I go back and forth on Obama because of the amount of sacrifices he has to make to ensure white amerika won’t turn its back on him.

I agree 100% that should people remain complacent and think only about how far we’ve come as a nation, it will deter our progress. What I meant when I commented on the dangers of NOT noticing progress is what I feel partially fuels Barack’s “HOPE MACHINE.” It seems to me, that without this hope, Barack ceases to exist on the political spectrum because of white Amerika’s fear of anything that makes them feel “white,” and displays/portrays the anger of Black Amerika. While there are a plethora of reasons a white Amerikan might vote for him, Barack makes white folks feel (in certain ways) that their some of their guilt may be alleviated should they elect him our next president.

I DO NOT condone this and DESPISE the ways Obama is forced to bite his tongue in regards to how his winning will be a monumental step for people of African heritage as well as all people of color, while Hillary speaks candidly about her winning being the destruction of a glass ceiling for all women. “Racism’s still alive, they jus be concealin’ it…” is pretty much what I’m trying to get at – but unfortunately, I believe that for certain steps forward to be made in Amerikan politics, Barack may have to continue to bite his tongue (when it comes to some issues – so as not to scare white voters) until he can secure the oval office. During these dangerous times in our world, I don’t believe we can afford a John McCain. If “Change,” is a 73 year old conservative white man from Arizona, then Ima need to CHANGE my surroundings (Canada maybe?).

I may not come across this way in my initial post, but I am a huge fan of Jeremiah Wright because of his involvement in “Liberation Theology,” as was my late grandfather. I agree that he wouldn’t do the work that he has done for 30+ years if he was not an optimist. Anyone who uses the word of Christ to end the oppression of any marginlizaed people is not only “good,” in my book but also is truly practicing the word of Christianity. Jesus wouldn’t have made a “God hates Fags,” sign, he woulda gave a sermon about the inequities and inequalitites that exist between white and black amerikans, and condemned those who destroy the lives of poor people while hiding behind a FALSE image of the son of man. I also believe fully, that he wouldnt have voted for McCain, Hillary OR Barack, seeing as they all want to send in more troops to the Middle East initially.

To summarize, I feel that in order to make a TRUE and lasting change, Amerika needs a Barack AND A Jeremiah Wright, a Martin AND a Malcolm, a Ghandi AND a Che. Where Barack may fail to capture the hearts of those feeling the heaviest burdens of white racism and systematic oppression, Jeremiah Wright sees them and speaks to/for them. To the middle Amerikans of European heritage who may have zero interraction with ANY people of color and the TV show “COPS,” is their only window into Black Amerika, he (to quote the great Paul Mooney) “Makes Bryant Gumble look like Malcolm X.” The fact that they both are aligned with each other (however controversially) and can reach so many people gives me hope, in an Amerikan political system that has always found me feeling dejected and miserable.

Thanks again for the response.

PEACE n BLESSINGS
C

“I can also see why it is hurtful to not notice how far we have come as well as what IS possible.” I am 21 years old and I live in New York. One thing that I have always found to be real is the deeply ingrained racial ideologies and belief systems within our society. While one can acknowledge progress as I always do, one can fight for further equality and the eradication of institutionalized racism and social injustice. The only way we can see what is possible is if we challenge, if we resist. Imagine if those of revolutionaries of the 50s, 60s and even 70s said well at least we arent physically enslaved, lets not resist. Do you actually think we would have made progress? Rev.Wright is very much that resistant voice and much of what he was talking about was modern and relevant. He was talking about what goes on today that continues to perpetuate certain unequal and injust practices. Many see any type of opposition to American society or America as treason, any resistance to the establishment (the way it is) or the status quo as dangerous or a threat to their very existence and many freeze and get defense with the slightest mention of racism and race relations. I beleive that we have made progress but I do not think that Rev.Wright would not agree with this. Listen, I am familiar with the man and what he preaches. One cannot deny that our country is different from the way it was at earlier points however one can confirm that the same ideologies and behavior is still being practiced…just in a different manner.

Lastly, context is everything. When viewing these clips many Americans lacked the foundational knowledge and understanding behind much of what Wright was saying. They did not even get to hear the full sermon to even understand what he was trying to say that day. I hate how people have judged Wright’s character as one who is hate-filled, bigoted or has the inability to credit America for its progress as a society. Please keep in mind that Wright also said this,

“The good news that’s coming is for all people! Not white people—all people. Not black people—all people. Not rich people—all people. Not poor people—all people. I know you’ll hate this… not straight people—all people! Not gay people—all people. Not American people—all people. …God’s good news isn’t just for Americans, it’s for all people. Say “all people”! Jesus came for Iraqis and Afghanis. Jesus was sent for Iranians and Ukrainians. All people! Jesus is God’s gift to the brothers in jail and the sisters in jeopardy. All people! The Lord left his royal courts on high to come for all those that you love, yes, but he also came for all those folk that you can’t stand. All people!”

He inspired Obama’s message of HOPE “The Audacity of Hope” which the senator himself has acknowledged. Rev. Jeremiah Wright is fiery (fire and brimstone preaching) very outspoken and he pulls no shots when speaking about how he feels in relation to our society and government however he is doing this as form of resistance and activism that has a long history and tradition in the black community. He does this as a way to empower his people to get up and demand more from themselves, each other, the government and society at large. In no way does that mean that he is not optimistic about tommorow can bring.

Reform Islam: Thanks for dropping by. I agree that both Obama and (esp) McCain have a plethora of shortcomings when it comes to combatting oppression.

Betsy: Thanks for checking the blog out. I’ve seen the sermon more than a few times and I’m not sure what you mean by “in context.” Frankly, I agree with most of what he has to say about Amerika and its history of oppression, but I can also see why it is hurtful to not notice how far we have come as well as what IS possible. Care to elaborate on “in context?”

PEACE
C

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

What was insidious about the Rev. Wright story is that every report of those videos on TV, and in the reports of print media the description of the sermons as hateful etc were repeated over and over again. Many Americans view the reports of the media as actual truth. So regardless now of the actual context and meaning of his words he will be forever thought of as hateful and the career of a stalwart man of God is forever sullied.

That should disturb me, but I think I can estimate the heart of the Rev Wright. If only one soul is saved by hearing more than just 10 seconds of the word of God he will consider the condemnation worth it. That the storm over his sermon led to Obama’s speech on race he would consider a blessing.

These so called responsible journalist and not just those who represent the right wing owe both the American people and the Rev. Wright an apology, and the pledge to refrain from viral journalism.