be fair. But--however he pronounced it--we all know what Kennedy said about fairness.
On Monday morning, Wright made it worse with a speech at the National Press Club. In his remarks, he explained what he called "the prophetic tradition" of the African-American church. Reprising the main theme of his Detroit speech, Wright noted that the "prophetic theology of the black church" is designed to free blacks from the notion that being different is being deficient. He noted that "black preaching" is different from "European-American preaching"--not "deficient." "Black learning styles," he said, are different from "European-American learning styles"--not "deficient." Correct or not on the specifics, Wright was emphasizing the differences between whites and blacks, Obama is trying to win the presidency by focusing on the prospect of Americans of various backgrounds coming together.
In this speech, Wright talked about more than race and religion. He assailed the Iraq war and blasted past GOP administrations for supporting apartheid and secret wars in Latin America. He boasted about the many social services his church has been providing people for years. He railed against the crack cocaine/powder cocaine sentencing disparity. But his common-sense criticisms and good deeds were not going to grab the spotlight. Instead, he handed his critics--and Obama's political foes--more ammunition.
When it came time for questions at the National Press Club, Wright was defiant, arguably arrogant, when asked about his more notorious comments. He did not explain his remarks calmly. Instead, he shot back hard. The criticisms of him, he declared, were "an attack on the black church." Playing to boisterous supporters in the audience, he declared, "If you think I'm gonna let you talk about my momma and her religious tradition...you have another thing coming." At one point, he appeared to suggest that HIV was created to spark a genocide against blacks. And he refused to distance himself from Louis Farrakhan, calling him "one of the most important voices of the 20th and 21st centuries." Wright downplayed Farrakhan's anti-Semitism, suggesting that the Nation of Islam leader has earned a bum rap on this front because he once criticized Zionism in a speech 20 years ago. (For the record, last November, Farrakhan blasted "satanic Jews" for running the entertainment industry.) Wright also declared, "Louis Farrakhan is not my enemy. He did not put me in chains. He did not put me in slavery. And he did not make me this color." His fans in the audience cheered loudly.
With his remarks on Farrakhan, Wright was creating another headache for the candidate, will now face questions from reporters about Wright's factually challenged comments. And once again, Obama will have to distance himself from his former pastor.
At this point, any time Wright appears within the media, it will be bad news for Obama. "I'm his pastor," Wright proclaimed at the National Press Club, using the present tense. And with these appearances, he's keeping the Wright controversy in the present--and posing a continuing problem for Obama. Why is he doing so? That's between Wright and his God. Some Obama supporters might have thought--or, at least, hoped--that Wright would keep a low profile and that the Wright matter would peter out. But Wright has signaled he's not going anywhere. For as long as Obama is in the race, Wright will remain a cross for him to bear.
I am now getting somewhat confused, I am secular, not white, not black, American. I want my country back. Heck, I always thought all this god myths were beyond us. I guess, evolution is so so slow.
Derik, you'll never get your country back as long as you nominate latte-sipping candiates from the far left that are ashamed of America deep down inside. America is a right of centre country. The best you can hope for is moving America a little left of centre. Obama cannot do this, because he is way too far left-wing. The way he talks, the way he walks, is way to liberal for most Americans. Oh well, since he'll probably be the nominee, I guess it will be McCain in November. Dems never learn - they eternally nominate noble losers. The key word here is "losers".
Mr. Corn:
"Whether Wright was wrong or right...."
Is it your intention to avoid taking a position on whether or not it is appropriate to mock people because of their accent? To belittle people because of their ethnic background?
The wrong Wright debate--continued.
Wright's biggest problem is that he is such a golden-tongued poet, that no one has yet effectively embarrassed him into reconsidering certain of his ignorant beliefs and remarks.
He is obviously well beyond smart enough to know that White scientists DID NOT invent AIDS to smite the African-Americans. But no one has effectively confronted him in public.
Bill Moyers certainly didn't. Bill Moyers merely set up his spikes. David Corn does little in his piece to Pearce the veneer of untouchability which accompanies Reverend Doctor Wrighteous.
