Rev Wright NAACP Speech (Video)

Thank you for posting this

Wow. I saw this on CNN tonight - and was moved to tears. This man has heart, was truthful, and I would attend his church too.

Quotes from this speech will be taken out of context by Fox news and the like, because their agenda is to separate us all based upon race and if that does not work, then they will try to separate us based upon our economic status. This speech had nothing to do with Obama. Rev. wright was defending his honor, whoch has been tarnished by 30sec. soundbytes from a sermon given years ago. While you Fox fans are watching soundbytes from this speech remember, "this intelligent man served America by enlisting in the Marines and the Navy...Honorably!" Whatever happened to "once a Marine, always a Marine" where are the Marines to defend their brother's right to free speech?

True dat Jennifer...

I can see why Obama wouldn't want to denounce this guy... What a brilliant man...

It is time to talk about reparations to the African American people. It has only been 40 yrs since the jim crow laws and about 100 on slavery. What about what he said doesn’t make sense??

Rev Wright disrespected all Irish immigrants to this country.

I just saw the speech and although Rev. Wright is unquestionably a learned man, his racism regarding individuals of white European descent is clear and it is now unquestionably clear to me where the rhetoric and Hypocrisy of his mentored congregant Senator Obama has come from. I hope Barack has paid him as a speech writer and coach because their messages and delivery are scarily the same. Sorry folks, but this is a cunningly intelligent divisive racist, who does not value what this country has given to him. Every time he appears he puts another nail in the coffin of Obama's campaign.

I just saw the speech and although Rev. Wright is unquestionably a learned man, his racism regarding individuals of white European descent is clear and it is now unquestionably clear to me where the rhetoric and Hypocrisy of his mentored congregant Senator Obama has come from. I hope Barack has paid him as a speech writer and coach because their messages and delivery are scarily the same. Sorry folks, but this is a cunningly intelligent divisive racist, who does not value what this country has given to him. Every time he appears he puts another nail in the coffin of Obama's campaign.

I am so happy to hear the truth spoken with such eloquence and conviction. God Bless Rev. Wright!!

A fantastic speech. If for nothing else you have to admire the intellectual horsepower of this man.

Wow! What a great speech.
If all our church leaders could lead and speak like this we would have had change already.
Anyone who now sees Rev. Wright as un-American and un-Christian, are the people we need to work the "change" in!
Please folks, stop, think and pray.

Shorter Pam Gould,
"I wrote a post about Wright being a cunning racist before I saw this speech. Then I added 'unquestionably learned man'."

If you're feeling insulted because he dissed Bill O'Reilly, then you're really slow.

amazing.

this man is no light weight.

Great Speech Rev Wright. Finally someone who will tell the truth. A man who is definately smarter than all of those talking heads in the media, a man who is more educated than most of them in the media. Way to go!!!

Wow, Pam. Did you watch the same speech?

Different, not deficient.

I know he means well but this is just sad. He just echoed a whole host of racist presumptions about cognitive development in african american children and gave them a nationalist gloss.

Comments all around the web have been positive, but there's a string on the ABC blog that is toxic. From the talking points, I'm guessing non of them acutally watched the video.

I WAS an Obama supporter before I heard this speech today.

I gave Obama the "benefit of the Doubt" when the Rev. Wright controversial sermons came out and were aired on all the NEWS channels.
I trusted Obama and his judgement and thought the whole thing was just "SPIN" and continued to support him.

I just watched the entire NAACP speech (begiining to END) tha Rev. Wright gave today and there is one message that I believe is VERY clear from listening to Wrights sermon...
....REv. Wright DOES NOT LIKE WHITE PEOPLE in the U.S. or whites in any of the European countries either.

I get the idea from his speech that he does like anyone other than Africans. I also believe that he thinks that the entire world is against the success of Africans throughout the world.

He is NOT someone who I think any good american should be listening to every Sunday.

What kind of reaction does he think he's going to get from white people when he mocks John F. Kenneedy's dialect in an historical presidential speech. (mind you the Kennedy's are BIG Obama supporters)

This speech will be bad for Obama. JUST WAIT AND SEE! He has lost my vote.

He wont be President and it's all because of a crazy preacher.

ANYONE associated with a guy like Rev. Wright could never be President.

