Enough! Attacks on Obama and Jeremiah Wright are ludicrous

Wow I couldnt agree more. These have been my feelings for a long while, but Im not good at expressing myself on paper. I was begining to think no one shared my views when lo and behold I accidentally stumbled accross this buried deep on the internet. Ironically this is also why racism isnt going away. The mainstream media (and Im a democrat by the way) will always shun these kind of views for fear of being labled racist. Until everyone puts all their cards on the table and we admit that racism comes in all colors and from every side, its never ging to go away. note- I was replying to fuzzykps comment titled- I think I know why racism isnt going away now.

If Barak Obama "should have left" Reverend Wright's church "long ago," then I submit that all Catholics should have leapt up and stormed out of the cathedrals the very minute they heard that their priesthood was shifting, hiding, and coddling child molesters for years, probably centuries! I submit that everytime Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell, Charles Colson or any number of mouthy evangelical preachers OPENLY CONDEMNS America for gays, legal abortion, gun control, immigration and any number of other "atrocities;" then, their followers should be leaping up and flinging wide the doors of the churches to escape the litany of hate. Does anyone see the hypocrisy besides me?

Debra Singer-Hanson, Midwest Voices 2006

We as black wont fellow the Dem Party To hell
If hillary mess it up so bad that John McCain win's they can have the party and Black people dont need the party or a president a good congress man will do.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote...."What you are stands over you the while, and thunders so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary."

Just think about it. Wright or Wrong.

What happened to Don Imus' first amendment rights when black leaders demanded he be fired by CBS for his racial remarks? Though disgusting, Imus' remarks didn't begin to rise to the level of the outrageous sermons by Rev. Wright. What if this situation were reversed, & Hillary, or even more so, John McCain attended a church where the pastor made similar racial slurs, & outright lies about black people? Can there be any doubt that Hillary or McCain's presidential bid would be all done? Think, Mr. Coulter, then you'll understand why people are so angry about this.

You are a racist. Pure and simple. If you see no problem with Jeremiah Wright's comments, then you are one of those liberal, hypocritical racists. Did you feel the same way when Don Imus made his stupid comment? Did you feel this way when Trent Lott praised the late Senator Thurmond? Yes, this is a different situation. Senator Obama wants to lead the most powerful nation in the history of mankind. If he doesn't see any problem with Wright's comments, then ALL Americans of ALL colors should and will continue to question his judgment. As far as your judgment, you are just an insignificant liberal, racist, yes, I said RACIST journalist.

To those who defend BHO and his obscene pastor...try this old axiom and see how you like it. Imagine a white presidential candidate going to church and his pastor/priest saying these hateful things such as:

the demise and fall of America are a direct result of our having so many _____ that are bringing our country down (drains/leaches to society....)....

the middle class in America, after having paid for ______________ for so many years in free rides, are frankly sick of it, and are saying GDDA, as this country keeps doling out the $$$$ to certain ______________ who keep taking our $$$$$ .............etc. etc. etc. (this could go on and on and on, couldnt it?)

WWI, WWII, the vietnam war, and even the Civil rights battles of the 60's were brought on by a certain group of people, namely the ________, because, _______________________ (heck, fill in the blank....the moon was blue during those critical times of American history....?)

the AIDS virus is a direct result of a certain race of people, namely, the ____________

Jesus, JFK, apple pie, baseball, everything good about our country, were butchered, assasinated, killed, exterminated, by a certain race of people, we all know who they are....... the _____________.

Hitler was really a _______, and the ___ million ____ Americans in this country are really Hitler.

See how it feels? Would you vote for a presidential nominee if his pastor/priest spew out that kind of hateful, ugly crap (and it is hateful, ugly, ignorant, and RACIST)......

The more you defend this sicko pastor and his prodigee, the further you set back the hopes and dreams of a black American President. Is this what you want? Id rather vote for a whore on the street who at least works hard, does her job, but at least says her prayers at night, than to vote for the hatful racist BHO...

Barack Obama is a Liar

To all
Obama speech ,,,, Not sure if you caught it, Not only did Obama,,, Refuses to denounce him,, but even More,, He say in his own words,,,
Barack Obama was in church when Jeremiah Wright,, was spewing Anti-American, Racist ism ,,,, Those were his own words,,, barack was there
After going on keith Oberman ,Show obama said he would denounce that if he heard that language he would leave and not tolerate it , and denounce it
After he went on MSNBC,, he went on FOX CNN ABC< all the news station saying he was never there,,, in his church when he said these things,,
But Now today during his speech,,He states flat out Say's HE was there,,, Last week Barack Obama Lied,, went on all the news stations, and Lied,,
But your not reporting that,,,, You can rest assure,,, cnn ,,, Fox , ABC,,, Msnbc,, are getting more on this ,,, they will be reporting on this, and we will see
If you chose to report, Obama Lying on tv,,, If this was Hilary clinton lying and caught lying on all the new station,,, you can be sure,, you would talk about it every hour
people will be on your station debating this,,,, people analysing , if it is hilary clinton but it was not her it was Barack Obama, ,, it bad enought He lied, about being in church
With Jeremiah Write, when he said these anti american ,,,,,and still refuse to denounce him...all the news agency want to do is speak on how good his speech was,
Not that he lied,,, Last week on all the news agency ,, He was never there today in how own speech He say I was there,,,,should play all Obama videos from last week
stating he was not there,,, or heard any of the anti-american Jeremiah Write, said in his churc then play his speech today saying he was there and he did hear him in church and refuse to denounce Jeremiah Wright,,,,

"Rev. Wright has not said anything that has not been said or is not being said in bars, poolrooms, barber shops, hair salons or anywhere else more than three black people gather."

Ive never considered myself racist, have always treated everyone of every race with respect and naievly thought racism was almost gone in america. After all a Black man is running for President, his wife attended the best schools in America so whats the problem? I now acknowledge that there is a race relations problem, that there is strong racial anger in america and i think its being promoted by statements and groups like this that promote hate of whites, no matter what their personal views or actions. No wonder racisim is rampant. It seems the black majority is promoting hate and divisiveness in America and calling it a race for equality. since Ive seen whats transpired in Wright's videos, the support of black churches for him and the Black Theology of hate towards whites etc. Yes we have a race problem to overcome. Its the problem of blacks being trained to hate whites continually, clinging to past transgressions and to seek total control over black theology faith.

Obama is prmoting a lie if he tells us that he had no clue of what Wrights personal feelings and message was nor what the basic principles of his church theology was. KD lodi ca

Obama attends Muslim schools, admits abusing cocaine, and puts someone like this on his advisory comittee? When you know how to give a great speech, its scary how blinded people become... Sad is that people beleive him, when in reality he is only telling people what they want to hear despite having no intention of following through (See his NAFTA memo to Cananda, or his own staff admitting we won't be able to get troups out in a year)...