Likewise, Obama's mistake was also not confronting Mr. Wright on these specific issues. He kept repeating: "I profoundly disagree" but he would not specify with what or for why. Was Obama afraid of being wrong on his own disagreeable opinions? Not so much. He was afraid of embarrassing 'Big Daddy-J'. This was NOT good for Big Daddy and NOT good for Ba-rock-and-roll Obama either. Add to the list of losers:
a) The Truth
b) The USA (for a drastic reduction in Obama's chances of victory in Nov.).
c) The World (for having to probably suffer through at least one more Republican Term).
d) Every Black person in the entire world, for being widely associates with this traditional culture of Chicago crap-talkers, against many of their wills.
"" . . . If you think I'm gonna let you talk about my momma and her religious tradition...you have another thing coming. . . . . " }Male Menopause.
While Farrakhan did not enslave Black people, it was Muslims (which Farrakhan is a weird variety of) who sold Africans to the British (and other) slave-owners. And it is Muslims today in the Sudan who continue to punish black people for being black with death. And slavery still exists in the Muslim world too. Maybe American Blacks of the ideological bend of Wright could be taken more seriously if they worked as hard to stop the genocide and enslavement of their people today as they do poking white people in the eye about stuff their great granddaddy did.
Anyways, enough identity politics. Who Obama is buddies with is not important. Jesus Murphy, there are wars and recessions and stuff going on. Who cares what one loud-mouthed racist (yes, Wright is a naked and textbook racist.. see his comments about brain-sides and white people) "pastors" (peddlers of imaginary friends for profit) say?
More of this racist filth from MJ, wow!
We're not asking white candidates to transcend their whiteness, how peculiar!? And mocking a Boston accent, what an insult! Because no one remembers the fervor over whether or not teachers should learn 'ebonics', as if that wasn't racist enough to essentialize Black speech, let alone the mocking of immigrants' English. Why is it that whiteness as a normative measure is never criticized and when it is now, even to a nominal degree, it is met with intense anger?
"Why is it that whiteness as a normative measure is never criticized"
Wow. Somebody hasn't been to a liberal arts university.
Obama embraced the tar baby of black nationalism and black identity 20 years ago, when he joined Wright's church.
Obama used the church to establish his bona fides as a genuine Black Man, which enabled him to scale the power ladders in the Chicago and Illinois Democratic scene.
Trouble is, the black nationalist tar baby is sticky. Once you've got a hold of it, you can't just drop it and walk away, as Obama is trying desperately to do... shake it off. But he can't, and he won't.
Now Obama's going to have to dance with the tar baby until even Br'er Rabbit can't sort it out. And it serves him Wright.
Although it may not be great for the Obama candidacy, Wright is draining a lot of boils which may -- ultimately -- be a good thing for the United states.
Maybe we have to talk through slavery. As Svend says, it's a complex issue. The same Arabs who were buying and selling blacks (I believe slave trade is still being practiced in some parts of Africa) also attacked whole villages in Ireland and hauled off whites to be sold in Africa. Most of these captives died. The Spanish author Cervantes who wrote Don Quixote was taken captive and spent a while in slavery.
I used to have similar conversations with the relatives of my ex-husband who is Jewish. They seemed to have an exclusivity on victimization and I'd often bring up other groups : the decimation of American Indians, Christians being fed to lions for entertainment under the Roman Empire, etc. Just to "air out" the ethnocentric conviction that theirs was the only story or the main story of victimization.
Has Wright mentions Tibet in any of his speeches? Maybe someone questioning him on the situation in Tibet would allow him to air out his own grievances.
This opinion piece is very well thought out and surprisingly objective considering the normal audience. Kudos!
I do have one question...
Why do you call Mr. Obama "black." Why would he be, if elected, the "first black president"? If we were balanced, would we not half the time say "Mr. Obama is white"? Seems to me his race is just as much white as black.
I wonder why we say Tiger Woods is a great black golfer? Doesn't that offend the Asians who could claim Tiger is the greatest Asian golfer?
Just wondering.
Although it may not be great for the Obama candidacy, Wright is draining a lot of boils which may -- ultimately -- be a good thing for the United States.
