Comments on: Blogger Reactions To Obama Race & Politics Speech

By: Jan Cameron

Jan Cameron — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:30:14 +0000

(1) huntington is right: one cannot equate white racism with the (justified) anger of black people who have seen racism persist in this country despite their efforts in the civil rights movement. Thus it is not correct to compare Wright’s words with the hate speech of the KKK or other white supremacist groups.
(2) Obama made the point clear that he denounced and disapproved strongly of all of Wright’s (truly distasteful and horrible) comments that have been plastered all over the news. He said he would not disavow the *man,* meaning he would not *remove him from his life completely. Why isn’t that enough? Why was it enough that Hillary simply “dismiss” (note; not even ‘reject’ or ‘denounce’) Ferraro’s divisive, inexcusable and *racist words? Why haven’t we subjected Hillary to the same scrutiny for associating with such a divisive figure?

(3) Many Democrats are members of Christian churches. Typical Christian beliefs are that homosexuals are sinners who wil go to hell and that abortion is morally wrong and should be prohibited, to name a couple of examples. These are ideas that many democrats find abhorrent, or at least “questionable.” Should then the integrity of any democrat who belongs to a Christian church be brought into question?

By: Robert E. Geluz

Robert E. Geluz — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:50:25 +0000

I felt that he threw his Grandmother under the bus for a personal conversation that he had with her well over twenty years ago that had nothing to do with his association with a radical reverend such as Wright who used the term, …”God damn America”…., etc.”

Obama suggested that perhaps “My” church has used something similar to this by a clergyman, i.e., priest, rabbi, etc. That has not been the case in my situation. Had it happened, I would have left that church years ago.

He should have left his church after the initial remarks by the radical reverend. I think that it will hurt him in the long run for not separating himself from Wright altogether.

I am a Democrat, however, should Obama become the nominee, I would vote for an Independent or Republican rather than have a “questionable” person in office who doesn’t respect the people of the United States. Having served in the Marine Corps for eight years, I have a duty to my country unlike a lot of these politicians who never have done their duty.

Obama, frankly, frightens me for what is unseen in his character.

By: huntington

huntington — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:48:20 +0000

Let’s not equate black anger with white racism. Both are to be rejected but white racism is at the root of the problem. Wright’s anger springs from his activism in the civil rights movement and experiences growing up as a black man in America in the 1950′s. His oratorical style comes from the traditions of the black church, traditions most whites cannot identify with. One of Obama’s purposes in the speech is to provide context for Wright’s more intemperate remarks and YES context matters even here. Still, Obama firmly rejected and denoucned the 9/11 remarks. If the arugment is that Obama must personally denounce the pastor, despite his long term connection with the Church, let’s see the same standard use for Republican policians. Gosh, everyone would have to dissaciate themselves and personally condemn with most of the kooky talk show hosts who say something vile and racist every other day.

Another point Obama is making is the the Rev. Wright cannot be judged as some kind of evil racist, demonic monster because of a few comments. His church does good work in the community and he has a wide range of views that are expressed in his sermons, most of which express the Christian social gosepel, the view that serving Christ means working to rid the world of social injustice. A really good idea, I think.