Reverend Wright Becoming Big Problem For Barack
By Justin Gardner | Related entries in 2008 Election, Barack, Religion
First we had the comparisons of rich, white Americans to the Romans who killed Jesus. Then we had the suggestion that America should be damned by God for being unfair with our drug laws and now a “We deserved 9/11″ statement.
Ugh.
Wright’s statements that the US brought 9/11 on itself is hardly a unique view (though his historical connections are pretty unusual). Personally, I think it’s a radically simplified, linear, and ultimately unhelpful conclusion, but the fundamental basis for that type of thinking isn’t fiction.So — inflammatory rhetoric from a sometimes racially-hostile preacher means what, exactly?
Normally nothing, but – he’s been the head of Barack Obama’s church, and his spiritual advisor, for many years. To use the prior metaphor again, Wright’s world view has been part of Obama’s diet, and we (Americans) need to know how much affect this has had.
I firmly believe that Barack Obama’s feelings and views about race are precisely as he’s presented them — both on the campaign trail and in his books. However, I also think Obama’s going to have to draw very strong, clear distinctions between himself and Jeremiah Wright for the citizens of this country — much more than he’s thus far done.
And he needs to do it soon.
Agreed. This guy is poisonous, especially since I think we can all agree that Obama would never endorse any of these statements.
It’s high time Barack made some sort of statement denouncing this nonsense. And as Polimom suggests, the sooner the better.
This entry was posted on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 and is filed under 2008 Election, Barack, Religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
March 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Ok, this is all a bit unsettling. we need to know more, and not to immediately condemn, but to KNOW what Seantor’ Obama’s equality beliefs are. You know, I am trying to cut through all the media spin, the off-handed comments and the accusations and just focus on two people and their two resumes. Afterall, we are trying to hire someone to be the CEO of our country. Someone with experience, someone with fortitude, intelligence and whom will work really, really hard for every American out there. For anyone to say that race and gender are not factors in this campaign or in the US is to be, well, out of touch. So, that said, how do we look at these two people fairly (without filters for race or gender) and pick the best candidate to beat McCain and win back the White house? Race is a factor, as is evident when prior to Senator Obama’s arrival on the scene, African Americans, showed a strong support for Senator Clinton. Then, almost immediately, 80+% of African Americans threw their support behind a candidate with less experience, and did so why? Hmmm. Also, there are many men (and women, oddly enough) who, when asked flat out if they would ever vote for a woman for President, say no. No reason, even if she had a better resume. So, that’s gender bias. Ok, that said, we still need to cut through the clutter and the crap being flung by both sides and really figure out who we want to get things right and on track for our country. Just electing someone “likeable” who will “be a uniter not a divider” may just get us what we got last time someone said that (ie – Bush, for all you really young folks) – and is that worth the risk? Only each one of us can answer that for ourselves, after honestly researching the candidates’ resumes. This decision and election is too important not to.
March 14th, 2008 at 3:58 am
I cannot believe that the people of America would stand still and allow the opinions of one radical preacher to sway their views of a presidential candidate.
The only sticky issue here is that Mr. Obama has known this Preacher for many years. With this fact in mind it stands to reason that Mr. Obama was aware of Reverend Wrights anti American and racial stance. Yet Mr. Obama claims Reverend Wright as a spiritual mentor. Makes a person step back and wonder.
A candidates resume is a great thing on “paper”, but in the end people are judged by the company they keep.
March 14th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I too doubt Obama would endorse his pastor’s racists statements, publicly. Interestingly though, Obama did say that his pastor “inspired him greatly.”
That begs the question: In what way would such a racist individual who trashes the U.S. and white people and who gave L. Farrakan (another notorious racist and anti-Semite) a lifetime award inspire Obama?
No doubt that were Obama a white candidate with friends in the KKK, he’d be flagellated for that, his motives questioned and demands would pour from the media et al, that he should condemn and totally disassociate from those individuals. After all, Obama demands no less from his opponent’s supporters that barely make controversial comments.
One cannot have ‘friendly’ ties with subversive individuals and claim they do not affect his beliefs and judgments.
March 14th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Wake up people. There is a definate double standard between the races. If whites say anything about black people…it is racist…but blacks can say things about whites..and it is called-defending their beliefs. I have never been so concerned about our future until now. This pastor is definately against whites…and Obama has been a church member for over 20 years…he must go there for a very good reason. He likes what he hears. He is friends with this Pastor. The pastor is the head of the church…the CEO so to speak. If the church members were disturbed by this guy he would be gone. The church members must agree with him. Shawn Hannity asked this guy about the fact that if a white church advertised about the policies in regard to white…and basically disallowed blacks…it would be considered racist. Wright didn’t really answer the question he just rambled on and on in a progressively louder voice about the white christians. This is a radical church that one of the candidates for the presidency belongs to…there is something very disturbing about that. Obama is a wolf in sheeps clothing. We have to stop voting with our emotions and look at the facts. One more thing…Geraldine Ferraro…OMG.
