When a minority voice speaks truth to power, it sounds incendiary to the dominant voice! I thank Dr. Jeremiah Wright for his passionate and relevant preaching. He has been a source to help me to push past the “stuff so see the truth.” Thank you Dr. Wright!

But racism IS racism when you target a specific race (in this case, the caucasian race) as the source of all evils. I am an Obama supporter, but the message that Pastor Wright spreads is full of hatred, bigotry and separatism. And you can not get away from that. It is wrong. Not Christian.

@Lou,

You obviously have not visited Trinity or heard one of Rev. Wright’s sermons in its entirety. Otherwise, you’d know better. Ignorance is not bliss; it’s dangerous and costly!

Even if you listen to the sermons that have been reduced to primetime soundbites, from beginning to end, you’d know that there is nothing racist about the truth he speaks and the truth he speaks to those who know a little somein somein about what he speaks. What’s not Christian about that?

Were you there?

No, racism is race prejudice + the misuse of power by systems and institutions. Unfortunately, America is often viewed and sometimes acts like a system that misuses its power. We must be able to hear the good and bad about America.

As far as the notion of “not Christian,” history shows us that Christianity has perpetuated a lot that is “not Christian.” Contemporary Christianity engenders that which is not Christian with all its “ism” problems (sexism, classism, and of course racism).

Dr. Wright doesn’t teach hate toward others, he encourages people to see the hidden agendas and systems of oppression that affect the lives of everyday people.

It’s sad that you use HIV/AIDS as an analogy for the disease of racism. In an excerpt from a televised sermon, the Reverend Mr. Wright pandered to the belief amongst some that HIV was inflicted upon Africans by U.S. government scientists. I am aware of the history of Tuskegee and the good works done for AIDS patients by Wright’s Church, but I am appalled that a public figure like the Reverend Mr. Wright would propogate this nonsense and astonished that the potential future head of the U.S. Public Health Service would view such a man as a mentor. Perhaps the Senator will explain tomorrow.

I don’t own a television but I keep up with news online. I have been to Trinity in Chicago.

I don’t think that Obama has succumbed to pressure. Obama articulated his disagreement with how SOME views of his pastor were conveyed. Does a person become a sell out for expressing that?

By commenting (negatively) on a few sermon clips, Obama has renounced his pastor? Renouncing some comments is not renouncing the person. Dr. Wright is not formally associated with the campaign anymore. (That doesn’t mean that the relationship is dissolved or diminished between the two.) When God creates a spiritual father/spiritual son or spiritual father/spiritual daughter tie, it is not easily cut.

Obama never said that he was no longer a member of Trinity. He did not say or imply that ALL sermons Dr. Wright preached were divisive. He stated that he’s heard sermons by Dr. Wright that he liked and benefited from.

His campaign office posted a YouTube video of a white clergywoman defending Trinity and its doctrine. If he wanted to cut the cord with Trinity, he would not have done that.

Oh my gosh…I’m sitting here defending a Democrat! Somebody start praying…

Dr. Weems;
Sunday my Pastor spoke on this issue. The thought was what it must have been like for Jesus when all the people that called him master, teacher, brother turned like rabbits and ran when they came to take him to the cross. The ones that was always with him could not be found and how in the end it was the women that were there. I remember reading that Jesus teaching wasn’t very popular to some yet it offerd hope to others. He reminded us of Peter and how he swore that he would never deny Jesus and we know what happened. I guess all in all Willie Lynch did a great job, it’s alright to love and pray for people who hate and kill you, but if you lift a voice in defense then your relationship with God is questioned. Never trust each other just them. I know one thing for sure the masters (not God) plan is working and if we keep this up Mc Cain can start moving in the White House right now. The real truth is that is the whole point of this mess, is to keep us fighting while the republicans move on a united front to the White House.

What blogger doesn’t like attracting new readers to her blog?

But I see from my feed that there are folks being directed to my Obama’s Church blog post by a site that’s not particularly friendly to Obama. Hmmm… Which tells me that some of those trying to post comments on this blog today are not here to dialogue with women of faith about issues of importance to them (Barack Obama’s bid for the presidency being one of the), but to spew venom and to tell blacks about their own racism. Hmmmm, then I reserve the right to step in as moderator and impose my will.