Do you get paid to write such insidious articles?

He lied, he's immature, he's wrong for defending what is clearly wrong in Rev. J. Wrights sermons, he blames everyone, his speech clearly blames America.

We learn history in school for those of us who attend or attended. His speech was not a new revelation but based on history. Black people always want to talk progress but cannot stop living in the past. He did not take any responsibility for his bad choice.

As for you, please do not show up on anyone else's TV/News Program unless you have been prepped beforehand. You looked absolutely foolish.

I agree Rev. Wright's comments were incendiary, but I don't understand the outrage. With nearly 4,000 of our troops killed in Iraq, why no outrage about president Bush joking and doing skits about no weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq? Why no outrage about president Bush joking and doing skits about Iraq having nothing to do with 9/11? Why no outrage about president Bush joking and doing skits about Saddam Husein having no affiliation with Al Qeada. I find nothing funny about our troops dying for lies Bush told our country. Those are the things people should be outraged about. I challenge anyone to show anything Rev. Wright said was untrue.

As Barack Obama attempts to justify his association with Jeremiah Wright, I’m struck by his facility to misrepresent American history. But unlike his fellow race-baiters, Obama blames ALL white Americans for the historic misdeeds that were exclusively promoted by the Democrat Party. For guilt-ridden white Americans, our only chance for salvation comes from our admission to the racist acts and policies that were created, promoted, and enforced by the Democrat Party.

Like millions of other Americans, I feel no personal shame for the legacy of racism and slavery because my ancestors fought and died to END slavery in America. They were all Republicans.

But to appreciate Obama’s skilled misrepresentation, one must reexamine American History before they read his speech.

Democrats, Slavery, and Jim Crow

Contrary to Obama’s version of our Declaration of Independence, the signatories were divided by states that supported slavery and those that did not. Unless the opponents of slavery accepted the practice within slave states, pro-slavery Congressmen (New York, Pennsylvania) would not have signed the Declaration of Independence. And without unanimous agreement, the United States could not have waged a successful war for independence against the British.

While this compromise perpetuated slavery for another sixty years, it gave birth to the country that outlawed the practice of slavery throughout the Western World – the same country that continues to promote freedom throughout the world today. It would have been pointless to fight a civil war before establishing our American sovereignty.

When the American Revolution ended in 1789, Congress passed (and George Washington signed) a law (Art.6) stating that no territory could become a state if it allowed slavery.

Four years later, Thomas Jefferson formed the Democrat Party. By 1808, Congress abolished the slave trade in America although it was difficult to enforce in the Democrat-controlled slave states until imposed by Republicans during the Civil War. When Democrats gained control of Congress in 1818, they used their majority to undo these anti-slavery decisions. The Democrat Party passed the Missouri Compromise (1820), institutionalizing slavery in half of the territories. During the next thirty years, Democrats passed multiple laws promoting and protecting slavery, culminating in 1850 with the Fugitive Slave Law, which ended all rights to jury trials, representation, and habeas corpus for blacks (even free men) who were falsely accused of being escaped slaves. Four years later, Democrats passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act that exceeded the limits of the Missouri Compromise by opening up new territories to slavery.

In 1854, the Republican Party was formed specifically to end slavery. Six of the nine planks in their fledgling platform statement deal with civil rights issues. And even after millions of Republicans volunteered to fight and die to end slavery, Democrats opposed every effort to codify and enforce civil rights in America.

From 1866 to 1875, the Republican Congress passed 19 civil rights laws, including the 14th and 15th Amendments that established citizenship for all and the right to vote for all people, regardless of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Democrats oppose them all and, when they took control of the House, Democrats established Jim Crow laws and repealed all civil rights legislation passed by the Republicans. Any laws or amendments they could not repeal they skirted with poll taxes and literacy tests. Democrats controlled the black vote in the Solid South with this simple admonition – vote Democrat or we’ll burn down your home and kill your family. This was not a racist white-on-black practice, but a Democrat-on-black practice.

Obama’s Big Lie

Hillary supporters dare not contradict Obama’s Big Lie (white racism) because they’ve spent decades creating and promoting it. Since Brown v. Board of Education (1954), Democrats have used public schools, the media, and race baiters to convince Americans that 1) white children and their parents are responsible for the legacy of slavery and racism in America and 2) they will also grow up to be racists unless they help the Democrat Party end white racism (along with other pseudo-educational subjects like collective bargaining, immigration rights, gay rights, and global warming). Like affirmative action, Obama has redirected the Big Lie from Republicans onto white Democrats, who are now forced to choose between the rich white Democrat and the black messiah who will forgive us of our burdensome white guilt.

Obama’s oratory skills notwithstanding, no one corroborates his unsuitability as president more than his mentor and fellow race-baiter Jeremiah Wright. Whether the Obama Family was seated on a given day or not, no one can deny Wright’s enthusiastic congregation or the black talking heads that continue to endorse the Obama/Wright worldview. White Democrats like Chris Dodd and Charles Schumer refuse to discuss it, imploring us to MOVE ON, vernacular for, You’ve caught me in an indefensible position and I want to escape from my responsibility as your elected representative.

Because Obama is not the progeny of slavery or white racism, he bought his own authenticity by joining the most poisonous pseudo-church in Chicago. While the Harvard-educated politician and his affirmative action wife lent credibility to the church, Wright bestowed black authenticity to Obama. But like other fraud schemes, someone always gets stuck with the bag; which is why white Democrats cannot attack Obama without attacking their own mythology.

Obama has defined this racial fraud like no one before him. To be authentically black, must we accept that the United States deserved the attacks of 9/11? What about über-supporter Oprah Winfrey? To be authentically black, must she accept that the US government developed the AIDS virus to kill black people?

I’m not saying that Republicans don’t say whacky things, but I don’t have to accept ex-Democrat David Duke’s venom to be authentically white – even if my Mom’s Brazilian and my children are brown.

Although Democrats have a unique opportunity to free themselves from the tired rhetoric of America’s race-baiters, it’s hard to imagine how they will reform themselves without admitting to their institutional guilt. I suspect that, to most Democrats, buying into Barack Obama’s hallucinogenic lie will be much easier than accepting the truth about themselves.

I can't decide which of the two are more offensive, the comments made by Obama's pastor or your editorial.

The anti-American remarks do not belong in a church.

I am proud to be an American. If people are so filled with hate for this wonderful country they can certainly move to another country, no one would stand in the way.

Just watched you on O'Reilly. You sounded like an idiot. Star editorial board? No wonder your profession is a joke and your paper sucks. You have no grasp how the reverend's comments, with his "leadership" role in the community, were irresponsible and inflammatory. He also strikes me as not being very bright, like yourself.

