March 18, 2008
5:10 a.m.
Much ado about nothing!
The controversy surrounding Barack Obama's association with his Pastor, Jeremiah Wright, Jr. has opened up a huge dialog in our house. We have both been supporting Hillary Clinton, but even we disagree about the relevance of Pastor Wright's speeches in Obama's run for President.
Is it relevant? Only if you appreciate someone who sees racism and injustice and would rail against it. Personally, I'll take Obama's affiliation with Pastor Wright over McCain's affiliation with the Christian gay bashing nut job, any day.
It makes no more sense to tie Obama to Wright's remarks than it does to tie Ted Kennedy's to the Pope's, or Romney to the Mormon Wizard. Deep down, I trust that if John McCain, God forbid, were elected, he would not run amok with an anti-gay agenda.
Obama is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. A few short weeks ago, people tried to derail his campaign by implying that he was Muslim. Sheesh! Now that we know he's a Christian, we're all gonna be scared of him because of his Minister.
Ok. Here I go, talking about things that I may not completely understand, or have any right to say. I'm not black and I'm also not too crazy about churches. My limited qualifications? I'm a middle class, middle aged white woman, living in a racist country. I'm the antithesis to John Howard Griffin's, "Black Like Me", privy to the winks and nods of other white people as they go about the business of discriminating in jobs and housing, feeling free to assume that I agree with what ever disparaging remarks they care to dish up, whether it be about Blacks, Gays, Jews, or Mexicans. Very few white people won't know what I'm talking about.
Pastor Wright's remarks, that have been played endlessly in sound bites, ring true. The more I listen, the more I understand and agree with what he said. The United Church of Christ, one of the most liberal of the Protestant Denominations, are known for social activism, diversity, and inclusiveness. I think that this type of sermon, or speech, is perhaps more common within African-American churches. More emotional, and, ah, a little bit louder than, say Episcopalians ("the frozen chosen") are accustomed to.
He didn't say anything that I haven't heard discussed before, by friends and co-workers who are African American. Do I believe all of it? No. Do I believe some of it? Yes.
We've heard conspiracy theorists within our own gay community, speculate about the role that our Government may have played in the AIDS epidemic. One of Reverend Wright's defenders, when asked to reject Wright's statement about the possibility that the Government orchestrated the HIV virus, replied that it was not that absurd, as our own Government was known to have intentionally infected a black population with syphilis!
Someone on FoxNews asked, how Obama could attend a church where even his mother would be uncomfortable? The insinuation, of course, being that the church would not welcome white people, and/or someone who is white could never appreciate Pastor Wright's sermon. Ridiculous! Not only were there white people in the congregation, they appeared to be receiving Wright's message positively.
At first, when Wright said, "God damn American", I admit that I had a little twinge. Kind of a knee jerk reaction because of my Christian fundamental background. Of course, it wasn't meant literally. Shocking and attention getting, yes. But the intent was to stir his congregation's emotions and move them to action.
I'm not scared of Reverend Wright, and, I'm not scared that Barack Obama might have some type of over riding "black agenda". Repeated attempts at provoking antagonism between races, genders, sexual orientation, disabled persons, and religions are distractions aimed at keeping those groups from achieving liberty, and equality. The notion that if one group gains, another group will lose, must be rejected. As one group gains, we all gain.
As a lesbian, if I were running for elected office, I could scare the hell out Rita Mae Brown with my own rhetoric. I'm sick of being discriminated against, of not having full and equal rights in this land of supposed equality. I can put on a pretty good rant. But if you knew me, you'd know that I don't harbor any ill will against the general heterosexual population.
Knowing people on an individual level is what allows us to transcend labels and stereotypes. We learn to know each other as human beings. This is how we've hoped that our country has been able to look at Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as candidates. It's been said that Obama has been able to transcend the racial issue with voters. However, demanding that he, or Hillary Clinton should relinquish their individual identities is absurd. Clinton and Obama are not the ones who need to transcend. We are.
While the controversy surrounding remarks made by his Pastor, Jeremiah Wright Jr., brings us closer to a much needed discussion of racism in our country, this is more than unfortunate timing. This is not intended to initiate valuable discussion, but to invoke fear. The main stream media are skewering Obama, intentionally, and white Americans are left gasping, and grasping their Bibles, without any understanding of the social tradition within the black Christian community. By implying that Obama would hold the United States to an agenda that would be to the detriment of our Nation as a whole, the terrorist media are holding white middle American voters hostage.
