Posted by: skepticalbrotha | April 26, 2008

No Preference

I voted today and did as I said I would do and voted no preference for the Democratic nomination for President because I am profoundly dismayed and angered by the lack of backbone shown by Barack Obama during the recent attacks upon his faith and the Black Church.

I struggled mightily. The twenty minutes I stared at my ballot seemed like an eternity. I went back and forth several times. Surrounded by other blackfolks, I became self-conscious. I wrestled with the lie I told the cheerful White Obama canvasser who ambushed me as I left my home. I then struggled with the commitment that I felt strongly enough to tell all of you about and my twenty-five year desire for a black President.

I teared up a bit and stared at the paper some more. My thoughts drifted to a dear friend’s 25 year-old brother lying comatose in intensive care, the victim of double aneurisms, dangling somewhere between life and death, and I wondered what is so damn wrong with refusing to compromise your core values and living the life God gives you informed by Trinity United Church of Christ’s motto “Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian.”

If the Father gives that boy a second chance at life, as I pray he does, I have no doubt that he will live his life to the fullest and without regrets. He comes from a proud Nigerian household and their love and commitment to each other is uniquely powerful. It makes me proud to know his sister and count her as one of my dearest friends. Their pride in their heritage makes them stronger as black people and as a family. It is unfathomable to me why Obama, a son East Africa, is afraid to embrace the power of his black religious heritage and stand on what I know he believes but refuses to confess to White America.

And yes, contrary to his 2004 Democratic National Convention speech, there is a White America and a Black America. And they are separate and unequal because we are not one people and never have been.

I watched Bill Moyers interview with Dr. Wright last night and heard nothing a reasonable person who understands the depth of African American suffering and the shame of our country’s history of slavery, genocide, and Jim Crow could be offended by.

Still grappling with my decision, I remembered Obama’s Friday presser. Senator Obama continued to distance himself from his Pastor of two decades yesterday by continuing the use of his weasel word mantra of “profound disagreement” over Dr. Wright’s, “objectionable” comments and why he and White America, “took offense.” I marked my ballot, smiled at the sistah who took my name and gave me ballot, and strode confidently back to my car.

Some people would rather live shackled by a cacophony of patriotic white supremacist lies than live in freedom and truth. Any campaign which genuflects to the head in the sand mentality so prevalent in White America is a campaign based on lies of political expedience and I cannot support that without protest.

If you disagree, watch Dr. Wright and Obama for yourself.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

Posted in 2008, Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright, Obama for President, Politics, Power Games, Race, Religious Bigotry, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr, The Black Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, White Supremacy, political expediency, racism, right-wing propaganda | Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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Responses

SB, you are courageous.

To your Nigerian friend, I, too, hope that God restores him to the fullness of life.

By: zeitgeist9000 on April 26, 2008
at 11:27 pm

Zeitgeist9000,

If I am so courageous, why do I feel so guilty, shattered and empty.

By: skepticalbrotha on April 26, 2008
at 11:36 pm

SB,

BO is in an extremely tough place, even a no win place.

He is well aware that to totally “reject”, “denounce” and abandon Wright would lose him a large percentage of Black support .

He also has to be mindful that if he “fully” embraced him, he would quickly forfeit perhaps the bulk of the white base.

As you are well aware, the folks who run things are still predominantly Caucasian and to disregard their sensibilities would adversely affect him.

So he has to strike that delicate balance between mildly censuring but on some level, honoring the pastor.

As he said, his grandma said some vile things but he couldn’t disown her anymore than he could his pastor.

And to be fair, we all know someone who has said something with which we disagree.

Do we scuttle the relationship as a result or do we focus on that person’s better qualities which is what fostered the relationship in the first place?

As the Rev said, “He has to do what he has to do.”

By: sixseven on April 27, 2008
at 12:26 am

I’m not going to say that I’m happy about your decision. I’m not. I respect that you stuck to your principles, but that doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.

By: rikyrah on April 27, 2008
at 12:45 am

I can’t argue with your logic. Political expediency is no kinda change at all. Depressing as hell that we seem to be stuck in time with no signs of progress for many years to come.

By: Ernesto on April 27, 2008
at 1:35 am

Once again, I think your concern about the senator’s distancing himself with his pastor’s remarks is pandering to the white folks is somewhat misguided. As I said in the past, I know many ignorant black folks that are as concerned with the most extreme sound bites of Wrights sermons as I know ignorant white folks (admittedly I originally knew of very few of either, but I got the opportunity to meet many during the process of registering voters and campaigning in PA).

I feel he sought to soothe the fears of people of all colors who took offense, but your concern was that he had given himself up to please the white man.

Well I will tell you this: Bigger than the just the white vote, bigger than just the black vote, in this country, the ignorant vote is supreme. And with enough ignorant folks marking the ballot for the wife of the man they ignorantly believe to be the “first black president” but instead was a man who race baited the real first black president. With enough ignorant voters who think that somehow this man with an incendiary pastor is a Muslim. With enough ignorant folks who can’t tell the difference between attacking Afghanistan and attacking Iraq. Well, the last thing we need is a knowledgeable, principled brother whose vote doesn’t in some way balance out theirs.

I saw that you had let your healthy skepticism stay on the sidelines until you could hope, but I fear that you distrust yourself to do what your heart told you to do. And I weep for you too. And I hope that in 4 years, you can proudly re-elect the man whose actions in office lived up to the dream you have had. The same dream that I share with you and Dr. King.

By: vertigo on April 27, 2008
at 2:22 am

A sad and self defeating choice.

While I also would have liked BHO to stand by Jeremiah Wright, how does one balance the importance of getting elected vs. this sort of thing?

I am not Black so my right to comment may be limited, still I need Obama as President and hope you will change your mind.

By: Stephen Schwartz on April 27, 2008
at 3:58 am

I cannot read anymore of this website. Skeptical brotha you have managed to over analyze this situation and I’m just confused about your ideals and thoughts. I encourage you to take a break from this campaign and take a little breather. It ain’t that deep.

By: Ervin on April 27, 2008
at 5:52 am

Even if Obama “sinned” by not defending Wright. Sinners can find redemption.

But you have to give him a chance.

By: NJC on April 27, 2008
at 7:22 am

I’m not going to patronize you and tell you that I am proud like I am superior to pass out blessings and grace, but I AM PROUD as a mortal peer who knows how difficult it is live a life of integrity.

I wrote something about Rev. Wright earlier this month about his silence but deleted it (or rather clipped it) and saved it on my computer. I will post it when I find it but I feel I must share this with you first.

I want you to remember this that I know you already know:

Remember this story…(And I know most of us don’t know parables and prophecy. We don’t know shit about ourselves. I clipped this from the internet because we need to re-engage with our prophetic heritage and legacy lost.)

“After Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722BC all that was left of Israel was a small portion around Jerusalem called Judah. In spite of the judgment experienced by their cousins in the north, Judah also fell into a state of idolatry and so the Lord permitted Babylon to conquer them as well (Jer. 25:8-9). In his first siege of Jerusalem in 605BC the King of Babylon took hostages from the Royal family to his capital in an effort to assure the compliance of those he left in place as vassals to govern Judah according to his wishes. (This plan was ultimately unsuccessful and so in 586BC after 2 more sieges, he completely destroyed Jerusalem including the Temple Solomon had built and carried off all its inhabitants into slavery.)

Among the royal hostages were Daniel, a future prophet of Israel whom the King renamed Belteshazzar, and three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These four were given training and education in the ways of Babylon and otherwise prepared to serve the King in his court (Daniel 1:1-7). They proved to be excellent students and within a few years, following Daniel’s interpretation of a dream that had troubled the King, were appointed to positions of administrative authority over the Province of Babylon (Daniel 2).

Sometime later the King decided to have a gigantic golden statue of himself placed in a prominent place on the plains of Dura outside the city. It was sixty cubits (90 ft.) tall 6 cubits wide and according to tradition stood on a pedestal six steps high and here you have the first clue of what’s really going on in this children’s story (666). The King required all his subjects to bow down and worship the statue and decreed that anyone refusing to do so would be thrown into a fiery furnace and burned alive (Daniel 3:1-7).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had maintained their covenant relationship with the God of Israel and refused to bow down and worship anyone other than Him. This act of disobedience was reported to the King and though fond of them he was furious. When they rejected his offer of a 2nd chance to comply with his command, saying that their God was able to rescue them but even if He didn’t they still wouldn’t worship anyone else, he had them bound and thrown into the furnace (Daniel 3:16-23).