Pastor Wright is WRONG. He is a hate filled man. Ne is a racist who is poluting young minds. He is discusting, I can find things wrong with any country but if you don't like it leave it. Or try and fix it. A lot about this country has been fixed. What happened to hate crimes. Wright is guilty of just such an act. Now the nutty left wants to hide behind the first amendment. Left someone on the right make a negative statement and see how fast the left comes after him. There is no place for this type of action in our country. O-bomb-a can't distance himself from this RACIST becaue he is one. 20 years in this filth, give me a break. GOOD NEWS, O-BOMB-A IS DONE.

I agree with Charles Coulter. The judging going on without taking the time to try and understand the very complex issues is not a Christian attitude.

I do not like Rev Wright's approach; however, most of what he said is accurate. The US has done terrible things in other countries.

"Can America Handle a Little Truth?" is a balanced look at the issues.
http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2008/03/17/can-america-handle-a-little-truth/

For sharing your informed perspective. You have shown the pretenders for what they are. Thanks for your courage and sense of history.

It is hard to believe some have defended actions which should not be defended. Reverend (said in jest) Wright fosters hate, pure and simple. And how is his inflammatory speech different than those of violent fundamentalist Muslims? And really, it does not matter what they hate? Hate is hate after all, and not appropriate for church members, especially children.

And what must we now think of Senator Obama? He has listened to this hate for 20 years. He has invited it into his home and into his life. Given the nature of the recorded sermons, does Senator Obama really feel we believe him when he says he did not hear hate being spoken in Reverend Wright’s Church?

Upon his death, I watched as my Father was honorably draped under an American flag. So I was insulted by Senator. Obama’s refusal to wear an American Flag on his lapel. But because he asked for the benefit of doubt, I supported him still.

When Mrs. Obama said that she was proud of her country, “for the first time.” It was very insulting. But again when Senator Obama asked for the benefit of doubt, I supported him still.

Now Senator Obamas own pastor, his friend, his mentor, and his spiritual leader openly spews hate, assails my love of country, and promotes anti white sentiment. And again Senator Obama asks for the benefit of doubt?

We, I, most of us who are white, saw Senator Obama as the man we wanted him to be. We were wrong, but thank God, there is time to fix it. I will no longer support Senator Obama.

When whites gather, in groups of three of more, in bars or barbershops, our conversation is not about “Goddamn America” or “The US of KKKA, or really about Reverend Wright. What we are now talking about is Hillary Clinton, go girl!.

Luke 23, you said that you're not a liberal and neither is Obama. Well-l-l-l-l-l, sir (borrowing from Jeff Foxworthy), if you can look at Obama's voting record and his near perfect grade from liberal groups . . . you just MIGHT be a liberal!

... you will agree with much of what Rev. Wright said.

The most ridiculous part of all of this "scandal" is that much of what Wright says reflects the *majority* world public opinion. Wake up Americans -- most people in the rest of the world do not think highly of the US (or at least its gov't).

For instance:

"The US government has been inflicting terror on the people of Palestine"? Duh. (Israel, largest recipient of US aid, is currently bombing the citizens of already impoverished Gaza indiscriminately.)

"Black people should say God D." to a country that was built on 400 years of their ancestors' enslaved labor and 100 more of segregation and racist southern terror, in which Black male unemployment in major cities is currently 50%, and in which police officers almost routinely shoot young unarmed men of color with impunity? Duh.

Moreover, the US funded Al Qaeda when they were battling the Russians in the 70s. So yes, the chickens very directly came home to roost on 9-11.

Finally, read the history of the systematic rape, torture and village-buring the US engaged in in Vietnam, or the brutalities of any of the many dictatorships that "our" gov't has armed over the years (Chile y etc) ...all the way up to the 10 years of US sanctions and 5 years of war that have left literally millions of Iraqis dead... and you too will have some less-than-kind things to say about "America."

Such things are not "hate-filled comments." They are simply the truth. They don't reflect badly upon "all americans" but rather upon the people who runs this country. I'd vote for anyone who acknowledged the US's internal and external crimes, and promised to seriously right them.

So the STAR's editorialist says of Rev. Wright's diatribes that: "some portray as hate-filled and anti-American." I'm just mildly curious, Mr. Coulter, how do you suggest that an American can listen to Wright scream "God Damn America" and suggest that we deserved the 9/11 attacks and NOT think is sounds a bit hate-filled? (I rarely request that God damn someone with whom I'm not a bit angry.)
As for not wondering about Obama's 20-year association with this man, seems a reasonable question to me. If my pastor engaged in such ravings, I'd find another church rather quickly.
I'll wager that if a conservative candidate attended KKK meetings for 20 years and had a Klan leader preside at his wedding you might be singing a different tune.

So, Wikipedia was wrong about the position of Byrd re: presidential succession. He's still a US Senator.

Apparently, you think I was talking about partisan politics. I don't see much difference between the two parties. This argument is about racism (White America vs. all of the rest of us)and American politics, and the hypocrisy of White conservatives freaking out over comments by a candidate's minister (that he may or may not agree with). Why don't you freak out over John C Hagee's relationship with and endorsement of John McCain? And , who says Blacks elected Senator Byrd?

I can't believe you trivialize Trent Lott (pillar of integrity)"saying some nice things" about Strom Thurmond (just and old man). Do you really think Blacks voted for either of these two known racists. Happy birthday to Strom Thurmond indeed.

It's easy for Whites to whine about reverse discrimination and want to move on and put the past behind us, but Whites had their hands firmly on the handle of the stick. We were on the pointed end of the stick. You're so biased you can't even understand why we're angry of distrustful. We just don't know how to stay in our place. Right? Uppity #$%^^&s!

First of all, Reverend Wright openly discussed his hateful ideas and views, do you think a decent person would remain a 20 year member of any church, if the church leader sometimes liked to OPENLY discuss their pedophilia views? If someone was applying for a Teaching position who attended this kind of church and not only had remained a member for 20 years, but also looked to the church leader as a mentor,inspiration and spiritual adviser, do you think parents would really want that person hired?

Salute to you, Chuck!!! It takes guts to speak your mind in a Midwest Paper like you have done. Why is Obama responsible for his preacher's thinkings? Is any of the church goers in the US going to be responsible for the mind set of some of the pedophile church leaders in all denominations across this country? Americans need to separate church and state. History has taught us a very valuable lesson with the role of the Church in Middle Age Europe. Judge and vote the candidate for his merits not for where he goes to worship God. Obama's life is the ultimate American dream-- just like mine. I am a 54 years old female immigrant who has put myself through school and practiced medicine for the last 24 years in my new homeland. I relate, respect and admire Obama to reach for the opportunities which are ONLY offered in this land of opportunites: THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

If you are going to criticize at least know your facts.

