March 11, 2007
Jodi Kantor
The New York Times
9 West 43rd Street
New York,
New York 10036-3959
Dear Jodi:
Thank you for engaging in one of the biggest misrepresentations of the truth I have ever seen in sixty-five years. You sat and shared with me for two hours. You told me you were doing a “Spiritual Biography” of Senator Barack Obama. For two hours, I shared with you how I thought he was the most principled individual in public service that I have ever met.
For two hours, I talked with you about how idealistic he was. For two hours I shared with you what a genuine human being he was. I told you how incredible he was as a man who was an African American in public service, and as a man who refused to announce his candidacy for President until Carol Moseley Braun indicated one way or the other whether or not she was going to run.
I told you what a dreamer he was. I told you how idealistic he was. We talked about how refreshing it would be for someone who knew about Islam to be in the Oval Office. Your own question to me was, Didn’t I think it would be incredible to have somebody in the Oval Office who not only knew about Muslims, but had living and breathing Muslims in his own family? I told you how important it would be to have a man who not only knew the difference between Shiites and Sunnis prior to 9/11/01 in the Oval Office, but also how important it would be to have a man who knew what Sufism was; a man who understood that there were different branches of Judaism; a man who knew the difference between Hasidic Jews, Orthodox Jews, Conservative Jews and Reformed Jews; and a man who was a devout Christian, but who did not prejudge others because they believed something other than what he believed.
I talked about how rare it was to meet a man whose Christianity was not just “in word only.” I talked about Barack being a person who lived his faith and did not argue his faith. I talked about Barack as a person who did not draw doctrinal lines in the sand nor consign other people to hell if they did not believe what he believed.
Out of a two-hour conversation with you about Barack’s spiritual journey and my protesting to you that I had not shaped him nor formed him, that I had not mentored him or made him the man he was, even though I would love to take that credit, you did not print any of that. When I told you, using one of your own Jewish stories from the Hebrew Bible as to how God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?,” that Barack was like that when I met him. Barack had it “in his hand.” Barack had in his grasp a uniqueness in terms of his spiritual development that one is hard put to find in the 21st century, and you did not print that.
As I was just starting to say a moment ago, Jodi, out of two hours of conversation I spent approximately five to seven minutes on Barack’s taking advice from one of his trusted campaign people and deeming it unwise to make me the media spotlight on the day of his announcing his candidacy for the Presidency and what do you print? You and your editor proceeded to present to the general public a snippet, a printed “sound byte” and a titillating and tantalizing article about his disinviting me to the Invocation on the day of his announcing his candidacy.
I have never been exposed to that kind of duplicitous behavior before, and I want to write you publicly to let you know that I do not approve of it and will not be party to any further smearing of the name, the reputation, the integrity or the character of perhaps this nation’s first (and maybe even only) honest candidate offering himself for public service as the person to occupy the Oval Office.
Your editor is a sensationalist. For you to even mention that makes me doubt your credibility, and I am looking forward to see how you are going to butcher what else I had to say concerning Senator Obama’s “Spiritual Biography.” Our Conference Minister, the Reverend Jane Fisler Hoffman, a white woman who belongs to a Black church that Hannity of “Hannity and Colmes” is trying to trash, set the record straight for you in terms of who I am and in terms of who we are as the church to which Barack has belonged for over twenty years.
The president of our denomination, the Reverend John Thomas, has offered to try to help you clarify in your confused head what Trinity Church is even though you spent the entire weekend with us setting me up to interview me for what turned out to be a smear of the Senator; and yet The New York Times continues to roll on making the truth what it wants to be the truth. I do not remember reading in your article that Barack had apologized for listening to that bad information and bad advice. Did I miss it? Or did your editor cut it out? Either way, you do not have to worry about hearing anything else from me for you to edit or “spin” because you are more interested in journalism than in truth.
Forgive me for having a momentary lapse. I forgot that The New York Times was leading the bandwagon in trumpeting why it is we should have gone into an illegal war. The New York Times became George Bush and the Republican Party’s national “blog.” The New York Times played a role in the outing of Valerie Plame. I do not know why I thought The New York Times had actually repented and was going to exhibit a different kind of behavior.
Maybe it was my faith in the Jewish Holy Day of Roshashana. Maybe it was my being caught up in the euphoria of the Season of Lent; but whatever it is or was, I was sadly mistaken. There is no repentance on the part of The New York Times. There is no integrity when it comes to The Times. You should do well with that paper, Jodi. You looked me straight in my face and told me a lie!
Sincerely and respectfully yours,
Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. ,
Senior Pastor
Trinity United Church of Christ
Skeptical Brotha 
OT:
This doesn’t sound good at all. Edwards and his wife are holding a press conference tomorrow at noon, EDT.
I really, really hope that Edwards isn’t dropping out due to his wife’s health. Prayers for both of them.
I think he’s dropping out.
Likewise with Mrs. Edwards. The frightening thing for a cancer survivor is that you never know when it will reappear.
My prayers are also with them
Interesting turn of events regarding Reverend Wright’s interview with the NYT.
Whatever transpired, it looks like Rev. Wright and the Senator are trying to forge ahead. That’s always a good thing.
Pastor Wright, you better preach!
Regardless of what Rev. Wright is saying, the fact remains that Obama is not listening to him regarding his spiritual journey. The minute Jodi what’s her name made Obama’s dissing of his pastor an issue of that article, it was up to Obama to set things straight.
He didn’t do that and is now relying on, and hiding behind his Pastor to clean up the mess Obama himself made. Must have caught serious flack from the African-Americans on that one.
Rev. Wright is a class act. Too bad Obama didn’t learn better from the Master.
actually if Obama had tried to ‘set things straight’ himself it would have looked as if he was trying to cya after the fact, and folks like you would have said the opposite of what you are saying now…the best thing was to let his Pastor say whether or not he was dissed since he was supposedly the one wounded
Maybe it was my faith in the Jewish Holy Day of Roshashana
Don’t want to be picky, but the Reverend means “Yom Kippur” … Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, and it is two days long.
It is a bit disingenuous of him to go into great detail about what Obama knows about religion and then not have this basc fact straight.
Having said that, everything else he says in his letter is right on the money.
Reform Jews observe only one day of Rosh Hashana. Anyway, his point – that Rosh Hashana inaugurates a period similar to Lent in that it involves repentance, introspection, and self-denial – shows more understanding of Jewish observance than I’ve seen in most non-Jews.
Obama is not listening to him regarding his spiritual journey. – The Political Junkie
… because we all know that the proper way to have any spiritual journey is to blindly follow one’s Pastor? Because Obama dares to think maybe differently than his Pastor about something or other, that means he’s not really religious and hence does is not qualified for public office?
Wow! Talk about a religious test … as well as a view of religion that even Reformation Protestants, in their most fevered imaginings of a strawman version of Catholicism, didn’t even think Catholics possessed.