What a shame

HUMMMM!!!!!

I agree... man it's a shame that Obama is associated with a racist like REV. Wright.

He clearly is not trying to mend any issues he has with the white community ....when you hear the remarks he has made.

Jericho, I'm not sure you watched the same speech as me. I saw someone who was respecting everyone -- someone with marvelous knowledge of the diversity of this country. He talked about people of diferent colors, different religious denominations, everything, and said "different is not deficient" "no one is inferior or superior." I have no idea how you came away with the message you got.

Jericho,

I'm not sure you watched the same speech as me. I saw someone who was respecting everyone -- someone with marvelous knowledge of the diversity of this country. He talked about people of diferent colors, different religious denominations, everything, and said "different is not deficient" "no one is inferior or superior."

When he was talking about the way the Kennedys spoke, he was pointing out that they speak differently, but that no one considered them deficient! So, he asked, why is it considered deficient when Africans speak differently?

You obviously weren't listening properly. Watch the speech again. He was pointing out differences and saying... that different is not deficient.

You weren't listening properly at all.

He lost me on the learning differences (that right/left brain stuff has been shown to a gross oversimplification, and I'm not sure how well-controlled those studies were) but I do respect the man. How people can see this and think he's a racist is beyond me.

he said "different isn't deficient" and then later said that the way white people worship god is not the correct way (because they are more reserved in their worship)

he said "no no no.. that's not the way to worship" and then went on to give a demonstatraion of black worship (implying that the "black way" is the correct way)
he just contradicted himself seconds after he accused whites of the same excact thing.

thats just ONE example

according to his argument that "different isn't Deficient" the more reserved worship style of whites isn't the WRONG way it's just "Different"

I think that we should be realistic about ourselves here. If you just do not care at all for Rev. Wright then just say so vs trying to make excuses that are really sad. I think that for those who don't like Rev. Wright or for that matter Obama will say and blog anything that is negative vs trying to say something at least positive about either of them. Will what Obama and Wright say change the mindset of those that hate them? maybe not, but I think that we need to look at the larger context vs dwelling on being so negative. Granted Wright's sermons that were posted had some really bad things in them, but I must admit that the media didn't play his full sermons with those questionable remarks in full which makes me wonder if the MSM is try to provoke angry among Americans or are they just reporting the news as usually? I am sadden that we can not have a conversation on race without negativity on both sides, but I guess we are not ready to discuss this issue because we are still fighting the sins of the past (I guess there is hope for the younger generation after all).

He cited Janice Hale and others who explain differences based on cultural differences. How is that racist?

OK for those who do not know Gandhi, Jermiah may just sound like Gandhi, but kid you not, he is not. Nothing Jermiah said brings true peace to the world. By renouncing peace - peace does not come. Peace comes with sacrifice and a true understanding of other. When he equated all, he forgot to identify the character of others. Muslims over the world believe INFIDELS should be punished. The radicals just tried to kill Afghanistan's Prime Minister. Are these people to be condoned or pardoned? I do not wonder any more where the people friendlyness without much thoughts behind it of Obama came from. It came from Jermiah Wright. Well, let the pundits evaluate Wright. For me, all of what he said is fueling - and I would not vote for Obama. It will be another Pastor in making in White House. I am afraid we may just have another four years of Jimmy Carter.

Brilliant speech! Just amazing! 6 stars out of 5!

I don't believe for a moment Jericho that you were for Obama until you heard this speech. If you were I can't understand what would offend you about this speech other than that his style is indeed "different" from white priests, pastors and rabbis. I for one think it is terrific just because it is passionate even though I think some of his theories about right/left brain ways of learning are simply balderdash when applied to entire groups of people.

Wright and his church have been sorely maligned by the sound bites...

Wright, as one of the most respected and learned of pastors of the United chirches of Christ which number some 55,000 has every right to defend himself from the hatchet job done on him by the out of context sound bites which the media played in continuous loops... tell me Jericho were you ever a US Marine? Or did you ever serve in any of the US armed forces? Did you give 7 years of your life to your country? I'll bet not.

Excellent speach. The man is a really intellectual. Very impressive......

I reject your assumtion that I am LYING when I say that I was an Obama supporter.