Here's the link to Obama's church. Trinity United Church of Christ
BTW, I'm still going to vote for Hillary in the PA primary on April 22. But if Obama is the Democratic candidate, he will have my vote.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Barack Obama and Jeremiah Wright Jr. vs Terrorism in The Main Stream Media
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23 comments:
well put, I'd hate to be judged based on the words of people I know. My friends say some crazy sh!t.
Some more depth to the controversy on AR: http://acropolisreview.com/2008/03/barack-obama-condemns-reverend-jeremiah.html
>>>Personally, I'll take Obama's affiliation with Pastor Wright over McCain's affiliation with the Christian gay bashing nut job, any day.<<<
AMEN!
Muslims Against Sharia call on Senators McCain and Obama to cut all ties with their racist, Islamophobic, and anti-Semitic supporters.
McCain: http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/03/mccains-spiritual-guide-destroy-islam.html
Obama: http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/03/racist-congregation-cheering-racist.html
Holy shit, Peg! Is that person up above me serious? ^
I thought sure you'd be all over Kilpatrick's being charged with a felony (or two).
Hi peg.
Very interesting. You know the old saying, "you're known by the company you keep"? With that said, there's always a slither of truth in adages and maxims.
I've seen the video more times than I wanted to, which I found to be very disturbing. This man is a Pastor, and yet, his entire sermon was filled with anger and hate. A Pastor that Obama respects enough to call him a part of his family.
I'm not black, so I've never been to a black church. I was raised Catholic and switched over to Protestant in my late 20s. Had my Pastor gave sermons in the manner that Wright does, I would have walked out.
To my understanding, church is a place of worship. Not to talk about political issues, world news/events, leaders/presidents, American Idol, etc. That's one of the reasons I don't attend church anymore.
From the onset, I never had any intention of voting for Obama. There is something about him that doesn't sit right with me. He's not who he appears to be...something's just not right. Maybe it's me, lol. But I don't trust him. And with the recent events concerning Pastor Wright, I'm more secure in my decision to distrust Obama.
To address Rain, I'd just say, as long as you are white, you aren't going to understand fully - no matter how hard you try. I'm white, I have black kids and people of color in my life who experienced things I can no more understand than my great grandfather's experiences in the depression - I didn't live it.
The Black church has held a critical and key position in the culture and since the beginning of the African-American presence in the US (slaves), has been a safe place for African-Americans to discuss, strategize, find strength in numbers, and influence. MLK Jr. was the minister of a church - that's how it all started for him - and so, your personal opinion that the church should not be about politics doesn't jibe with what others think/feel on the subject.
And, as to politics in religion - do you think that the Catholics aren't just one big political institution? Or the Mormons? Or most of the other religions? C'mon, who are you kidding?
I don't know. While I understand where the Pastor's comments are coming from (and I'm sure they reflect what much of the congregation believes or even needs to hear), I don't think it does them or our country any good to simply ignore that kind of rhetoric. I would feel the same way if these hateful comments were coming from the LGBT community or any other underrepresented group. It seems patronizing to hold minorities to a lesser standard based on their history. Shouldn't we be elevating them through listening and understanding, rather than distancing ourselves from their extreme views with a pat on the head?
Barack's tendency to shrug it all off in an effort to please everyone shows very little commitment to healing that which is causing those separatist sentiments. I'm not saying he should or even could heal our rascist culture, but rolling over and allowing it to continue does say something about his character. I think the media went rather easy on him, but I doubt the Republicans will.
Hey FRoG - I absolutely agree that we should not hold minorities to a lesser standard, but who is to say what that standard should be? I abhor what the American Muslims and Minister Farrakhan have to say - it's divisive and racist. I don't agree with Obama's pastor. I think he's scary. Scary in a different way than Dubya's membership in Skull & Bones. But, I have to allow them their right to say it.
The fact Obama might hold some of these beliefs himself is indeed a bit scary, but I have not seen evidence that he acts upon those beliefs in a way that's impactful to the greater good of his current constituency. Have you? I'm riding the fence on candidates right now, so I'd love to know all about it if so.
What do you think AAL?
I am surprised at the play this story continues to get. I thought the attention on Hillary and The Fellowship this week was something like a make-up call in a basketball game on the press' part for stirring it all up out of perspective. Then again, nobody is bringing up Bob Jones University.
Hahn, thanks for your response. Although I'm not black, and probably don't fully understand the pain and suffering black people have gone through, I'm Puerto Rican. I've experienced some forms of racism, however not to the extreme black people have endured.