All thoughtful, respectful comments that are meant to engage issues and stir meaningful conversation are welcome.

I feel terrible for what is going on today with Rev. Wright. It is insane to listen to 25 seconds cut from a lifetime of preaching, and to automatically assume that you know the entirety of the content of that person’s soul and intentions.

There is nothing “racist” with pointing out the behaviors of a racist culture. Divisive? Excuse me, but when has American been racially united?

His use of hyperbole is typical of preachers in both black AND white churches, and whether others believe it or not, there are millions of people who believe that his comments were spot on.

People also do not take into account that a man of his age has lived and seen the pernicious works Jim Crow, known about lynchings, witnessed fire hosings, police dog attacks for the freedom of black people. How DARE they pretend that this man has no right to be angry?

I just got through talking about this…To a seminarian whose amnesia left out looking at everything IN CONTEXT. As soon as I get through Bible Study, a midterm, and a paper, I’ll be back. Before I go, do you have to agree with everything your pastor says to belong to the church? (Now substitute ‘President’ for pastor and “country” for church.)

Forget the front versus the back of the bus, now I have to worry about getting thrown underneath it…Political strategy? Or persecution? By who?

Good afternoon,

I too am a great admired of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, his style AND the historical context in which he teaches, preaches, inspires and encourages those who have the courage to listen and learn.

I too am a member of the UCC; I know that the Bush Administration has been very nervous about the UCC in general and Rev. Wright and Trinity UCC in particular due to Rev. Wright’s outspokeness on the war against Iraq and Afghanistan and other public policy issues, support of the Palestinians and the fact that Trinity UCC is one of a very few “regular” Black churches that welcome and embrace LGBTQ sisters and brothers, their children, families, etc. They don’t try to convert folks to be straight, etc.

To my sisters, please help me, but I don’t understand how anyone can denounce or “distance” themselves from their pastor FOR MERELY SPEAKING THE TRUTH. Who will Obama be forced to “distance” himself from next, his mother, his father, an African immigrant from Kenya who MIGHT have been Muslim? The Kenyan side of his family? His wife Michelle and some of her recent comments?

It so very sad and unfortunate that in spite of all his advisors, Obama does not yet have the political savvy or courage to spin this all to his favor in a way to win the hearts and minds of everyone.

Ouch, this one is all the way round uncomfortable. I love listening to black charismatic preachers. Wright’s sermons (such as I’ve been able to read full transcripts in the news - I never have heard the man speak in person) raise the cry of the oppressed, but I tend overall to find it less divisive than I do illuminating. These kinds of sermons tend to stir one up, make one think, and are showing us our collective shadow, the part of our collective psyche we’d really rather not face…and it isn’t very pretty.

I agree with Wright that America’s chickens are coming home to roost. You can’t go out there and invade any country that shows up on your radars as ‘possible threat’, sell arms to Iran to beat on Iraq, and then sell arms to Iraq to even the score…all so you can have cheap oil…and not expect those nations to eventually get mighty pissed off. My dad used to look at the chaos of a lot of Muslim nations and shudder to think what they might do if one Islamic leader united them in a common direction. And what direction do you think that might be? Take down the Big Bad Ugly Perpetrator of Evil - and for them, that would be us.

And Wright, though some of his comments are off-the-mark, some are decidedly on, and throw that collective shadow of ours open to a lot of scrutiny. And it’s scrutiny that many (white) Americans would prefer not to face.

Obama was appealing to mainstream folks, many of them educated whites, who consider voting for him akin to an act of enlightenment. That same group hates to hear that they’ve been sitting idly by while their government has been dealing death and destruction throughout the world. That group hates to hear that THEY are part of the country’s racism and elitist problem. And they hate to hear that their enlightened vote, precious as they believe it to be, might be going to someone under the influence of another who points out this kind of fallacy constantly. It’s going to go down about as easy as fried dumpster.

Wright could have maybe walked a less inciendiary of a line, and not damned America right out. Some of his messages move from impassioned underdog to finger-pointing and even a bit of slander. He might have toned it down a bit and reigned in those messages so they wouldn’t sound so harsh to those hopeful, and wanting-to-be-enlightened-voter ears.

