source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89109217 by Michel Martin

Photo: Stephen Voss

© 2007

The article begins with a description of how the author’s debate coach and fellow teammates remained silent when the white host of a reception ushered her into the back room to socialize with the maid 20 years ago, and how the coach recently apologized for doing nothing.

She then launches into an attack on Dr. Wright/Obama critics by saying this:

Setting aside the fact that I question how many of these people have actually darkened the door of any house of worship in recent years…

Which leaves unanswered the question of her own “darkening the door of any house of worship.” Obviously she didn’t learn too much about theology at her United Methodist Alma mater, and how many elements of Dr. Cole’s “liberation theology” contradict scripture. (I plan on doing a thourough analysis of liberation theology once I get my copy of Dr. Cole’s book Black Power, Black Theology which is the foundational theology of Obama/Wright’s Trinity United Church of Christ).

Following this, she gives several illustrations of “good” people sitting idly by while others do or say bad  things. She then provides this example:

They would have sat right there just like countless good people do when their friends tell racist jokes, or when their employers refuse to return phone calls of applicants they suspect might be black or brown, or refuse to rent apartments or work with people of color.

So, because prominent figures tolerated evil, and “countless good people” tolerate evil, makes it okay to tolerate evil? I know I’m not the only person who has taken a stand against racist jokes in the work place. Last year there was a trio of neo-nazis whom I had the unpleasant experience of working with. They constantly slurred Jews, Blacks and Women using the worst possible words. They even asked me if I was Jewish. While I never considered them friends, or even open to having their minds change on those matters, they did know where I stood, and that I was offended by their vulgar langauge and hateful graffiti. You better believe it was hard. God does provide strength to say the truth when a  lie would be easiest of all. At least one person I worked with at the time did try to flatter them, by saying how she would never let her child date outside his/her “race.”

What people do or don’t do doesn’t mean an action should be considered acceptible.

She goes on to say this:

I know this because, over the years, I have met too many white people who have told me how they have struggled to find their voices when language or behavior emerges from people they otherwise care about — who they believe to be good people — but who, nevertheless, say or do things they think are wrong.

Okay, but Dr. Wright’s incindiary statements have spanned decades. Not only has Barack Obama tolerated these things, but he has exposed his children to them, again and again. I can say that, if my pastor started preaching incindiary racist hate then I would walk out of the message. If, after private discussion, I could not get him to see what the bible says about race, then I would leave that church and never go back.

Just because the right thing is hard to do, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done.

The author closes her article with this:

Obama has explained his relationship with his minister at some length. One is free to accept or reject his explanation. But please — spare me the moral outrage about what you would have done or would do in that situation. And just do it.

Obama has had an intimate friendship/mentorship/spiritual relationship with this man for decades. His repeated claims of ignorance and “amnesia” can only be believed if he never attended Trinity United regularly, as he has said he did. He has no excuse, regardless of what others have “gotten away with.” If he is a “devout Christian” who “prays to Jesus” as he as claimed several times, then he would have made some kind of stand. Jesus never prayed for the damnation of the Roman Empire, and they crucified him (in a legal sense).

There are plenty of things Barack Obama has done and supported that deserve “moral outrage” and I will do my part to expose them.

The following exert is from the Communist Party, USA’s website. They consider Trinity United a “Key Church” I guess Dr. Wright’s constant denunciation of America, capitalism, and white people didn’t go unrewarded. It is particularly tragic to see America’s Christian community so diluted and distorted that Communists could come in by name and be accepted as partners. Remember, the party never compromises its principles: Atheism and socialism. They will use whatever means necessary to destroy America and its economic, religious, and social freedoms. The Communist Party joins the ever growing list of Anti-American groups (Nation of Islam, Hamas) who have been invited into or endorsed by Trinity United Church of Christ. The communists have also joined with the likes of the New Black Panthers(NBP) and Lois Farrakhan (Nation of Islam) to support Obama in his bid for presidency. While the Communists have not yet joined the NBP and Farrakhan in officially endorsing Obama, they defend and support him through their website. This is explored in my other post.

(From the CPUSA website)

Finally, I want to mention the tremendous protest movement that took place in many predominantly African American high schools against the injustice to the Jena 6. The National Rainbow PUSH coalition, churches and African American sororities and fraternities were also involved. We should do more to help build the movement around this case.

We hope this meeting will accelerate the process of building the fighting capacity of the party against racism and discrimination; of renewing, strengthening and expanding our relations with organizations and activists in the African American community. Whatever weaknesses we have cannot be solved out side of struggle. By stepping up our involvement and connection to struggles and movements already existing in the African American community, we will expand our relations with key activists and organizations – for example the National Rainbow PUSH, CBTU, some of the key churches like Trinity UCC, the Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church, key community organizations like the South Austin Community Coalition, Kenwood Oaklawn Community Organization and others. We (The Communists!)have had working relations at various levels with many of these organizations over the years.

On the other hand, where coalitions get started around particular issues, it is essential for the party and YCL(Young Communist League) to play a role to guarantee that organizations of the African American community, and all core forces, are in the planning from the ground floor. I think we played a helpful role in getting the Oct. 27 coalition off on the right foot.
The Oct. 27 Midwest regional demonstration in Chicago offers a good opportunity for our clubs to renew or establish new relations with African American organizations and activists in our areas, to reach out and work together. This should be a conscious part of whatever plans are being made by the clubs. The rally is connecting the war with the funding crisis for education, health care, transit, etc. and provides a broad basis of unity. 

Source CPUSA.org pulled 3/26/08:

Though I would add, not innocent. The new Pastor of Trinity United spent his Easter sunrise sermon, not talking about Christ, his sacrifice and its meaning, but about Ex-Pastor Wright, his “unjust lynching” and setting up a “defense fund” for Trinity United.

Christ was without sin, and beyond reproach. His message of salvation was to the rich roman centurion as well as to the down and out. He lunched with tax collectors and healed paupers. Jesus did not pray to “damn” the Romans, but that God would have mercy on them “for they know not what they do” Christ and his apostles reached out to all people across all racial and socio-economic boundaries. His grace has the power to transform any life, to give “whosoever will believe” everlasting life.

Acts 17:24-26  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  (25)  Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  (26)  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

John 3:14-17  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  (15)  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  (16)  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  (17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Acts 10:34-35  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  (35)  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

 Galatians 3:26-28  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  (27)  For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  (28)  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

It takes some audacity to compare any man to Christ, especially someone living in a land where one has the freedom of speech/religion to rail against the government or any other person or body in the name of any deity or person they choose.

Christ preached the truth in love and boldness, without sedition or treason he presented a message uncompromised, for ALL people regardless of color. Dr. Wright and his former church may well have presented a portion of the truth, but dipped it in racism and railing against persons and spreading gossips and myths (e.g. America created AIDS to kill black people).

Dr. Wright or the legit questions and criticisms leveled at him and his ministry can in no way be compared to the unjust torture and execution of the sinless Son of God. Now THAT is audacity.

Source:(Pulled 3/22/0

The Haven Backpackers resort told Bethany and other members of the Yuendumu Young Leaders group that they couldn’t stay there because people were afraid of them (Their group consisted of women and children who wanted to train as lifeguards, how terrifying). The resort offered to pay for the group to stay somewhere else. This only goes to show that there will always be people who cannot see past skin, and those fearful of offending them. When the group sues, perhaps the hostel will think more carefully about who it offends…

 God on Race:

Act 17:24-26  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;  (25)  Neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;  (26)  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;