Apparently this furnace was constructed in a public place so that the punishment could be witnessed by all, because the King saw his three disobedient subjects in the fire. But he was shocked to see a 4th figure in there as well; one who looked like “the Son of God”, and all four were walking around in the fire unbound (Daniel 3:25).

The King called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the furnace and to his utter amazement discovered that they were totally unharmed, not even the smell of smoke on their clothing, and the only things burned up were the ropes that had bound them. The King gave praise to the God of Israel and decreed that from that time on anyone who said anything against Him would be executed “for no other god can save in this way” (Daniel 3:28-29).”

You will be fine. I told you that I would brace you while you carried your cross. And babe, you are carrying it in front of your brothermen who may spit at you and curse you. That’s no different from any other prophet that has lived. You have to walk the same path and I am proud of you…seeing another mortal man walk boldly with courage with an unpopular choice and decision.

This parable is not only yours but it is also Rev. Wrights…mine…all of us. It is about how we decide to choose. You were in the lions den with Rev. Wright and “Daniel” and then thrown in the Fiery Furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

There are special people walking amongst us everyday and they are prophetic as mere mortal beings that hurt and are flawed but they exert exhibitions of courage and that is the tale of this parable then in A.D. and now after Christ. I read a lot of their sentiments hear and they don’t even know they could be so powerful if only they knew the Divine Word and The Work that had to be done and needed their submission in trusting in the UNSEEN.

This…this political drama…it ain’t just about some secular political campaign. We are a nation devoid of justice and a people without direction or vision. We are ill. We are hurting. I’m stark-raving mad but I have to perform as a calm, sane person to keep a job and not be considered THAT CRAZY LADY.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

We (Blacks) are hallow (been gutted and have voluntarily gutted ourselves) yet we come from so much that once fulfilled us. This is part of all of our collective and personal tests.

And by-the-way…I have not been to church in about 20 plus years as a parishner and even when I was going in my teens, I was daydreaming in every (Catholic) mass. I remember the scripture from my childhood in Seventh Day Adventist school and my Sunday School lessons by Cousin Flossie at my family’s Baptist Church. I have for almost 30 years been waiting to see someone like you and to find a church like my rebellious dually politcally secular and socially spiritual elementary school.

You are the closest thing in a way. And that is too why I knew too the prophetic language of what played out with Rev. Wright was the equivalent to him being Daniel in the Lion’s Den to Obama not standing to pass moral, spiritual, and even secular tests.

It’s a lonely walk STRUGGLING to bear your cross alone and it would be at least so much more comforting if we all walked in solidarity carrying our crosses with you. At least know that there a some and you and Rev. Wright and those at The Black Agenda Report and so many more are carrying theirs with you. I got your back (and I can be a bit willful and crazy like Peter).

By: Andrea on April 27, 2008
at 8:34 am

I’m not going to patronize you and tell you that I am proud like I am superior to pass out blessings and grace, but I AM PROUD as a mortal peer who knows how difficult it is live a life of integrity.

I wrote something about Rev. Wright earlier this month about his silence but deleted it (or rather clipped it) and saved it on my computer. I will post it when I find it but I feel I must share this with you first.

I want you to remember this that I know you already know:

Remember this story…(And I know most of us don’t know parables and prophecy. We don’t know shit about ourselves. I clipped this from the internet because we need to re-engage with our prophetic heritage and legacy lost.)

“After Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722BC all that was left of Israel was a small portion around Jerusalem called Judah. In spite of the judgment experienced by their cousins in the north, Judah also fell into a state of idolatry and so the Lord permitted Babylon to conquer them as well (Jer. 25:8-9). In his first siege of Jerusalem in 605BC the King of Babylon took hostages from the Royal family to his capital in an effort to assure the compliance of those he left in place as vassals to govern Judah according to his wishes. (This plan was ultimately unsuccessful and so in 586BC after 2 more sieges, he completely destroyed Jerusalem including the Temple Solomon had built and carried off all its inhabitants into slavery.)

Among the royal hostages were Daniel, a future prophet of Israel whom the King renamed Belteshazzar, and three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah renamed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These four were given training and education in the ways of Babylon and otherwise prepared to serve the King in his court (Daniel 1:1-7). They proved to be excellent students and within a few years, following Daniel’s interpretation of a dream that had troubled the King, were appointed to positions of administrative authority over the Province of Babylon (Daniel 2).

Sometime later the King decided to have a gigantic golden statue of himself placed in a prominent place on the plains of Dura outside the city. It was sixty cubits (90 ft.) tall 6 cubits wide and according to tradition stood on a pedestal six steps high and here you have the first clue of what’s really going on in this children’s story (666). The King required all his subjects to bow down and worship the statue and decreed that anyone refusing to do so would be thrown into a fiery furnace and burned alive (Daniel 3:1-7).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had maintained their covenant relationship with the God of Israel and refused to bow down and worship anyone other than Him. This act of disobedience was reported to the King and though fond of them he was furious. When they rejected his offer of a 2nd chance to comply with his command, saying that their God was able to rescue them but even if He didn’t they still wouldn’t worship anyone else, he had them bound and thrown into the furnace (Daniel 3:16-23).

Apparently this furnace was constructed in a public place so that the punishment could be witnessed by all, because the King saw his three disobedient subjects in the fire. But he was shocked to see a 4th figure in there as well; one who looked like “the Son of God”, and all four were walking around in the fire unbound (Daniel 3:25).

The King called Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to come out of the furnace and to his utter amazement discovered that they were totally unharmed, not even the smell of smoke on their clothing, and the only things burned up were the ropes that had bound them. The King gave praise to the God of Israel and decreed that from that time on anyone who said anything against Him would be executed “for no other god can save in this way” (Daniel 3:28-29).”

You will be fine. I told you that I would brace you while you carried your cross. And babe, you are carrying it in front of your brothermen who may spit at you and curse you. That’s no different from any other prophet that has lived. You have to walk the same path and I am proud of you…seeing another mortal man walk boldly with courage with an unpopular choice and decision.

This parable is not only yours but it is also Rev. Wrights…mine…all of us. It is about how we decide to choose. You were in the lions den with Rev. Wright and “Daniel” and then thrown in the Fiery Furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

There are special people walking amongst us everyday and they are prophetic as mere mortal beings that hurt and are flawed but they exert exhibitions of courage and that is the tale of this parable then in A.D. and now after Christ. I read a lot of their sentiments hear and they don’t even know they could be so powerful if only they knew the Divine Word and The Work that had to be done and needed their submission in trusting in the UNSEEN.

This…this political drama…it ain’t just about some secular political campaign. We are a nation devoid of justice and a people without direction or vision. We are ill. We are hurting. I’m stark-raving mad but I have to perform as a calm, sane person to keep a job and not be considered THAT CRAZY LADY.

Proverbs 29:18

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

We (Blacks) are hallow (been gutted and have voluntarily gutted ourselves) yet we come from so much that once fulfilled us. This is part of all of our collective and personal tests.

And by-the-way…I have not been to church in about 20 plus years as a parishner and even when I was going in my teens, I was daydreaming in every (Catholic) mass. I remember the scripture from my childhood in Seventh Day Adventist school and my Sunday School lessons by Cousin Flossie at my family’s Baptist Church. I have for almost 30 years been waiting to see someone like you and to find a church like my rebellious dually politcally secular and socially spiritual elementary school.

You are the closest thing in a way. And that is too why I knew too the prophetic language of what played out with Rev. Wright was the equivalent to him being Daniel in the Lion’s Den to Obama not standing to pass moral, spiritual, and even secular tests.

It’s a lonely walk STRUGGLING to bear your cross alone and it would be at least so much more comforting if we all walked in solidarity carrying our crosses with you. At least know that there a some and you and Rev. Wright and those at The Black Agenda Report and so many more are carrying theirs with you. I got your back (and I can be a bit willful and crazy like Peter).