I promise you on my dead grandmothers grave with a Holy BIBLE in my hand that I was an Obama supporter until I heard this NAACP speech given by Wright this afternoon.

I listedned with an open mind and an open heart to Rev. Wright today aas he spoke and all he did was confirm what all of those "snippets" of his sermon implied.
That is.... he has alot of anger and distain towards WHITE america.

Jericho, just get out with the bullshit. If you really were an Obama supporter but this speech from REVEREND WRIGHT has somehow made you change your mind and made you decide to drop your support, then I question the depth of your conviction at the first place.

Either you're blind and in denial and refuse to accept the truths of this country, or you haven't been paying attention to Obama's messages from the very beginning of this campaign, or you just didn't see the same speech that I did, or you're just blatantly lying about being an Obama supporter at the first place.

Wright's speech made one thing very clear: in his mind and the minds of the people that support him the only way for Black people to succeed is to destroy the system that is run by white people.
As long as white people are in charge black people will suffer.
So it surprises me that white people would support him because he is asking them to destroy themselves in the name of justice. Even if you believe white people are the cause of the suffering minorities endure, it's a stretch to think that men like Wright would make it any better. History proves that man is incapable of creating a utopia on earth. And this idea that if we all just come together as one mankind will finally create a utopia is ridiculous. The only thing that ever comes out of people uniting like a bunch of mindless drones is death on a grand scale: Nazism, Communism, Fascism, and Socialism prove that to be true.

This man is crazy!!!!!!!!! He is unsafe for this country and so is his Obama that has been hand molded my this Anti-American/Racist man.

I was around to hear Dr. Martin Luther King. I was appalled that the people around me called him a communist, said he and the poor people had no right to march. In my area, I was almost alone in my admiration for him and his marches. I am still around today, but now an older white woman and an Air Force veteran living in the south. I see the greatness in Rev. Wright and can well understand how Senator Obama became a Christian because of that man. I applaud CNN for covering the whole speech and have watched it over and over, but the shallowness and narrow focus of much of the media will be the same as in the days of MLK and the poor people's marches. But this time we have an African American running for president who will probably achieve his goal and things will change. The changes will leave the pundits of today in the dust.

Sheila Jackson
Greer, SC

I am puzzled to learn from Wright that black people have different brains from white people. I thought everybody was created equal.

Oh, this is going to be an interesting concept to watch unfold in the general election.

The right brain vs. the left brain.

Jericho,

if you were indeed an Obama supporter, then your problem is that you weren't listening.

Like I said earlier, when he was talking about the Kennedy's, his point was: the kennedy's spoke differently, but no one considered them deficient. So you should not consider black people deficient when they speak differently.
There is nothing racist about it as far as I can see. I thought it was a brilliant point. What, exactly, was racist about it that you saw?

And--here we go...

A speech from Reverend Wright and all the anti-Obama pundits are jumping on it like desperate-rabid animals.

You'd think that they'll actually try spending their time supporting the candidate of their choice instead of repudiating everything the pastor of the other candidate says.

To everyone insisting that this speech will cost Obama the presidency, I'll be back posting here on the inauguration. Let's see who's right.

The problem here is that Wright, like Obama, is complex and intellectual. We are seeing that the speech was far too complex for some people, like Jericho, to follow.

Wright used a lot of examples, acting out and describing the differences -- differences that he emphasized were not deficiencies -- and some people think he was MOCKING them? He'd do "white" claps and "black caps", and say that the blacks say the "whites are doing it wrong," but then he says "but it's not wrong, it's different!" Yet people here are only hearing the part where he is saying "they're doing it wrong" and going nuts. The speech was too complex for some people to understand.

Gino,

Nothing he said brings peace? Really? How about "Different does not mean deficient". The rev said nothing that could show him as a racist. He wasn't trying to make the point that blacks are better than whites just different. The joke about the irish was probably not the best idea for this speech but it was clearly just a joke, albiet a bad one. Grow up. Perhaps this country is not ready for a president like obama but we sure as hell need him. The fact that anyone could watch this speech and not think that this man is a visionary shows just how backwards some people in this country are. By the way I am not an African American I'm an American with indian decent.