It seems to me that Obama was right to let his Pastor. It was the Rev. who was taken out of context, and hence it was his job to complain about it. Anyway, if Obama would have responded himself, it would have provided more ammunition for the “Obama ain’t a good Christian ’cause he doesn’t defer to his Pastor” talking point that this is all about spreading.
Although why a Jewish person should be involved in spreading such a talking point is beyond me. Talk about a shanda, nu?
Anyway, his point – that Rosh Hashana inaugurates a period similar to Lent in that it involves repentance, introspection, and self-denial -bloix
I see his point and yours. It’s fair enough. Although if one wants to be very nit-picky about trying to find correspondences in spiritual seasons, so to speak, wouldn’t the Jewish version of Lent begin when we start reading the Haftoros of Rebuke (*) in summer and not end until the celebrations of Simchas Torah? And I guess we have a (late) Spring version of Lent too with the whole Omer season, nu?
* I wonder if the neo-cons of the Biblical era called the Prophets “self-hating Jews”?
Talk about a shanda, nu?
LOL.
Welcome to the New York Times, Reverend.
Boy that whole “no religious test for office” thing makes more sense every day.
God bless Pete Stark.
Makes a lot of sense.
On Rosh Hashana it is written and on Yom Kippur it is sealed:
How many shall pass on, how many shall come to be
Who shall live and who shall die
Who shall see ripe age and who shall not
Who shall perish by fire and who by water
Who by sword and who by beast
Who by hunger and who by thirst
Who by earthquake and who by plague
Who by strangling and who by stoning
Who shall be secure and who shall be driven
Who shall be tranquil and who shall be troubled
Who shall be poor and who shall be rich
Who shall be humbled and who exalted…
But repentance, prayer and charity avert the severe decree.
Looks pretty Lenten to me, but what do I know, I’m just a Rabett.
Here’s an idea:
Imagine no religion.
It’s easy if you try.
Ah yes. The Una Taneh Tokef. When I was growing up, they were always trying to push prayer in schools. My dad felt that if they were going to have prayer in schools, they ought to read the Una Taneh Tokef prayer, ’cause that’d really put the fear of God into the kidz’ minds.
Anyway, I somewhere have a school specific parody I wrote. It began:
On midterms it is written and on Finals it is sealed:
How many shall graduate, how many shall go to summer school.
Who shall pass and who shall fail
Etc.
Fantastic, and strong words from a just Reverend.
Thank you for the public letter, and thanks to Skepti for propogating this.
This ‘New York Times’ bashing bores me. Every Christian in New York City knows that Jews publish that paper and they are out to destroy the moral fabric of our great nation.
Remember what they wrote a long time ago, Rev.–
“God is Dead”
The only reason I will vote for Barack is because he smokes and defends sodomites.
Was this a blog, or a rant?
Did the NYT print this (or any part of it)?
I thought, this would have came much sooner, especially after Tucker Carlson’s comments on TV about the church, and it’s practices. Better late than never I guess.
Thank you, Reverend.
People, Oprah Winfrey, the west’s leading evangelist for New Age, is a member of his “church.” This is just another fellow who has appropriated the title of “Christian” so that he can use it to pursue secular aims. All you have to do is ask this fellow if the believes the Bible to be the divinely inspired Word of God, literally true, inerrant, and the final authority in all things, and if belief in and submission to the deity and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach, the Word of God in the flesh, is the only way to Heaven. Of course, his answer to that is no, and the witness of that is his allowing Oprah “The Secret” Winfrey to be a member of his church.
And oh yes, I will challenge his “liberation theology” credentials. You know why? Because both Oprah Winfrey AND Barack Obama are mere lackeys for THE COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS. Ever heard of them? Google them. Newt Gingrich is a member. So is George H. W. Bush. Lots of prominent Republicans AND Democrats (including Bill Clinton) are members. So, how can these Republicans and Democrats who are supposed to be such partisan enemies with diametrically opposed agendas be members of the same group? Because it is a scam. They keep the masses distracted with issues like abortion (which is a real issue but so what, both parties support it) and affirmative action (which neither party cares about) so that they will not focus on things like how our government, economy, and culture are being “globalized.” America doesn’t even have borders of any sort people, and if you do not have borders then you are not a nation. Whether Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Rudy Giuliani, or Mitt Romney (international investment banker) gets elected, the Council on Foreign Relations’ agenda gets enacted anyway. Want to know the REAL REASON why Trent Lott was pushed aside as Senate Majority leader? Because he opposed the Council on Foreign Relations’ agenda. After he was pushed aside, that allowed Bill Frist to ram through the prescription drug benefit, which contained a lot of goodies for the CFR (do a google search on “mandatory mental health screening”). And Oprah Winfrey’s connection? The private girls’ schools that she is opening up is part of their “universal education initiative.” I gotta tell you; if Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama are in this guy’s church, it isn’t an accident. Rather, it is because this “liberation theologist” is because he is on board with them and their agenda too. Oh, and do not expect to hear any of this from the media, because the owners and executives of most of the main media and entertainment companies are part of this bunch as well and share this same agenda.
Is there perhaps a link? I would very much like the name of the source for the letter in the post? Was it published in a newspaper?
I have to admit that this has been a great post to read, because of all the new people posting inside here. It’s been a good read.
All you have to do is ask this fellow if the believes the Bible to be the divinely inspired Word of God, literally true, inerrant, and the final authority in all things…
This is not what qualifies one to be a Christian.
This is not even a biblical doctrine.
You are claiming more for the bible than it claims for itself.
Thank you. I google all I can, but I can’t find it. I did find a reverend by that name, but not the letter. Is this it? There is this letter on this site somewhere?
http://www.tucc.org/home.htm
Would someone have the kindness as to write the link here, please? I would very much appreciate your help. I am very sorry for the inconvenience.
I can’t find anything, when I google “Reverend Wright’s website”. Only the church’s website. And there I can’t find the letter. I my country, we can’t reprint without naming the source correctly. It is not legal. So I can’t use it for my blog.
I am very sad about that. This defence letter really deserved it…
Well, I certainly learned a lot tonight! Thanks.
I hope Mrs. Edwards can get medical marijuana.
If she needs it to take the edge off the cancer treatment — or just off the pain — I hope that she will be allowed to have it.
Good to haer from once heart what is taking is though’s in life we most beable to face ourself with what we think about others and how that have inpact in our lifes.
God bless you.
Francis
universalglenni,
Click to access tuccbulletin_mar18.pdf
I love you, Skeptical Brotha! Thank you so much!
there’s no way obama will win
“When I told you, using one of your own Jewish stories from the Hebrew Bible as to how God asked Moses”
Does this sound like an awkward remark to anyone else?