By: Andrea on April 27, 2008
at 8:36 am

I wrote this April 7th and someone, a Sista, continued on that date in a post here that Rev. Wright and Obama were bosom buddies basically. I didn’t think so. I had no proof — only experience and intuition. When I read the post I started writing this but was sidetracked in finally not being the exceptional and extraordinary Negro at work anymore with the White Liberal Elite. It’s still like that and I expect tomorrow when we return to work it will be more of the not wanting to say the wrong thing around me hence the Bill Moyer interview. But this was what I suspected prior to the interview:

“Awhile ago a gentleman here posed the question hoping to make us consider why Rev. Wright is has been so quiet. No one really responded and I think I was tied in a mental fatigue at work over this issue with my White Liberal Elite peers.

I have suspected for the past few weeks since this scandal arose centered around the plausibility of a Black Man with that level of religious conviction and prowess — to be that close in proximity to a Presidential candidate — saying the things he said, people were just looking to see this man dealt with, handled, and sent away with his tail between his legs. I think that way because I know what the heat feels like and how people operate so that the public never sees the victimizing by the victimizer or the victim being victimized. And hence Rev. Wright’s sequester a lot of us take it as if he is voluntarily removed instead of maybe just BEING NICE to not get funky.

Now I am not saying anything cagey about the campaign sequestering him because I think that would be impossible — unless he was being blackmailed at this point on top of things. Because of things I have seen and things I have been threatened and forewarned of by NICE PEOPLE and those mean, I have the experience to know there are dynamics of far-flung conspiracy ideas that really have a pinch of validity. Anything IS possible if by any means necessary. But what I sense however is that Rev. Wright is obliging out of niceness to Barack and to have as much abiding faith to believe in one of his flock. Fact: Rev. Wright has been around a long time and he knows. I would not be surprised to hear of this and several machinations in the future from Rev. Wright.

See…no one in the Black Community wants to be on the wrong side of making history let alone a variable of history prohibiting or licensing the chance to support and assist the success of a Black Person that could change impact society. So we feel obligated if to not be supportive. We feel obligated to believe. And when we don’t believe in Barack we feel…the loss…for not and having loss it.

People spout all the time that Rev. Wright and Barack are either in cahoots or they are bosom buddies. I think rather not that they have either of those relationship structures right now. Right now as the willful handling of this by Barack, Rev. Barack is too learning more and more of what his parishner exudes in action vs. ideology.

It’s like when you tell someone that you regard that you don’t want to stand in the way in blocking the determination to venture somewhere and in ways you would not — so you step aside as a contribution of support. Or when you tell someone you will do something with them eventhough you really don’t want to. You do it in order to support because at the time you think the support is of greater need and you trust that the person will learn that they may be wrong, misguided, in over their head, may find out things they didn’t believe was true or that what was required more, etc.

From experience in being a hopeful person, I have had to invest in over-abundance of hope of others to find they still let you down. But while you are seeing that they are failing you, in the relationship you are trying to balance sustaining support, belief, and hope while experience is telling you that you judgment has already ruled that person to be what they are showing you. Your investment in hope is to give that person another day everyday HOPING that your judgment is proven wrong for both of your sakes (both of their integrity). You are hoping to not have to break and ultimately — may — have to start the fight with that one you love (Rev. Wright with Obama). And you as well are worrying not only of the fight that has to be the resulted solution to stop the serial co-denpendent enabling (Rev. Wright no longer abiding to compartmentalize for and dilute for Barack), but you are fighting with your fears that you know you may have to destroy that person you love to simply stop their destructive might (Rev. Wright vs. his supposed disciple or Moses vs. Aaron or Jesus vs. the “I want to do it my way disciples”). Who wants to be in Rev. Wright’s shoes?

Seriously…who wants to be in Rev. Wright’s shoes?

The past few weeks has not been hard on Rev. Wright because the media and self-interested factions have assailed him and his reputation. Rev. Wright is secure that those who are spiritual as well as emotionally intellectual understand that those daggers have only but missed him each and every time, still. The dagger that hits is the dagger of cowardice by the member of his flock (Barack) being tested before the world and has used him as a shield. And Rev. Wright by removing himself has rendered himself, for now, a sacrifice. It’s only if and when Rev. Wright defends himself, will then the protection ends for both of them. We have seen Rev. Wright crucified but if he rises to return to fight, it’s going to be a bigger mess with more casualities. Those who defend will have to stand up in ways they have not yet and all will have to choose sides. It’s what I was saying: we are all being tested.

See…since he can’t talk as how it is produced to look as a production of his public shame, people read the signs of evidence incorrectly. Rev. Wright can talk. And again I am saying he could be muscled by Barack’s handlers behind Barack’s back or…Barack could be playing innocent that he knows of no such conspiring. But for us to consider to not take much interest in realizing that something is peculiar about Rev. Wright’s silence is a sign of blind loyalty, we are showing our inexperience how to read code.

Rev. Wright is probably like a lot of us bound to hope or inconvenience. But Rev. Wright is not sitting comfortably laughing at RACIST WHITE AMERICA. He is not a silly man or vengeful man. I really suspect he is unhappy and wants to speak but not under the conditions that may put him on the wrong side of history as it will be written in history that he was the one that ruined Barack’s chances. He is giving Barack time to correct his decision. He will speak one day. His obligation to his God and his self is trusting him but will not wait forever with him stalling because as a preacher, he is not supposed to stall.

If Rev. Wright showed us his social justice challenges to Barack that would not look like a brokered alliance but a marriage of circumstance…not even inconvenience. Rev. Wright knows he is the linchpin in holding up Barack’s candidancy by being CONVENIENTLY coincidentally retired from preaching, public, and speaking. There is no such thing as coincidence.

And last: who wants to retire and know your man-made legacy is shaped by an incomplete and maybe dereliction of duty. His work is not finished. He was just given his biggest test. Yes, Rev. Wright is in a turmoil of knowing he could ruin someone’s secular ambitions but his decision to remain quiet or speak up could change history. It’s according to how it is written and who writes it.

People forget that preachers — even as our mortal counselors and representatives of God/Divinity — they too have to stand before their God. So Rev. Wright can block and defend only but so long and his work even though technically retired is never done until he is laying in a casket. As long as he walks the earth and has made a commitment to God, he is still and will be a working minister. That is his duty to God and not to a punchcard time-clock of 9 to 5 bricks-and-mortar church ministry.

By: Andrea on April 27, 2008
at 9:34 am

Skep,

Who do you think Rev. Wright will vote for? Even Wright understands that Obama has to “speak as a politician”.

I admire your idealism. Black folks wouldn’t be where we are today without our enduring idealism.

But I believe that our most shining examples acted with a healthy balance of idealism and pragmatism.

I believe most black voters have this mix of idealism and pragmatism, and for this reason, they will pull the lever for Obama, even though he is not the cookie cutter black partisan.

By: Caged Lion on April 27, 2008
at 10:44 am

The way I see it is that BO has two options.

He can continue doing his delicate, political dance, which seems to be working for the time being, or he could resoundingly embrace Dr. Wright, assert his afro-centric culture and heritage, as some would have him do and in so doing, give white America a big symbolic finger.

If he chooses the latter, he might as well fold up his tent and go home. Is that what we want?

Cut the brotha some slack. There is somethig to be said about being the smartest lawyer from the best school in the country.

He is mortal, hence fallible, but I believe his superior judgment in this thorny issue will ultimately be vindicated!

By: sixseven on April 27, 2008
at 11:16 am

If you cannot see the difference between BO and Billary, then I feel sorry for you.

You might as well as stayed home. And you might as well shut down this blog, because as Jesse Jackson says, when you dont vote (which you basically did) you lose your right to complain.

By: Pater Fam on April 27, 2008
at 11:36 am

“It’s a lonely walk STRUGGLING to bear your cross alone and it would be at least so much more comforting if we all walked in solidarity carrying our crosses with you.”

-Andrea

Another Arbitrary Interview :)

Obama: I believe this system can work. I love America for what it’s really worth. If I don’t appear to be a sellout how can I get their votes?

The white liberal vote is essential for my candidacy. I am not a sellout; I just make myself appear as such. I love black and white people. My strategy is to lock the liberal white votes down, and have the black vote by . I’ve studied the history of black people, we just vote for those who look like us without a follow up on their political history.

This is essential part of my strategy to have my people. A real sellout does not just sell out with words, but with action attached to the words he or she speaks. Black people can say that I’ve sold them out with my words. They can say that I have sold out the black church with my words alone. And Yes, my old uncle is right/wright, I speak as a politician, and as a player in a game.