============================
Hey People,
I DON"T THINK SO..!!! An issue like this has to be addressed a little at a time. If not, you get what wright is doing now..!!! He is making 10's of millions of white voters terrified that if a BHO become president, then you will have wright or far farakan making decisions for the country BASED upon the acts of 200 yr old men..!!! What a joke, black people NEED to get over the 200 yr old men, crap, and address the more pressing issues of 80% illegitimate births, 40 incarcerations, and whole generations not knowing how to take care of their women...!!!
Bill
Black Americans don't just have grievances about historical issues. There are contemporary considerations as well.
Racist drug laws, jury selection procedures, unjust sentencing, unjust parole hearing, wrongful conviction, death by cop with no intervention from the law, K-12 discipline patterns in education that vary between white and black. mistreatment within the prison system, shopping while black, driving while black, walking while black, gathering while black, Having the police called on you for no reason other than you look "suspicious", the absence of an American history that includes the African role in the shaping of the country in elementary education. The sheer assumption that I am so many thing that I am not resulting in poor customer service. The way that the media and bandwagon jumpers continue to turn black against black. Being irrevocably defined by outsiders who harbor only capital intentions of exploitation. In this country each generation of Black Americans has had to almost start from scratch from being continuously knocked down. The funny thing about now is that the rest of the country has joined us as the exploited we just have not collectively realized it and connected those mental dots. The world IS a ghetto meaning that those in it in one way or another if not many ways have been disenfranchised. Race (a man made concept) is the biggest perpetrator of that injustice as seen in America. The documentary The Origin of AIDS covers quite comprehensively how the disease was unintentionally created by man. To deny the validity of that likelihood and to shield and protect those responsible is an example of the double standard of black and white and the contempt that is held for those of African descent. I have no ill intent or anger I sit at a different vantage point. Does that mean that my eyes lie or that others just can't see unless their sitting in my seat.
kenyatta, an excellent post.
Our society has gotten the big things resolved. End slavery, check. End segregation, check.
But many lesser issues remain unresolved. The are not lesser in that they are each alone as bad as segregation, but taken in aggregate, they really constitute a big boot on the neck black Americans.
I'd like to know what Obama thinks about the war on drugs, which in my mind is THE major domestic social issue of our day. He has said his favorite show is The Wire (HBO) and his favorite character Omar and this leads me to think he is very sensitive to the subject but perhaps thinks it too politically sensitive to bring up during an election.
I believe that men like Wright do the black community a disservice in that they focus whites on their historical crimes (which were really the crimes of people who merely looked like us, and were not us) and pollute the discourse. The makes whites rightly defensive, as many of us are struggling ourselves. The right-wing eats this up. The result if that meaningful reform becomes near impossible.
Of course, I do not blame men like Wright for the current situation. But they may find a more receptive mainstream if the grand "god damn America"'s are kept on the lowdown.
The Moyers interview was a grand slam, and I saw why Barack was attracted to Wright because he can be very thoughtful, but Wright should have SHUT UP afterwards. I don't think you or the media should feed the "beast." Why should Wright's views be projected onto Barack--I think their relationship has more to do with loyalty and spirituality, not politics and world view.
flag pins, pastors, etc. this is american politics at its best.
no country deserves to fail more than america.
greed is good capitalism is about to fall on its face while we worry about who wears a flag pin.
I'm kinda surprised to see you playing con cop to the fascists' tough cops on this, David.
Excuse me? Talk about calumny. What exactly about what the reverend said was untrue? I saw only one glaring error and that was referring to the Native Americans and the African slaves as "citizens", which they most certainly were not, not that that justifies their treatment in anyway. But most of the comments on this page are missing the point....the Rev spoke a lot of truth about America and how it has behaved around the world (and at home!!) and he brought up issue that most Americans refuse to discuss. Until Americans are willing to face the evil that their country has done, and does, they will never progress or move forward in anything other than a material sense. The shameful honor of being first in military and pornographic material production will remain theirs; the position of being worst or almost the worst in the areas of literacy, health care, teen pregnancy,drug abuse, etc.. will also continue because these are "small" issues in light of the mass murder our country has encouraged, instigated, and perpetrated around the world. And one last thing, anyone can see that MJ sold-out long ago and is singing eerily similiar messages to those doled out by the likes of CNN and FOX which begs the question, why are any of you (or me for that matter) posting here??
