If Black America and progressive people of faith and good conscience do not defend and restore the legacy of Rev. Wright we will loose the opportunity to bring about the change that we seek. We are reaching to change not the color of politics but the character. Truth is the foundation for the transformation that we seek in the 21st Century. Thus far we (African Americans) are guilty of allowing a false caricature to stand. Defending the Black church and one of our leading men of faith is more critical for the Black community than whether Barack Obama wins the nomination. We have allowed the assault upon our most sacred institution and the only institution that is wholly our own. There is no way that Obama can win the presidency if we don’t set the record straight on Reverend Wright. When that is done and the American people see how far the media went to distort the teachings of the Black church, realizes how deeply embedded racism is in American society, and as each individual is challenged to hold a mirror to their own lives and thinking—only then will we have a chance.
As soon as we push for the truth there will be an effort to “move on” and this is where we will have to remain vigilant extracting apologies, demanding honors for Rev. Wright, and even challenging the most vocal characters on the far right. If we do this then no matter what happens with the elections We The People Win! Barack Obama is an international leader even if the majority of Americans happen to miss this point.
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