They don’t understand that I’m player in the game on a world stage. This is not a lightweight game involving two races that have minute differences; this is a major game involving a variety of races with major differences with black people at the bottom. When playing chess one has to calculate a strategy to win, sometimes this strategy can elusive to the opponent, because the opponent may not know the depth of precision involving his a variety of moves.

In other words, I could appear to be going one direction, and have a completely different direction in my head. How else am I going to be president if I don’t play the game well?

“This is Chess not Checkers”

Cliff: Mr. Obama the time has come for you to show some affinity to the black community. You can no longer run, you can no longer hide, black people need to see at least some of the unapologetic attitude that your old uncle has taught you.

Obama: Perhaps that time has come, for me to at least show some measure of my blackness, so to speak. I know can only play the political game so much. I think the time has come for me to at least stand and deliver a sermon of ties to the black church, my African heritage, and my roots here in America. And pehaps Andrea is right I will has to pick up some of the pace in the walk to bear my cross, and my cross will bear Change.

“CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN” :)

By: Deyvette on April 27, 2008
at 1:59 pm

From Cliff, not Deyvette. :)

“It’s a lonely walk STRUGGLING to bear your cross alone and it would be at least so much more comforting if we all walked in solidarity carrying our crosses with you.”

-Andrea

Another Arbitrary Interview

Obama: I believe this system can work. I love America for what it’s really worth. If I don’t appear to be a sellout how can I get their votes?

The white liberal vote is essential for my candidacy. I am not a sellout; I just make myself appear as such. I love black and white people. My strategy is to lock the liberal white votes down, and have the black vote by . I’ve studied the history of black people, we just vote for those who look like us without a follow up on their political history.

This is essential part of my strategy to have my people. A real sellout does not just sell out with words, but with action attached to the words he or she speaks. Black people can say that I’ve sold them out with my words. They can say that I have sold out the black church with my words alone. And Yes, my old uncle is right/wright, I speak as a politician, and as a player in a game.

They don’t understand that I’m player in the game on a world stage. This is not a lightweight game involving two races that have minute differences; this is a major game involving a variety of races with major differences with black people at the bottom. When playing chess one has to calculate a strategy to win, sometimes this strategy can elusive to the opponent, because the opponent may not know the depth of precision involving his a variety of moves.

In other words, I could appear to be going one direction, and have a completely different direction in my head. How else am I going to be president if I don’t play the game well?

“This is Chess not Checkers”

Cliff: Mr. Obama the time has come for you to show some affinity to the black community. You can no longer run, you can no longer hide, black people need to see at least some of the unapologetic attitude that your old uncle has taught you.

Obama: Perhaps that time has come, for me to at least show some measure of my blackness, so to speak. I know can only play the political game so much. I think the time has come for me to at least stand and deliver a sermon of ties to the black church, my African heritage, and my roots here in America. And pehaps Andrea is right I will has to pick up some of the pace in the walk to bear my cross, and my cross will bear Change.

“CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN”

By: Cliff on April 27, 2008
at 2:01 pm

I like your site, as well as your insight. But this time you are plain old trippin. I just saw Dr Wright in January of this year and he knew it was coming. But he supports BO. He is running for Prez, read his 2nd book. He goes on record saying some of the choices he is forced to make are no wins. I like them both. Good quality brothers. You probably cant see the forest for the trees, take a break and come back stronger. I looked so forward to your supporting this phenomenal brutha. Your choice…………

By: Rp on April 27, 2008
at 2:05 pm

As usual, thanks for pointing me to this interview. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am not a Christian but maybe I would have been if I had been exposed to such a brilliant, dynamic and inspiring Pastor as Rev. W. Listening to him really lifted me up.

After having finally gotten to hear the statements, I’m reminded of how EVIL the American media is. They’re the one who made a big deal out of nothing and they are the ones to blame for misinform the American public every time, passing off empty nothingness for true content. They’re one of the biggest problems in America, I’d say.

Anyway, SB, I understand your point of view even though I do not share your perspective. As Rev. W said, he does what he has to do, Barack does what he has to do and by extension you are doing what you have to do.

By: Brown Girl on April 27, 2008
at 4:04 pm

Good choice Skeptical brotha. With more single issue, ideological purists we’ll be able to celebrate the inauguration of John McCain next January. My God, with all that is at stake in this election, and considering the incalculable damage done by Bush, I am dismayed that this manufactured Rev. Wright crisis can keep good people like yourself from voting for Obama. Do we want four more years of this nightmare?

By: TripLBee on April 27, 2008
at 6:45 pm

As an independent voter, I have struggle with the issue of guilty in voting for a Democrat, Obama. And it did not help watching Obama in Alexandria, Va pander to voters beyond raced whites. But there was a little boy at point that can on stage with Obama, who was not raced white. Too me this put the whole Obama thing in a new perspective, my vote is bigger than Obama.

Obama represents a change in America, that has not be witnessed by folks ever in the history of America, and that’s what will guide my decision to vote for him as soon as I get that ballot in my hand.

A change that goes beyond Ain’t I A Woman by Sojourner Truth and beyond the Talenth Tenth. S change that requires African-Americans to get off their asses, out of the clubs, to stop smoking their weed, inhaling their crackpipe, putting not their liquors, putting their hair and nail appointment on hold and get to the damn polls and send a message to America.

The message that Jeremiah Wright spoke about on Pbs. Obama is a politician. A vote elects a politician Obama is not running to be a minister in the church.

Every vote counts.

By: credo on April 27, 2008
at 8:18 pm

I hope you’re doing a post on Dr. Wright’s address to the Detroit NAACP. I got me some more churchyfying tonight :)

By: rikyrah on April 27, 2008
at 11:14 pm

The more I think about this, the more it breaks my heart. I keep telling myself that I won’t go back to read your blog, but I still keep coming back in the hopes that you will regret that you did not support Obama in his hour of need. I don’t know why, but I think that part of me keeps believing that anyone can find redemption.

By: vertigo on April 27, 2008
at 11:23 pm

Well, sb, maybe it would give you a different perspective if you went down to your local Obama office and talked to some of the people working hard to get him elected. They aren’t fools.

And OT, but anybody that wants to spend about a half hour trying to understand the Byzantine method by which the Democratic Party actually selects delegates should read the following blog, blue Indiana.

http://www.blueindiana.net/showDiary.do;jsessionid=628E07936590B8F8A4896337F1AE6B5A?diaryId=2430

It left me with the following:

1. A headache
2. A question: “What happened to one man/woman, one vote?”
3. The realization that I could never explain the process without a cheat sheet
4. Hating the Democratic Party (more!)
5. The conclusion (once again) that the only way that Hillary can win is if limpballs Operation Chaos (Indiana repubs switch parties to vote for Hillary) becomes reality.
6. Whatever happens in the fall, the primary system must change. The obvious is state wide at large delegates with no supers and all round off errors to be pooled into nation wide at large delegates.

By: john in california on April 27, 2008
at 11:37 pm

Okay, SB, I respect your decision and don’t worry about not feeling courageous because it takes courage to stand on principles, even when you stand by yourself. I’ve been there, done that, and at the end of the day, I can sleep at night knowing I didn’t compromise when I shouldn’t.

Having said that, Obama further compromised by going on Fox News and giving an interview to that weasel, Chris Wallace. He had ample opportunity to call Fox out on their race-baiting and smear tactics; Wallace asked questions that would have allowed Obama to come on the real, but that brotha took a pass.

I swear, Cynthia McKinney is looking more and more like she will get my vote, because Obama is making it as difficult to vote for him as it is for me to vote for the Borg Queen, and that’s saying plenty.

Vertigo, I never like to count anyone out short of redemption - I hope that for all of our sakes, Obama finds his, and soon.

By: The Political Junkie on April 27, 2008
at 11:40 pm

I think SB is a little to self-involved for his own good.

He is blinded to the big picture because the entire world revolves around him.

And I don’t for one second believe that you held a ballot in your hand, anguished, for 20 minutes in order to make a decision. An incredible flawed, selfish decision based on oversimplified views and a hysterical outlook.

All of this overly emotional, sappy ranting of how butt hurt you are over Obama’s decision to distance himself from his pastor’s comments is all getting to be very tedious. For all the intelligence you posses, you sure seem to be stuck on stupid re: this entire Rev Wright topic.