I am a republican and I must say that I was very impressed with this man. I only hope and pray that people will listen to this speech in it's entirety. I have now retracted everything bad I said about this man because I judged him based on what the news media said about him. This was an education for me and like him, I am now committed to changing the way I view others

It would be curious to see if this type of debate was going on during the 50's and 60's and to see if individuals pro and con on racial issues share the same feelings as those who live now...it would be an interesting thing to have blogging in the 50's and 60's.

Jericho:

The mocking was to illustate a point, which you apparently missed. The vast majority of Americans do not speak proper "English". Every region/culture has its own way of speaking and pronouncing, and black americans should no more be held as deficient for the way they talk than should Bostonians, Southerners, Texans, Canadians. Did JFK and LBJ talk differently than many of their fellow Americans? Sure. Did that make them deficient? No.

Where you get the idea that Wright doesn't like whites is beyond me. The only thing I got is a point that when you look at one culture through the eyes of another, sometimes it can seem strange. He even defended white people rhythm. Get a sense of humor.

He didn't diss Irish-Americans, he was very subtly dissing O'Reilly. It was hilarious.

I'm black and I have to say that I am shocked to know that I learn differently from white people.

This man is a joke!!! If he were really intelligent, he would know that you should never make generalizations. He just marginalized black and white people. I don't have to get up from my seat to learn. I'm not sure which side of the brain I use to learn, but I can guarantee that there all races of people who learn from their right or left sides of their brain.

I wonder how Latinos, Asians, Native Americans, and South Asians learn. Which side of the brain do they use?

And he threw around musical terms. I have to agree with him on some of it, but he looks nuts trying to get his point across musically.

this is a good speech - remember people the question is not do we agree with reverend wright on everything or even on most things - the question is, is he a fanatic, is he extreme - and after watching this video and learning the history of his work, it becomes clear, that no he is not - he is a normal american preacher - he has some ideas we may agree with and some that we may not - but it is ridiculous to judge politicians that have relationships with him or go to his church, based on these reasonable differences
on the other hand, pastor hagee, a mccain supporter, is much more extreme in his views against gays, women, and catholics
so let's stop attacking obama about this - it really is unfair - we need to speak up and tell the networks to stop the double standard and stop twisting reality with their soundbite based superficial reporting

Wow. If anything, the response to this speech is exposing an educational divide.

The right and left brain are conditioned to do different things. The left side analyzes, the right side has a "holistic" view. One attends to details, one attends to the whole picture.

The way we are raised, culturally, determines which side of our brain we use more. For example, in western societies, we do tasks that require the left side more than we do tasks that require the right side, so the left side becomes more trained. Our current educational system, which has us analyze things a lot, uses the left side more than the other. Therefore, the left side becomes dominant.

Hence our brains are all the same, but which side we use more -- left or right -- is different.

ANGER IS DEVISIVE! and ANGER is something that Rev. Wright has alot of.

His sermon today was fueled by anger and NOT LOVE for ALL races and people (especially WHITES)

If you are black than you most definately interpreted his speech with LOVE because he LOVES you.

Let me flip the statements and comments he made in his speech and give it from a WHITE point of view and I PROMISE you ...that you would call me a racist.

It's pointeless to argue "point of views" your perception is your reality and NOTHING i can say to you will ever change that and vice versa.

so let me just close sayiing: Treat others as you would want to be Treated and LOVE LOVE LOVE is the answer.
Arguing gets you NO WHERE!

REV. Wrights sermons are coming from an argumentative place to make points to show why Blacks should be angry at Whites.

And I think he is very succesfull at what he does, but because of his skill in angering black people to resent whites and hate what whites have done to Blacks in this country.
It is going to cause the only chance that African Americans have had in the History of Blacks in America to LOOSE once again. WAIT and SEE!

I HATE THIS. I want to see EVERYONE have a chance in this country. I want to see equality. I want to see all RACISM DIE! not just the racism towards blacks , but Blacks racism towards whites. IT'S ALL UN-PRODUCTIVE!

You have to work together to solve problems and saying that an entire race of people think and learn with their right or left side of their brains is a RACIST, blanket statment!

Thats exactly like saying all Asians are good at Algebra. Or all Swiss are good a snowskiing. All Italians are good Cyclist. All Blacks are good a basketball.

To the person comparing Obama to Carter...