It is the Speaker of the House that is next in line behind the Vice-President. It has been that way since 1947 and the presidential succession act. Byrd would fall in line behind Nancy Pelosi in the order of succession.

By the way Byrd is a democrat. Why do African Americans keep voting for a guy with his past? It seems as though certain people with questionable history concerning race have been acceptable by democrats as long as they are liberal. Conservatives will not be tolerated. If you are a liberal racist (Byrd) or liberal anti-Semite (Jesse Jackson) you’re okay but if you are a conservative senator (Trent Lott) who says some nice things to an old man (Strum Thurmond) on his last birthday you are branded a racist and drummed out of the senate.

Justice Hugo Black was also a democrat appointed to the Supreme Court by none other than the grand daddy of liberalism himself, FDR.

Ross Balano Midwest Voices 2008

I'm not attacking Rev. Wright. Distasteful as his racist, misogynist, anti-Semitic and anti-American statements may be to me (and to much of the nation), I do understand that he has a right to express those views.

However, I absolutely disagree that his long term association and prominent place in Barack Obama's life should not be held up to the light.

Barack Obama showed horrible judgment by not distancing himself from Rev. Wright long ago. Instead of making clear that Wright's bigoted views didn't reflect his own, he brought him ever closer, donating to his church, making him a part of the Obama presidential campaign, using him as a sounding board and inspiration, being married by him, having him baptize his children, the list goes on. All of us are judged by the company we keep. Barack Obama has used terrible judgment, and then exasperated the problem by lying about it.

You can excuse this any way you like, but you can't change the fact that the Wright-Obama connection will be devastating for the Democratic Party’s chances come November.

The first Amendment may cover freedom of speech, but not when it's political based and done from the pulpit of a church, which does not pay taxes and is required to remain apolitical in order to receive nonprofit, tax-exempt status. Obama has listened to these hate-filled diatribes for the past 20 years. I'm sorry but if you cannot understand why many of us would be outraged that a Candidate for POTUS would have someone like Wright,who seems to like blaming white people for almost everything, as a mentor...they you haven't got a clue. It goes beyond just damning America as well, look at the comment he made about Natalee Holloway- "white girl from Alabama that 'gave it up' in some foreign country", this is Obama's mentor and spiritual adviser? OR how about the fact that this church awarded Luis Farrakhan, who they referred to as "A man who Epitomizes Greatness", with a lifetime achievement award for his "Commitment to Truth, Education and Leadership" does anyone need reminded of any of Farrakhan's hateful,racist remarks? This is the type of Truth, Education and Leadership this church, Obama's Church, feels deserves to be awarded?

Ericka - I'm a single "white" mom in the South. I use the descriptor "white" because my lineage is PREDOMINANTLY white. However, we know that our ancestors were of countless races, including African American and Native American and Welsh and Irish and heaven only knows how many others. I grew up in the 60's and was bussed to an all-black inner city school during desegregation. My parents grew up impoverished and managed to educate themselves and improve on their socio-economic standing. They strayed from the more bigoted perspectives of some of their own siblings and were neither prejudiced nor non-prejudiced. They allowed us to make our own decisions. My son, now 16, has always had an affinity for any people of color: Mexicans, Egyptians, and (especially blacks). The first man he ever called "da-da" (as his own white father has always been absent from his life) was a young, black, gay man with whom I worked. When he began crawling, the in-home daycare giver that kept him said she always knew where to find him. He would have crawled over to Julia, a little black infant she kept, and would toy with her hair (he didn't have any until he was around two years old) or just gaze at her. At about 3 years of age, he asked a beautiful, young black woman working the drive-through window at a local Burger King if she was his Momma. Fast forward about 10 years. We are living in a mid-range-priced apartment complex. None of his friends there were white. I had a young black man spending the night with us almost every night. If their families had financial difficulties, my son took food from our pantry to their homes. These young men called me their "white Mom" and I loved them all dearly. One night, about 2am or so, there was a knock at our door. I looked through the peephole and there was a young black man of about 20 or 25 outside. I opened the door and, frankly, he seemed surprised. I asked if I could help him and he asked to bum a couple of cigarettes. I told him to wait, got a couple of my smokes and returned to the door. He thanked me graciously and said that I was the only one to respond to the knock. I said, "Young man, you're a young black man. It's the middle of the night. You're wearing a dew-rag (probably spelled wrong) on your head and your britches are falling off your backside. To be honest, I answered out of sheer morbid curiosity. Please don't ever do this again. There are some people in this world that would have shot you through the peephole." Just before we left the apartment complex, due to a change in my job location, one of my son's older friends showed up at our door. We were surprised because we knew his family had, long ago, moved from the complex. This boy was, as I recall, about 18 and someone had beaten the poop out of him. His entire left eye was solid red from one of the punches. He came in upset and scared. He had been living with his brother in a project housing complex. His brother's roommate had, according to him, shot another young black man. Not knowing this, they had gone out to eat with the roommate and had run into friends of the shooting victim. They had retaliated for the shooting incident by beating the heck out of this young man and his brother. He tells me this. I asked if he had any other family in the area, he told me that he did not. I began by making phone calls to every black youth organization in the area. He wanted to get to his sister's house in Maryland, I could not afford even a bus ticket to get him there. The black youth organizations told me at 18, he had "aged" out of their programs and I should try Urban Ministries. We, as in my white son and I, drove him to UM. To say that our arrival was eyed suspiciously is to put it mildly. My son, at that time only about 14, insisted on accompanying his friend inside. They came right back out minutes later. He was too young for UM to assist him. He finally confided that he also had a sister in South Carolina. Numerous phone calls later, transportation had been arranged. The next day, a friend of hers picked him up from my house. I had no money to give him but gave him a prepaid long distance calling card that had been a gift to me. I explained that it had about $5.00 left on it and asked that he please call and let me know he had arrived safely. I never got a call. I could give you not less than a half-dozen other examples that run along these same lines (minus the violence). My son, since his birth, has never differentiated from one race to another. One of his dearest and long-term friends, who spends quite a bit of time with us, frequently calls my son the "n" word and vice versa. I have called them down time and again for it. They act like I'm the one that doesn't get it. I do. None of my ancestors ever owned slaves. We were the "poor white trash", the "crackers". Generation after generation in my family has worked hard to creep up, fractions of degrees by fractions of degrees to better ourselves. I have no more patience for blacks still wanting "40 acres and a mule" than I do for whites spewing about "reverse discrimination" or for anyone that doesn't recognize and appreciate I still get lumped into that "white" category when I am neither white nor black. I am an American and I am not alone. I am heartbroken over how this may have affected Obama's campaign. I'm thinking he may need to have a little "come to Jesus meeting" (as my Grandmother called them) with his pastor. How could the PASTOR have known that incendiary remarks might reflect poorly on Obama? Everything I have read on this horrible situation indicates that they are, for lack of a better term, "friends". It's not really a credible example, but if, for example, I was a known associate or friend of Hillary Clinton's, I might have a negative thing or two to say in my own home, but I would certainly never use a public platform to "vent". Regardless of how minute the possibility that it might get "out" to the public.

