I understand that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s best known parishioner will deliver “a major address on race and religion” tomorrow. I’m probably not his target audience, but here are some statements he could make to demonstrate that his mentalité is not at all like that of his “mentor”:
- “Over the past several years, and particularly since the tragic events of 9/11, many members of Trinity, including myself, have been gravely concerned about Pastor Wright’s anti-white and anti-American rhetoric. That is why we worked behind to compel his early retirement and his replacement by Pastor Otis Mills, who firmly repudiates any and all claims that America is to this day an unjust and racist society.”
- “When I was a confused young man, unsure of my identity, Pastor Wright’s hyperbole attracted me. I came to realize, however, that the attraction was a dangerous fraud. Therefore, I have repeated urged the pastor to embrace the loving spirit of Martin Luther King, who followed Jesus’s admonition to love our neighbors, even those neighbors with whom we have sharp disagreements, as ourselves. Jesus loved Samaritans and tax collectors. There is no scope for us to hate any of our fellow Americans. I am sorry that my words had so little visible effect on Pastor Wright, but I pray that in time they will.”
- “At one time it was possible for me to nod when others charged my country with racism and oppression. I was, I am afraid, a brain-dead radical. Then came the horror of September 11, 2001, and I realized that the faults of America shrink to insignificance next to the crimes of the terrorists who have attacked us. Since then, I have devoted my every effort to calling every American, whatever his color, whatever his religion or ethnic background, to unite around our common values and overcome the forces of cynicism and hatred that would tear us apart. While doing that, I confess that I have paid too little attention to my own backyard. Pastor Wright, I am saddened to say, has made unwarranted attacks that contradict everything my message is intended to convey. For that reason, I have today withdrawn from membership in Trinity United Church of Christ. Until and unless the church’s leadership completely changes course and, in particular, renounces the racist theology that Pastor Wright has endorsed, I shall not return.”
- “For twenty years I have been a blind fool and have been a passive but willing accomplice to sin. It is presumptuous of me to seek the most powerful office in the world before purging myself of these profound failures of good judgment. Today I announce that I am abandoning my campaign and resigning my Senate seat. I have volunteered for the United Church of Christ’s mission to Africa, where I hope, through service to God in Jesus’ s name to atone for having fostered hatred and division. Whether I will return to public service at some future time is in God’s hands.”
We shall see.
Further reading: Shelby Steele, “The Obama Bargain”
Thomas Sowell, “Double Life of Barack Obama”
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