It was published in today’s Chicago Tribune (link below). I can also confirm that Jodi Kantor is publishing a more in-depth piece, as noted in her reply to me…
“Thank you for your message. I agree that it was a short piece; I am working on something longer that will have more context.” Bests, Jodi Kantor
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/religion_theseeker/2007/03/obamas_church_a.html
Political Junkie,
I don’t know what Black church, if any, you were reared, but traditionally the relationship between a pastor and a member of his/her flock is no less sacred than that of a spouse or a parent and child. This is not a matter that should have ever been the subjet of conversation, speculation and your bird’s eye judgement. If Hillary Clinton’s relationship with her husband, the former President, impeached President, is off limits, why is Obama’s relationship with his pastor open for discussion and scrutiny? W/o googling, tell me the name of Hillary Clinton’s, John Edward’s, Bill Richardson’s or any of the other candidate’s church leaders? You can’t , and I’m sure you have no interest in knowing. Furthermore, it’s none of our business. If you don’t want to support Obama, fine, but don’t manufacture issues that have no business in the public domain for consideration of his fitness to serve in office.
This is a great and a beautiful letter, and I thank you for writing it.
I thank you from myself, with respect, and with a deep feeling that it will make a difference–and along with the actions and words of others–that it will cause a change. The more honest and respectful public voice that our nation so desperately needs to heal our country, to heal our democracy, will come only as the result of your letter, and others like it, and your continuing voice speaking out the truth.
Thank you again.
Sandra Yolles
Rcihmond, CA
the Hnic’s take:
Now, I wrote about the NY Times article to which this letter responds a week ago. I was skeptical about it, troubled by it. Bothered by it. Clearly, Reverend Wright had a stronger reaction than I did. I’m glad that he wrote this letter even though it flies off the handle towards the end. He made his point and his point spoke for itself: he was misrepresented in his mind. Nevertheless, he’s chosen to see his side of the story as the only side of the story. Underlying the entire tenor of the letter is Rev. Wright’s assumption that he is completely and entirely aware of everything he said and how it was interpreted. His truth, the letter resoundingly announces, is the only truth.
Now, I want to believe Reverend Wright was duped and I do believe he sincerely feels deceived, But I don’t feel sorry for him. If he knew the NY Times was little more than a “Bush ‘blog,’” he should’ve never returned the paper’s calls from the very outset. He could’ve just issued a statement and left it alone. Reverend Wright chose to run his mouth (yes, I said it) for two hours with a journalist from the world’s most vaunted paper. If he wanted to have his truth spoken and he already distrusted the mainstream press, then maybe he should’ve considered giving an exclusive interview to the independent press. Instead he’s resorted to pulling the race card— a white church member! My goodness, has it come to this: black pastors using white congregants to vouch for the church’s absence of racism? How is that any better than trotting out a token “negro” to attest to the progress on the racial front? Certainly Wright remembers watching Jackie Robinson be called to testify against Paul Robeson by the HUAC? Using the opinion of one white woman – who we know absolutely nothing about otherwise, nor have any reason to trust as a reliable source – is a hypocritical move and if anything, shows us why Obama had to reel the good reverend in. Like all of us, his greatest strength –courage– is tied to his greatest weakness– pride.
On some level the reverend seems to be seeking this attention. It’s not just coming out of thin air. He welcomes the interviews, the opportunities to be on television, and he does so a little too unhesitatingly to be totally absolved of all responsibility here. From his use of the race card, to the letter’s underlying anti-semetic tone, to the rhetorical phrasing of the letter itself, I just don’t know if I can buy what the reverend is selling– a picture of himself as the victim and the Times as the ‘duplicitous’ bloodsucker. His uncritical praise of Obama sounds a little to unreal. It may even be dangerous to Obama at this point. At a time when we’re trying to understand not only who Obama is but what he might become (and this is crucial), painting him the virtuous, sinless saint is not helping his cause. The reverend’s praise has the ring of a man protecting one of his own from the rigorous scrutiny that comes with the territory. It’s honorable, admirable, but ultimately untenable. Senator Obama wants to be President of the United States not the rotary club. They say all is fair in love and war. Well, this is all the more true in a nation built off war. As long as there are people with agendas to push, no one will ever waltz right into the White House without being wounded by the daggers of doubt along the way. It’s time the good reverend doctor learns this lesson, and time he recognizes that he’s done all he can at this point. Now he needs to recede into the background, which, after all, was exactly Obama’s intent when he “disinvited” him to speak at his announcement address in the first place.
The reverend may have made a stategic or tactical mistake. But I’m quite refreshed that there is somebody in the environment of politics who speaks his mind without considering strategy. And, after all, it is not the reverend who is running for a political office.
I also don’t see why we always need to swallow that toad that our oh so bible-inspired politicians regard it OK to cheat and play whatever tricks to get to or stay in power, the instructions for which I must have missed in the Bible.
And finally I rejoice that here is an idealist who is also a man of reason (esp. around the benefits of having a man in power who actually understands the cultural backgrouds of the people he deals with when representing America). So, we don’t need to leave the field of idealism (even Christian idealism) to red-necked fundamentalists.
The New York Times reporters and editors trashed Bill Clinton, Al Gore, and John Kerry in the past. They are doing the same to Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton now.
Their editorial page is fairly liberal, but their news editors and reporters, by and large, seek to undermine liberal politicians through calculated derision and sarcasm. Do not trust them. Ever.
renato always seems like the voice of easily acceptable reason.
when a sense of being and/or spirituality and the confidence of a faith in that awareness becomes a tool held in one’s life’s hand against others, and when gnostic knowledge and particulars are concealed in purpose as keys to doors of unwelcome, there remains no genuine values of worth, only assumed positioning in a role as actor or director in a synthetic fiction making.
I notice that no one ever writes of a congressperson, “It seems the honorable is…” or “the honorable should have known….” It’s just as silly to say “the reverend did…” or “the reverend said….” It isn’t a title, such as “Doctor” or “Professor.” It’s an honorific, and should be use in conjunction with a name. If you want to refer to him by his occupation, call him “pastor” or “minister.”
On a different topic, our thoughts and prayers are with the Edwards family.
the HNIC writes:
“…Now he needs to recede into the background, which, after all, was exactly Obama’s intent when he “disinvited” him to speak at his announcement address in the first place…”
As always, you raised some good points, but the fact remains that the Senator had to invite the pastor to speak in order to disinvite him.
If pastor is indeed a “loose cannon”, he surely was one long before being invited to deliver the innvocation and before his appearance on “Hannity & Combs”.
This begs my leadership question again: does the Senator have what it takes to keep the people around him -spiritual advisors and political advisors alike – checked AND
focused on the vision and goals of his candidacy?
In other words, a “loose cannon” should not have been given an opportunity to divert attention in the first place. He should have been informed of his role up front. Period. End of discussion.
This type of stuff doesn’t need to keep happening, especially for someone fresh out the box and relatively untested. This campaign IS the test and there’s plenty of time and opportunity for the public to evaluate him. At the end of the day, the blame (or praise) rests with the leader.
The Senator has to show he has the courage to “put his foot down” with regards to the conduct of those around him, no matter WHO it is. And if you appear unable to lead 20 people, I have a hard time believing you can lead 200 million.