Obama is a wonderful candidate for the presidency. I knew, the first time that I heard him speak (which, I think, was at a Democratic Convention) that he was "President" material. He would have gotten my vote then; he'll still get it in November. Neither because of his skin color nor in spite of it. Neither because of his religious beliefs; nor in spite of pastor's inflammatory remarks. Neither because of his gender; nor in spite of it. He will get my vote because he is the best PERSON for the job.

When I was in school, a young man asked me to a dance. Prior to the dance, I had the occasion to meet his mother and was rather confused by her cold reception. He backed out of our "date" the next day. When I asked why, he told me that his mother had forbidden it. She told him that no "TRUE" caucasian could have eyes as dark as mine. Maybe Hillary has never been told that she's not "white" enough, but I have.

Whites still working for equality are still out there. We may not be marching to the White House; we don't have the time or money. We may not be pounding the pulpit; we don't have our own congregations. But we are out here. I am here; as is my family; as are my sisters (I don't have brothers); as is my son - - - and he is representative of our next generation.

So liberals are racists and anti-American?

These things are good to know.

Obama is delivering a speech about all this on Tuesday, the 18th. If he is the person I feel he is, it will be one of the most important speeches to come from this entire campaign.

It may well be that by September of this year, after the conventions, America will finally face the complex issues of race as never before. Rev. Wright has stepped down, but his words still resonate with truth as they have for many decades.

We have only to review the entire PBS series, "Eyes on the Prize" to realize the vast lack of understanding that still plagues and torments the soul of our country. Yes, there have been many strides in bridging the divides between Blacks and Whites. Yet we continue relentlessly forward, failing to address the deeper context that Blacks in America are still haunted by a legacy from their forefathers, who were forced to lay down their freedoms and their very lives to establish the foundation on which commerce could grow and democracy be defined. (I have relatives who still live under the thundercloud of slavery’s reign, which exists even today—in little shack houses, with no electricity or plumbing—still living the terror-based custom of never making eye contact when addressing a White person for fear of harm, or even death.)

Barack and Michelle Obama are modern day heroes. People from all walks of life realize this. And for all our past failings to understand and respond to the times, they represent a new breed of “We the People”.

With a clarion call to unite, neighbor to neighbor, we face a new opportunity standing squarely before us, the American people--an opportunity ready to embrace us with arms of acceptance and forgiveness, knowing we will do better, that we will be better, together. “Yes we can!”

Ellison

Huh, yes Obama is a liberal, so am I. Nothing wrong with that. Reagan was a conservative, its in all the history books.

Carry on.

Chuck... So what you are telling me is that it would be no big deal if Clinton and McCain belonged to a White Supremists Church? Being a memember of a racist organization is OK...

We just need to move on to the issues! Earth to Chucky.... This is a big deal. Can we not assume that since Obama chose this church and pastor that he must largely share their views which are racists and anti-American?

Of course we can.

Obama lied. He was a member of this church for twenty years and tells America he had no idea Wright and church are racists and anti-American? Really?

So now we have a choice. Either Obama is a liar or he is stupid. My guess is he former (liar).

The candidte of Character, Change, Hope, and Uniter? .... Really... That kind of character, change, hope, and uniter we can surly do without.

He may well become the nominee of the Democrat party which tends to have a high tolerance for liars, pedophiles and the like. In the general McCain will beat him like a drum. Obama is going to make Mondales electoral vote look like a mountain.

Go Obama.....

ENOUGH! Attacks on America and her people are ludicrous. Unless of course the one attacking is mentally disordered with fuzzy thinking, misplaced guilt and a hateful, mean spirited heart. How could this minister of meanness be the main mentor of Barack H. Obama without his knowledge of the words spoken by Rev. Meanness over the past 20 years? Liar, liar, Obama's tongue's on fire.

The first amendment protects expression from government restraint, not from criticism by private citizens. There is nothing wrong with judging a person by those with whom he chooses to associate. Obama knows this, which is why he is backing away from Wright. Obama's problem is that few believe him when he feigns astonishment at Wright's comments.

So: racist comments and the spreading of hateful and divisive lies ("The US Government created AIDS to kill blacks"---slander, lies, and idiotic to boot) are acceptible if they are COMMON? Talk about a double standard. This isn't a First Amendment issue; surely Coulter isn't that ignorant. The Bill of Rights doesn't insulate a speaker from accountability. Blacks do not tolerate white racists who "vent," and they may NOT demand that whites accept "venting" black racists. Obama has based his campaign on a rejection of divisiveness, yet actively supported a "mentor" who preached divisiveness. This calls his integrity and sincerity legitimately into question, and trying to call this a "made-up issue" is either dishonest or astoundingly naive.

By the way, the Glen Campbell analogy is especially cretinous. If you are a Glen Campbell fan and he sings racist songs, then you have some explaining to do. THAT'S the correct analogy, you boob.

For a person who doesn't even know how to spell "liar," you do pretty well at it.

Reverend Wright's "true" views are for seeking justice and fairness in what has been for him a racist society. He was a Marine, served his country and earned his right to expect his country to live up to its ideals.

I am not a "liberal" or a "conservative" and neither is Barack Obama. I voted for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984 as I believed he was the best choice to put us back on the right path. I will vote for Barack Obama for the same reason.

For more on where you are coming from, read the excellent article in The Nation about how your right wing smear machine works. It's revealing and interesting.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20071112/hayes/5

Obama2008

Senator Byrd, as President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, is third in line for the President of the United States, right behind VP Cheney.

In 1942, 24-year-old Byrd joined the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), whose parades in Matoaka, West Virginia, he had witnessed in his childhood. He was unanimously elected Exalted Cyclops, or leader, of his local chapter.[4]

President Warren G. Harding, President Woodrow Wilson, President McKinley, President Calvin Coolidge, and President Harry S. Truman.
Other notable and downright important men were: President Warren G. Harding. He was actually sworn into the Ku Klux Klan in a Klan ceremony conducted inside the White House by Imperial Wizard Colonel Simmons.

Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black was a member of the KKK.

No one complained about these KKK members when they attained high office in the USA.

How do you think Jews, Blacks, Native Americans, or any person of color felt about this?

America the beautiful? Read your history. It hasn't changed that much. How do I know? I've been reading the comments today. You're still out there and I can smell you.

But Obama is saying after 20 years he had no idea that his pastor had those kind of views.

After 20 years going to the same church and a close relationship with the pastor, there is no way Obama could ever know the true view of his pastor RIGHT?

Well thats what the liberals want you to believe.

