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.
I am trying to stay on the high road but exactly when are we going to challenge ALL of the candidates on ALL issues? We got an opportunity to hear from Obama on race. Now I want to hear where Hillary Clinton and John McCain stand.
They don't have to respond to individual personalities but I want to know exactly what is thier understanding of the situation. Where are they coming from and above all what are their faith orientations. We now know that Obama is a devout Christian. We know something about his church and the work of the church. It would be instructive to compare the works of all three churches.
This has to be one of the greatest speech since the Martin Luther King, Jr. "I Have A Dream" speech and under extreme pressure. The man went beyond the bar and hit a home run.
On April 4th we will observe the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and in many respects African Americans have wondered in the wilderness. We have made progress and we have many leaders but could anyone name the top three items on the Black agenda? Beyond the global issues war, economy, health care, what are the specific unique concerns of Black America? Leadership is critical to cultivating and maintaining unity. In this hour of crisis we are beginning to look to Barack Obama.
He is intimately aware of our problems and he has demonstrated the qualities that activate our faith. It has been said that the single most important contribution that biblical faith can make to human existence is the capacity to transcend given reality. We expect this in church but it is extraordinary in a politician.
Only a couple of hours have passed and across the board Blacks are embracing the message. Jesse Jackson put the speech in perspective for FOX. They seem to have had difficulty grasping the full significance of the moment. In the spirit of reconciliation it is encouraging to know that they had the wisdom to bring Rev. Jackson in to interpret. It is good that we are all reminded of the Jackson campaign within this context. Perhaps we can avoid mistakes of the past if we take a little risk. It is hard to understand how anyone could see this speech and not be moved in a profound way to self examination.
The bar has been set so high for Obama that I can't sit still waiting for him to take the stage. I'm nervous going back and forth from CNN to FOX and assessing each comment. There seems to be an audio problem, my mind pauses on sabotage but I have to believe it is nothing but God. We need time to get ourselves together for this. We have time to call everyone and make sure they are tuned in. Mark Lamont Hill is on point trying to explain the Black church vernacular and Melissa Harris-Lacewell is really driving the points home. She is so articulate, informed, and clear. The examples she selects are instructive. They have found a shared space and both are representing us well. Politically astute, young, gifted, and Black.
Here he is I have to watch...
Please let’s don’t get distracted. We are one family from John Connelly & Juan Williams to Jeremiah Wright & Louis Farrakhan. We are not and never have been a monolith but we have been taken for granted, tend to respond emotionally, are very sensitive, and easily disappointed.
Some of us would like to move beyond race and focus on the vast opportunities before us. Others cling tenaciously to the identity and culture that we have woven into a beautiful quilt out of the meager scraps that we were left to work with. It is not in the interest of either end of the spectrum to fuel the undermining of the Black church. It is a fact that but for hope we would not be here . We should take this opportunity to bridge the many divides that separate us one from another and we must never forget how we made it this far as we are once again reminded how far we have to go. Let's keep our eyes on the prize.
It never fails, everytime an African American stands on the verge of breaking through a barrier, on the brink of victory, poised for the win-the rules change.
What lesson do we teach when rules are established, with clearly articulated consequences for violations, agreed upon by all parties and toward the end of the game, when things are tight and matter most, the conversation shifts to how we can accomodate the violator?
When there is no solution that would not disadvantage one party or the other the best course of action is to stick to the rules agreed upon at the outset. That way there may be tears but nobody can cry foul.
Michigan and Florida do count and the strength of the Democratic Party is certainly being tested. At the end of the day the only question is whether or not the Party will honor its own process. The citizens of Florida and Michigan were disenfranchised by the decision to violate the rules made at the state level. Their issue is with their own state representatives not with the candidates or the national party. If the Democratic Party leadership stands strong it will send a signal that the rules are the rules and must be observed by all. This is the only fair course of action. To do otherwise is to invite total chaos in the future.
A true leader advocates, defends, and abides by the rules.
From an ethical standpoint the crossover vote inspired by Rush Limbaugh aiding Hillary Clinton and potentially undermining the candidacy of Barack Obama is at a minimum offensive. Thinking more long-range I would argue that it is time for Black America to embrace and adopt the strategy. Paying homage to one of the more effective proponents it should be known as “Rushing the Vote.”
Republicans will no longer be able to ignore the Black vote if even 10 or 20% of us crossover - Rush the Vote – to decide the Republican nominee or wreaking havoc in their primaries. It will also break the stronghold that the Democratic Party has had for far too long proving that our vote should not be taken for granted.
If for any reason Barack Obama is not the Democratic presidential nominee Black voters will have a perfect opportunity to Rush the Vote in November and we will be credited with the McCain victory.
It should be noted that Black Republicans such as WAOK’s Shelley Wynter have advocated this sort of swing strategy for years. Now that the effectiveness was proven in Texas and Ohio let’s plan to Rush the Vote whenever it is in our best interest.
Why does America have a problem with this statement? “Unashamedly Zionist and Unapologetically Jewish” to say this is to support an independent state AND a religion that does not accept Jesus as the Savior but it is generally not considered separatist for a Jew to express this sentiment, particularly within the Synagogue. In fact, we would expect this to be the perspective of Jews in the temple. What is the problem with this statement? In my experience people of European ancestry are “Unashamedly White and Unapologetically Christian”. Would the media rail if the statement was “Unashamedly Asian and Unapologetically Buddhist”?
Could it be that there is an expectation that African Americans would be ashamed about being Black and/or ashamed of being Christian? How is it that conservative (and even liberal) media can talk at length about John McCain’s service in the 1960’s and just ignore the Black experience in that turbulent era? The Civil Rights generation is shocked to find that White America is actually willing and able to evaluate a Black candidate based upon his policies. Many of us still can’t believe it.
Continue reading "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian"
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