But I wonder if in doing so, it would have lessened his message? Would it have inspired the listeners a little less? “We HAVE to do something NOW!!!” is far more impelling a call to action than “We really ought to perhaps do something”, right?

I suppose this will be perhaps BO’s biggest test: how to handle what you probably really believe deep down, with what the public wants to perceive you as believing. At the end of the day, politics is marketing, and he will need to construe this carefully so as to have widest appeal, without being perceived as throwing away his belief system on the spot so as to appear unblemished.

And right there, isn’t that a no-win position? If you like Wright’s message privately, but realize it looks different to the mainstream masses than it does to you…and to be seen to agree with it ‘blemishes’ one…ouch. How can we reconcile those conversations? Say the one between Wright, who damns America, and Cindy McCaine, who seems to believe all is well here? How could we get those two to the same table to have a meaningful discourse?

Renita started this post with disappointment on BO’s distancing maneuver…but I believe that is exactly what will be required so as to keep his wide appeal. There went the chance for the open dialogue, for the ‘wait a minute here - the man is saying something you need to hear, even if you don’t like it, even if the tone and tenor makes you wince’ moment. There went our chance to look some of those demons in the face and maybe address them in the open.

It has just slipped by…

Darn it.

@ tamecia–THANK YOU!!! “do you have to agree with everything your pastor says to belong to the church?” This is the question that has been going through my mind. I have gone to churches where I don’t care for some of their ways or something that the preacher has said doesn’t sit right with me. That doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten a word from the Lord.

I’ve never had the pleasure of hearing Pastor Wright however I have heard pastors who are called to raise the consciousness of their congregation. If a pastor cannot draw attention to the injustice that is perpetuated on a people, then who can? This type of pastor is needed to help give vision and hope to a people who are perishing. Isn’t that why God sent Moses?

Everyone’s delivery of a message isn’t for everyone. That is what is so wonderful about living a country that allows free speech. And what is so wonderful about serving a God that allows free will. We have options.

Never heard anyone tell Pat Robertson, or dare I say George W. Bush that they should separate from the likes of Jerry Falwell.

@ Richard, the reason the analogy of racism to HIV/AIDS is so accurate is because– the more it is ignored and the more we are told that it really isn’t a problem or that it only effects certain people..the larger it grows and the more out of control it becomes.

It seems to me that it is the people who are not members of Trinity, who have taken exception to Obama having to distance himself from Rev. Wright. However, the Trinity members I have personally spoken to–which are many–truly understands what’s going on and are in full support of Barack Obama–including, Rev. Moss. On Sunday, at the 7:30 AM service, Rev Moss asked that we pray for the Wright family as well as the Obama family. If family can support family and see beyond the confusion, why can’t we?

Even though, I’m not a member of Trinity UCC, I’m a member of the UCC church. I roll with the Trinity Sistahs and consider myself their south-suburban cousin/play-sistah/niece/Goddaughter, etc… While I don’t speak for them, I truly stand with them. I consider Rev. Wright my spiritual Godfather, and I still support Barack Obama.

I hope it’s still OK to say you disagree with someone on certain points without being accused of renouncing them completely.

If we are speaking prophetically, I hope we will never say “God d*am America”, because I can’t imagine and have never heard a context in which that statement represents progress. We all know and can tell long stories about what’s wrong with this country, but aren’t we hoping for healing, and not total destruction? Most of us will live out all of our natural lives here, as will our children.

Sometimes we say things in a moment of passion, but we do have to be held accountable for them.

I think the Senator did the only thing he could do in pointing out these statements did not reflect his ideas about the future of the country.

