redblueamerica.com

As anyone who has a television has no doubt heard, Senator Obama's head pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, gave a barn-burner of a sermon recently. So much so that it included the words, "God Damn America" not once, but repeatedly. Now the video I posted here doesn't include those words, because I don't support that kind of speech and never will. If there is a Creator, I want nothing but His blessings on my home! But this video is an example (taken from Fox News) of more of the sermon that people are calling racist, bigoted, hate speech.

I have to admit, I just don't get it. Wright is obviously schilling for Obama, but since he's not telling anyone who to vote for, I doubt there's even a concrete argument for his church losing their tax-exempt status. Beyond that, all Wright says is that the country is run by rich, White, prosperous people - and that Hillary Clinton has never faced the type of adversity that almost every African American still faces simply because of the color of his/her skin. I don't know if I agree with that last, because I think Hillary's gender has been an obstacle for her, albeit different. But what exactly am I supposed to be upset about here? I've met racists in my hometown. I've sat down to dinner with lawmakers who continually face discrimination on their statehouse floor. I've even seen classmates passed over simply because no one ever thinks a Black student can be a leader. What's wrong with pointing out that this country still has a race problem? Was it prudent, as a campaign figure - probably not. But again, I just don't see what the fuss is all about.

There's a lot in there about Jesus having been in the same position Barack is, since he, too, was a Black man oppressed by the White Romans. I'm not sure modern-day theologians would agree that Jesus was Black (he was most likely olive-skinned), but he was a minority in his environment, oppressed by the traditional majority, so there's at least some logic to the whole "underdog" storyline. I don't think Barack needs it - he's never had to rely on a pity vote before - and it isn't entirely flattering to his candidacy. And maybe i'm just an overly secure middle-class White person, but I'm not offended by anything here.

After having an argument with a good friend tonight, I went back and reviewed Rev. Wright's comments again. My friend had accused me of being okay with racism as long as it attacked White men, and I was disturbed enough by that accusation to go back and check my first opinions. I still don't see it though.

So here's your chance. Go to the video, and with the exception of the aforementioned "God Damn America" bit (which was as close to blasphemy as our civil religion can get, and shouldn't have been said), quote to me the part of this sermon that offends you. Then tell me why. I have no problem with people having an opinion different from mine, but I'd like to understand it. And so far, other than calling the whole thing a big racist statement, no one I've talked to has been able to articulate just what about this sermon they don't like. Please, enlighten me.