Every time we look at our dependency on foreign oil today, think about the fact that Carter had the foresight to tell America this problem was coming and that we needed to change our ways. America thought it knew better and from Reagan onward we gluttonously turned on the tap full throttle. We're only just starting to pay for our foolish greed.

RESPECT EVERYONE? I would of loved to hear him finish his thoughts on the Irish "stereotyping".

He has in fact put anouther nail in the coffin of Obama "At least i hope"

musgrrl, if the term "statistically significant" doesn't mean anything to you, you probably won't understand his discussion of the studies of learning types.

I can't believe how this man is celebrated for his racist veiws. he preaches integration but his statements point towards segrigation. I understand that he was in the military...and a vetran, so am i, but if i as a white man said these things at a meeting of the naawp (which would be labeled as racist) i would be labeled as kkk. he does not deserve to be put in the lime light. if i were black i would be insulted by the comments he made about education. if black and white people are so different then how do we have black doctors, lawers, and proffesors. its idiotic to say that a black person cannot do the same things as a white person. the only thing that holds a person down is the quality of their upbringing. i do not mean their economic status, it is the values provided by their parents. as far as retrobution, if you were a slave, you are owed money for you suffering. If you ancestors were slaves, i'm sorry, you have not made the sacrifice that you are demanding to get paid for. i ask that people look at all three candidates and make an educated decision based on their plans, policies, and history.

one more thing, before you vote democrat please read about reagonomics and take a good look at how bad health care is in the military(AKA the socialized health care that Democrast want for the whole country)

musgrrl,

I'm pretty sure he was quoting a study by some lady not making it up. I don't believe it either but I don't think he made it up and I don't think that was the point of his message.

There is no question that Rev. Wright is very intelligent, charismatic and eloquent but he is, for those very reasons, frighteningly able to twist facts, scientific and otherwise. Tonight's speech, broadcast live by CNN, cannot be conveniently dismissed as a sound bite. His insistence that all Europeans and European/Americans are left brained and all Africans and African/Americans are right brained is specious -- a fact based on research that has nothing to do with racial bias. In his deliberately simplistic black and white statement, in terms of both race and learning-style approach, he also denies the heritage of all of those children who are of both historical backgrounds, including Obama, leaving them in a no-man's land in his theories of supportive and non-supportive education. In defending himself and his theories he continues to put Obama and his supporters in a bind. The beneficiary, in the end, will not be the man he would hope will occupy the White House. While Rev. Wright was an asset in the senatorial race, Obama, unfortunately, will be forced to win this election in spite of him.

Wright is a Reverend, right? Does the bible say that God created white men different from black men? Did God create a black Adam and Eve in Africa and a white Adam and Eve in Europe?
And if we all come from one Adam and one Eve, as the bible says, then when did our brains become different?
And if our brains differ then what kind of brain does Obama have, since he's half white and half black? And what about Asians, or Native Americans? Does the bible cover that too? This idea that "different does not mean deficient" is a big lie because the differences Wright speaks of are superficial and useless.

Way to miss the point, "stud." How many times did he say different does not mean deficient?

Studies- like THE ONES HE CITED!!!!- have suggested that black children, for whatever reason, learn differently. BUT DIFFERENT DOES NOT MEAN DEFICIENT.

Yes, some people learn differently- but they're not deficient- so they CAN become doctors, lawyers, PRESIDENT.

Have any of you people ever even read a scientific journal? They don't suggest that ALL black children learn differently. Just that there is a statistically significant difference in the way that the children studied learned. THAT IS ALL. NOT THAT ONE IS DEFICIENT.

Oh, and the military does NOT have the health care proposal proposed by the Democrats. And Reaganomics only worked because he didn't care about the deficit- something our grandkids will have to pay off with 60% taxes.

Thanks so much for posting this marvelous thoughtful speech. Keep up the good work. kj

Jericho:

I can understand why you feel the way you feel towards what Rev. Wright said tonight. However, I think that in order for our country to grow from the perils of the past, we must first accept that what was done in the past was wrong and we must now chart a course to better our future. I think that if Rev. Wright would have put it in that context it would have gotten less negative feedback. I think we respond in different ways to how individuals like Rev. Wright talks/preaches. Some of us respond more on the tone of his speech, others respond more on the substance of the speech. I think that it going into what he was talking about the left and right brains. As far as the whole left brain right brain comments, it was using educational research from professors in the field of ed development. I must say that there are more opinions on what brain side is more dominate in the scholastic arena, but again we are losing the point of the comment that he is making.

