Friday, March 21, 2008

Obama and Rev. Wright

Amidst the inflammatory remarks spouted by Rev. Jeremiah Wright, presidential candidate Barack Obama has been forced to address the issue of race for the first time. In a sermon in 2003 Rev. Wright stated that “instead of singing ‘God Bless America’ Black people should a song essentially saying ‘God Damn America”. Standing in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia Obama admitted that “race still matters”. Now it might not have been the most politically correct thing to say, but truth is truth and the fact is color matters in America and there are vast racial disparities still exist in this country.

Of course progress has been made and no one is challenging that fact, however African Americans, other minorities, and the poor continually come out on the short end economically, educationally, and dare I say politically. Obama used this teachable moment to contextualize the anger and resentments on both sides of the racial divide. "But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality."

While Obama condemned, in unequivocal terms, the statements of Reverend Wright, he refused to disown him. He simply stated that if we walk away and retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, education, or the need to find good jobs for every American. I do not know if Rev. Wright’s comments will hurt Senator Obama’s political aspirations in the long run, only time will tell. You got to love a man who is eloquent and able to think on his feet.

6 comments:

The Rock Chick said...

I have to say...I am crazy about Barack Obama! I know he is taking a lot of heat for somethings that his pastor (who really reminds me of Jesse Jackson, by the way) said and I think the way Barack thinks about things like that and expresses himself is incredible.

I will never understand life as a minority, but I can see that it's not the same as mine. There is still a tremendous amount of racism and segregation in this country that I'm sure will even outlast Barack Obama, but I think he can get people walking in the right direction.

I am really hoping he gets elected! Great post!

pjazzypar said...

Thanks rock chick,

I kind of feel like I am in a win - win situation because I could live with either democratic candidate at this point. Either way this is historic. Both candidates platforms are similar and the only reason I might lean toward Senator Obama is because unlike Senator Clinton, he has not done any mudslinging. I know politics is dirty business, but I don't politicians have to be so vicious.

I think both have a clear vision of what the country can and should be. Let's just hope whoever wins the candidacy beats McCain. Thanks for commenting.

Anonymous said...

If you are black you are RACIST that’s that. Seen it every step of the way. If you disagree with me ask yourself this, when was the last time something happened to a black by ANY other race and the black person was actually wrong; in your opinion? When was the last time the black wasn't completely perfect and a victim? Especially if what happened to them did in fact happen to them while committing a crime. You dont wait for the fact to see what happened. You wait for the facts to pervert everything to your argument. Even when others tell you your wrong. As a matter of fact when was the last time someone of another race told you, you were wrong and it WASN'T because they were racists? Just for the record, who on God's green Earth put blacks in charge of deciding who qualifies as a racist and who doesn't. The MAJORITY of blacks don’t have any say in their own lives. Ask them they'll tell you, it's all the White Man & the Jews. These are the people you want deciding who qualifies as what and who doesn’t. I say it should be the majority of America making this decision. Unfortunately majority usually equals "White" and therefore obviously EVIL. This is Democracy. Majority rules is the actual definition of Democracy. MINORITY RULES is the definition of FASCISM!!!! Just cause your black doesn’t mean you can’t qualify as a Nazi. that’s what the Nazis were………. Fascists.
America believed Hitler would eventually attack the USA. He didn’t but his beliefs and way of life did.
Now remember the most important part of all of this, if you are black, all you have to say is the White Man is the real racist here. That’s all you have to say to be right

-Tyler Goines
03/21/08

pjazzypar said...

To Anonymous, I have no idea what button I pushed or what argument your are trying to make because your statements are very unclear. Some of what you are saying here is actually contradictory and I really don't know how to comment on it.

The Rock Chick said...

Congrats Pjazzy! Your first online button pusher! :) You are now officially a blogger, my friend! LOL

pjazzypar said...

Hey RC, Thanks for welcoming me to the club. I guess you can say I have been lucky thus far. Controversy is good when I know what you are talking about. I just didn't have a clue.