Does this sound like an awkward remark to anyone else? – Totaltransformation
Yes. Speaking as a Jew, it does sound awkward. Although, many of us Jews hear remarks like that so often we’re used to them — and that kind of awkwardness, which at least suggests that the person is trying to reach out and be empathetic, rather than just being dismissive of the Jewish experience or trying to just convert us, is much better than the alternatives listed.
Moreover, it’s really no more awkward than the kinds of remarks African-American people hear everyday. It seems to be really fun to be a Black Jew, at least from what I can surmise from my gf’s experiences, ’cause you get these sorts of “it’s like in your Hebrew religion” remarks as well as the “it’s kinda like in your hip-hop culture” remarks. Although that sort of thing seems to be regionally determined: my gf in NYC seems to get a lot more of this sort of thing than the African-American congregants of my synagogue here in the South seem to get — interesting that the patronization of minorities seems less severe down in the historically segregated, heavily Protestant South than in the historically non-segregated, religiously diverse, albeit still in many places de facto segregated, North.
Obama is a class act. His pastor is a class act. The New York Times is nothing but an act. Way to go NYT, you’ve out-scummed yourself again.
Is it just me or does it seem that John Edwards is being quite selfish by running for president when his wife only has a 25% chance of living for 5 more years? How much quality time could he spend with his wife in her likely last years while being president? It seems that for him, being president is more important to him than his own family.
Yes, I think it sends the wrong, if not confusing, message. Let’s see how this pans out.
Unfortunately, circumstances related to his wife’s health will ultimately decide the fate of the campaign.
amazing, pointed, passionate letter… i have to point out two things however…. the term is Reform Judaism, not “reformed”….. reform judaism is a movement not a repentance.. and the holiday is Rosh Hashanah not “Roshashana”… small little mistakes I know… but this is the esteemed Reverend’s letter to The New York Times assailing them for their inaccuracies. I would think that he would be sure that his letter contained none. It does make me wonder….
f pastor is indeed a “loose cannon”, he surely was one long before being invited to deliver the innvocation and before his appearance on “Hannity & Combs”.
There are some good comments upthread questioning why Rev Wright is in the public square in the first place. My impression is that Obama invited all to learn about his candidacy and about who he is by reading his books in which Rev Wright is prominently featured.
I did see the H&C clip on youtube, and I thought Rev Wright did a good job putting Hannity in his place (with some help from Combs, as I recall).
It’s not like there’s a shortage of pieces praising Obama.
The NYT reporters cherry-picked the one item they found newsworthy/controversial. The piece originally showed up on page A17 of the NYT, hardly headline news.
Now with this LTE & apparently a follow-up to the original story, the coverage continues, like it or not. It is not internet users keeping this in the public domain.
yadda yadda blah blah
Obama is still a soft imperialist who’s being groomed as the latest, greatest and newest Black leader…gee thanks America…you knows how we’s likes to have you choose who is and who isn’t gonna be leading us on down yonder singing we shall overcome and whats haves you
this is the same Obama who was talking about ‘finishing the job’ not too long ago before he stuck his head out the window Bill Clinton style and decided that he needed to tack. he’s since adjusted his sails.
thank you massas at the democratic national apparachickitus…what is we gonna do with friends like the dems and enemies like the republicons?
There is one thing about liberals and democrats….they lie and never deal in issues. His Pastor is a major racist
While I can’t stand Obama (I happen to think he is not everything everyone makes him out to be) kudos to this Pastor. The NYT deserves a dressing down quite frequently. And this was one instance in which they got one the way they should.
Why should Obama’s “spiritual journey” make any difference to any one? Everybody knows that these are just stories. Like the epic tales of heroism that mark the earliest republicans, the Greeks, and the Utopian dreams of universal commonality enforced by law that mark the latest democrats, this is all construct, edifice, window dressing and other nice names for propaganda.
For anyone to suggest that having a certain type of president (or any other elected officer) would feel “refreshing” or otherwise cloyingly accommodating to certain popular delusions, is to pour all of humanity into a blender and call the resultant pulp the best, no, most proper world. I gag.
Right on!! Pastor…..
That was a great post!!
The so called popular media, is rapidly becoming the unpopular media as many viewers are turning away from the controled commercial press and commercial T.V and getting their informatiom and news from the uncontroled internet!
I remain…
Despicable
I don’t want to speak out of ignorance, because I count anyone who calls on the name of Jesus as Lord to be a brother in Christ, but something about Barak’s church bothers me. It appears that they are more committed to the “Black Value System” than they are to the Bible. They listed that they are unashamedly black before they were unapologetically Christian. I don’t mean to be controversial, just trying to understand.
Thanks for the post SB!
They way Pastor describes it Obama is the Messiah. Nobody is that perfect.
Of course Obama is not perfect. He is a human being, with weaknesses — just like all of us (although I can’t tell that from the responses).
But even if Obama WAS that perfect, would that really make on bit of difference in this forum given the negative attitudes that are so prominent here? I don’t think it would.
The Bible explains that even Jesus Christ – the One who was/is Perfect – could not do miracles in His own home town because the people who lived there were so cynical. They lived in disbelief.
Jesus explained: A prophet is always without honor in his home town (Mark 6:4-5). In light of that reality, Jesus could not perform any miracles in Nazareth except for healing a few sick people. The people of Nazareth were plagued by unbelief that lost the message of what Jesus was actually saying.
Because of Nazareth’s rejection, He went on to other cities that DID choose to receive Him.
What was true in Jesus’ time is still true today when it comes to leaders with prophetic messages (irrespective of race)
“Who the hell is Obama talking about this “hope” *ish??” — “he is not really black” — “he is not my brother” – “those kool-aide drinking supporters” etc.
It’s interesting to note that in the Book of Acts, Jesus’ supporters were also accused of being drunk off something when they TOOK A STAND on the day of Pentacost. I am not drunk (off-Kool Aide) either. It is only the 10th hour of the Day.
Thank goodness that Obama has broader support. Thank goodness that there are greater numbers in the country that believe, irrespective of their ethnic background. And it is to that believing audience to which most efforts should be directed. That’s in keeping with biblical principles…
Enjoy the remainder of the 2007-08 campaign! I’m out of here…
Rick
This lie represents yet another elment in the cycle of the failure of Americans to hold people accountable for the truth and typically represents what we’ve become, collectively, as a country.
We would rather make judgements about people based upon self-serving and opportunistic madia personalties, politicans and so-called leaders, religious, social and poltical.
Americans have become too selfish and self-important for their own good. We believe what we want to believe, based upon like or dislike of the person, political allegiance and religious cultism. This is why we no longer have a democracy in progress or can take the high moral ground when it comes to values. We have lost the world wide reputation of being a country interested in it’s people, as opposed to being interested in the agenda of those we let control every aspect of life as long as they tell us we are the true Americans, patriots, people of faith and represent the democratic ideal. In effect, we’ve made a deal with the devil, in return for getting our egos stroked.