I know it makes for good writing on your blog and the dramatic flare of your style of writing.

But give me a break. One would think that this is your first election ever. Your naivety astounds.

By: thatguy on April 27, 2008
at 11:46 pm

This is an excellent, excellent post.

Thank you for your courage and honesty. People who can not appreciate the Black tradition of questioning the substance and authenticity of Black representation - no matter how beautiful and charming they may be - are still stumbling along the trail of maturation. They’ll be alright once they gain their footing.

Keep up the good work.

Terry at terryhowcott.com

By: Terry on April 28, 2008
at 1:27 am

P.S.

Let us be clear, you are NOT by yourself. You do not stand alone. There are hundreds of thousands of people who are raising these exact same concerns.

T.H.

By: Terry on April 28, 2008
at 1:45 am

There may be many more expressing the same concerns, but they aren’t letting this issue cloud their judgment in the voting booth.

By: Caged Lion on April 28, 2008
at 5:20 am

“Let us be clear, you are NOT by yourself.”

Well, from what I heard him say last night, Pastor Wright certainly is NOT, but the Clintons and their supporters certainly ARE also standing right behind this decision.

You do understand that one less vote for Obama automatically translates into a direct positive for Hillary don’t you? That’s because in a two person race, the gains are zero-sum.

Despite all the rhetoric about the witch being dead — language I’ve heard here and have opposed — why don’t we all just coronate the Queen today and declare that we’re quite satisfied being used and manipulated as their political pawns and footstools?

At least then the impact of our actions and talk would be consistent, and in accord.

By: Rick on April 28, 2008
at 6:40 am

Last night when I read this post, my heart ached. But I don’t exactly know why. You told us what your actions were going to be. You left no rooms for our imaginations to hope that you would change your mind.
So, why do I feel so conflicted by your post? Why is that I couldn’t rest well throughout the night? Was it because I hoped that you would just silently cast your uncommitted vote?

Last night, I went to bed with so many thoughts, endless thoughts parading in my head. Thoughts that invaded my dreams… Thoughts that greeted me this morning when I rose from my sleep that was void of real rest.

I thought about how casting a vote with no preference is like not voting at all. But the only difference is that the person that casts an uncommitted vote gets a chance to wear the “At least I voted and didn’t waste my forefathers blood by not voting” crown of glory.

Then I thought about how ridiculous I think it is for those who have distanced themselves from the black church at one time or another, for reasons that was clearly or unclearly convenient for the flesh, could turn their nose up and condemn someone who distanced himself from the black church for reasons that was convenient for him.

I thought about how this “black church” that people are defending has a deficit of committed soldiers that are willing to risk their personal comfort to fight the many battles that the “black church” has failed to see real victory and progress.
How many of us, who have mustered the nerve to spank Senator Obama for distancing himself from “the black church” have lent the “black church” our talents, our insight, our passion, our, time, and our money? Perhaps Senator Obama is only one of many who has distanced himself from the “black church” when it was convenient, too painful to stick with, or too annoying to ride it out.

Before I drifted off to my unrested sleep, I thought about how sad I was that your vote not counted, but my vote was not counted either. You see, I haven’t been able to talk about this because it was too painful. But the day of the Texas primary, my precinct wouldn’t allow me to vote. They said that my registration was not valid. Somehow, when I updated the address on my Texas ID, my voter registration supposedly didn’t get updated. I felt cheated. I felt denied.

What you don’t understand, SB, is that people like me, the disabled, the disenfranchised, the working poor, the least of us, do not need to see another term of Bush politics in office. The people that come into my office looking for financial relief in this dying economy do not need another president that will refuse to endorse a minimum wage and social security payment that will match the rising cost of living.

So, the vote that you didn’t cast, and the vote that I didn’t get a chance to cast was a vote against the interest of those who don’t have a voice, those who are forgotten about by the educated, the rich, the black nationalist, and even that great black church that you hold up so dearly.

When I woke up this morning from my unrested sleep, I was reminded of my junior year in undergrad. I attended this black nationalist organization. The reason why I said attended is because I never got a chance to join. To prove that you were a down ass soldier for the cause, you had to read a bookshelf of down ass books, and then take a test to prove that you had all the down ass knowledge to declare you were a down ass negro. Well, I never got around to taking that test. The organization broke up and crashed before I could “prove” myself.

Well, one thing I noted about the members of the organization is that they were angry. Mad as hell at whitey. Mad as hell at black folks for not embracing the “fight” and for not rejecting the shackles of “global white supremacy”.

The only people they respected were black heroes that were in books. Black heroes that had lived, and someone had documented and compressed their life within the pages of a book.
It’s interesting to me that the only people that many of us can find that is worthy of our respect are people that we have never met, mainly because they have been dead for one, two, three generations. It’s interesting to me that the only people we can justify respect for are people that life stories have been selectively pressed down in the pages of a book.

Here’s what I wonder. If many of these heroes were alive today, for us to see “all” of their actions, would we think they are so worthy of our respect and support. Just wondering… At work, but still thinking…

By: Angie on April 28, 2008
at 9:21 am

Skeptical Brotha,

I used to come to this site to read your thoughts and the opinions of others. But now I’m like what da hell is he thinking. Not for one second do I believe you stood in a booth for 20 minutes antagonized over a selection between Lady McBeth and Obama. And then you write this BULLSHIT posting as if we all are supposed to just feel your pain in this situation. This flowery and overly exaggerated essay. Come on brotha be for real. I agree wit dude above. Take a break and do something else for a change cause you have taken this crap to a whole new level.

By: Rashad In DC on April 28, 2008
at 10:32 am

Wright’s appearances:

Moyers was a plus
The NAACP was a plus.
The National Press Club was NOT A PLUS. I take that back..the speech was fine…the Q&A session was NOT. It finally provided the MSM the ’soundbites’ they wanted.

Speak truth SB - he was wrong to do the National Press Club.

By: rikyrah on April 28, 2008
at 12:12 pm

Rikyrah,

I agree.

The Moyers interview, the NAACP and his speech at the National Press Club were all pluses.

However it went through the window with the question and answer session. He could have left out the Obama “being a politican…” thing. They were waiting for soundbites and got them. The speech that was pre-prepared was good but once he went to the Q&A…it was not so good.

I am happy that he spoke out in defense of the black church tradition, the church and himself however the Q&A part is what the media will focus on and they have enough to work with.

By: Rhondacoca on April 28, 2008
at 12:33 pm

The media getting away with the crap they do is just one more symptom of the real problem, namely the large segment of the electorate that are just plain dumb asses.

Maybe it’s poor schools, maybe it’s consumer culture, but vertigo’s observation is all too true…a lot of voters are just too easily fooled. Obama has to play to these morons and he probably still will be rejected by them anyway. That is the state of the union 2008 in a nutshell. Like KRS-ONE asked back in the day, “when’s it gonna stop?”

By: Ernesto on April 28, 2008
at 12:42 pm

Like I quoted Cube from Boyz in the Hood, Black folk got too much religion anyway. This issue plays right into the hands of the racists anyway you shake it; Wright is a win-win for them no matter how you feel about him. In the end, however, those who were going to have a problem with Obama over race are simply using this as an excuse to go with the White canddiate (be it McCain or Clinton), and there’s no net gain or loss from the fallout in real numbers, votes you can count on.

How many of us have seen or heard a Rev. Wright on some Sunday or in some conference? Why do we owe him any more or less deference than any other Black clergy? IMO he gave a humerous, enlightening speech at the NAACP conference Only exception: as my pops pointed out, a lot of the research he used as support has been discredited academically. At any rate, it’s too bad he’s been made a pawn in this thing.

He’s got his own reputation to consider, he clearly has to defend himself, so he’s going to go to any venue that will listen. It’s better that he does this now than later for Obama. I don’t really expect him to be too concerned about whether it helps or hurts Obama. I’m obviously of the opinion that in the end it isn’t going to make that much difference except that the press has something to talk about other than how weak a candidate Clinton will be in the general election.

By: Mark on April 28, 2008
at 2:20 pm

Like I quoted Cube from Boyz in the Hood, Black folk got too much religion anyway. This issue plays right into the hands of the racists anyway you shake it; Wright is a win-win for them no matter how you feel about him. In the end, however, those who were going to have a problem with Obama over race are simply using this as an excuse to go with the White canddiate (be it McCain or Clinton), and there’s no net gain or loss from the fallout in real numbers, votes you can count on.

