Frankly, I was surprised when the whole hullabaloo about Rev. Wright hit the airwaves. The sound bites presented by the MSM certainly seemed alarming. I was ever so glad when access to the entire sermons in question were posted on YouTube. I always find it helpful to listen to comments in their context of the whole message in which they are included.
As I listened and watched, I thought, gee, this could be bad for Obama. I myself felt threatened or intimidated by the Reverend’s words. Though, I surely did find them harsh, over the edge, alarming and unlike any other sermons I’d had the opportunity to see and hear in some of the Black Churches I’ve attended. Rather, I was reminded more of the rhetoric spouted by some of the Black Liberation radicals of yesteryear. I realize that Reverend Wright’s rhetoric does have some powerful roots in a culture whose experiences and dynamics I as a white woman can never fully understand. However, I always hope that as a woman of great compassion and empathy I can at least listen and not pass judgement when I am faced with the sometimes harsh rhetoric from those whose experiences I haven’t had and will never be able to truly share.
But not passing judgement does not mean that I agree, embrace or am not concerned by such views. I think Reverend Wright’s comments, even in the context of his sermons might be bad for Obama because not everyone can sit back and try to take an objective look at what the Reverend was saying while parsing out the good elements from the off the wall and possibly bigoted, anti-semitic and perhaps even paranoid ideation.
I can tell you that listening to the Reverend’s sermons in their entirety caused me grave concern about Obama. Prompted me to do some research of my own. I have yet to find any indication that Obama embraces those more wild of the Reverend’s point of view. I haven’t found it in his books, in his speeches, in interviews he’s given, legislation he’s sponsored, or raised as a concern by anyone who knows him and has worked with him.
While some white folks are offended by Obama’s comments about his grandmother’s comments being those of a “typical white person”, I’m not. I know that statement to have some truth. You know what? I’m a white middle aged woman and in my life I have observed exactly what Obama was talking about.
One thing I learned from my research on Obama is that there were so many times that he wasn’t home in Chicago, so his claim to have not heard the particular sermons the media has jumped on are probably true. Also, it is clear that when he went to work doing community organizing in Chicago, he was somewhat a fish out of water as his life experience were so vastly different than the experiences of those he was attempting to reach in his work.
Night Owl you commented that you were willing to give Obama a pass for Rev. Wright because you, ” chalked it up to his desire for “street creds” among the Chicago constituency he was trying to court”. I tend to agree with you to a large extent. Except I do not chalk it up to him being a politician because when he got involved with the TUCC, he wasn’t yet a politician. My sense from reading his books, etc. is that he really needed to find a way to fit in with the community of the South Side of Chicago for multiple and complex reasons. Certainly the appeal of the church’s outreach programs were part of the attraction.
So, Mr. Blumer, while you do raise some interesting concerns about REverend Wright and Obama’s association with him, I find a definite lack of balance and true research in your post.
In fact, I must ask you this… If you are so concerned about potential negative and ” un-American” influence by a pastor over a presidential candidate, why aren’t you poking your stick at McCain or Clinton?
For example, McCain has sought and obtained endorsements by two Christian evangelical ministers known for their harsh and even hateful rhetoric about other religions and cultural groups. http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2008/03/mccains_spiritual_guide_wants_a_war_with_islam/, http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/rod_parsleys_free_pass_1.php , http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/hagee_wright_parsley_fallwell.php
http://www.religionandspirituality.com/view/post/12087965468688/John_McCain_and_Rod_Parsley_Sacrificing_Peace_for_Ohios_Delegates/
How about Clinton and her association with “the Fellowship”? http://thecurrent.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/03/clinton-fellowship.php, http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080331/ehrenreich, http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/03/28/clinton-bashes-rev-wright-worships-with-nazis/
So, Mr. Blumer, what’s the deal? Have you no concern about the above candidates religious affiliations? Could it be that because they are white and even though affiliated with some rather extremist religious groups, themselves, the groups are white also and the other religions and cultural groups they diss are more acceptable to target at least by the rule of the dominant culture in the US?
Are you racist yourself Mr. Blumer is that why you have singled out Obama and Reverend Wright? Although, if you are it does seem that you have lots of company.
Let me restate, I am a white woman. I am also a Jewish woman. I do find many of Reverend Wright’s words and ideas to be alarming. However, I do not find them any more alarming than I do the words of the ministers with whom McCain and Clinton associate.