We are as much to blame as this lying and deceptive media personality because we have condoned this type of tabloid journalism for much too long. Even though we know that many, in what has become the commercially exposed media, lie as a mater of couirse, we will still continue to condone this behavior by not demanding change. We will repeat the nonsensical “liberal media” rhetoric that we’ve been told to do because we believe doing so takes responsibility from us and puts it on others, as we do with most every other condition in this country.
It will be business as usual.
I belong to Wheeler Avenue Baptist in Houston, Texas. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments made by Rev Wright and believe him to be an honest, God-fearing, man of enlightenment, knowldege and integrity. I am so happy that the rebuttal was sent to the NY Times and I agree with everything Rev Wright had to say.
Stay strong Rev Wright – beautiful and wise.
Tropical Guy, People like you are damn funny. How is Rev. Wright a major racist? I’d love to hear a comment from you. It probably won’t have any reason to it, but I’d sure appreciate an answer.
Barack Hussein Obama’s father, stepfather and grandfather were Muslims. He was by Islamic law born a Muslim. This cannot be changed. Mohammed said if anyone turns his back on Islam, kill him. Why no death threats by radical Muslims? Do they know something we don’t? Obama became a Christian when he started having political ambitions. (read up on his church for a shock) How do we know he’s a Christian? Because he says so? The principle of Al-Takeyya conveys the understanding that Muslims are permitted to lie.
He is indeed a liar. Not only about being a Muslim has he lied, but he stated that his father was a ‘goat herder’ when he was a prosperous farmer. He’s an admitted drug user. He was involved in a shady real estate deal with a guy who associated with radical Muslims. He has demonstrated his immaturity by trying to get Fox banned from his news conferences, and by warning against making fun of his ears. He’s an empty suit pimped by the media. As someone said, the presidency is not an entry level position.
Wright is a RACIST and will be dealt with!!!
Looks like Rev. Wright got what was coming to him from the NY Times: a b i t c h slapping for being the racist hate monger that he really is! Thank God for video. Can’t hide from the truth, right Wright?
Sir, you are a monument of truth. Thank you
IS THIS GUY OK, THIS SUPPOSED REVEREND WRIGHT ? IS HE MEDICATED, HE SHOULD BE, RANTING AND RAVING ABOUT HILLARY HAS NEVER BEEN A N——– , THAT SHE DOES’NT KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE GROWING UP A POOR BLACK MAN, DOES THIS CLOWN REALIZE THAT OBAMA IS MALATTO ? DURRRRRRRRRRRR
If Rev Wright’s sermons are not “hate speech”, I don’t know what is. What’s the difference between this guy and a mullah preaching jihad. I thought there were laws against this sort of thing.
As a black social conservative, I think his remarks are typical rhetoric of the progressive movement. Angry, nonsensical… doesn’t take in account reality nor individual accountability.
As a black Christian and apologist, just because the word Trinity arrives in front of United Church of Christ… if anyone knows who the UCOC is you’ll know that it is a universalist, humanist doctrine – no Christ in it. It doesn’t hide the utterly shameful leftist pandering he does in that bully pulpit of his.
As a black man, what he spews is utterly senseless and non-life giving. But this is what happens when you live your color instead of your life. Our Constitution protects what you are… not who you become, in “Rev” Wrights words there is hardly anything of any longstanding personal [therefore] social value. His words are incendiary affronts to reason itself and it figures Obama would frequent a church that suited his political agenda over his spiritual integrity – He’s caught in it now and has to back pedal, not a good position to be in.
Fortunately this election is having a purefying effect on the black electorate… they are starting to see the far progressive left has been using them and are distancing themselves from their clutches. Look at Condoleeza Rice, not on feminist even so much as congratulated her for her appointment… Though I may not agree with her foriegn policy, she is far brighter than Hillary and Barack combined. This hypocrisy is unbelieveable… as they say, don’t buy the hype.
-That Darn Republican
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http://www.conservarant.townhall.com
http://www.americanresistanceblog.blogspot.com
Thank you Rev for having stated this long before the current furore
“Out of a two-hour conversation with you about Barack’s spiritual journey and my protesting to you that I had not shaped him nor formed him, that I had not mentored him or made him the man he was, even though I would love to take that credit, you did not print any of that. When I told you, using one of your own Jewish stories from the Hebrew Bible as to how God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?,” that Barack was like that when I met him. Barack had it “in his hand.” Barack had in his grasp a uniqueness in terms of his spiritual development that one is hard put to find in the 21st century, and you did not print that.”
Those wondering what Rev Wrights influence is should borrow his “Audacity of Hope” from their local library, read it and judge for themselves. Whatever influences we get from others and society we are still in control of our own psyches and are responsible for our own decisions. This is true for Obama and anyone else, and those hyping the guilty by association must be ready to accept that you have no free will of their own, Like the story of his life, Obama has walked a transparent road, and his documenting his inspirations by Rev Wright in his book, sets him free to be judged by his own words.
Rev. Wright, I’m so sorry at how this has gone. I feel terrible for you and for Barack Obama. As I watched the media play the clips over & over I just want to say…I’m a 46 year old white woman and I absolutely understood your statements. As painful as it may be for others they are true. I pray that we won’t squander the opportunity to allow Barack Obama to motivate and lead us beyond a painful history. Yes We Can.
Rev Wright is an ex-Marine, if there is someone who should criticize this country its those who have served in uniform. Yet he is being called unpatriotic when we have a draft dodger president who sent this country to war on false intelligence to get back at daddy. Talk about patriotism.
What you said is wrong, and yet its the first time someone got into trouble for saying what Senator Clinton “wasn’t called”. You are a Christian, we all need forgiveness.
I think that as a pastor Mr. Wright should be preaching the Word of Christ and not this hate. Regardless of bitter feelings of the past, no where in the Bible does it say that we have the right to downtalk another race of people. As a presidential candidate, Obama should have had the sense not to associate with this man.
The ministry of Jesus is one of love, forgiveness, humility….A pastor filled with so much anger and so many hate-filled sermons can hardly be a spokesperson for our Saviour who went to the cross, sinless, to die for our sins, because he FIRST LOVED US. Where is Rev. Wright’s love? How can Obama have listened to this angry, crazy rhetoric and not wince and turn away in shame over the IGNORANCE of these outrageous claims? Someone as well-educated as he should never have been inclined to embrace such dialogue.
Reverand Wright is either crazy, demented or a fenatic Moslem as demonstated by his accusations of the rediculious crimes he says were commited by the USA. If his congregation believes or at least accepts this crap as gospal than Oboma should start looking for a new religeon or a new line of work.