I'm gonna put a copy of the video for Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" up on my blog, right now, just to make the point. For those of you who don't know it, the refrain goes, "you got to fight the powers that be."
And if you think that's a vote loser, you should see some of Professor Griff's stuff.
Jeff... exactly how is Obama "left wing"?
I keep hearing that. First of all, it's not a diss, and second of all, even if it was, I defy you to describe his left wing positions. He's the most centrist candidate that the Dems have run since Bill Clinton, and the "left wing" label is just anti-Obama spin and frankly, it dumbs down the discussion. Maybe that's what you think "centrist" America wants. I don't. I think Americans want their government to tell them the truth because reality is finally biting enough of us on the rear end that we can't ignore it any more.
As to Reverend Wright.
This appears to me to be a multi-layered situation, as many are. The first layer is that Wright is a man of principle and he sticks to his guns. Nothing wrong with that.
The second layer is that this latest stuff has an effect on the Obama campaign. Many see it as a negative effect. I don't think it is in the least. I think it gives Obama the separation from Wright's political views that he could never have achieved on his own. He's already made it clear that he does not support Wright's political views, and Wright is now making it clear that he doesn't support Obama's political views. This is not a bad thing for the Obama campaign, it's a clarification that was needed and it should be welcomed.
As far as the scandal part of this is concerned, I think most people are way beyond that. This is not a major issue, no matter how much the Clinton camp and the media want it to be.
-Wexler
J Cline's use of the Tar Baby as a metaphor couldn't more eloguently underscore how alive and kicking white racism towards blacks is today. You don't have to agree with Wright, but keep the argument clean or admit that you are just as much a bigot yourself.
I thought he came across very well in the Moyers interview, but since then he's been an egotistical, attention grubbing buffoon. He's not going away anytime soon, but his act will grow old in short order. He's going from "controversy" to the Clara Peller of 2008. If he keeps it up people will go from outraged to bored very quickly.
Hannah Montana is on the verge of becoming the new Britney. Rev. Wright better enjoy his 15 minutes because once THAT circus comes to town he'll be forgotten. If Rev. Wright had remaind just those short, incendiary youtube clips he would have been a big problem for Obama. By turning himself into a mugging media sensation, Wright becomes more of an embarrassment than anything for Obama.
I'm not gettin' it. This guy needs to STFU. THe problem is that he LOVES the attention. Just another scummy race-peddler.
The real situation in our country is we believe this is our country and if they are not White it does not belong to them . We believe all Black people know each other and all hispanics know each other . We blame them all for what one of them does .
did anyone hear what pat buchannan said about black america? I think that is more important that Rev. Wright. I think Pat made his statments around March 28
I listened to Rev. Wright. I watched the Bill Moyers" show, missed the NAACP speech but I am sure that salient points will be replayed endlessly on MSM shows, and did watch the Press Club's speech. What really enraged me is that in an age when people are trying as hard as possible to bridge that racial gap by exploring the commonality of human experience, Rev. Wright is making his mission Afro-Centric and all about blackness as separate experiences. Yes, we are all aware of the Black Experience in America. We know that Arab slave-traders existed and still do. We know about the horrors of the slave trade. Many of us were alive when the civil rights movement blasted out onto the TV and into our conciousness. But many of us also know that many of our churches and houses of worship joined African-Americans in trying to move beyond the racist attitudes of many in this country. And it wasn't JUST the UCC. It was Episcopalians, it was Jews, it was Methodists, it was a gathering of many people who choose to follow Jesus of Nazareth's spiritual message of being one in God. And it wasn't just people of faith--many of us fall under the labels of agnostic or even, God forbid, atheists--because we are socially concious of the necessity of equality.
Karl Marx believed that the ruling class divided us, the working class, up by pitting one race, one gender, one ethnic group, against another. The ruling class used the fear of the other and the use of a false identity to keep the working class in a constant state of anxiety. This is what keeps the human race from progressing towards a more enlightened future. (And please, leave out the Communist name calling. I am looking at this from a strictly sociological view.)
It doesn't matter if the divisiveness comes from a black man or a white man. It still creates a defensive position and plays to our fears.