In fact, I know quite a few Hispanics who've been discriminated against. The difference between the Hispanic community and the black community, is the Hispanic community doesn't use the race card when things aren't going their way or they feel persecuted for reasons other than race. The Hispanic community doesn't use race as a crutch; not from what I've seen. Yes, black people were slaves and mistreated, but they weren't the only slaves. The black community needs to stop using the race card when they feel mistreated. Yes, racism still exists, but everything is not about race.
The church of today is a joke. A sad joke actually. The church was initially intended for worshiping God. But mankind has destroyed that by bringing in the world. Politics and world events take priority, not studying and reading God's word.
Why do we have a separation of Church and State then? Politics have no place in a church, regardless of the ethnicity of it's members. I apologize if I sound as though I'm preaching, I'm not.
I agree with you. Minorities should not be held to a lower standard. That's insulting.
Rain, I'm going to disagree with what you said WRT the Hispanic community. At least, I'm going to make a comment that, hopefully, will help you QUALIFY your statement. Having been married to an Hispanic and having served with a large number of Hispanics in the military, I'd have to say that your commentThe difference between the Hispanic community and the black community, is the Hispanic community doesn't use the race card when things aren't going their way or they feel persecuted for reasons other than raceshould be changed to end with, "...at least, not that I have experienced."
No one culture or minority group acts as a whole. Not ALL blacks use the race card when things aren't going well, and not ALL Hispanics opt out of using it.
Rather, people of good character accept responsibility for their own actions and their own futures, rather than rely on their race/gender/culture to garner sympathy to further themselves.
Big difference here.
I've seen Hispanics play the "no comprende" when it suits them and I've seen blacks telling other blacks "I can't believe you're saying you're here because you're black -- you put yourself here!"
You can no more speak for the Hispanics in this country than I can.
"You can no more speak for the Hispanics in this country than I can."
If you read my reply carefully, you would have noticed that I stated that I am Puerto Rican. According to the government, I classify as Hispanic.
So, yes, I believe that I can speak for Hispanics, considering that I am Hispanic, grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood, and most of my friends are Hispanic. So, you married a Hispanic and have some Hispanic friends. What does that prove?
You're correct, not every single black person uses the race card. However, MANY do. I should have made myself more clear and not stated the black community as a whole uses the race card. That was not my intention.
Yes, Hispanics do use the "no speak English" card, but that is not on the same level as playing the race card.
Yes, people of good character do take responsibility for their actions. Sad thing is, we don't have many. Call me pessimistic, but I tell things the way I see them.
Case in point: nine out of ten black people I arrested accused me of targeting them because they're black. Do you know how many Hispanics accused me of targeting them because they're Hispanic? None.
Rain, my point is simply that you can speak for *A* Hispanic, not the Hispanic community as a whole.
I'm caucasian, but that doesn't qualify me to speak for all whites.
You can speak from your own experience but, having been married to an Hispanic and knowing a large number of people in the Hispanic community I can tell you by my own experiences that you DO NOT speak for the Hispanic community. Your politics are not representative of ALL Hispanic's politics.
You represent one member of the Hispanic community and you can speak only for yourself and those that you personally know.
Unless, of course, you're going to claim that you know every Hispanic citizen or Hispanic immigrant in this country?
It's arrogant to claim that you speak for an entire culture.
Also, Rain, WRT your claim about arrests and racial profile claims? It depends on what part of the country you live in with respect to who plays what card.
I have lived in many states in this country and have found that in some states, Hispanics DO claim racial profiling. In others, you simply don't hear about it. In some areas, Hispanics represent such a low percentage of the population, you hear nothing of the kind. Does that make them better? No. Just a smaller number.
And its certain LEADERS of the black community that are the most strident about racial profiling. They plant these seeds of doubt within the black community, and encourage them to not take accountability for their actions but, rather, to blame non-black law enforcement for their predicaments.
A black gang member who shoots at someone and then is later arrested driving 80 mph through a school zone and is identified as the shooter, then claims racial profiling for the traffic stop is just grasping at straws and mad because they got caught for a capital crime by doing something stupid and getting caught for a minor crime.
Personal accountability is something this country sorely lacks.
Dear Rain,
It says that the comment was deleted by the author. Isn't that you? I mean, I did not delete anything. Seriously. I don't know what might have happened to your comment, but you are always welcome to post here. In fact, I'm very glad that you do.