What the black community needs to look at instead of the “injustices done to them by whites” is what whites have done to promote forward progress within the black race. It wasn’t just black North against white south in the civil war, and it wasn’t just black people marching with Dr. King. And maybe the most important person in the struggle for equality was killed by black people(X). I challenge anyone to show me another country with more black millionaires than America. There are more black millionaires here than in the entire continent of Africa put together, yet whites are so oppressive. I challenge anyone to show me a “white” country that still condones slavery. Because of whites there is no slavery in america, but it still exists in Africa and arabic countries and some asian countries including india and china. That’s not to say that there weren’t injustices done. There have been injustices done to people of all races.Until the late 1700’s, some 500,000+ white europeans where slaves to north african muslims. There are people in the know and there the clueless. The people in the know are the intelligent, understanding people of all races that understand where we come from, through climate changes and regional adaptations. That is what promoted ethnic change in humans anyway. My final challenge is for all people to claim the human race as what they belong to, because if you claim to be a white or black or red or yellow, you are a separatist racist. Now I think I will go outside and get some sun, I’ll be red before the day is over.
He and Obama hate white people.
rev wright’s sermon was tooken out of context..the media took advantage as well as sen clinton. But this only proves that religion and goverment dont and shouldnt mix. what this country stands for is based on the laws of men…not the laws of god. you have the right to pray to whatever god you choose. but when you bring good into the goverment, and try to force your beliefs onto the masses. The freedoms we all cheerish will be at risk
good + god…..typo
OT:
Inflammatory doesn’t begin to describe the tone of that anti-Obama video the McCain staffer is accused of circulating. I’m very concerned too that, in the grand scheme of things, that today’s endorsement by Gov. Richardson won’t sit too well with the element to whom the video is directed.
I’ll be glad when this campaign is over.
The hate-America ranting by Barak Obama’s pastor pales in comparison with the evils perpetrated in the name of God by leaders and officials of mainstream religions.
To wit:
–The thousands of alleged heretics racked, dismembered, burned at the stake, deep fried in oil, buried alive, skinned alive by order of Roman Catholic Inquisitors, with the approval of the Pope.
–The witch hunts and attendant torture and executions, mainly of menopausal women, inflicted by Protestant churches during the Reformation. “I should not have compassion on these witches. I would burn all of them,” declared Martin Luther. And John Calvin had no qualm about arranging the slow roasting of anyone who dared question his theology. (Check what he did to Michael Servetus).
–The racist teachings of the Mormon Church. As narrated in the Book of Mormon, the good guys, the Nephites, were fair-skinned, whereas the bad guys, the Lamanites, being descendants of Cain, were punished by God with a dark skin. (Nephi 5:21, Alma 3:6) According to Brigham Young the “flat nose and black skin” of African Americans were likewise the stigma of Cain. It wasn’t until 1978 that an African American was accepted into the Church priesthood. Then there’s the Church’s history of polygamy and sexism. Only two women figure in the Book of Mormon, and only in minor roles.
–The genocidal mandates of the Hebrew Jehovah in the Old Testament (Joshua 11; I Samuel 15:1-35). The disparaging comments against Gentiles in the Jewish Babylonian Talmud: “All Gentile children are like animals (Baba Kamma 113.a); “Gentiles prefer sex with cows” (Abodah Zarah 22 a.); “Gentile girls are in a state of filth since birth” (Abodah Zara 221-22b; “Jesus mother was a whore”(Sanhedrin 106A)
–The degrading treatment of women and barbaric problem-solving tactics of Muslim fundamentalists.
Every religion under the sun has its share of devils. Self-righteous commentators bent on pillorying Barak Obama for his association with Reverend Jeremiah Wright first ought to take an objective look at the dark underside of their own religions.
Hey Sean …
Regarding Bill Richardson … what was this
‘prominent’ proud hispanic governor’s hispanic
name, before he changed it to Richardson?
Obama talks about listening to the voters vs.
the delegates … however, Hillary won the popular
vote in New Mexico, and yet Obama is more than
ready to have Richardson provide his ‘super deligate’
vote for Obama???
I noticed that CNN devotes much more ink to Obama
than Hillary.
ROLAND MARTIN WHITE WASHES WRIGHT & OBAMA
I’ve always felt that Roland Martin was biased toward Obama. On news programs he always adds some spin to let Obama … and, now Wright look better. First of all … CNN’s title of the article is ‘The Full Story’ … huh uh … CNN’S full story maybe. Plus, who cares if an ambassador wrote most of the ‘chickens coming home to roost’ speech. Martin makes a big thing about ‘context’ … and, yet the ambassador’s context was much different than Wright’s … not to mention, less emotional … less incendiary … and, over a period of time, not in a context of speeches that were racially explosive, divisive, anti-American (‘god damn America’… the government created AIDS to get rid of blacks … 911 govt. conspiracy … etc.) … and, not after giving Louis Farrakan a lifetime achievement award … that’s context! Personally, I don’t need Roland Martin’s INTERPRETATION … Martin’s article doesn’t justify Obama exposing himself, and his family to Wright’s racist associations, and hate speech for over 20 years … (another aspect of context). As eloquent a speech writer and speaker Obama is … I think his ambition over shadows his honesty and patriotism … and, I don’t trust him.
Thank you, Rev. Wright, for your comments here. For the record, I consider you to be a great American—after all, I was taught to believe that true patriots speak out against what is wrong in their country.
You have done that.
I’m not surprised that those who want to perpetuate their illusions about the United States don’t like what you have to say.
That doesn’t mean that you’re wrong. In fact, I think your remarks were and are prophetic.
Oh, and one more thing:
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
— Mark Twain
It’s interesting that Americans get so worked up about the private lives of politicians. The media loves to dig up some story about a politician and use it as a smear campaign.
Draft-dodging George W. Jr. somehow was painted as a Patriot even though he was a draft dodger. John Kerry actually went to war and was painted as a wuss. I’m not even saying Kerry would have been better or worse, I’m just saying the media takes these people’s lives and smears them.
And with this story, some tiny piece of the story, apparently taken out context, has turned into the biggest smear campaign and gotten people all fired up and hateful.
AND JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY AMERICA IS FALLING BEHIND THE REST OF THE WORLD IN EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND MANY OTHER AREAS. PEOPLE CAN’T GET PAST THE BULLS**T AND GET TO THE REAL ISSUES. GOOD LUCK, WE’LL ALL BE SPEAKING CHINESE SOON.
It isn’t truth because the “white” member of the church says it is. More importantly, I’m not “white” and neither is anyone else. You’re not African-American either. I’m, simply put, a Caucasian and you’re a Negro. If you want to call me white why shouldn’t I call you nigger. They’re both WRONG!
racism is here and the hate he (Rev Wright) spews from the pulpit is sickning its no different then the hate Fred Phelps spews its ugly period!!!
Sir, you are ‘the Wright Reverend’. Hang in there, many of us support your message – its antecedents being taken from scripture.
Prophet Jeremiah of scripture was sent to root up,…, and build over again. And Ezekiel was warned that Israel was not going to receive his message – nonetheless – he had to preach it!