What upsets me, nay, angers me about the whole sorry situation is that Obama refuses to stand up and really say who he is. I know, the Obama camp says "How many times does Obama need to say that Rev. Wright does not speak for him?" before white America believes him. Perhaps, a thousand times over?
His campaign did not vet this man properly. His campaign workers made a major mistake in not heading him off right from the get go. Unless of course they are looking to exploit race. I am beginning to believe that Axelrod, et al are hoping to use race against the Democratic Party....this way if Obama perchance doesn't get the nomination, they will be all over Clinton with all kinds of statements saying that the Democratic Party is racist for not giving the nomination to Obama. And the GOP is salivating waiting in the wings to use Wright if Obama gets the nomination. Obama as I see it is between a rock and a hard place. He needs to show leadership skills now.
Up until recently I thought Wright was justified in speaking out to defend himself. After all, he served his country, and even his most inflamatory remarks about the US did not bother me much. I too have made some inflamatory remarks about the course of this country.
Unfortunately for the world, his true colors have shone through. It is now clear that Wright is actually prejudiced against blacks. "Different" but not "inferior" - Shameful.
Since when was any race or ethnicity truly different? We all starve when there is no food. We all bleed when we are shot. We all fight when there are only scraps. We all have weaknesses, strengths, anger, and compassion.
Maybe he should join the KKK or the HRC campaign. Wright is the only one holding down blacks in this situation, and his ego over the good his country would go well with Hillary camp.
The Problem that I see with the whole Rev Wright issue is that he is saying things that make Americas Squirm. Did America plant AIDS in the black community as a experiment? I don't know. But is it beyond the possiblity? look up the Tuskeegee experiment then you tell me. Now,this all started with a sermon that he was giving in his church, it was the main stream media that brought this mans views and opinions to light. And we want to hold Mr Obama responsable for those views. That is foolish and desperate.The opposition is scared, no one thought Mr Obama would get this far, so no one took him seriously they had no game plan on how to take him down if needed, and now they don't know what to do.What this really comes down to is this,They finally found a supposed chink in Obamas armor, and they are running with it full steam ahead. The sad part afo this all is that just beacuse you don't like what was said or how it was put out, it doesn't mean the message is wrong. Obama is speaking to the real American, the one who works 40-60 hrs a week to make ends meet. The American who doesn't live of there stock portfolio, who has to worry about whether or not there job will still be there. He's talking about real solutions for real problems. Don't get sidetrack by this Rev Wright flap. He is not the first minister to say things we didn't like (Rev Hagee, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Rev Dobson Al Sharpton,Jessie Jackson and so on. Focus on the issues at hand, not the tripe ( thats how we got Bush int the first place)
I'm trying very hard to see why people are so seemingly confused by Wright. Wright is a preacher and a black leader. He's remarkably intelligent. He has served his country with distinction, and he has come up through a time in our history during which some horrifying (to say the least) crimes were perpetrated based on the color of skin. Now he's being given a chance to address a far wider audience than he ever had at Trinity. This is a chance for him to express his feelings and speak his mind. Of course he is going to capitalize on that opportunity, if only because what he is saying happens to be BIGGER than this election.
The saddest thing here is that people are so closed to his ideas. An alarming number of people just don't get it and never will. Race relations in this country are in the tank, and the people who have enjoyed the most benefits from the disparities that Wright wants to talk about are perpetuating those very disparities by ignoring Wright's message.
Bigger than this election? Were you awake at any point during the last seven years? And if race relations are so bad, why is Obama leading the race for the nomination. Instead of insisting that race be the only issue, blacks whites and everybody else should be backing Obama's message of unity and CHANGE. Let him win first, then we can make some progress.
Rachele Levy:
While your historical reflection on Marx may be accurate, it is now the hard-left that most seeks to divide us.
The far-right merely wishes to anoint token numbers of minorities, those of sufficient conservativeness, such as Judge Thomas and Sec. Rice.
The far-left has been spending the past few decades infighting and preventing any candidate who is not to the specific liking of the pertinent "sect" from having any chance of winning (out of general principle). Dick Morris has now officially accused Billary of such Dilatory tactics, in order to help McCain and hope for a re-do in 2012. This is not a far-fetched concept. In fact, Bill Clinton did not lift a pinky-finger to help either Gore or Kerry be elected. Now, he's like non-stop passion on the campaign trail. More then love for his wife, (who he may not even love).