Okay…I’m about to tell you my age. I remember when Jimmy Carter was running for president. Any body remember that his church would not allow African Americans into its membership? Just an observation.
From time to time Rev. Wright exercises the prophetic office. I’m not talking about soothsaying but speaking the truth and always in love–not sappy sentimentality but authentic love. I have been given to wince every now and again which means I have been challenged–that’s all. And is that a bad thing? Sometimes if you can’t say “amen” just say “ouch!”
I have had the opportunity to listen to Rev. Wright’s sermons and he mentored many seminarians in the Chicago area, regardless of denominational affiliation. Many have been the beneficiaries of his wisdom including me.
The media is inflating this to suggest that some how Rev. Wright has Svengali type control over Obama. Unfortunately, the media will get nastier before its over. Imagine if pastors really had as much power as they spin doctors are attributing to us. Pah-leeze! It would make my job easier. Sister-pastors holla if you hear me!
That’s my 2 cents!

i find it interesting that those committed to the separation of church and state are attempting to indict obama b/c of the views of a church leader. 40 years ago the views of our beloved dr. martin luther king, jr were not so well received by the exact same kind of folk who seek to condemn rev. wright. hence, king’s frequent imprisonment. the fact is that black preachers cannot always afford to be pc. if being pc were the focus of the black church there’d be no discussion of women’s empowerment or of wives submitting to husbands or women in the pulpit or any such thing. instead, the focus of this blog would be “slaves obeying masters” b/c we’d all (black folk and white) still be caught up in the atrocities of slavery.

as for rev wright’s assertion that 9-11 reflected God’s judgment against the nation - any EMC churchgoer knows that to be the general religious sentiment surrounding national disasters. it has been since the days of the jeremiah - the prophet that is. from the very beginning (or at least since the days of noah and the flood; or abraham and sodom; etc) it is the judeo-christian religious tradition that God judges a nation for its unrighteousness, and weather that unrighteousness is among the people or the leadership God imposes some national consequence. the people may not have always believed the prophet, but judgment was prophesied nonetheless.

as for obama: first they tried to hang him out to dry for not being a christian. unable to disprove his christianity, they now want to dictate the kind of christian he must be and the kind of sermons his pastor must preach. i say, and what if he were a muslim? is it the contention of his opponents that a muslim cannot hold office in this land of religious freedom? talk about the prejudices of a white racist ruling class. christians, pseudo christians, and jews can all hold office, but muslims cannot? translation – people of color should not hold high office. i don’t care what they say. it’s never about religion. it’s always about color. the focus on pastor wright’s sermon is just a pc attempt at the same old ugly bigotry!

“In days like these to believe that Good is the dominant principle is an ordeal as by fire, but for me it would be much harder to surrender that faith.”
~Helen Keller- “Let Us Have Faith” 1940

after reading the initial post and the comments, i hear - We are the Head and not the tail & You can’t rob a strong man unless you tie him up.

As this world turns, many are still listening & seeing with their emotions and pride not with their love and faith.
and with this being Holy Week, i knew evil would be all over the place-bobbing and weaving.
i see a lot of “tar babies” and a lot of “running to and fro”.
People that are attracted to the darkness that evil projects are to be pitied and prayed for and the evil is to be hated.
Speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Speaking the truth has never been popular-though neccessary and right.
i admire rev. wright, for not being ashamed to Speak the Gospel nor his love for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

When evil tries to use a vessel that belongs to God and attempts to sift and drown others, the vessel will become a colander and everything tried will run through-accomplishing nothing it was sent to do– and then the vessel will once again be made whole.

As many of us do daily, rev wright is not trying to please people, he is pleasing God. and teaching people.
that is the bottom line. he is not trying to please obama, his congregation, his peers, the media for sure, and anyone else that is lower than God-which in my book is everyone else.
i can hear the lion yelling to dorothy in “the wiz”, “don’t go in there, it’s a trap!!”

Psalm 23:4
thank you sister weems for not taking the popular path and speaking without hesitation what is right.

While I agree that the press tried to back Obama in a corner, I also think that his response should have ethical grounding that transcends his personal ambitions. To betray a friend/pastor of twenty years who is being whipped and distorted by the very forces must cause us to pause and think. These forces will never stop and will continue to exist if Obama reaches the white house. Who will they demand that he distance himself from then. If he is required to betray a friend and friends in his church community, will we be exempt? I believe that a measure of a person’s character is how they respond under pressure. Its time to speak truth to power and say yes America reeks with racism!

The issue is larger than either Pastor Wright or candidate Obama. It speaks to community values and ethics. Will we sacrifice Rev Wright’s work and allow him to be castigated and demonized before the world as a hate monger? Is one man’s skin worth the blood of another? We had better be careful how we answer this question or we will set in motion a dangerous precedent that silences critique about racial injustice in all aspects of American society. I agree with Audre Lorde, that “we were never meant to survive, so we might as well speak because our silence will not protect us.”

