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DEL.ICIO.USA racial dialogue: Let’s have one
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some pundits gushed that the 2008 presidential race would trancend race, that the U.S. was headed for a post-racial era. But in the last two weeks, the race seems to be all about race following the controversy over remarks by Sen. Barack Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and comments by former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro. The controversy has prompted a flood of reader responses to the AJC and has filled the national airwaves. In a speech last week in Philadelphia, Obama said, “Contrary to the claims of some of my critics, black and white, I have never been so naive as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy - particularly a candidacy as imperfect as my own.
“But I have asserted a firm conviction - a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people - that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact we have no choice is we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union.”
How do we get past the racial divisions that seem to constantly resurface in America? Let’s have that civil, respectful discussion.
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By issacreid
March 24, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
As the son of a Pastor, there are times when they will say something in the heat of the moment that makes absolutely no sense, just to stir the crowd I guess. I remember several times when my father would say something weird, and me and my sister and brothers would turn to each other and wonder what the heck did he just say? As for Jeremiah Wright’s comments, well, I’d have to hear the whole speech in its context to give an informed opinion. However, there are several books out there that believe the HIV virus originated with the U.S. Gov’t. It’s not like they’re beyond that. Ask the black men in Alabama that were given an std. As far as his comments about “Damn America.” That sounds a bit like frustration. All we have to look at the horrible disaster we’ve created in Iraq, to make that opinion. Because after making this mess, everybody wants to move on to something else, pull troops out, when that will only make the situation in the middle east distablize more. So, I do not believe he meant “Damn America”. He probably meant “George W. Bush’s America.” Peace.
By mike
March 24, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Boy you are naive. Do you really thnk the pundits and a host of other politicos are interested in transcending race. That one small snippet in a talk given in 2003 was used to inflame and misdireact people by a certain segment of the media. The Indians called it talking with a forked tongue. I call it talking out of both sides of your mouth. Then again why play the whole speech because it gives clarity to all concerned and that is the last thing the media and those pundits want you to hear. The only time race does not matter is when someone else’s family mamber is sent to pound that sand in the middle east.
By beebop
March 24, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
I contend that this was never to be a discussion of little “r” race, for if it was, Senator Obama would have used Ms. Ferraro’s comments for a teaching moment.
I am cutting and pasting a link to his government website as well as several phrases that appear there:
http://obama.senate.gov/news/050626-whenitc…
“Obama acknowledges, with no small irony, that he benefits from his race.
If he were white, he once bluntly noted, he would simply be one of nine freshmen senators, almost certainly without a multimillion-dollar book deal and a shred of celebrity. Or would he have been elected at all?”
A teachable moment occurs each time an unpleasant subject which may be at the core of America’s ills bubbles to the surface.
If we are to forgive Reverend Wright and G-D America and see he’s comments as understandable (by some irrational thought process that I confess aludes me), can we hold Geraldine to a higher standard for simply repeating Senator Obama’s words? Is she the first person to have pointed this out to him?
The hypoprisy is what gets to me.
By Charles from FL
March 24, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
As a force of reconciliation, I’d like to see moderate religious organizations take the lead for “cross-church exchanges” for whites to attend black churches and vice versa. Preaching to one’s own flock is easy. Preaching to spread ideas beyond one’s flock would be much more challenging and rewarding.
By Hmmmm
March 24, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I wonder what Charles from Florida thinks about this matter?
By Anon
March 24, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
I’m white, I see little wrong with what wright was saying. I think our society is too defensive to admit that though no one deserves to suffer our actions throughout the world have often served to foster hate. Even within our own country we haven’t been so morally upstanding in many instances. Wright is correct in saying that all other empires have fallen in the past. Ours will too. There are many good qualities about the USA but this denial of past injustice and continuing injustice is part of why there has been such a backlash to Wright’s speech as well as Obama’s. It is difficult for some to admit that our history and current actions have at times been morally reprehensible. This isn’t white liberal guilt, it is recognition of injustice.
By Sri
March 24, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
I agree with Charles - either as a part of cross-church exchange or on individual initiative it will help those in each church understand a bit more of life, kindness and humanness on other side of color. A bit of genuine coming together.
Like Obama said the Sunday morning at church is the most segregated hour in America. We all need to move a bit out of our comfort zones and keep an open mind. None of us is better than other - just different.
Would also help if religion is taught [not preached] in schools. I honestly think if one were to read, understand scriptures and find spirituality on their own - they will be on a stronger footing for life and to the benefit of overall society.
Less power to Pat Robinsons, Wrights and Mullahs of world - what ever color or nationality they are.