She made one statement about Obama being black..and now she is gone..that is very disturbing. I totally believe that she meant it in a NON-RACIST way. What she said is true in my opinion. How else could a virtually unknown make it this far. He is backed by some strong people and NOW PEOPLE think it is cool for vote for a 1/2 black man. I don’t care what color he is..but he cares what color I am. Please people, this is not a popularity contest in high school …this is for 4 years as President.
I would love to see Conde Rice. But you know who wouldn’t ? Jeremiah Wright. She is a Uncle Tom Republican. What does that tell you. HE IS A RACIST. Yes, blacks can be racist too. Thanks.
March 14th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Barrack Obama along with his America hating wife and their America hating, racist preacher who HATE America and white people are NOT what America needs! VOTE FOR HILLARY!! Before it is too late. THIS is an OUTRAGE.
Obama’s Mentor –> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAYe7MT5BxM
March 15th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Ok. Black America can again BLAME WHITE AMERICA for everything.
I am truly sick of it!
I believe that this is definitely becoming racial. Hateful blacks are insisting on dviding us.
OK. If that is their intent.. all white America should vote White!
All of white America SHOULD HAVE SERMONS to amplify any problems blaCKS HAVE IN GHETTOS AND ON OUR CITY STREETS ANDin other nations( oops..black on black?)
I believe that we either stop them from this horrible preaching of hatred, or? We do will be forced ..to do it right back.
What about our white men and women who have sacrificed so that Black -America can catch-up. Our ancestors have done horrible things.. this is true. BUT? If we don’t focus on a new free-America and stop these on-going bigoted speeches by the likes of Reverend Wright, we cannot go forward.
He puts all of America in chains of hate and guilt. It mUST STOP.
Obama should be ashamed of himself for any affiliation with this hateful man. AND his REV. WRONG’s ongoing extremist associations and views.
Keeping old wounds festering and making new wounds is not what a good God loving person shoukld be doing. That this is a preacher…. is an ABOMINATION OF GOD’S WILL!
OBAMA WILL, HIMSELF, BE AN OBAMA-NATION if he doesn’t totally cut from this hateful man-of-a-lesser God. This hateful man is like the very terrorists we are trying to eliminate. He needs to mend his ways and turn to the real “GOD” in a humble and obedient fashion.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
Like my grandmother always told me. “Stop trying to explain to whites the struggle that blacks have gone through in this country. “They will never nor do they want to understand it.” “So stop trying to!” (Before you get upset, I am a black man; however, my grandmother is white). Interesting comment coming from a white woman, huh?
For 400 + years whites have preached the love of god and at the same time have hatred for a man whose color is different than his. And every president in the United States history have been under the leadership of those pastors. Even Jerry Falwell preached that Aparthied was an excellent concept.
Just answer this question:
AT WHAT TIME IN HISTORY,WOULD YOU SAY THAT THERE WAS TRUE EQUALITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES, WHEN COLOR WASN’T A FACTOR IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, etc.?
Ok, enough venting. Now lets address Rev. Wright’s sermon:
a. The America The Beautiful segment: Just answer this quick question. When that song was written, what was so beautiful about America for African Americans? Not much when lynching and murdering blacks was the norm and whites getting off for murder (especially when evidence against the perpetrator was known). Kind of reminds you of a famous court case huh?
b. The Tuskegee Experiment segment: Whites purposely injecting blacks with the syphillis disease, who had the cure for them but did not nor have the intentions to cure them.
c. The Hillary Clinton segment: Yes, blacks have a high respect for the Clinton’s. As a matter of fact the Carter and Clinton administration are the ONLY administrations favored by blacks. However, Hillary is not black and has never been referred to as a N***** so how can she relate?
You have no clue what Rev. Wright and his church has done for his community. A church whose community is in the middle of the ghetto with no access to outlets to help them excel in employment, education; offering food,clothing and other neccessites to those who have none; teaching those the word of God to inspire changes in their lives and letting them know that the ghetto is not a life sentence. And considering Rev. Wright was born and raised in the 40’s, when segregation was at its height, where lynching and murder of blacks was common; when whites were acquitted of those crimes (reminds you of that same trial mentioned earlier, huh).
Whites, are thinking that is in the past. Let it go. How can Rev. Wright let that go? With exception of America the Beautiful, Rev. Wright was alive during every other event mentioned and has experience racism and segregation, I am sure. I am sure the man can forgive, but HE or WE will never forget. Everything in life has a way of coming full circle (what goes around comes around). Maybe that is what Rev. Wright meant when stating “the chickens coming home to roost”. Now I am not saying that 9/11 deserved to happen, but if you are looking at it from OUR perspective, you see his point to a degree. FURTHERMORE:
If you saw the documentary, “LOOSE CHANGE”, it will tell you who is responsible for that horrible tragedy. Don’t look abroad at the culprit, you look here at home. Maybe he saw the documentary.