Thats the same as Hillary attending KKK meetings and saying she doesn't agree with what they say.

HEY Liberal, you can do better than that Obama is a lier.

Church is undeniably an important influence in family life and our choice of denomination and congregation says something about us.

But that kind of general affiliation doesn't automatically tie you to all the idividual sentiments and opinions ouside of church dogma belonging to and expressed by others in the church community, even the pastor.

Thanks for proving my point.

Please read the excellent article featured in The Nation entitled "Smearing Obama." It is written by a Jewish supporter of Barack Obama and details the origins and lies being fostered by right wing hate groups. These people are willing to stoop to anything to protect their perceived interests. The Big Lie is alive and doing quite well in America.

Let the truth set you free.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/berman

Obam2008

I suppose, Mr. Coulter, that you're also going to tell me that I shouldn't care that Mr. Obama used "a little blow" when he could afford it...

Or that his church also gave Minister Farrakhan a Trumpeter award for "epitomizing greatness"... Minister Farrakhan, a man who has stated that white race was "made unrighteous by the god who made them."

Or that Mr. Obama has now stated he should not be tagged with "guilt by association. That Minister Wright's comments - comments from a man who married he and his wife, baptized his children and from a man who he has called his pastor for over 20 years - not be associated with him...

Or or that he has "regretted" purchasing land from political fundraiser Tony Rezko who is currently facing federal charges of attempted extortion, money laundering, and fraud...

Or that his wife has stated that it is only now, for first time in her adult life, that she is proud of her country...

What next, Mr. Coulter? What else should I ignore?

This is not a "made up" issue. Louis Farrakhan is not a made up issue. Jeremiah Wright's embrace of Farrakahn is not a made up issue. Having, at the very least, the insensitivity and at the very worst, the nastiness to blame the U.S. for the events of September 11 within a week of the attacks is not a made up issue, nor are the remarks "out of context" as this "church" claims. Putting "Africa first" is no place for a President of the United States to be. Assisting Africa, opening doors for positive developments in Africa, trying to help solve genocide in Africa, AIDS relief, economic relief, etc. .. all are appropriate, but putting Africa first as you keep kicking the U.S. around in your sermons? Why is this candidate still a member of this "church." Why didn't he walk out? How can we believe him when he says he was never there to hear this language? Does he get a "heads up" to be politically correct whenever a hate sermon is on the agenda? Obama showed himself to be a twister of the truth last week with his Friday afternoon/evening "explanation." His getting up the next day to invoke RFK didn't score any points with me either. He's behaving like an opportunist. He started distancing himself from Wright last year because he knew Wright was wrong. It doesn't take much to get up from the pew and walk out the door. Just courage. Obama hasn't got it. Don't excuse the Rev. Wrights of this world. You have no place with a great newspaper if you do.

Everyone should be used to these MSM special interest group hatchet jobs by now and recognize them for what they are. These special interest groups are Hillary supporters and they are trying to pit white against black so they can get their tyrant elected and continue to have war so they can sell their goods and finance it, continue to have the taxpayers subsidize illegal immigration and continue to support and protect Israel.

Nothing that Obama's aging minister said hasn't been discussed before. Our foreign policy has disenfranchised foreign populations and created hostility towards the U.S. around the world. We should anticipate that some militant groups will respond with violence. It says a lot about Obama if this is all they can come up with.

The major issues that are affecting us are not white on black. They are a failing economy hedged on oil, an illegal war, loss of freedom, and a failure to support our immigration laws. They affect all Americans no matter what their skin color. Don't let these special interest groups distract you with sex scandals and media created racial controversies.

John McCain did not sit in sermon after sermon for twenty years and listen to this. I'm sure real nuts have voted and endorsed others. You cannot control that....but you can control where you choose to sit in church for 20 years!!

G** D*** America.....just words.....Chickens coming home to roost......just words.....USKKK of A......just words. These are hate filled words in sermons that will forever be on the internet and affilitated with Senator Obama. He condoned this behavior by staying there for 20 years, marrying, and baptizing his children there. He financially supported these words (in 2006 he donated $ 22,500 to this church)!! You lead by example and this poor, poor leadership. We as a nation are sick of poor leadership. So you see.....words you cannot erase.....are just words. Tell that to the nation.........I agree that we need to talk about other things....but when He is asking us to "trust" his judgement...I cannot!

"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
Mohandas Gandhi

The attacks on Obama that are driven by several short clips delivered out of context by Reverend Wright are obviously based on fear and hatred against black Americans. These attacks have been very prevalent in our racist society for hundreds of years and have effectively isolated and separated us all. The elite power structure has used division and ignorance to keep itself in control. Witness the fact that 5% of the country's wealthiest own 95% of the assets in the United States.

You only have to look back to what was done to thousands of loyal Japanese Americans during World War II. In fear and hysteria, white America took away their property, auctioned it off, and put them into internment camps. This was not done to white German Americans. Anytime that a black American tried to integrate into the mainstream society they were usually murdered by lynching or shooting. Reverend Wright is not racist. He has not advocated violence unlike most white supremacist groups. He served his country in the Marines and just wants America to live up to the hopes and ideals expressed by its founding fathers. He has done wonderful things for his community and most of his sermons are based on respecting and loving our neighbors. Why are we so afraid of righteous anger? When Ron Paul- a white man and a Republican - said the same things about 911, nobody even bothered to comment about it.

Barack Obama is white and black. He only seeks to bring our country together to solve its problems. The haters and ignorant are being used as pawns by the "ruling class' of America. The media is their barking watch dog and is certainly helping them to do this. Thanks Kansas City Star for offering a more reasonable voice.

Please folks. Use your intelligence to explore explanations and possible solutions, rather than foster hate and intolerance

Obama 2008

They may be ludicrous to gentiles from Kansas who voted for Obama in the primary -- oops! --- "caucus," that is. But they are not ludicrous to Jews who have borne the brunt of Louis Farrakhan's anti-semitism for decades. To see Farrakhan idolized by Rev. Wright in the panegyric he wrote in his parish magazine, Trumpet, is very scary. For Obama to be so closely associated with a person like Wright is frightening to a Jewish person -- even if you, Mr. Coulter from Kansas, think its appropriate to dismiss it as "ludicrous."

I've heard tell that Wright's sermons may be mild compared to what's being preached in other black churches. If this is true it is indeed very scary. It may not be illegal to be angry but anger does nothing but incite acts of hatred. Acts of hatred are most often illegal. With the power and the influence that the black churches have over their congregations it makes me wonder how much urban crime and gang violence may actually derive it's roots from the continual spewing of hatred, victimhood and revenge propogandized from the black churches. It seems to me, kids raised in this kind of community spiritual environment simply wouldn't have much of a chance. The way I see it, it is a huge stepbackwards for America , civil rights and the non-violent teachings of Martin Luther King. Most of all it is very sad and even more scary is to see religion used to "program" a whole society of people to hatred and violence. How different is that to the religious extremists that fight throughout the world?