We know from history that the turn of the century is a very dangerous period for Black people in America. At the turn of the 18th century, free Blacks were disenfranchised in the north through the poll tax and literacy requirements. Nineteenth century closeout and 20th century coming in saw the rise of lynching and southern apartheid. Now, we are in the first decade of the 21st century and all signs point to dangerous waters for Black people!

Ruby Sales

I had confidence that you would write about this, and I am glad that you have not disappointed. I am still struggling with what the reaction to Dr. Wright’s sermons mean for the particular kind of racial discourse that he and so many other Black preachers (including myself to some extent) engage. The truth is that the Black power and Afrocentric discourses may no longer be the best way even to highlight the failures of this nation.

I join with others who are grieved by the distorted characterization of Jeremiah Wright as a kook. And while I think that Obama’s official statement walked the line of disavowing and repudiating his comments without repudiating the man or his role as Obama’s (former) pastor, I think that the “old uncle” comment of a few weeks ago was more problematic. That doesn’t mean that I don’t cringe sometimes when I hear Dr. Wright. All of us as preachers sometimes go too far. I’m just glad my gaffes and rhetorical excesses haven’t shown up on YouTube (yet).

You have said that prophets are often social pariahs, as such they have to find strength to stand in the midst of being unpopular. Thank God for Rev. Wright and those who came before and those who will follow who will have the courage to decry racism, imperialism, and all other -isms in our country and in this world. The pulpit is just as good a place, maybe the best place, to speak out against evils that are done in the name of God.

Evangelical, conservative, right-wingers (and all other Bible reading, Bible toting, Bible believing folk) need to be reminded that God has, and I believe still does, judge a nation for its sin and unjust actions. Does anyone read OT Prophets or are those books meaningless since “Jesus paid it all?”

While I understand BO need to appeal to mainstream, I hope at some point he and the other candidates will discuss race issues head on. BTW is anyone talking about the issues, I mean really talking about the issues during this election process? It seems to be “politics as usually” - cult of personality.

I am now painfully aware at how much of a novice that Barack Obama is. I think that intellectually, he is every whit as bright as the other candidates. He is fresh, and not ‘tainted’ in the same manner as the others.

But here is the problem: in order to win in American politics, you must become the very thing that you hate. It’s a catch 22, and it’s why our politics are as corrupt as it is.

As Christians, we need to remember the harsh sayings of Jesus, which made His own people turn around and want to crucify Him.

When He called leaders “whitewashed sepulchers” people reacted the same way that you are seeing now.

He said “Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood…” that was all over their version of the evening news too!

Christians are told to judge people NOT BY WHAT THEY SAY, BUT BY THEIR FRUIT. What are the outcomes of Rev Wrights’ life? Is it hate, division, and strife? Or is it peace, empowerment, and people like Barack Obama?

It is time for us to stop seeing as the world sees — with natural eyes — but with our spiritual eyes.

As for Barack Obama, I think that he is a novice because he has no idea of the DEPTH of the evil in high places in politics. As Farrakhan says, ‘Obama doesn’t know that he’s going to have to face satan himself.’

That day is coming for Barack. Let us see what he is going to do… because only then will we know if he is going to bring about “change.”

@ Ruby You said: “…To betray a friend/pastor of twenty years who is being whipped and distorted by the very forces must cause us to pause and think…”

Help me to understand WHY is it a betrayal of friendship to say he doesn’t agree with everything his pastor says and doesn’t agree with how he presented certain views? If the requirement of the relationship is that there can be no truth-sharing or truth-bearing, there is no friendship at all.

Reverend Wright is being defended for speaking his truth publicly but Obama is vilified and a traitor for speaking his own? Why? Am I missing something in this?

@Leslie Callahan “…The truth is that the Black power and Afrocentric discourses may no longer be the best way even to highlight the failures of this nation….”

I can only assume that this is THEE Dr. Callahan (Ivy sista of the academy??) Oooooh! I love YOU.