How many of us have seen or heard a Rev. Wright on some Sunday or in some conference? Why do we owe him any more or less deference than any other Black clergy? IMO he gave a humerous, enlightening speech at the NAACP conference Only exception: as my pops pointed out, a lot of the research he used as support has been discredited academically. At any rate, it’s too bad he’s been made a pawn in this thing.

He’s got his own reputation to consider, he clearly has to defend himself, so he’s going to go to any venue that will listen. It’s better that he does this now than later for Obama. I don’t really expect him to be too concerned about whether it helps or hurts Obama. I’m obviously of the opinion that in the end it isn’t going to make that much difference except that the press has something to talk about other than how weak a candidate Clinton will be in the general election.

By: Mark on April 28, 2008
at 2:22 pm

SB, you made the right decision. WHile I differ with Barack on alot of Political issues, I’ve always felt Obama never stood firm when face with controversial issues. I am not surprise about his whole distancing act. Any man who can throw their granmdmother under a bus for political reasons would do so to anyone. TUC was just a means for BO to launched his political career.

BO is not a descendant of slaves so his perspectives will be always different. His ancestry can be one of captor and enslaver. Too many black folks do not like to talk about the role Africans played in the slave trade. If it wasn’t for the black man in Africa, none of those Europeans would have been able to capture our ancestors. They knew the land and could outrun any of those Europeans.

Obama history of voting absent on controversial issues, should have been an early indicator he is not a fighter for what he believes in. Obama is a liberal elite with radical white guilt friends. He grew up in academia not the streets of Chicago.

Anyway, I’m a conservative sis so I better not rant to much about Obama least I offend your readers further. And he has the audacity to call Jeremiah Wright a nutty uncle in the antic!!!!!!

By: Anon 1 on April 28, 2008
at 2:42 pm

why there are three posts from me I have no idea. sorry

By: Mark on April 28, 2008
at 2:57 pm

I been reading your site for sometime now, never responded, because if i didn’t agree at least I was informed or entertained. Originally from Chicago, I’ve been To Rev. Wright’s church several times over the years. This situation with the Rev. has twisted my stomach. We all know that the powers that be were going to make it difficult to have a Black president, if not bordering on the impossible.
But as I see the Rev. Wright issue being blown out of proportion, I’m beginning to rethink my opinion. Maybe America doesn’t deserve to have a president like BO? Maybe those middle class “reagan” democrats deserve to get exactly what they want. They wanted Bush, and now they’re singing the blues. They consistently vote againt their own economic interests, and tend to let cultural issues dictate what side they are on. And yes they do “cling” and are “bitter” But what gets to them most is the idea that Black people are passing them up. The idea that a Black man has the gumption to think he can lead white people, in a country that was not designed for the African -American to succeed, or reach a position of power over them. Unfortunately, even if some complain to the contrary, these people, these “reagan” democrats will never vote for a black man, period. The Clintons know this, so they provide the rationalized cover for these people to “cling” to their racist or xenophobic ideology, without having to deal with the racist branding. (white) Americans prefer the stupid route, time and time again, especially if the alternative is proposed by someone other than Bob Whiteman, or requires maturity or an open mind.
I never was under the illusion that BO would be the “savior” of black interests because he would spending all his time trying to please people that don’t want him in that position. I just wanted to feel pride in a country for about 15 minutes, that dismissed all the crap and recognized BO is by far and beyond the best and logical choice. His election would instantly knock off 50% of the negativity that the bush administration constantly spews forth daily. Pride, that a brother finally got over the biggest hump. But
while I’m rooting for a quarterback and hopes he escapes the clutches of those that would maul him, the bigger picture is I recognize the game for what it is. The game is the problem. It’s a game for land-owning white males (go look up who was originally allowed to vote) anything else and you are falling for the illusion, or image of the beast. If a brother does get into the “game” he is going to do what the owners, coaches tell him, period. He make look damn good doing it, but believe me it’s in the playbook. If anything the democratic race pulls the cover off what people color all over the world know…Until the actual “game” changes… no, that’s not truth. The truth is, the time for the USA as we know it is coming to a close. 2012, earth shift, global warning whatever, people who are enlightened see drastic change coming, and it won’t be pretty. BO could soften the blow to some degree, but there is a new way to perceive life
and the organizing principle around it coming forth. And the small minority that has dominated the earth for nearly 2000 years, time is coming to a close. BO appearance on the scene illuminates this reality just a bit. But the US of A is not feeling it, not conscious of how close the end of things as we know them is. So pehaps we will deserve exactly what the majority want… A manipulative, lying, bi-sexual, control freak (H. Clinton). Or a senile, corporate warmonger, who wants constant war until Americans feel safe ( J. McCain)? When will that be? When will the surburbanite mother of 2, feel safe. The answer is they never feel safe, ever.

PS,. One more point to be fair. I think Rev. Wrights’ position is valid but he’s throwing BO to the wolves because he can’t submit his ego to the circumstance. He could’ve easily been quiet until after the election but his ego wouldn’t let him. Many Christian “preachers” have this problem as well. Relying on their own perception and cleverness to interpret the words from a book, that was edited for control and deception of the masses. Once again an issue of rooting for the machinations of a game that is designed for you to lose. To Rev. Wright either tell the whole truth uncut, without cleverness or shut the hell up. Rev. Wright is serving himself, not God, his flock or BO. And for a man as intelligent as he is not to control his ego, tells me he is missing the message that he preaches. Very similar to the ego-based mistakes of perception that the Pharasees and the Saduceess of the NT. And the same for many Americans…”We can’t be wrong, God is with us, or God is on our side or blah, blah, blah”
OK, keep thinking that at your own risk.

Heart-felt appreciation and gratitude for those who seek enlightenment. Peace B with you.
Imhotep

By: imhotep on April 28, 2008
at 3:08 pm

SB,

“…why do I feel so guilty, shattered and empty.” Because that’s what it feels like when you decide to stand for something more substantive than symbolism - your own beliefs. It’s a lonely place to be - at first. But trust, me it WILL get better.

I’m with Terry on this one, “Let us be clear, you are NOT by yourself. You do not stand alone.” I stand with you.

Hang in there man, you’ll be a stronger, better man for it!

By: Deb on April 28, 2008
at 3:14 pm

GROWUP
THIS IS POLITICS
STICK BY HIM
WHEN THINGS GET THICK DONT THIN OUT

By: Audrey on April 28, 2008
at 4:41 pm

Via (Ben Smith Blog)

Obama: ‘He does not speak for me’

Just in time for the evening news, Obama responds to his former pastor’s media tour. Per Zeleny:

“I think certainly what the last three days indicates is that we’re not coordinating with him, right?” [Obama said in a late-scheduled presser on the tarmac in North Carolina]. “He’s obviously free to speak his mind, but I just want to emphasize that this is my former pastor. Many of the statements that he has made to trigger this controversy are not statements that I’ve heard him make previously. They don’t represent my view and they don’t represent what this campaign is about.”

[snip]

“People will understand that I am not perfect and there are going to be folks in my past – like Reverend Wright – that may cause them concern,” Mr. Obama said. “But ultimately, my 20 years of service and the values that I’ve written about, spoken about and promoted are their values and what they are concerned about. That’s what this campaign has been about. And will continue to be about.”

[snip]

“Some of the comments that Reverend Wright has made offended me and I understand why they offend the American people,” Mr. Obama said. “He does not speak for me. He does not speak for the campaign.”

[snip]

“None of the voters have asked about it,” Mr. Obama said. “Now, there may be people who are troubled by it and may be polite and are not asking about it.”

——

Hillary represented the Black Panthers in the 1960s and never backed down from doing so to this day. Barack Obama would never have stand up to a media attack if that was him. I don’t like either of them but you can vote for one without demonizing the other. Perhaps they should both run on the same ticket.

By: CHange on April 28, 2008
at 4:58 pm

Anon 1,

Just a response to the ludicrous assertion that Barack is somehow not really authentic because he is not a descendant of slaves. First of all, you should brush up on the history of colonialism in Africa. Secondly, do you think that because he is not a descendant of American slaves he somehow has managed to avoid the black experience in this country? That is absurd. Do you think that cops and shopkeepers and teachers and other figures of authority somehow took a look at him and knew that his father was Kenyan and thus decided to treat him differently than the millions of other people who look like him? Where the hell did this ridiculous notion come from? I know that even a few intellectuals (Cornel West) have veered into this madness, but it defies all logic. If you look like Barack, you’re gonna have a black experience, whether you want to or not.