Tony, to most people who found Rev. Wright offensive, "statically significant" means absolutely nothing. I don't think the Irish or most Bostonians care about those two words. He mocked the Kennedy's accent. He made comments that some Irish find offensive. And the fallout will be that Obama will suffer for it. Way to go Rev. Wright. What a way to show your support!

Let em be very CLEAR when I say that I take NO joy in saying this, but Rev. Jeramiah Wright has ruined Barack Obama's chance to be President.

Just watch the "Spin" on this speech tomorrow on all the media outlets.

Sadly ...all this NAACP speech has accomplished is to confirm any assumptions people may have taken from the first go round in the media with Rev. Wright.

This SUCKS I wanted Obama to win sooo bad to.

OK. This is going over a lot of heads.

There was a study that suggested that black children are educated in different ways. I don't know the date of the study, but it was probably in a time of deeper segregation. So, there were probably actually differences in schools, and some schools were predominantly white, and some were predominantly black.

These differences in education yielded differences in thinking. Not ability- just a different way of looking at the world.

He's NOT suggesting that there's a genetic difference, but rather a CULTURAL one. In the black schools and communities, kids are taught in a certain way, which makes them think in a certain way.

If you take a black kid and put him in the exact same environment as a white kid, with exactly equal resources and treatment, then they would have similar thought processes. But because kids are raised in different environments, they think differently. One isn't better than the other; they're just different.

It's really just common sense to me.

Tony,
Lets say you and Wright are right. Where do we go from there? Do we test every child before they start school to find out what part of their brain is more dominant, and then tailor their education accordingly?
And what happens when these children have to work in the real world? Should businesses and government jobs be tailored to operate according to the employees brain type?
Or should we just point out the difference and leave it at that and do nothing about it?
If we do nothing about it why bring it up in the first place?

This was better than great.....When I see comments that are negative...One might assume that these are the ones who are deficient...But no they are different....When you don't get it...... he speaks above your grade and pay level. But still you are different not defiecient....do you get it now..........Loved the speech...this will unite our country not devide it...And oh by the way I marched in the Marching 100 from Florida A&M University the most famous band in this country...And he had some of our moves down pretty good....... OBAMA 08 in a Landslide...This country is Ready!!!!!!

stud,

Obama doesn't want socialized medicine. He wants low cost private insurance.

The fact that you compare the NAACP to the KKK shows how ignorant you are. At a KKK rally you would find whites saying how they are better than blacks and other races while the rev. made no claims to superiority just difference. A change is coming if not in my generation then in my children's. Stud your ignorance is disgusting and you do not deserve to be called an American.

Wow what a great speech. If this doesn't fire you up I don't know what will. Different does not mean deficient, It has dawn on some of the people on this forum yet

the only danger of this speech?

That some people are too stupid to understand it.

The things I'm reading here are shocking to me. There are people who don't understand when Wright is being metaphorical and when he's being sarcastic. He was mocking the Kennedy's? Are you even listening? HE WAS NOT MOCKING THE KENNEDIES. He was saying that they speak differently but no one would ever consider them deficient!

And I thought left vs right brained learning styles was common sense!! We all have the same brain. Kids, when they're toddlers, tend to use their whole brain. But then we go into the real world, and the way school is taught uses mostly the left brain, so you become more left-brained. Because different cultures emphasize different cognitive learning styles, kids raised in a certain way will have more dominance on one side of the brain than the other. Neither side is BETTER than the other. In fact, an aim of modern education is to make kids more "whole brained', because right now our education is too focused on the left, so that kids who don't use the left so much seem stupid when really they are not.

And duh, no, not one race is entirely in one side, but different cultural groups TENDS to be more to one side. TENDS.

Girls also tend to be more right-brained than boys, which is why people wonder if the left-brain focused science and math curriculum just isn't being designed well for them. The new york times had a story on this recently, about how maybe you should teach differently for boys vs girls. Thank God Wright didn't go into that. Otherwise he would totally be misogynistic too, huh?