Seriously though, please share more on the point that you made. It’s too good not to be elaborated on.

Dr. Weems, bless you. I was hoping that you would take on this issue today. Olivet’s revival is this week so I did not get a chance to log on until now. Rev Dr. Smith, bless you for standing up for Trinity as well. The first time I ever heard Rev. Dr. Renita Weems preach - it was at Trinity United Church of Christ. I was a member there when I lived in Chicago. My husband and I have both said that more clergy need to speak the truth about Rev. Wright. Do people honestly think that the Obamas would become a part of a racist church? His mother was white. He loved his mother.

Do people honestly think that the United Church of Christ would condone a racist church? People are not reading everything. They miss the press release released by the UCC. Instead, they just look at a sermon clip on YouTube. The truth is that you cannot take sermons out of context, like you can’t read any scripture out of context. You must take into account the history. You must take into account what comes before and after the text.

Here’s the Trinity I know:

People who attack the church without having experienced Trininty are missing the whole point.

Trinity elevates the community.
Trinity encourages OUR children.
Trinity strengthens OUR marriages.
Trininty honors OUR elders.
Trinity celebrates OUR heritage.

And it is not that we celebrate in the disrespect of anyone else. Some of the most beautiful worship experiences I’ve had in my life were at Trnity. To be there when they dedicated the babies in the period African ritual was a sight to be seen. A community of new children being lifted to the sky and annointed to deal with the bitter, sweet and rich of life as the congregation celebrated.

Don’t attack the black value system, attack the larger system that perpetuates the need for it.

This is a political race and as we well know any negative fact against Mr. Obama was going to be routed out ant touted to the highest mountain and the lowest place in the sea.

What those few words stated by Rev. Wright suggested was that Mr. Obama was not beyond race, that his church was not beyond race though he portrayed himself as such. Is Rev. Wright a bigot, of course not! The words caught and shown is a loop on YouTube present him as such, whether we like it or we don’t.

At the end of the day, Barack is running a campaign for the entire country, not just us. Some of these same things have been said by other pastors on other days in many black churches. The difference this time is that he IS a pastor to a black man running for President of this country and his words got caught on tape. That is it in a nutshell.

I feel for both the congregation and the Reverend as well as Mr. Obama. Reality is what it is, even when we do not like it. He cannot align himself with a negative sound bite that may alienate a culture or race from voting with him. Some may call that being a sale out or some other such name. I look at the people involved and see unfortunate choices that has to be made because each put their life on the line in some definitive way. Though I wish a break between them did NOT have to occur, I do understand that for the sake of the Presidency it has to.

What is routinely funny are the comments left on the differnt political sites by folks who swear that they know everything about their friends, family members and their co-workers or even their pastor. All around I read stories in the national media about pastors sleeping with their sisters in law, stealing money from the pulpit and doing so for several years and the entire congregation had no clue. Some of these folks really need to get a grip, grown up and face reality themselves. Nobody really knows all the thoughts, deeds and statements of another. No one does.

Okay I have decided to weigh into the conversation. I want to first say I fully agree with Ruby Sales comments. Some of my comments will be in line with hers.

I want to begin by first saying that I am not surprised by Barack Obama’s attempt to distance himself from Jeremiah Wright whose Black Nationalist rhetoric speaks too many of the racial injustices black people/people of color endure in the US and globally. Furthermore, I am in full agreement with his critique of capitalism and white supremacy and imperialism.

What is troubling about this entire matter is that people are shocked that Obama is distancing himself from his “beloved” and “mentoring” pastor. Given his initial denial in January and February that race does not matter along with gender and other social identities, we should not be surprise by this latest episode.

Obama like all good “electable” politicians must pander to the white masses because they are the majority, they control congress, they will active and self-mobilized in the next midterm elections, they have money to lobby congress. To say it plainly White people matter more in this political system and not all white people per se mainly those who are not poor!

Furthermore, I think if we are really concerned about the racial overtones or denial that racism affects the lives of people of color in the US and abroad lets begin to have conversations about how the current political systems is not able to function without racial inequalities, gender inequality, and class inequalities. In general, “most not all” White Americans don’t want to be reminded of what so many of us experience everyday. They want to believe that race was a thing of the past. They want to be able to give money to charities abroad knowing they are helping the poor people of color. They don’t want to be reminded of how they receive many privileges from systemic racism. And of course all of this is not to say that people of color in particular black people do not benefit from systemic racism because they do especially black middle class people who appropriate liberalism as their personal ideologies.