Senator Obama did not call for white Americans to leave their truly racist churches, educational and other institutions!
Ps. 120:7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war. You are not the one who is for war!
Rev Wright: one of our most prolific and public – racists. Yep, not only that… he’s a kook. And he should pay income taxes since he’s nothing but a political organization.
Jesus does not endorse this fools big lazy mouth.
This is not a Christian organization.
Rev. Wright, like most of us, has apparently not completely escaped the national/human legacy of stereotyping and suspicion– what else is new? (Let us also remember that a nation whose history includes the giving of smallpox blankets to Native Americans and withholding treatment for syphilis from Black men might reasonably be suspect. I don’t see people who suspect the government of being somehow complicit in the assassination of JFK, or failing to prevent or covering up the truth about 9/11 being called un-American. Conspiracy nuts, maybe, but not un-American.)
At the same time, many of his words sound no different than the exhortations from the Bible against sin, the calls to care first for the least among us, and the lessons of my Catholic catechisms of a few decades ago that God wants us to establish the kingdom of God on earth by working for peace and justice. Liberation theology, if officially frowned upon, was hardly foreign to many of the nuns and priests who marched for civil rights, or against the war in Vietnam.
Besides, the Reverend is not running for president. Senator Obama has explained that he repudiates the “bad” about his pastor but seeks to understand where the ideas he finds reprehensible come from –even as he promotes what is good about Rev. Wright’s ministry. This satisfies me. It is the real and honest reaction rather than the politically expedient one. It is the reaction many have when the religious leaders who have instilled a love of God and righteousness in their children preach on something they find objectionable– the sin of contraception, the submission of women, or the inability of some other religion to gain entrance into heaven. Like the spouse in a less than perfect marriage, we may, instead of leaving, ask, would we better off with or without him/her–ask if the good outweighs the bad.
Apparently the Rev, Wright’s legacy of good works led the Senator to decide to stick with his church and, through his own witness, move beyond the past to an understanding that offers us a chance to confront the problems that have stalled progress for decades.
For me, this ability to be reasoned and thoughtful–to be honest rather than dogmatic, and complex rather than simplistic–is as important as the Senator’s specific policies.
Face it, most of us aren’t sure WHAT will fix the complicated problems the United States faces. We want some assurance that our leaders are willing to REALLY LOOK CAREFULLY at all the options and be open to crafting a plan that works for us. That means we need a leader who can calmly take the good from each position understand the perspectives of all involved, and discard the bad. As far as I’m concerned, Sen. Obama has done just that.
Jodi,
Why are you trying to destroy this “Great Man” you need to be fired!
Please everyone listen to the entire sermon before you judge. All of us need to look into our own lives and find judgement.
Again, people listen to the entire sermons. You will find that this is one of the greatest men that God produced.
God Bless You All!
“Our Constitution protects what you are… not who you become, in “Rev” Wrights words there is hardly anything of any longstanding personal [therefore] social value. His words are incendiary affronts to reason itself…”
Perhaps you should read the 1ST Amendment again, FOOL.
Last week my church had a preacher from Africa preach on brotherly love. He told us a story how eight of his siblings were killed by the white goverment. The message was about hidden compartments in our lives. I do believe that everybody need to search their own heart. He later explained how he was able to forgive this guy and now they are best friends. To make a long story short if racism is alive in the church, God help America. Unforgiveness is a cancer.
It has been very interesting and also very disturbing to me the way the some people are viewing Rev. Wright and Trinity. I am someone who has attended Trinity and even got baptized years ago by Rev. Wright. If anyone has every listened to his entire sermon it is very easy to understand that what he is preaching is in a tradition of social activism that has always been apart of the Black church experience. He uses current as well as historical events to illustrate the teachings and stories in the bible. Yes, he also uses statements that are currently unproven but can be believed in light of past injustices that didn’t come to light until years later. An example of this is the statement he makes about aids being created to kill people of color, this in light of the now known syphillis experiments done on Black men at Tuskegee. Now although as a member of the congregation a person may not ascribe to everything that is being said, they can certainly have an open mind to the possibility. And if as a member you have a problem with something being said you can always make your feelings know to Pastor Wright. But I can assure everyone that every sermon I have heard while
I can assure everyone that every sermon I have heard, while not necessarily politically correct, had the intended purpose of revelation to make changes to live life in a more spiritual manner. Those sound bites that have been taken out of context and played for political purposes don’t illustrate the real message that was being expressed in those sermons. And they certainly don’t convey the good works that Trinity is known for throughout the world.
I have heard several of Rev wright sermons and what the media showed has been taken out of context. Not to say whether I agree of disagree. I’ve been raised in the black church all my life and it wasn’t protocol for the sheep to tell the shepherd what to preach in his church. That’s between the pastor and God. This is all about politics and the media is using Rev Wright to put doubt in the pepole’s mind about Obama. Let’s not get dismayed we got to consider the source and remember our weapons are not carnal.
Just what is the Reverend upset about in this letter? He explained why he wasn’t present at Obama’s declaration of candidacy; Kantor reported it. Yes, that upsets him, in part because he’s assumed that the piece he’s referring to will be the only result of the interview he gave, as if Kantor had not actually intended to do an article focusing on Obama’s spiritual journey. He’s accusing the journalist of deceiving him, of “duplicitous behavior”–as if she weren’t going to do the piece. She did, however, and it came out on April 30, 2007.
But that’s not the only thing that Wright, indeed it isn’t the main thing that upsets him; otherwise a private communication would have been sufficient. He’s made his (false) accusation public because he’s not happy to have the dynamic between himself and the Obama campaign publicized. It’s not politically convenient, but it is a fact, and he doesn’t deny it.
Worse, perhaps, he’s humiliated to discover that he did not have Kantor in the palm of his hand.
So he shouts at her and us as loudly as he can manage, as if he could drown out the truth. Shouting won’t affect the skeptical, but it’s enough to satisfy true believers.
The letter is grotesque: the Reverend, who should be a moral exemplar, cannot bear his error, so he blames Kantor — who has only done her job. Long and meandering, the letter says very little of substance, and what little there is, the accusation, turns out to be wrong. It does, however, clearly convey Wright’s frustration and arrogance, as well as the humiliation of a man who is seldom forced to consider his failings.
Not exactly sure where in the Bible it says ” In these last days there will wars, rumors of wars, ect. and something about “false profits”. I see we’re well into the “last days”.
The micro-management of speech is a scary line for the media to cross. This countries first amendment of the constitution insures the freedom of speech and the freedom of press. How ironic is it that the press, better known as the media is the new tool of speech oppression. For the main stream media to perpetuate the ignorance of speech suppression is irresponsible and destructive. A strong distrust for ones government was not a crime but rather a duty in some of our founding fathers eyes. Too many Americans have been or are being persecuted by a relentless and unforgiving media only concerned with a higher profit margin. For the media to fuel the fires of hate by taking exception to what one says in regards to his or her government, religion and yes race is a dangerous game.