To give Obama a "pass" for having a "close" 20 year relationship with this man and this church is stupendously naive and enabling. Too bad there is not an "Alanon" for Obamamaniacs.

Leave, hell I would if it sucked as badly as you let on.....Hey I have an idea why don't you down to the border with Mexico and tell the gazillions of Mexicans who are killing themselves to get to America how bad it really is here? Hmmmmm?

barack Obama picked his pastor as his spiritual advisor for hos political campaign. He is accountable for every word that comes out of the so called pastors mouth.... as much as Hillary was accountable for Ferraro's remark.
Problem with Black Americans is they want everything one sided in their favor.
This pastor supports palestine and calls Israel terrorists. I dont know what bible he preaches from but the christian bible clearly states those who support Israel will be blessed and those who oppose Israel will be punished.
Part of obamas church mission statement os the support of africa, and does not mention anything about supporting the nation of israel! What bible is mr wright preaching from? Hes a HERETIC and a son of perdition. How you can compare him to Martin Luther King is LUDICROUS!
I was starting to lean towards obams for his strong speeches, but I would now sooner vote for John McCain than barack hussein obama.
Where was my obama when all this hate filled preaching was going on for the last 20 years? and barack wants to be president of this country?
Barack not only shot himself in the foot, but blew his leg clearly off by not taking a harsher stance against his hate filled pastors rhetoric. Talk about RACISM! This is 2008. WAKE UP AMERICA

It's easier to blindly love America if you grew up White in this country. Spend a little time in the shoes of American Indians, the progeny of slaves, the victims of the KKK, not being allowed to vote, ad nauseum. We still have serious inequalities and waving the flag won't fix it. We still have "reservations" and even South Africa has moved beyond that. The unemployment among people of color is over 50% all over this country of "opportunity." I had hoped that the "Love it or leave it" ignoramuses had learned their lesson with Viet Nam, but alas. You may not like to hear it, but if you had grown up colored in America then the best you could hope for would be to be an ambivalent patriot. And, by the way, were here, were not leaving, get used to it.

This Election is not about correcting past crimes or injustices. It is about electing someone who will represent all of us and act in our best interests.

The fact that black people have suffered does not give them or others the right to say and do whatever they please and call it "venting".

We are all held by the same standard, yet black people call themselves the "n" word every day and it is socially acceptable. In fact it is used with affection and as an indication of brotherhood. But if white people use it then they are racist.

Black people are accountable just like any other race. Oppression is not limited to blacks only. Jews, Native Americans, and currently illegal aliens suffer and have suffered similar indignations. Where is the outrage and retribution for them?

The opportunities to succeed exist and while most of us have different sets of circumstances in the end we are the only ones responsible for the outcome of our lives now and in the present.

Again I ask, what are we voting for?

Neither McCain or Obama are in their "flocks" and neither McCain or Obama publicly embraced their intolerant positions.

Too often the endorsement of a candidate is based on a lesser of two evils hatred for the opponent.

For example, does anybody out think that Ann Coulter's "endorsement" of Hillary in response to McCain's capture of the Republican nomination says anything at all about Hillary's belief system?

I'm all for the first amendment, but I'm certainly not for a "church" taking nonprofit status and soliciting (tax deductible) donations to preach hatred and be incendiary. Maybe those that only preach hate should lose their nonprofit status?

And it's just too disingenous of Sen. Obama to claim he was never even subliminally influenced by the hatred he chooses to listen to each Sunday.

guess what? American was founded by Englishmen, so I would imagine that English laws and English religion and practices would prevail. Check other countries around the world and see what the predominant practices are? Only Americans are expected to give into every new culture and practice that comes along.

Between having a fruit cake endorse you (Hagee) and belongin to one's church for twenty-three years, having the guy marry you, baptize your kids, and you call him your spritual leader!

The man screamed GD America from his pulpit. That is not a "black thing" that is simply hating your country. How could you associate with someone who did not show better judgement than that, particularly for POTUS.

Stick a fork in Obama.

I wish more whites had the courage to stick up for us the way those of old did in the Civil Rights Movement. Fighting beside us as we fought for the ability to vote, rooting for us and dying beside us. Harriet Tubman would not have freed so many slaves if it wasn't for some whites who hid her so they could not have her excuted. They hid slaves in their homes and helped them break free. I wish those today had the courage to speak out for us even when millions cried out against us. I am a Black woman who was raised in a predominantly white neighborhood. I was raised to love all people but as I grew older I could not run from the experiences of racism and neither can my sons. I wish more White people would stop judging us but understood...that I still get called "nigger" and so do my sons. I still get pulled over for being Black and so does my son. Does technology and the media have you so jaded to believe that racism is over? The church is a haven for those injustices. Rev. Wright spoke out for the voices too weak to scream...he may have yelled too loud but at least he said something. I wish most of the opinionated people on TV and blogs could tell me what contribution they have made to the Black community or to the civil rights movement. Compared to Rev. Wright and you probably have a sum of zero. What pompous arrogance to judge someone that you have not shraed a history with. What callousness to not look into the history of every Black child whose development was arrested because of our past...and the fact that we have to fight ten times as hard as other races to prevail. I am shocked and appalled...I love white people but Wake up and stop blending in...your ancestors built a bigger legacy they expected you to stand on.
***********************************************
Thanks so much for this wonderful article. Which like it or not really exemplifies what most Black Americans are discussing. Where else can we release pain, hurt and trauma from the history of Violence, grandparents who have died in the civil rights movement and outcries of the legacy that is left for us now. Church is the only place we can wail...the only place we can cry. Where we can go after we've been stopped by the police...as I have numerous times. Though I am highly educated and do not fit the "profile" of who they are looking for. It hurts me that some Whites haven't a clue that we should go somewhere sit down and shut up. Church is our solace...a place to heal. To tell the truth. That lynchings hurt, children being bombed for being Black hurt, my great-grandfather murdered by the hands of a white man hurt. Jim Crow hurt. Are you too clueless or just to callous to see that? God does see it and church is where we vent. If you truly in fact loved all people you would stop judging us and just try to understand that you do not have the same history as we do.

Wright has every right to believe whatever he wants. He has every right to preach whatever he wants. I do not want a president who believes like he does and that is my right!

Talk about media bias. John C Hagee, the Texas evangelist who excoriates Catholics, homosexuals, Muslims, and women endorses John McCain and there is nary a peep in the media. Jeremiah Wright preaches about the factual and historical injustice against Black people in America and the media goes bananas. White people just can't tolerate criticism, even when it's indisputable. And, the media is predominantly white, the government is predominantly white, and the "church" is predominantly white. Discrimination in America. That is the least of it.