I think Obama latest shenanigans (and yes I said shenanigans) is telling of the type of president he will be, but lets be honest “most” black people are more concerned with description representation (i.e. First Black President) than concerned about having a person who’s willing to have tense and painful conversations about race, gender, sexuality, class, imperialism, and capitalism.

Sorry for the long post, but I am not surprised by any of this. I really feel bad for Dr. Wright who’s somewhat a casualty in all of this . . . a modern-day persecuted prophet.

I believe what Obama said today in his press conference proves that he’s more than willing, aware, prepared, and ready to have a serious dialog about race in this country. I believe he’s more ready than any other candidate running this race, primarily because his own people are holding him to a much higher standard of expectation. Is he black enough? Is he qualified enough? Does he love his pastor enough? Does he love his people enough? Who is Barack Obama? Will he turn his back on his wife, his grandmother over in Africa, his daddy’s Muslim faith, his church, and his pastor? Are his supporters delusional; are they being bamboozled by his “shenanigans”? Are black folks only voting for him because he will be the first black president? Do black folk have sense enough to assess the options before them? Or, is it only the chosen few, who are not his supporters, the only ones with discernment enough to see him for who he really is? I wonder if those old men and women on walkers and in wheel chairs I saw–making their way to vote for Obama in the Illinois primary–suffering from dementia of some sort. I did Hospice care for ten years, and it did not appear to me that they were.

Someone please explain to me the questions asked of all 40+ past white presidents and the current two white presidential candidates. Are they white enough? Do they love black folk enough? Do they love their pastors enough?

Has anyone considered that Rev. Wright and Obama have been in communication about what’s going on. I do know in Rev. Wright’s interview with the NY Times back in 2007, he said he and Obama discussed this very issue. Needless to say, there is one thing I know for sure, I wouldn’t want to be Black and run for dogcatcher in this country.

I have visited Trinity numerous times for many years while traveling to Chicago. Yes, Dr. Wright is sometimes forceful in his messages but sometimes you just got to be that way with our folks! What I think is surprising to “white america” is that they thought we were just jumpin’ and “yellin”. They never thought that social issues were preached from the pulpit. The church has always been the platform for reform. In the barnhouse, out in the fields, Martin Luther King… the pulpit has always been our source. Now is Obama responsible for the words of Jeremiah Wright? Not any more than I am responsible for what my local pastor preaching on Sunday morning. It is once again the media’s attempt to bring a Black man down.

Sorry, Pat D.JW, that you’re distraught about all the pokes, jabs, and barbs directed at your candidate. But that’s the nature of public life.

It seems to me that both Democratic candidates have had/and will continue to have to face his or her own firing line. Both get fired at, and some bullets penetrate. Neither more than the other. For Obama it’s race and religion. For Hillary it’s Bill and gender. It’s an ugly business. No one gets off. Not even Obama.

Rev Weems,

I’d have to respectfully disagree with you. For me, it’s not about jabs, barbs, pokes, etc…After all, there was no campaign as volatile as Harold Washington’s mayoral race and the Daley machine in Chicago. And, I survived that. So, I’m fully aware of the nature of politics. However, I honestly feel that the discourse around Obama goes beyond typical political sparing. I must admit I knew it would be nasty; I just didn’t realize how personal it would get. And, I have not seen the gender issue attacked in like manner, not that I believe it should.

Rev. Wright has said on numerous occasions that Japanese people don’t question if “he’s” Japanese enough, and white people don’t question if “she’s” white enough (at least not publically). However, we, Black people are the only folks who question if you are black enough. I tend to believe Rev. Wright.

Pat D.JW,

We do disagree, don’t we.

I don’t mean to seem as though I’m trying to compare who’s been treated the worst, but…

I guess I consider attacks against Clinton’s femininity, barbs about her looks, complaints about her being shrill, cold, and having an irritating laugh, speculations about whether her marriage to Clinton is a marriage of convenience, etc. — are all questions born out of gender-baiting.