I left a lengthy comment on a blog one time, then it never got published, and I thought I was censored. But I wasn't. It must have been something technical.
Thanks for letting me know. Please try again?
Peg
I came upon your blog due to some random google searches and a few clicks on links to links. I must say that what you said was very well put and true. I purposely don't even tune into this election news coverage because most of it is bull crap. How can you account one man for what another man said. What's funny is, how does anyone know if Obama was at the church every Sunday? If he was, so what? There are millions of people that sit inside of Churches, Mosques, Temples, etc. and don't agree with everything that their leaders say but, they stay for various other reasons.
Hi Peg! :-)
No, it was me. I responded to the comment you left on my blog. Basically, I was just in a foul mood all day. I didn't see the comment I had left earlier (because I wasn't looking correctly), and left another comment. When I realized I was wrong, I deleted the comment I made to you.
I'm just really really stressed at work. It's not even Summer yet, and the savages are in full force. On top of that, my family is going through a rough time and is depending on me to help out. Hey! Who is helping me? LOL
I know just the perfect thing to help me---buy a new guitar! LOL
Are you on LezTown? I'm going to send you an invite.
Pat,
Yes, I said that I can speak for a lot Hispanics, but not the entire community. However, growing up in the Hispanic community and watching my father (who works for one of the Senators) serving the Hispanic community in Philadelphia, I have a pretty good idea of how many, many Hispanics in Philadelphia deal with racism in Philadelphia. I'm not trying to speak for an entire culture. I'm only basing my opinions on what I've seen, heard, and dealt with in the Hispanic community in Philadelphia.
Once again, you bring up that you're married to a Hispanic and have Hispanic friends. And...what's your point? You're comparing apples to oranges. You cannot speak from any personal experiences. I've been Hispanic since I was born and had to deal with my own share of racism. Not only myself, but family members and friends as well.
Yes, something we finally agree on. "Personal accountability is something this country sorely lacks."
Hispanics have complained of racial profiling, e.g., New Jersey State Troopers, and most of that is based on drug trafficking and drug sales. A lot of blacks (that I've seen and heard) use the race card at the drop of a hat, basically for anything. There is true racism, and then there's using the race card to disavow personal responsibility of a person or a group. This is my point. I have a lot of black friends who agree with me on this.
Even Bill Cosby spoke up about it. He admonished the black community for their lack of responsibility and stated "we cannot blame white people...", basically, stop playing the race card when it's not about race.
As far as Sharpton, Jackson, and Farrakhan, are concerned, they are race baiters. Have you ever seen them defend a white person, or Hispanic, or Asian or Jew? I haven't. And they claim they want equality, yet, you never see them help a person of another race.
"A black gang member who shoots at someone and then is later arrested driving 80 mph through a school zone and is identified as the shooter, then claims racial profiling for the traffic stop is just grasping at straws and mad because they got caught for a capital crime by doing something stupid and getting caught for a minor crime."
Unfortunately, this scenario is scene dozens of times in Philadelphia. Circumstances are different, of course, but basically the same theme. Use the race card to repudiate personal responsibility for one's crimes.
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I am lesbian and I have an friend that she is mother of a girl. We live “hidden” because in Portugal the homossexualidade well is not seen.
I wait to come back with more time and attention.
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Happinesses
Valsa lenta,
Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog!! Beautiful. Just as I was lamenting the fact that I don't read Portugese, I saw your translator. Excellent!
Thank you.
Rain, when I said I USED to be married to an Hispanic man, I was making the point that being married to an Hispanic didn't qualify me to speak for an entire culture any more than you being Hispanic qualifies you to speak for an entire culture. You're qualified to speak for part of that culture based on your own experiences with that culture only.
Because, after all, my children are Hispanic but were raised in a household run by an all white parent. But, they've been Hispanic their whole lives, like you, but the difference is that they've not lived in the culture.
But having been married to a man of Mexican/Spanish descent, I have seen first hand -- and keep in mind this is my own anecdotal experience, just as your assertions are, that Hispanics are vastly similar AND different to every other minority.
Blacks, Hispanics, Arabs, Orientals, Homosexuals, even Disabled people will scream profiling when they don't want to take personal accountability.
Blacks don't have a monopoly on that, nor do Hispanics have a monopoly on NOT using that card.
As I said before, it's regional and related to the per capita population.
I absolutely agree with you regarding the race-baiting of Jackson et al. You NEVER see Sharpton posing for a photo op with a young white male that was arrested by a black cop...
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