I was awake during Katrina. I was awake last week when Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora, and Marc Cooper were acquitted, and I was wide awake when people in my city woke up to burning crosses.
Yes, Obama is winning, but let's be honest. He can ONLY win by talking about unity. But listen to Wright's words. We don't get to wave a magic wand and have all of our problems disappear. As Wright said to the press club, "I do what pastors do, he does what politicians do", and in that spirit, I don't think it's fair to try to gag a man who finally has an opportunity to share an ultimately positive but difficult and at some times distasteful message.
Obama is not your average candidate. He is a man who can take what Jeremiah Wright is saying and explain it to America in a way that DOES promote unity and reconciiliation, because that's the foundation of Wright's church. The issue is, and this is why I say it's bigger than this election, that until we face some harsh realities and own up to some serious transgressions as the dominant culture, the so-called powers that be, the healing process can never begin.
I saw Wright's speeches at the NAACP dinner and the Press Club on CNN (the only US news source I can get in my location) and was favorably impressed with his perception, knowledge and message. He is a legitimate religious leader in his own right; a man with his own trajectory who spoke for himself and did a good job. The NAACP event was held among friends, but the loaded questions asked him at the Press club were designed to force him into indefensible positions that were turned into sound bites and repeated endlessly throughout the night and the next day, along with excerpts from the most easily misinterpreted sections of his NAACP speech.
Here on mojo, most comments show that viewers recognize the nature of this carefully staged hatchet-job, intended to damage Barack Obamas Presidential Campaign. On the CNN blogs however, the opposite is true. Most (although not all) comments show that viewers heard what they wanted to hear, with no desire to put Reverend Wright's message in perspective or understand it's content. Many called it a racist rant, although what I heard was far from that.
Thanks to the Internet, Obama has already changed the way campaign funding is raised, freeing himself and his campaign from becoming beholden to corporate interests. However - more voters depend on TV for their primary news source and unlike the Internet, almost all of the networks are owned by proprietary, vested interests that maintain a strict control over it's content and message.
Apparently, the networks feel threatened by the public interest nature of Obama's campaign and have dedicated a considerable amount of time to transmitting images and soundbites that call into question his indentity, associations, character and credibility. This situation makes the success of Obama's Campaign uncertain.
The time is ripe for real and lasting change, to elect a government that's dedicated to and protects the public interest. Do the conditions required for accomplishing that exist at present? If not, what needs to be done?
"I do have one question...
Why do you call Mr. Obama "black." Why would he be, if elected, the "first black president"? If we were balanced, would we not half the time say "Mr. Obama is white"? Seems to me his race is just as much white as black.
I wonder why we say Tiger Woods is a great black golfer? Doesn't that offend the Asians who could claim Tiger is the greatest Asian golfer?
Just wondering. "
______________________________
Maybe because his skin isn't "white"?
ENOUGH!!! What is it going to take? How serious will the event have to be for us to you know, start talking about what is going on in this country? I saw the interview with Bill Moyers, I saw the NAACP dinner speech, and I saw brief snippets of the Press coverage, and what I concluded is that I while agree with some of the Reverend's comments, I certainly don't agree with all of them. And as interesting and multi-layered the conversation about the Reverend is, HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT!!!
What is wrong with people? I feel like its 2002 again and people are running around talking about changing the name "french fries" to "freedom fries". Has it really come to this? Ok, I am through with my rant.
But since the author pointed out sections of Wright's statements from the NAACP dinner, I must briefly disagree with him on one point. He wasn't making fun of these men, he was pointing out that they didn't speak what is called "standard" english, i.e. slang or drawl, and no one had a problem with it. But when Black children use slang (which I don't think is appropriate in all circumstances) people fall all over themselves. He was noting that their accents were different and that was ok, difference is ok.
I mean have you ever seen an impersonation before? Because I have seen plenty of impersonations of southern and boston accents and nobody said a peep. So on that point, I disagree with you.
Politicians and Pastors universally sheer the flock and so they would be indistinguishable in that regard.