Wright clearly overestimated the intelligence of his audience.

Oh and this Jericho fella -- no matter how many times people tell him he's wrong, he posts the same thing over with his TOTALLY FAKE sympathy for Obama. The guy is a fake, don't waste your time. He doesn't read when people point out that he's wrong, he just posts his FAUX ANGUISH over and over again. Why are you so horrified that he's ruined the chances when all the news networks said that the speech was excellent? Because all the anchors on the news networks just don't have your vast intelligence?

"Tony, to most people who found Rev. Wright offensive, "statically significant" means absolutely nothing."

This is exactly my point- the people who are getting offended either don't or just aren't trying to understand his point. If you don't understand that the study he cited probably suggested a statistically significant difference in left/right brain for different children, you probably will take offense, but if you try to understand the matter, you'll see that it's a perfectly reasonable one.

Imitating is not the same as mocking. He was pointing out that their pronunciations of the same word are different. Are you denying that Ted Kennedy says "pock" instead of "park"?

And as he said, different does not mean deficient.

You completely missed his point. As someone posted above, this should be expected.

After reading some of the negative dialog towards Rev Wright, I think that one thing is clear. Despite what I would like to believe, Blacks and whites are different. We at times have common goals but we have different methods of how achieving should be accomplished. I initially listened to Rev Wright's 2001 comments on Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity's A.M. radio shows and I was concerned that black America would again have to fight to rebuild our dignity because of what this ignorant man said. That was my initial thought.
Then I went to YouTube.com to watch the speech in its entirety. My view of Rev Wright immediately changed. 20 second sound bites of a magnificently butchered sermon tainted the message and painted him as this Anti anything but black nigger.
Not for the purpose of destroying him but for the purpose of destroying Barrack Obama's chance at showing young blacks how far we have come as a people. Instead emphasis has been placed on how far we haven't.
Don't blame Rev Wright for causing a racial divide, blame yourself for not noticing that a racial divide exist.
How many times have you heard about John McCain's Profanity on the senate floor and during his campaign. How many times times have you heard that the gas prices are as high as they are not because of the oil companies but because of the extremely high taxes charged by the US govt (do the math).

Rev Wright are the type of people I respect because he will not sit down and bite his tongue simply because of what is view to be politically incorrect. I respect Barrack Obama rather than sell out & his Pastor and friend of 20 years he simply disagreed with his friend but would not disown him. If he would have sold Rev Wright up the river EVERY black knows Obama would have lost this election immediately.

So to those who now believe that Obama's chance to be president is over, I am here to tell you it was over before it started. Because do you honestly think a black man that will not himself to be controlled by the Clinton's or any other person would honestly have a chance at that office. If you believe that he ever had a CHANCE you are crazy.

To some he Obama is viewed as change, some view him as the future, I view him as what could be, but at the end of the day SOME blacks and SOME whites view him as nigger and nothing bigger.

I think that at times Rev. Wright speaks over the heads of lesser educated people and when this happens they feel as if they are being spoken down to. This is particularly insulting to people that harbor some racial hostility to start with.

When this happens those same people strike back in the only way they know how, by calling him names or attacking his character ie.. calling him a racist. Unfortunately there is little chance that these people can be dissuaded from this mindset, once they have it.

What saddens me most is that supposedly educated people, I refer to journalists now, could intentionally misinterpret the words spoken by this good man to support some foul political agenda.

On the otherhand, I believe that most people upon hearing the Rev. speak are awakened to the truth, that this man is obviously an extremely learned and forth right individual that wishes to unite people of all colors and is deserving of respect from both the white and black community for his efforts.

Louis,
If the difference is cultural then what should we do?
Just sit back and say, "aren't we smart we see a cultural difference." Should we give black kids passing grades when they fail tests because they are culturally different? Or should we just pass everyone regardless of how well they do in school because of cultural differences?
Or should black kids be graded and treated differently because of their race?
Tell me please.

"Do we test every child before they start school to find out what part of their brain is more dominant, and then tailor their education accordingly?

This sounds like a FANTASTIC idea to me, but there aren't enough resources or teachers to do so.

"And what happens when these children have to work in the real world? Should businesses and government jobs be tailored to operate according to the employees brain type?"