As a woman in leadership I, for one, find that kind of an assault against a woman running for political office as reprehensible and disturbing as I find (as a black) the race assaults against Obama. Both pain me–equally.

I tell you what, I’m tired of the whole primary race. It had been exciting; with all of this rancor and ugliness, I’m just tired of it. Today I got a phone call from a woman who had read my comments, apparently a white woman, and explained to me how I am not Christian. Gee. Always thought I was. Seems that the world’s Christians all have a different definition of what Christian is. Then she went on some hateful, venomous tirad about how “you people” don’t know what Christianity is… I stand by my comments. I don’t think it has been fair to characterize Dr. Wright by these ongoing blurbs. I hate it that he’s being demonized. I hate it that Obama had to distance himself, but maybe,since he knew he was going to run for president, he should have left the church before the campaign began. That would have saved the country from this foolishness. On the other hand, his leaving the church before he ran would have robbed the nation of his speech yesterday, which was needed, was on point, and powerful. All I know is I wish someone would hurry up and win the stupid campaign …

Sorry to hear about the phone call today. I can only imagine some of the things she said to you. If she left a message, I hope you deleted it and kept going. If she caught you on the phone, I hope you managed to get her off the phone once you discovered that she wasn’t someone you could reason with. These are serious times.

@ susan - OMG! i really want to say something highly intelligent and encouraging, but i am plumb out of appropriate responses. fortunately, it seems that you don’t need any assistance w/intelligence or appropriateness. so, just be encouraged. don’t give up the fight now. keep the faith!

@ dr weems: “…I … find …an assault against a woman … as reprehensible and disturbing as I find … race assaults … Both pain me–equally.”

this is a bit of a sidebar, but how have you been able to be balance (i guess?) issues of gender and race. i’d like to say that i am equally pained by both, but often race wins out!

my family and friends insists that i am more passionate about women’s issues than anything, but that’s b/c most of them are also black so there is no need (or little need) to debate racial matters. i am always however, debating gender issues. especially with other christians. hence their insitance that i advocate more for women; and i might. but i’m just not quite at a place where i can say that both pain me equally. just wondering how you got there?

@lj

how do i balance issues of gender and race?

I don’t worry about balancing. Sexism and racism don’t worry about balancing the blows they land against me. I strike back at what’s striking me.

@ Renita

quotable!

@ dr. weems - ok that makes sense, and it seems so simple. i can definitely adopt that as my mantra. btw, i am really enjoying your insight. i feel like i fell into a gold mine. to quote roberta flack you are “singing my life with your words.”

on one of your posts (can’t remember which b/c i’m trying to catch up on all that i’ve missed)a subscriber noted that u should have your own tv show, and you responed from his mouth to God’s ear. just want u 2 know that my mouth is toward God’s ear on that too. the world needs to hear from you!

I am a supporter of Mr. Obama.I knew the race would get down and dirty and it has that is my reasoning for not looking @ it as often.I use to every day.

I heard the speech of Rev. Wright, about a few days after he made it.I have listen to it several times. Each time with a little more of it being left out. One reporter reduced it to 3 segments about 2 min each. I really don’t understand what was so horrible in that speech. The majority of his speech was about the treatment of the government system towards A. American and All women. I believe his tone may have individuals offended , not the context. He commanded my attention, as pastors and good speakers do. I have not heard anyone in the media speak of the entire sermon. I hear or have heard that kind of speech many times in African American churches. 95% of what he said in my opinion was the truth. But I am no racist. But there have been issues of Pastors sermons that I did not agree with and Mr. Obama has the right to denounce those issues he disagrees with, but by no means should he distance himself from the church or his pastor. I would confront those issues. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Some believe(A Americans,Caucasions and others) That times have changed. I am 42 year old woman, and I believe that racist individuals are unable to speak freely about their feelings, so they show it in their actions on the job, in the school sysem, the media, state funded programs, afirmitive action, laws and etc. I believe most women and A.Americans already know what he spoke about. It is up to an individual to address those topics. To cover it up would be a disgrace. I applaud anyone who has the guts to stand up for what is wrong. He had to have known it would be addressed.