While big business owns the main stream news (at least all of the propaganda that is fit to print) it is refreshing to hear Rev. Wright speaking his mind. Is there some hyperbole there? Sure, but give any "bitter" American worker air time and you will hear the anger.
Racism fuels a divided work force (or electorate)and divisiveness is high on the list for management of the masses. Nothing in politics happens by accident.
Few are more zealous in their fervor than the disillusioned or the double crossed, who question the indoctrinated ideals of America's noble intentions. A former Marine would understand that notion.
Finally, if the Media is beating it to death...it can't be important.
Hepstyle,
I admire your perspective and poise. I agree with you that racism and more importantly inequality are huge issues in this country and in the world. I am white and I live in a Northern Metropolis which is not on the forefront of racial tensions. I just hate to see a black leader allow himself to hurt his own cause by becoming a tool of the Right Wing owned and opperated media. Wright is coming off as racially obsessed and egocentrical and it is making me very nervous about Obama's candidacy. I would hate to see another Neo-Con Biggot in the whitehouse and Clinton and her military industrial complex are not much better.
Wright needs to get strategic and not force Obama to completely disown him. There is no room for error when Hillary insists on running her campaign like Rove is on the payroll. The only way she wins is by tearing down the Obama and if she succeeds it will be a tragedy.
Guys, I don't care if Rev. Wright is 100% correct about his suppositions. His approach is DEAD wrong, abrasive, obnoxious and reflect poorly on the church and unfortunately Barack (by association only). His Moyers interview was GREAT, but he proved he is an egotistical bastard by spewing crap the next 2 days--no way does this guy represent mainstream Af Americans and churches. The problem is now it is harder to talk about the valid substantive issues he raised (no doubt he has a quite a few insightful thoughts) because of his arrogant, "in-your-face" approach that is embarassing. I am ELATED that Barack is officially severing his ties with this guy. It is an opportunity to make a clean break with this guy and perhaps the media will now focus on issues we care about!!
I'm not sure If its just me, but aren't a lot of people in here sounding a bit...racist? Sure; Wright said some racist things himself, but that doesnt give anyone here the position to mimic that behavior.
And this in no way represents Obama because his pastor is crazy. That just means his pastor has problems he needs to deal with. This guy also doesn't represent the black community; Every time I went to church, my pastor wasn't extreme and racist. For Wright to make these comments, and for people to actually believe him is a bit of a shocker. If we as people are that out of touch with each other that when one crazy black man goes out and makes outlandish racist statements and people ACTUALLY pin all African Americans to him...well, do we really need a black president? Because no matter how good he will be, the majority of the people arent ready.
dhinds, where is the personal accountability? If I was part of an organization that promoted anti-American and racist comments, I should expect to be labelled by it. Moreso, people should rightfully expect me to be affected by it over the course of many years. So why are you making excuses for Mr. Obama? Let him own it, deal with it, and if he does well, then perhaps he can win over more voters on his behalf. Making excuses will no longer work.
It cracks me up how white folk are so angry with Obama for having Rev. Wright as a formal pastor.
All you white folk need to be honest with yourselves. You all know what you say to each other about colored folk behind closed doors. Even if you consider yourself to be a liberal, you know you have friends and/or family members who are bigoted and ethnocentric as all get-out.
This hypocrisy is exactly why yaw will "reap what you sow" You all are going to elect the candidate that helps you maintain your defense mechanisms and cognitive dissonance instead of the candidate that would be the best for this country.
Yaw did it in 2000,2004 and now in 2008. Yaw lives are not getting better, but harder. White folk are broke as all hell, in debt up to your eyeballs, with no kind of health care or job security. Gas is crazy expensive and it's getting harder for yaw to send your kids to college.
White folk; wake up!!! You have lost your privilege. And you didn't lose it because of people of color, we are not the ones running the government.
The Arabs were wrong & so were you 'white' people. So stop the 'bull'. You all are wrong & you will pay cosmically. I see your payback everyday & it ain't pretty! You think we (people of color) want to sit & watch you kill another black man (physically, metaphorically, literally or otherwise) Cause that's all you know & all you'll ever know! It's called jealousy. I very bad case of it!