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Scrolling back, don’t you just love this comment by sxepayne on March 17 of 2007?
stupid africoon!race baiting old nigga ought to have yo fingas slammed in a do!talkin to da white man like dats
A brief comment:
I’m a white girl from Minneapolis. I kept hearing about all the Reverend Wright controversy from the press, saw some of the now famous Obama speech on race, etc, so I decided to look up this Reverend and see what the fuss was about. What I have to say is that everything I heard him say – even the sound bites – were smart, radical and right on. Rather than being offended, I want to drive down to Chicago next weekend and attend the Trinity UCC. Thank you.
Ironic that Rev. Wright is the only person who could keep Barrack from being president. Imagine white people supporting a black man over a white woman or man in huge numbers. Who’s the racist?
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The video clips of Rev Wright showed him denigrating his country, lying about its history, and fomenting hate. For Obama to say he had no idea just adds to the lies. We will see those clips over and over in the months to come, and they will reduce support from Obama. I don’t mind a black person becoming president, frankly, I don’t care what race, creed, color or sex a person is; but I do demand that they are honest and forthright–Obama has proven he is neither.
When will African-Americans get over it and move on? The Irish were discriminated against in this country: “dogs and the Irish need not apply.” The Chinese were treated horribly, as well as the Japanese. Italians and Hispanics were discriminated against, but do you hear any of them whining about it and propagating it, trying to keep it going? Do you see Japanese-Americans sticking their faces in the cameras about how they were treated during WWII or preaching about it in their churches? NO! In the history of man-kind, more non-African people have been held as slaves than Africans. Slavery in the US happened, it’s over, there’s nothing that can change it, and if it hadn’t happened, none of you would be here living in this great country. You’d be living in Africa, starving, HIV positive, and being tortured, mutilated, and murdered by some kooky dictator. Since Rev. Wrong hates this country, he should get the hell out and stay out; go live in Africa, see how long you last over there… you’d be begging to come back in no time! He doesn’t deserve to be here, enjoying the luxurious life he lives, enjoying all the perks of being an American.
“When will African-Americans get over it and move on?”
When African-America stops suffering from institutional racism and discrimination and White Privilege is taken apart and all the damage it has caused comes to a stop. Black people are only make up 9% of the drug-using population in the US but make up 55% of the jail population incarcerated for drugs. Black employees are only paid 80 cents for every dollar a White co-worker of the same status makes. Black homeowners are denied for loans and people with “black-sounding” names and voices are far less likely to be accepted into college or hired for a job or even invited for an interview.
The Irish may have suffered but they have been accepted as White now and fully enjoy White Privilege.
“Slavery in the US happened, it’s over”
Do you go around telling women who have been raped “Look, you got raped but it’s over. Now get over it?” The Black race was RAPED. And you’re in no position to tell anyone to get over it, especially being that you haven’t done anything to try to undo the damage or apologize in any significant way. We’ll “get over it” when the racial-social/economic/cultural inequality it caused ceases. We’ll “get over it” when we are paid for the unpaid labor of our forefathers who built this damn nation.
“You’d be living in Africa, starving, HIV positive, and being tortured, mutilated, and murdered by some kooky dictator.”
I see someone’s trying to get their Pat Buchanan on. Those things happen in Africa because of the damage that Western colonialism/imperialism caused and continues to cause. The West sets up those puppet dictators and supports them. The West has had just about every positive African leader assassinated. Ex: Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, etc.
Without Black people the US would be a poor nation. Black labor built this country and made it rich. We made this country what it is. And many great Black minds invented and developed many, many things which made this land great and you continue to use every single day. Some things which even save you and your family’s ungrateful lives. It was a Black man who invented life-saving surgeries that White people undergo everyday without so much as a “thanks”.
I accept your “Thank You”.
When blacks on average have 75% percent of the wealth of whites, maybe then there can be a “get over it” shit.
Until then, Peppermint Patty, you gotta explain how every day you FORGET that blacks have TEN FUCKING PERCENT of what whites have, in terms of wealth.
I can trace that back to FHA loans, in the 1950’s, in Pittsburgh. Right there in the government reports, they said “don’t let coloreds apply”. Less than sixty years ago.
So, yeah, folks are still bitter. Folks are still discriminated against.
I’m a Jew — Jews were black once, as Irish were. Just because I’m not black now, doesn’t mean that I don’t know how bad blacks have it, in America.
in 1943, a boat of Jews was sent back to be killed. It was called Exodus. It sailed up and down American coast, pleading for safety, for succor. Didn’t happen.
America is to blame for the Holocaust.
Maybe you expect the blacks to get over Slavery? Fair enough.
But don’t ask them to get over the Homestead Act, Jim Crow, or anything that came after.
Second Class Citizens still Exist.
Truth to Power I am intrigued by some of your claims. Mind if I ask you about them, specifically your sources?
“Black people are only make up 9% of the drug-using population in the US but make up 55% of the jail population incarcerated for drugs.”
Indeed, I have long been an opponent of the drug war and I do think that the war on drugs does disproportionately effect black Americans. However, much of this can be more closely tied to economic class and the drug of choice than to institutional racism.
I am also curious, if the disproportionate incarceration of blacks equates to racism, does the disproportionate incarceration of males of any “race” compared to females of any “race” equate to sexism?
“Black employees are only paid 80 cents for every dollar a White co-worker of the same status makes.”
Do these studies take into account the kinds of professions chosen by African Americans versus other groups? For example, many black women choose to go into social work- a field with notoriously low pay for all regardless of race. I would be convinced if you could point to a study that takes into account chosen profession, time on the job, etc.
What I have seen in the academic profession has shown a bias on the part of some universities to pay equal or higher amounts to less qualified black candidates. I’ll try to dig up the article, but for now my memory will have to suffice. At U.N.C.W. not too long ago a black professor with a masters could expect to earn equal to (and in some cases more) than a white/Hispanic/Asian professor in the same department with a Ph.D.
“Black homeowners are denied for loans…”
Have you taken into account credit worthiness, collateral, etc.?
I am curious how you would respond to these questions. Thanks in advance for your response Truth to Power.
I would add that it is a travesty how blacks were excluded from the G.I. Bill and I would hope to see a similar program started today offering similar benefits and responsibilities.
Thanks for the post
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Check out the site to help Obama’s brother and St. Judes at the same time.
Brutha! You should be a bit more skeptical!
Carlos Navarro’s purported Talmud quotes are false — most likely originating at neo-Nazi websites and copied into his comment. It’s bad enough to read that sort of stuff at hate sites; I don’t expect that here. I trust that most of your readers are astute enough to realize those quotes don’t quite ring true. The specificity of the fraud just goes to show you the lengths that bigots will go to in order to slander innocent people. They invent quotes with false citations that look real, manufacture associations with “terrorists”, create the illusion of voter fraud, etc. When will these people cut it out and put some of that effort into making a positive change in the world!
Best wishes to you and your readers…