By: TripLBee on April 28, 2008
at 5:00 pm

The way I see it, Obama and his ex-pastor are two separate people, with the right to express their views and the pastor can say what he wants to, because this is America. I like Obama. The pastors sermons and comments don’t affect me one way or another, but what Hillary said last week about Iran, really, really bothers me.

By: scott on April 28, 2008
at 5:39 pm

Yesterday was my grandmother’s 79th birthday. I am reminded of one of her favorite sayings, “One monkey don’t stop no show.” Indeed. I told y’all about how I voted and my struggle with it because I felt it was the honest thing to do. I never told you to go out and emulate me.

I explained in this post and in another about what will not work for me. Dissing the Black Church, and distancing oneself from an honest preacher, like Jeremiah Wright, simply doesn’t work for me. Disingenuous apologies to skittish white folks ignorant of our history and traditions in the Black Church don’t work for me either.

Some of you choose to ignore this debate as insignificant because the singular opportunity to have one of our own in the Oval Office is too tempting to pass up. I understand that intimately and that was why I struggled for those twenty minutes before the poll closed. I had two choices: ignore it and vote for him, or protest it by voting no preference because I can’t.

I couldn’t ultimately ignore the significance of this distancing act. I know some of you are angry with me and I acknowledge it. I am not going to tell you that your anger is misplaced. It is what it is.

Some of you believe that I threw my vote away but I can assure you that I didn’t. Two of the three African Americans running for statewide office got my vote. In fact, I voted for every race on the ballot.

10 years ago, I was a candidate for office in the Democratic primary and I didn’t vote for myself. I didn’t vote at all. The reasons are unimportant, but I don’t take voting lightly, which is probably why, with one exception, I have voted in every state primary and general election for the last 18 years. I’ve made no decision about the fall. When I do I’ll let y’all know.

Lastly, nothing is going to stop Barack Obama from obtaining the nomination. Nothing. Hillary can pull out all the stops but we all know that it is too late. After all, like Mama says, “One monkey don’t stop no show.”

By: skepticalbrotha on April 28, 2008
at 5:46 pm

tripbee,

Perhaps you should take that issue up wioth Tavis Smiley. Find out why Barack Obama refuses to discuss black issues with black commentators. SO far Obama has ducked every black forum since his campaign has taken off. I did not say Obama is not authentic, however I do believe he lacks the fight for what he truly believes in. His views are to easily frameed for what is politically expedient. Hence, his opposition to reparations and hesitation to express views on controversial issues.

Jeremiah Wright has truly opened up the true discussion on race in America and Barack Obama will have to take those issues on. Be fearless as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and others before him.

I do believe he will win the nomination. Sadly, I am not sure who the real Barack Obama is. Shelby steele said it best. He is a “Masked Politician.”

By: Anon 1 on April 28, 2008
at 5:47 pm

“I never told you to go out an emulate me.” SB

And that you didn’t. But Skep, you know as well as I know that your platform provides you with influence. The platform that you have built on this blog and other public places has provided you the opportunity to make an impression, to steer, to sway, to tip the scales.

You underestimate the volume of your trumpet. Brotha, while you may not have many of us (those of us who regularly visit and comment on this blog) convinced, others, who do not know that they have the capability of thinking for themselves, read your words and are sold on the idea that Obama is a spineless coward.

Skep, I have a couple of questions for you.

Do you think that Obama is lying when he said that Wright’s words were offensive to him?
Do you think that my 62-year-old, black daddy is lying and stupid when he said that Wright was wrong for what he said?

You may not believe this but it is possible that there are some, including Obama, that disagree with the words and the timing of Wright’s words.

What’s a trip is that there are some that have given Wright a free pass to say what the hell he wanted to say. But those same people would have a stroke if they heard all of the TBN’s best preachers explanation of why 911 happened. Wright said it was racism and social injustice that was punishing America. And the christian right said it was homos, lezbos, and murderous mommies to be.

And here’s the truth regarding what I thought about Wright’s comments. I heard it, mostly agreed with it, and under normal circumstances would have moved on from it. I guess it’s because me, the victim of growing up COGIC (And yes I said victim.), has given me the opportunity to hear all kind of rhetoric pouring from the preacher. Some that was right on. And some that was dead wrong. But most of the time, the words that I hear from the top dogs in church is mixed with truth and error.
But as soon as I heard the excerprts from the sermon, I knew that it was bad news for Obama. I knew that he had to distance himself.
I’m like Cliff and the line from Training Day. “It’s chess not checkers.”

Honestly Skep, I’m not mad at you for exercising your American freedom to vote the way you did. But yes, I think that you should understand that you going into the voting booth and voting the way you did is not just a silent vote. When you come here and blog about it, you amplify, enlarge, boost your vote.

Lastly, I didn’t want to get into this, but I will. It’s funny to me that this black church that we are defending so much when it comes to this one situation is the same black church that has distanced itself from the least of us.Obama distanced himself from the black church.
But I will tell you this… The black church, in their lack of action and love, have distanced themselves from the heart and needs of the black community.

By: Angie on April 28, 2008
at 6:26 pm

One more thing…
I was thinking today about this whole matter. And for some reason, out of no where, it struck me that maybe, just maybe Wright staying silent after the media firestorm was a mutual agreement by Obama and Wright. Honestly, I don’t think for a minute that Wright and Obama are not talking and consulting with one another.
But here’s what I was thinking today… I wonder if the most recent comments from Wright is his way of helping the media drive the wedge between him and Obama, just so people can see that they are two different individuals.
Preachers think they are slick. Don’t think that Wright and Obama haven’t sat down and hatched some kind of plan to spin this. Black pastors specialize in that.
The media think that they are smart.

Black preachers, well some of them, are smarter.
Know that.

It’s no doubt in my mind that Wright is a brilliant man. Wright knows what’s up.

But with all that being said, I think we need to brace our selves for JM. We, Americans of all colors, are handing over the oval office to him.

I wonder if this black church that we think needs defending so bad will help me with my bills in the next few years. Probably not… They’ll be too busy doing what they’re so good at doing. Pretending that shouting, clapping, tithing, and flying to conference after conference is going to solve all of our problems.
Oh well…

By: Angie on April 28, 2008
at 6:39 pm

http://blacksnob.blogspot.com/
2008/04/are-obamas-chickens-
coming-home-to-say.html

By: Andrea on April 28, 2008
at 6:44 pm

http://blacksnob.blogspot.com/
2008/04/is-cult-of-hope-hurting
-obama.html

By: Andrea on April 28, 2008
at 6:45 pm

SB,

“Some of you believe that I threw my vote away but I can assure you that I didn’t. Two of the three African Americans running for statewide office got my vote. In fact, I voted for every race on the ballot.”

I am not one of them. I feel exactly as you do. I voted for very important local issues here in FL despite the possibility that my vote for the presidential nominee (Edwards, because at least he had the guts to speak to race right out of the gate - whether any of you thought he was sincere or not)might not count.

Voting for the symbolism of a Black president is not all there is for me. We’ve got a slew of problems for which we need to be voting. There are MANY people running for office in the trenches who REALLY are fighting for substantive change (don’t know what’ll happen once they’ve been in for awhile - that “burning house” mentality is so damn tempting to some). I wish as many of us had been so fired up about issues affecting us long ago - maybe we’d have REALLY been “in the game” and transformed it by now rather than “hoping” the senator’s election will do that (which I don’t believe it will).

No, one monkey don’t stop no show, especially when the show is politics as usual. And in the interest of full disclosure, whether she wins or not, I chose Sen. Clinton once my candidate suspended. I struggled with that decision for a number of reasons as a Black woman, but it is one with which I can live.

By: Deb on April 28, 2008
at 6:54 pm

I still don’t understand how some people work so hard to miss the point and then go through long agonizing posts full of literary gynmastics about white privledge, black church tradition, and of course the “is he black enough” diatribe in a effort to ensure Obama has no responsibilty at all for what is happening to him.