David,
I think you have some invaders on your site leaving posts. Anyone of any political persuasion is welcome, but I suspect some the inflammatory rhetoric is coming from those who wish the democratic party harm. We should all behave respectfully, even while we vehemently disagree; millions of young voters and children are watching this race. Let's not let them down with race-baiting and lies. I think all of us can agree that Barack did something very smart today by taking a stand.
Hey Caleb,
I think the only person who is harming the democrat party is the dem's themselves..!!! I love having political discussions with brain washed libs, but who would I have to make fun of if there were no dem's..? I wish you no harm, but I do think that if you don't do something about your fractured party, you may be fading away. That is the problem when you don't have one party of people; the democrat party is made up of a bunch of little angry factions, (gays, lefties, transgender, minorities, et al..) We on the other hand are Republicans; first and foremost, everything else is secondary, whereas the dems are always there subgroup FIRST, then dems second...
Understand....?
Bill
As an African American, I have to say that Wright has retired the trophy on how to conduct yourself like a buffoon on national television. Never mind the PhD, the military service, being 76 years old, or being a church minister. How could anyone that is of sane mind attempt to defend their position while simultaneously acting like a loose cannon ball? The interview with pbs was at least conducted with some decorum & composure. But obviously Wright did not know to quit while he is ahead. He seems to be oblivious that there are those who would egg him on to his own detriment, all the while applauding as he self destructs.
If nothing else, many, if not most of the comments that I have read here (not having the stomach for the entire lot) reveal the extent to which anti-Black racism is alive and well even in the liberal confines of Mother Jones. Wright has largely been saying, if not so elegantly, what Dr.King said 40 years ago,"that the US is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world." Those speeches are what got him killed. Now, four decades later, the US violence continues without a let-up, unmatched in modern human history. Wright is merely speaking the truth, having seen that Obama lacks the courage to do so.
Me Jason B.,
Do you understand the wright has ruined BHO chance to be president..? DO you think that wright speaking his mind is more important than the editor of the Harvard Law Review becoming President..?
The first black man to even ahve a chance, is brought down by a black man,.. How ironic..?
BIll
Not having given much thought to it, you may be right, Patrick Cooper. While what comes out of a man's mouth is from the treasure of his heart, so there may be much stored up after 76 years. (He did live through segregation, after all.) Still, it does seem like someone is egging him on, cajoling him into continuing; and what he says is on his own, but who exactly is giving him a forum for saying it and why?
...and still I have to wonder where is the outrage over Rev. Hagee? John McCain courted his endorsement and all but shrugged his shoulders over Hagee's outrageous remarks. When asked he, he said he was happy to have the endorsement. Where is the outrage over George Bush's weekly meetings with conservative evangelical leaders (including Ted Haggert) who have definite national and political agendas?
REal harm has been done to this nation at the hands of conservative Christians than by some looney black preacher. Unfortunately, the bigoted, homophobic, anti-intellectual poison of the evangelical right is in tuned with the American public.
Obama isn't out yet. Maybe if he were to go up against McCain, there might be some issues. But compared to the lying and deceiving Hilary has done...I don't think Obama is completely smeared.
Yesterday April 29 "Mark" asked me:
"dhinds, where is the personal accountability?"
The basis of Barack Obama's campaign is his commitment to creating a government dedicated to the public interest, and he demonstrates that quite well as a senator and as a candidate.
Mark continued: "If I was part of an organization that promoted anti-American and racist comments, I should expect to be labeled by it".
Reverend Wright's recent comments (the few that the press has focused on) don't represent the Reverend Wright that Barack has known and in any case, Reverend Wright isn't running for President, Barack Obama is - and he's made it perfectly clear what he himself stands for.
These kinds of remarks are designed to distract from the real, important issues at hand and are usually made by those that for one reason or another, sympathize with the corporate interests (or their puppets) that have dominated public policy by virtue of their economic domination over the political process and the corporate mass media.
Both the Clintons and the McCains represent corporations threatened by Obama's commitment to the public interest and their focus on these very secondary issues is intended to distract from his fundamental message.
Their ability to fool the public (and elect a government willing to continue their privileged positions), depends on whether people like you are able to see through the ploy.