"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community."

-Barack Obama

This statement really resonated with me as an African-American/Black woman. When the senator spoke those words, I knew them to be true. In the days that have followed the airing of Rev. Wright's sermons, I have watched the media and heard some white americans make some of the most ignorant comments. I listened to Rev. Wright's entire speech and did not find it promoted hate. Since hearing this I've yet to have a single conversation WITH an African-American because Rev. Wright said things we sometimes feel.
I don't consider myself racist at all.
However, I've come home from days where the "white lady" followed me around the Dept store or ignored me completely and failed to ask me for help though she greeted all Caucasian guests. I've been pulled over in affluent white neighborhoods and asked where I was going and followed to affirm. Ive been denied access to places because there was a "fire code" and they had reached their limit, only to have a white person go in... after we had discussed why I wasn't going in. Then watched another and another enter. I could go on but will not. I can also name a million instances that weren't /aren't racially motivated because I don't go looking for racism but am smart enough to know the difference between someone whom is just an @$& and a racist. These are just things that have happened to me in this non Jim Crow era. A time where Jena 6s still occur and make page 6 in the paper. A time where African- American children are kidnapped and the call to Amber Alert arms isn't national or locally loud. What I can say is, I've come home from those days and those instances feeling frustrated, disheartened, and dirty. I've sat at my kitchen table and felt God Damn America and I've called my friends up and discusssed this God damned America and I've sat and listened to the wisdom that my elders orate with other family and friends and heard them God Damn America. They are not racist. They are black. They are minorities in an America that doesn't want to hear their cry. So we cry and rage to each other. We do it in homes and churches. We do it with Family. We do it with Friends. We do it with people who have become family. We won't invalidate each other and make each other feel unpatriotic. As we each recognize the truth of what we feel and say. Sometimes, I've hated America and Sometimes I've loved her to death. That is the African-American experience, loving a neglectant parent who creates separatism by displaying favoritism. Even though she's hurt you, you still want her to love you the same.... embrace you and understand you.

The media's and some white people's ignorance is displayed in the unwillingness to hear what he was saying and why. It shows in your shock, the not knowing.

It reminds me of a childhood poem:

I never saw a Purple Cow,
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you, anyhow,
I'd rather see than be one.

You don't have to understand Rev. Wright but it doesn't make him or his words less real or invalid or controversial.
Barack wasn't asking anyone to excure him or forgive Rev. Wright.
He understood why Rev. Wright made those comments and that why his speech was about race. Just as I could no more deny my family or friends should they ever be "on tape" making what others may view as me not loving America.
I couldn't deny them as it would be denying myself.

I also have the good sense to know I can disagree with someone's beliefs or opinion and still totally respect and admire them in other ways... I also know I have people in my life who will tell you that white people are killing off all the black entertainers and it's crazy and I laugh and tell them that's crazy, etc. And those same people have given me so much love and taught me to be selfless and things like it's ok to be weak or cry.

You couldn't pay me to let those people go. They are a part of me and my life. Mostly, last I checked no one is perfect.

The only ones who ever made Barack Obama into a Demi-god was the media.

I wish truly someone would stop making Rev. Wright into a devil and see his purple cow.