Obama: A More Perfect Union

Full text of speech

I heard one statement during Senator Obama's speech that stood out to me:

Did I ever hear him make remarks that could be considered controversial while I sat in church? Yes.

My question is: what did he think at the time he heard those statements? And what did he do about it? If he were like me, he would have given considerable thought to what was said. He might not have challenged Reverend Wright about it then, but did those statement make him uncomfortable? Or did he see nothing wrong with them? Sometimes, in the current context, meaning at that place and time, they would appropriate and made sense to the listener, but on reflection, not so much. Did he ever express concern to Reverend Wright? What did he do about the good reverend's reason for making the remarks?

Obama remained with that church for 20 years. He was married there and his children baptised there. That seems to tell me that he either agreed with the statements or did not have the motivation to confront the pastor. Confrontation is a part of a president's job qualifications. At some point, a president must confront Congress, an issue, another country's leaders.

And this one:

Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely – just as I’m sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

But what did he do about his disagreement? As I said, if he didn't go to Reverend Wright to express his concern, as far as Reverend Wright was concerned, Obama agreed with his statements. How would Reverend Wright know that his statements were of concern if no one, Obama included, told him? I doubt that among his many talents and skills, he counts mind reading.

Another statement:

I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother....

You doesn't have to disown the person, but you sure can disown what they say. When you are offended by someones comments, you have two options: either to tell that person you don't like what they said and why, or you can keep your mouth shut and tacitly agree with them. Obama has spoken out now, but has he said enough? And did he say it soon enough? He can't apologize for Pastor Wright, and I don't expect him to, but he can explain his feelings toward Reverend Wright's comments.

One more statement:

But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren’t simply controversial. They weren’t simply a religious leader’s effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country – a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam.

And this is the person he looks to for spiritual guidance? Actually, I think it's good that this controversy has come out now. It's inevitable that race become a part of this campaign. Obama is a Black man, that can't be denied. I totally agree that it shouldn't make a difference what race anyone is, but I don't think we're far enough removed from the Civil Rights movement for that to be possible. There are still too many people who remember those days, who remember the days when "they" were to be feared. "They", of course, depends on what race you happen to be.

One day, that will be totally behind us. The Boomers are better than the previous generations, and Gen X'ers and Gen Y'ers and whatever follows will be even further removed. Perhaps then we can have an election where no one even notices if the candidates are Black, White, Pink, Yellow, or Blue. And hopefully, whether they are male or female.

Until then, if someone makes outrageous statements such as Reverend Wright has made, it is up to us to call them on it. We must stand up and say, you're wrong and this is why. Otherwise, we are tacitly agreeing with them. If the comments make you cringe, as Obama said of statements his own grandmother made, then you are honor bound to stand up for your race, your gender, or country, or whatever.

My religious training came from the Church of Christ/Christian Church. We are taught that if our brother or sister in Christ is saying or doing something they shouldn't be, it is our responsibility to go to them and help them understand what is wrong and how to find their way back to the right path. I can't say about the United Church of Christ. I don't know what their theology is, or if it's indeed any different than how I was raised.

I can only say that no matter the religion, I would expect someone who wanted to be a leader, much less anyone who wanted to run for public office, to step forward and say, "Reverend Wright, you are making comments that are very controversial and some say unchristian in nature. On a financial consideration, your comments could cost the church it's tax status as you could be seen as making political statements from the pulpit. On a more important note, let's discuss your comments from a Biblical perspective."

No, I don't expect Obama to disown his close friend, Reverend Wright. What I do expect is for him to consider his reactions to Reverend Wright's comments and why he reacted as he did. I expect him to decide whether he wants to be a Black man or a man who transcends race. And can any man (or woman) do that?