FOX doesn't really provide balanced news. It would help if someone did.

The only momentary lapse is by the people that are allowing themselves to be suckered by Barrack and Michelle Obama.

That was no lapse, she spoke with the same conviction that Rev. Wright had in his sermon. Obama expects us to believe that in all the time he's been parishioner he's never heard this type of sermon. That is absurd; anyone who believes this nonsense is closing their minds and their ears.

It reminds me of the OJ Simpson case: when there was so much buildup to his acquittal. People let out cheers because they felt justice for a black man was finally served. Only afterwards everyone felt a severe let down because they realized too late that they had released a villain.

It is the same thing: whites trying to make up for the sins of the past and blacks trying to have retribution.

We are in 2008 folks, if this election isn't about race then don't make your choice based on guilt and race otherwise you'll realize the mistake too late.

But there is one nagging example of the possibility that Rev. Jeremiah Wright's angry attitude toward the USA and it's white majority hasn't been completely lost on the O'Bama household.

I'm talking about Michelle Obama's disconcerting comment that the good reception her husband's campaign is receiving across racial lines is the "first time" she has ever been "proud of her country". But I continue to hope that was a momentary mental lapse or slip of the tongue.

Obama's historic candidacy is an effort to breach both the centuries long racial divide and the sharp Red vs. Blue partisan divide of the last decade. He can't at his point in history afford too many examples tying him to sympathy for pent up feelings of racial separatism, justified or not.

To pair MLK Jr. to a hate-mongering Reverend is ludicrous. You should be ashamed of yourself.

This is another attempt by the weakened Democratic Party and far left liberals giving Obama a pass for his constant jiving. If Hilary doesn’t come out and defend Obama's obscure history of being a Muslim then she is crucified.

The point that you missed is not only that Obama is linked with a pastor for 20 years whom by your description provides sermons that amount to nothing more than barber shop talk, but that Obama has been misleading his constituents all this time.

Obama lied about his meeting with Canadian officials, he told Great Britain that he was just "talking tough" on NAFTA, his wife declared her embarrassment of being American and now confirmed by the similar hate-speak of their pastor. It’s no wonder our party is considered a sissy party you like other weak liberals on television you give him a pass based on your desire to live out a fantasy that has no bearing on reality.

When are we going to wake up and see that the only legitimate candidate that can truly make change is Hilary? Obama is just another jiving orator with nothing to offer by the faint glimmer of hope that too many Americans have lost in their cynicism—the pied-piper leading his lemmings off the cliff.

Commentary: The Wright Dust-Up Shows and Proves That Many Whites Don’t Know Black People at All
By: Deborah Mathis
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2008

The eruption of outrage, shock and fear that is flowing over Barack Obama’s campaign like hot lava because his pastor has preached some strident sermons tells us one thing for certain: Many white people don’t know black people at all.

If they did, they would know that Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago is hardly the only black minister who uses the pulpit to rant against racial duplicity and injustice. The black church has always been the place for letting our hair down and speaking our peace -- a safe haven from the criminations outside. It’s how and why the black church became the nursery for the freedom and civil rights movements. Not every minister seasons his or her sermons with political commentary, and not every one who does is as fiercely spoken as Rev. Wright, but there is nothing unusual about the black clergy as social agitator. Guess the shockees didn’t know that.

It seems they were also clueless that, when race, racism and discrimination do invade the pulpit, it is not always in the context of forgiveness and humility. Much of black America is resentful, angry and distrustful -- rightly so, some of us would say. Did the uninitiated honestly believe that slavery, lynching, Jim Crow, white resistance and flight, economic and educational duality, hyper-incarceration and yawning disparities in wealth, health and longevity have had no lasting effects; that all of that is really no big deal -- something we can kick off as easily as our Sunday shoes?

Surprise.

This could be a teaching moment for the society at large, which would do well to pay closer attention to 35 million of its members and to give heed to their accounts of their own experiences. Unfortunately, and typically, the alarmists are threatening to make it a Waterloo for Obama.

The candidate has denounced Rev. Wright’s statements about America’s treachery, honest as they were.

Obama has even removed his Wright from his ministerial council. That had to be painful for Obama, who has otherwise spoken devotedly of the preacher who “brought me to Jesus,” performed his marriage ceremony and baptized his daughters.

Those pounds of flesh are not enough for the alarmists, however. They and frothing pundit after frothing pundit want the candidate to rebuke Wright categorically -- mind, body and soul.

Obama is in the unenviable position of having to court a large and diverse audience -- the American electorate generally and Democratic voters particularly -- that includes a good number of people who have no knowledge of, curiosity about, nor sympathy for the black experience, while, at the same time, remaining true to what he knows about Rev. Wright specifically and the black church generally.

It’s a delicate balance, and Obama has tried to strike it, explaining to journalists that the anger and disdain expressed by Rev. Wright reflect common themes in “the black memory,” albeit not sentiments he shares.

In a fair world, Obama would be able to elaborate about the black perspective and thereby give some context to Wright’s comments and the facts of black expression.

But, then, in a fair world, there would be no racial divide to bridge. Of course, Obama’s detractors would never consider that.

http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/sayitloud/dmathis317

Thanks so much for this wonderful article. Which like it or not really exemplifies what most Black Americans are discussing. Where else can we release pain, hurt and trauma from the history of Violence, grandparents who have died in the civil rights movement and outcries of the legacy that is left for us now. Church is the only place we can wail...the only place we can cry. Where we can go after we've been stopped by the police...as I have numerous times. Though I am highly educated and do not fit the "profile" of who they are looking for. It hurts me that some Whites haven't a clue that we should go somewhere sit down and shut up. Church is our solace...a place to heal. To tell the truth. That lynchings hurt, children being bombed for being Black hurt, my great-grandfather murdered by the hands of a white man hurt. Jim Crow hurt. Are you too clueless or just to callous to see that? God does see it and church is where we vent. If you truly in fact loved all people you would stop judging us and just try to understand that you do not have the same history as we do.

Charles,

Obama is going to lose a lot of potential voters
unless he strongly CONDEMNS his pastor.
Whether he does it or not he already scared hell out of me with this kind of association.
It seems to me he says something but thinks something else. That is not going to fly with a lot of folks and it's nothing to do with First Amendment!
And something else: his wife seems to me just one angry lady! Did not she use Affirmative action program?
Cincerely,

Alex

"In fact, his whole life is a testament to the American Dream."

That's a bit much, don't you think.

"Rev. Wright has not said anything that has not been said or is not being said in bars, poolrooms, barber shops, hair salons or anywhere else more than three black people gather."

That doesn't make it okay. Obama is a national candidate for the POTUS and whether you like it or not, this kind of stuff matters to people.

"Made up issue" Nice try.