May 30 2008
Adventures in missing the truth
Welcome to another episode of adventures in missing the truth.
Priest Mocks Clinton in Sermon - AOL News
WARNING RANT AHEAD
Maybe I reading the wrong papers or viewing the wrong political pundits. But I heard them all say the same thing about Hillary Clinton thinking that she was the inevitable democratic nominee.
So once again Obama must be responsible for what everyone who is in anyway connected to him says. First it was a black man now he has to be responsible for whites as well. OK where is Clinton’s responsibility for here husband’s remarks. I must be so stupid because I don’t get it. How is it that anything no matter how true that ruffles the gender sensibilities of the Hillary Clinton folks be so rapidly overblown when patently offensive stuff others say about Obama gets downplayed.
This white priest is once again falling subject to the demonization of a particular group of people for speaking the truth. Does anyone say, This is one sermon from the guy. Look at who he is and what he has done to help people in the church the past? Does anyone say yes maybe he didn’t way it is the nicest way but its true?
Instead it becomes another Barack Obama problem. For which he must apologize. Geraldine Ferarro has yet to apologize for saying that Obama was here he was because he was black. (read political affirmative action)
If the cost of having the first black president is having to miss, ignore or deny the truth about race, and gender issues; if we must deny the truth of white previlege rather than expose it, I wonder if it is worth it.
THIS RANT IS NOW COMPLETE
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I agree, everything he said was true IMHO.
But Brother, you say it shouldn’t be a Barack Obama issue and I do not agree with that. I think when we continually hear this TONE from the people Obama surrounds himself with, it paints a picture of who he really is. And the answer to these critiques of him can not be completely dismissed as race fueled. Let’s hope the rumors of a tape of Michelle Obama in the pulpit spitting the venom of “whitey this and whitey that” are not true. He’ll be sunk for sure, but more than that, race relations will be set back years. I’m praying it isn’t true and if it is someone has the good sense not to put it out there.
Also, I think bringing up the good these guys do for the community do nothing to excuse the TONE of the things they say. Especially in a church where it is assumed the gospel and grace of Jesus Christ is to be preached.
I tell you now, there will be no climate for social discourse on race if whites are continually told these things do not matter or are being taken out of context. We all have be at the table for those discussions and we all have to be allowed to air out the things that bother us without being told “you are wrong and do not understand”. That is no discourse. It’s a lecture.
I appreciate you and the things you have to say. They are very helpful and I think you are one that will allow everyone to speak when it comes to this discussion. I’ve read your blog for a very long time now and have found it very fair, and very challenging.
Rich,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. My biggest issue with the tone thing is it discounts two things: The prophetic role of the preacher in the black church and the pattern of speaking truth to power that we see in Jesus.
I think in this world of political correctness we sometimes forget Jesus spoke harsh words to those who were at the center of injustice, who lived in the shadow of privilege they did not earn.
As I looked at the video I saw and heard people of color who have to live with the reality of white privilege everyday. Still they bite their lips and nod heads to those who have no idea that is going on. In that one moment they are able to let their feelings flow freely and be real. It is a cathartic experience that most Anglo don’t get unless they have come to grips with white privilege power and control.
I don’t even know what to say anymore. I’m suddenly very depressed with all of this.
i wrote a recent post that seems a response to this. i hate that Obama separated himself from Trinity this past weekend. the whole mess involving Father Phleger (whom i’ve loved since the ’80’s) lends further credence to Rev. Wright’s incisive analysis that this is an attack on the pulpit itself. but i think i understand why Obama has responded the way he has.