Apr 11 2008
Does Obama’s pastor Jeremiah Wright have a point?
The incendiary quotes of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright were like the O.J. Simpson verdict: a cultural lightning bolt illuminating a chasm between the races, followed by thunderous arguments.
Many white people reacted to sound bites from Dr. Wright’s sermons with, “Is he crazy? How could anybody be so wrong?” Many black people said, “He may be wrong on some details, but there’s nothing crazy about his message.”
The controversy is letting white America in on what was well-known to black Americans: A profound distrust of government and other institutions is preached in varying degrees from black pulpits – and shared by many in the pews.
Dr. Wright’s sermons are national news now because he was the pastor of presidential candidate Barack Obama. While most of his provocative claims are grounded in fact, Dr. Wright has asserted that HIV and crack cocaine were government plots aimed at African-Americans – claims that most historians say are false.
Read the rest of the article here.
[From me]
I don’t for a moment believe the US government has had plots against African Americans. However, I don’t think we can discount everything he has said. If you haven’t noticed, I’m not black. So, how can I talk about racism? I have seen racism and it makes me angry. But I’ve never experienced it.
What I have learned especially discussing issues with people in person and on the internet is there is a whole lot I don’t understand. I can’t imagine the humiliation that many African Americans endured since our country was born. I can’t begin to understand the mistrust many of them have towards white Americans and our government. I’ve always trusted the police, but some African Americans have endured abuse at the hands of law enforcement just because of their color.
I have heard out of the mouth of church members, nasty words about African Americans. Some of these people were leaders in the church. I’ve heard off color jokes about African Americans that I didn’t find very funny. Yes, I said something too. So, maybe pastor Wright is a little off base. But, I haven’t walked in his shoes.
I’m curious if any African Americans who read this will share how your feel. I’m sorry for any pain you may have endured because of the color of your skin. I will try to be more sensitive and not so defensive.
What do you think?
6 responses so far
Most of my disagreement with Wright is his favorable position (based on recent interviews that have been aired) on liberation theology, i. e., that the Gospel is primarily targeted for the removal of oppression for the “underclass.” That’s a rewriting, not merely an interpretation, of what the Bible says and flows from a deconstructionist attitude of “words mean what I want them to mean no matter what the author intended.” I don’t buy into that at all.
I’m not saying that oppression is good; and oppressive situations need to be corrected, but that’s not the essence of the Gospel. The message of Jesus starts in the heart of the individual, not in the structure of society or the function of government. It is changed individuals who can move toward change in institutions, not the other way around. And the first change that must happen is to have a correct relationship with God.
I personally don’t think political rhetoric and activism have a place in the pulpit. As I write that, I feel the tinge of hypocrisy because I believe that preaching against abortion is very appropriate, and even that appropriately preaching against homosexuality is appropriate.
I don’t hear Rev. Wright preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ when I hear these sermons. Perhaps he does preach it at other times. At these times, though, he’s preaching a political agenda that doesn’t belong in church, right or wrong.
Just my thoughts.
Bernard,
I don’t agree with his views on the government. But I don’t want to dismiss everything he says because I haven’t grown up enduring what he has.
Bill,
Well said.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Does Obama’s pastor Jeremiah Wright have a point?
Well thank goodness Dr. King thought that politics had a place in his pulpit ! I must confess though that I dont see anything wrong with the politics in Rev Wrights sermons - I would agree that his characterizations of Sec. of State Rice was wholly inappropriate. But he does preach “Christ crucified”. In the “chickens coming home to roost” sermon the central message was that it was a time for examination of our personal relationship we have with Jesus. I had not attended church in a while but this moved me to the point that I started to attend church again. Equally in the “God d… America” sermon, he contrasted the inconsistency of governments with the consistency of God and that America is condemned “while she acts like she is supreme”. Any biblical scholar will tell you that the prophet Jeremiah of the old testament had a few choice words for Israel when she strayed also. Finally, I have been on a few blogs relating to this subject and it is refreshing to read comments disagreeing with Rev Wright, without the accompanying vitriol. I am glad “we can disagree without being disagreeable” but a word of caution;some commentators seem a little too willing to give Rev Wright a “pass” for the injustices he may have suffered. To do so would be patronising; you are required to at the very least “try” to understand them, put them in context, examine them with an open mind. If criticisms are due then make them in a considered manner without fear of being labeled racist or “too white to understand”, or worst of all “liberal”. To do so is really judging the man by the content of his character and continuing that “conversation about race”
P. Phillips,
Thanks for your insight. Stop by again.
Kevin Bussey’s last blog post..Did American Idol censor Jesus?
Of course he has a point. He is right on. There is nothing wrong with questioning your government’s policies. It’s the most patriotic and American thing you can do. It’s insane to say it’s anti-American to question your government! Absolute insane!
Remember - Wright was a volunteer MARINE. Calling him anti-American is despicable.
Election News’s last blog post..Jeremiah Wright On Bill Moyers