"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.

Good post.

I wonder how many of those who disliked this speech honestly believe that Wright's public anger at America makes him genuinely un-American? Or can they relate too but are unwilling to admit it?

If they can't relate - how is it that they never saw an aspect of this country, this society, that made them sick? They never saw something that made them think - we have done wrong for "these kids", or "these elderly", or "these immigrants", or "these corporations"? Everyone has felt disgust at something this country has institutionalized - so why is expressed hatred of the U.S. by someone attached to a political candidate unacceptable?

That was beautiful. You write like a pro.

What has all these got to do with Obama? How long ago were these statements made by Rev Wright? Why are they so important now? If Obama were not contesting for presidency will anybody has raised the issue? It is all part of the political kitchen sink the opponents have been throwing at innocent Obama. Why can't we be objective for once. Obama didn't make the statements, he doesn't agree with them! Why can't we assess Obama on his on basis rather than measuring him by what others say or do? This is mean, dishonest, stupid and unpatrotic. Obama has to be held accountable for his pastors statement, he has to answer for his realtor, he has to answer for Farakan!!! You mean to tell me all the other candidates are angels and associate with angels only?

All these are part of the changes Obama is talking about. If United States of America want to be the world model that she claims to be in the eyes of the world, she must face her shame history of human right abuses, deal with it objectively and move. This is not a problem just for the blacks. Other minorities like spanish and Asians have their own grudges too. There are even some whites who are not happy with unhealthy relationship that exists in some high quarters.

For sure racian problem cannot be completely eliminated in any part of the world. Do we still remember Kosovo, Serbia, Kenya, Sudan, Chin and even in Iraq (Shiiat, Kurds and Sunny).

The main problem here is not just race, but dirty politics by Obamas oponents. They want to use it as a smoke screen to shield off the main facts we should be concerning our selves with.

Now that Hillary Clinton's record does not support her claims of "experienced, tested and proved"; can't we say something about all that. George Bush is being criticized for lying about Iraq. Here we are with somebody who wants to replace him making deceptive statements. What do we call this, lies or what?

The media is part of the problem too. They focus on irrelivants and try to drum up a fight for the candidates. Mirror.uk repeated carried several time the comment by Denis Lessing that obama will be Assaissinated. Why will that be news every day? To scare Obama? Or to scare his suppurters? We better be objective and positive like Obama.

I am surprised and discouraged by the amount of pent-up anger being hurled at Rev. Jeremiah Wright. When Revs. Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said that God punished America with the 9/11 attacks, their remarks were soon forgotten. Rev. Wright will continue to be held to a much higher standard.

Double-standards aside, Barack Obama showed in his speech on race in America that he understands where that pent-up anger comes from. Nobody likes to have the sins of their ancestors rubbed in their faces. Few people like to be told that they are their brother's keeper.

Simpletons mindlessly repeat the oh-so-clever mantra that Obama threw his grandmother under a bus. As a boy Obama was hurt by his grandmother's prejudice. As a man Obama understands that his grandmother was a product of her times. He can step into her shoes now and see that she meant no offense then.

The baying hyenas now nipping at Barack Obama's heels don't have a clue what he was talking about. Or they pretend they don't. I'll spell it out for their benefit: E - M - P - A - T - H - Y. Obama is talking about the empathy that comes from a mature understanding of a person who is different.

Race relations in this country won't improve anytime soon if we remain content to merely coexist. That will be the coexistance of a cold war. It will take empathy on both sides to heal the division. Words are easy. Empathy is hard. Ignorance is easy. Understanding is hard. Hate is easy. Love is hard.

The brouhaha over Rev. Wright is a blessing in disguise. Barack Obama's magnificent Philadelphia Address on race shows that he has a deep and nuanced understanding of the problem. It also shows that he has the potential to lead this country out of the valley and into the direction of Dr. Martin Luther King's mountaintop.

Thank you all for your clarity. It's so hard to hear people say Barack tiptoed and side swept the issue. I felt he clearly answered the questions that he DIDN'T owe anyone. Quite frankly, if someone told me I should cut some people out of my life because their views were radical, I'd LMAO!!!

I went through a stage in my late teens where I was overly critical/judgmental and it's like a light switch went off one day... I have all these people who love me and here I am finding fault. To think they love my "highly" unperfect self. It changed my perspective. Sure I can nit pick but I've learned to love unconditionally... faults and all. In turn, that's how I'm loved.

I would hate to be on a pedestal ever wary of falling down. So Barack and anyone can love and associate with as many imperfect people as they choose because imperfect people can love and give and share. They can nurture and help and support.

Imperfect rocks are Diamonds and imperfect gem, a jewel.

Clams take sand and make pearls and that's my grain of salt to whomever's reading... You'll miss out on a lot of great people and experiences and happiness an enigma if you seek perfection from this world.

To know someone is to love them....

I can't find fault in him for that. I like Barack not for his dazzling speeches and endearing smile. He's my candidate because he can say I mess up sometimes. It isn't an arrogant "take me or leave me". No, he says this is me beautifully human and I hope you are too.

Thanks for the good post. I think most people who are obsessed with Rev. Wright have seen only the 30 second clip of him. I've listened to a 10 minute portion of his famous sermon, and he proves to be intelligent, historically accurate, compelling and biblically astute. I can imagine him being a 20-year friend, and do not fault Obama one bit for sitting in the church for 20 years, and exposing his children to that "hate," as some like to spew. His message turns out to be peace and love, but journalists aren't really interested in that.

Just for grins, I was thinking how Jesus' words could be taken out of context on video, - "Throw the first stone! Throw the first stone!"