Obama got a complete pass from the media in the first 8 months of this race. And now everyone is agast at the hardball nature of politics, when he gets ask some tough questions. What has turned me off of Obama is how he pretends to be indiginate that we would ask these questions. Its as if he feels he’s above it…and he is not! And this Jeremiah crap. Jeremiah is a fool, a media clown if I’ve ever seen one. Obama would do well to distance himself. This crap about he should support the black church…would you if your church spewed that crap? If this is the state of black church tradition, why aren’t more people embarassed. That was nothing to be proud of and certainly not what I let into my life! At least now we know one of the sources of hate in America, at least thats an upside. And….since when are we not supposed to care what influence a would-be president of the USA has throughout his life? When did a candidate become off-limits becauses he’s black? So its fair to say that everyone else in Obama’s life made him the man he is, EXCEPT of course the negative ones…sheesh..are you kdding me…..just listen to ourselves on the news….I’m embarassed for all of us that are so enamored by his black skin, and desparate for a black leader that we’ve given him a pass and never vet him on the core issues and capabilities. Damn, at some point he has to stop acting like he’s running for senior class president and butch up.

I’m truly done with Obama, regardless of color, he just another elitist liberal acting as if he has an idea of what the rest of America is like. Sorry, not buying it. To much bun, not enough meat.

Done with him and his traveling circus of race baiters, blame-america-firsters, and lack of depth on any meaningful issues. I certianly don’t want that crowd influencing national policy from our white house any more than I want the other two.

Nothing more here that another product of a liberal ivy league education and the old chicago politcal machine…..not for me. Now I need to find a new candidate…..oy

By: Mashawa on April 28, 2008
at 7:28 pm

Anon 1,

Tavis Smiley has about as much credibility as Robert Johnson these days. Obama was campaigning for the Iowa and New Hampshire caucuses when Smiley had his summit this year. Reasonable people might agree that it was more important for Obama to stump in Iowa a week before that contest, than to attend a summit sponsored by a man who the prior year suggested that Obama “wasn’t black enough.” Tavis Smiley has a bug up his ass about Obama. I live in Chicago and Obama has been all over black radio here for years.

By: TripLBee on April 28, 2008
at 7:49 pm

“Obama further compromised by going on Fox News and giving an interview to that weasel, Chris Wallace. He had ample opportunity to call Fox out on their race-baiting and smear tactics; Wallace asked questions that would have allowed Obama to come on the real, but that brotha took a pass.”

TPJ He is just pretending to be a SELLOUT.

He is just playing chess. :)

By: Cliff on April 28, 2008
at 8:12 pm

SB,

I wanted to share that I understand. I’m not coming from the same place of emotional turmoil, but I did go through a similar situation while voting in Missouri on Super Tuesday. Only since I’m a pragmatist my problem was I didn’t know who to vote for. They both had identical voting records, I found neither of their views offensive and all differences were superficial, about personal like v. dislike and tone. I wasn’t too affected over Obama’s attempts to allay whites and I wasn’t too off-put by the Clintons’ willingness to truck out some Jesse Jacksons in SC.

It also did not help considering that while I found neither candidate displeasing at the time, I didn’t think that either of them could win in a general.

I just don’t vote based on emotion, so I didn’t know who I was voting for until I stepped in the booth that day.

I voted for Obama.

Everyone has their reasons. I thought I would vote for Clinton if I was being truly pragmatic, but even that didn’t make sense. Both of them were audacious choices.

I’m fine with my decision which came down to something very superficial, the fact that if I’m going to pick between two candidates with identical voting records, striving to make history I was voting for Obama. I could relate to the guy trying to navigate so many different levels, trying to maintain a black identity while possessing an integrated identity while trying to open up more people to discuss race while trying not to turn them off. I could relate to the dance of “twoness.”

Plus, I hoped that if he were successful, maybe people would sack it up and not remain “stuck on stupid” over gross materialism, ignorance and stagnant thinking.

It’s a top-down strategy to help black people, but I’m willing to try anything once.

By: The Black Snob on April 28, 2008
at 8:36 pm

“Lastly, nothing is going to stop Barack Obama from obtaining the nomination. Nothing. Hillary can pull out all the stops but we all know that it is too late. After all, like Mama says, “One monkey don’t stop no show.”” - sb

I wish I still thought this was true but with all the wingnut hate machine against him and almost half the dems ready to toss him off the boat you may just be whistling past the grave yard. I no longer think it is a sure thing, regardless of the current and project delegate count. Just look how this one controversy is not only fueling the wingnuts but dividing his supporters. This a war, folks. There is no Marquis de Queensbury rules holding the media, Clinton or repubs back from doing everything they can to make Obama unelectable. In a war, you can argue about tactics but God help you if you lose faith in the righteousness of your cause. If you can, commit to going to your local Obama precinct office and roll up your sleeves. There is a lot more to do than just talk.

By: john in california on April 28, 2008
at 9:18 pm

Wow…some of the people on this thread is so, so, so stupid and short sighted its ridiculous.

SB, I respect your decision. I voted uncommitted in New York. I was in support of DK but I had a feeling that he would not get too far. I am not sure about Obama and I hate Hillary. If it comes down to Obama in the general (which it probably will) I will vote for him because I cannot take a chance with McBush.

“Lastly, I didn’t want to get into this, but I will. It’s funny to me that this black church that we are defending so much when it comes to this one situation is the same black church that has distanced itself from the least of us.Obama distanced himself from the black church.
But I will tell you this… The black church, in their lack of action and love, have distanced themselves from the heart and needs of the black community.

I wonder if this black church that we think needs defending so bad will help me with my bills in the next few years. Probably not… They’ll be too busy doing what they’re so good at doing. Pretending that shouting, clapping, tithing, and flying to conference after conference is going to solve all of our problems.
Oh well…”

Angie, you obviously go to shallow churches with shallow ministers. Are you aware of what Wright and his church have done for his community? Are you at all aware?? I know of many churches that have given a lot back to their communities.

The issue with some of you are this blog is that you have a distrust with the black church that you make blanket. So yea, lets throw our 200 year church tradition under the bus for political expediency.

Lets throw our culture, sense of being, fight and traditions threw the window for symbolism. What’s next black children? I find that AA’s are not being smart (as usual) with this.

I am actually very offended by that.

I understand that Obama is in a tight spot however when someone compromises themselves in order to pander, he loses himself.

For those claiming that Wright has an ego, please evaluate your own. He has been lynched by the media. He has all right to defend his church and himself. I think that it helped Obama. The media would not say but it did. People were able to see a more humanistic side of Wright. They were able to see him for who he is. That is better than someone judging you based on soundbytes.

I live in New York and the city has been upset about the Sean Bell thing. It is a pattern that seem like it will never change. The NYPD abuses their power out here in NY when it comes to minorities. Yet we are all running down a black man who told us to “Respect the Verdict”…”We are a nation of laws” because he has too.

I do not see Obama as a stand up guy. He can stand up without being confrontational or even offensive. People would respect him more than they do.

This whole lets compromise bow down and throw our culture, traditions and sense of self out the window to get a black man in the white house is un-nerving. To get a black man to become to the face of a white supremacist society so that our country can continue to deny the truth about social injustice, double standards, institutionalized racism, police brutality etc…is unfortunate. They will have a puppet who will be bowing to their will to dangle in front of us when we bring up certain realities.

How much more will we have to deny and condemn for symbolism?

Sounds great…”Yes We Can”?=/

By: LoveTruth on April 28, 2008
at 9:55 pm

Sorry for the typos=)

By: LoveTruth on April 28, 2008
at 9:58 pm

SB,

I respect your decision not to vote for a Presidential candidate, but, there is a bigger picture. Like you, I hated the way BO handled the Rev. Wright situation, but I understand why. I don’t like when people dictate to African Ameicans who we can/cannot associate with. Throughout history White America has used this tactic as a way to keep us apart, as a way of control. African Americans need to take stand up against this type of tactic. We must tell other groups that African Americans will not tolerate it. But, we need to know when to take that stand. BO cannot afford to take that stand but other African Americans can on his behalf.

BO had my vote from the time he announced his candidacy and yes at first it was because of race. My vote was for BO to lose. I have no problem admitting this, nor do I feel bad about it. I have supported candidates in the past from other racial groups without a problem, so supporting BO was a no brainer.

To Mashawa,

The only reason BO