Um...no. The fact that someone is right-brained doesn't disadvantage them. It might make them less well-equipped to do the job, but then, they shouldn't be getting hired in the first place. For example, if you're hiring a math teacher, wouldn't you rather hire someone good at math instead of a painter? And isn't it more likely that the math teacher will be left-brained, and the painter will be right-brained?

Note that I didn't say that the person good at math is somehow a "better" person than the painter. Because different does not mean deficient.

"If we do nothing about it why bring it up in the first place?"
This is a good question. A lot of scientific studies are done simply for the pursuit of understanding and knowledge. But as you suggested above, we can use these studies to make better educational strategies.

I swear that this story is true: I once tutored an inner-city youth. He was black, and very good at reading, but years behind his class in math. He wasn't retarded or slow- just not that good at math. It kills me to admit it, but after a year, I failed. He hadn't made much progress at all, and I blame myself.

Reverend Wright's speech is making me wonder how I could have been a better tutor. He was still young, at the point where his brain could still be molded. Maybe I should have tried more visual/object activities, to help build left-brain strength. I don't know, but I don't think there's anything racist about this.

I think that the vast majority of the country agrees that slavery and the treatment of blacks in america in the past 300 or 400 yrs was wrong (of course).

There are NO blacks inslaved now and in a few more years there will be no black person alive that experienced slavery first hand and the same goes for slave owners......SO Lets move forward and stop looking back.

Speeches such as Wright's only remind blacks of the past... instead of coming together with whites to make a better future.

Solidarity is what we need to rival corporate america taking over this country.
Solidarity is what it will take to solve the energy crisis.
Solidarity is the key and the springboard to solving ALL of the PROBLEMS in this country.

What point is someone trying to make when they generalize an enitire race of people (be it white or black)?

How is saying that blacks and whites think and learn completely different going to bring about cooperation and solidarity.

He should have been focusing on all ten thousand things that Blacks and Whites have in common!!

Rev Wright did a good job articulating my thoughts on different people not being deficient, because of their differences. I’m not a Christian, but this is the first sermon in a long time by a Christian that made me want to stand up and clap because finally someone conveyed my feelings. (My way of connectedness as jay smooth would say) I’m a person that has a so called "disabled right arm, im not a Christian, I love underground hip hop music, I try to question all sides of issues before I give an answer, and I don’t mind saying I don’t know the answer. Coming from the west side of Chicago I was looked at as different. I wasn’t always comfortable about that but I have grown to accept it. But Rev Wright speech made me even prouder to be who I am, a person who is different. That don’t make me better or worst, it just makes me me.

So good Job Rev Wright. I think the mainstream media is going to tear you and Barrack a New whole, but in my eyes this should do nothing but help Barrack. This was sort of not even about Barrack, yet indirectly it was.

Hopefully we realize the real issue is that people are different, and get to the point that its not about black white, democrat, republican, or whatever category or label we put on things. It’s about, fighting greed and disrespect of everyone on this earth, because believe it or not we are directly or indirectly connected with what happens in other countries. So before I am an American, or a Chicagoan, I am an earthling. F--- it that’s how I feel tonight.

Tony, you can argue this all you want but the person that will lose because of Rev. Wright speech is Obama. A lot of people will miss the Rev's point. It doesn't matter if you get it. Obama already has you in his corner.

I think this is a turning point in the race and it's not looking good for Obama.

Oh god people are stupid.

The brain is not BIOLOGICALLY different. The way you are raised culturally determines which side of the brain you USE most.

TJ:

Speaking as someone who is biracial and is going into the teaching profession as an elementary school teacher the answer to your question is how do myself and other teachers organize our lesson plans to activate both brains in all children (white, black, latin, asian, etc.) in the classroom. The classroom should not be structure as right brain dominate or left brain dominate. All of our children in America are exceptional and bright. Unfortunately, NCLB (No Child Left Behind) has caused much of the creativity in the lesson planning to be cut to teach our students what will happen on the test vs what will happen in the real world.

tj- hell no. Nobody is advocating affirmative action for kids' grades. Reverend Wright was using the brain difference as an example to support his larger theme: Different does not mean deficient. Some kids learn differently. They're not deficient.

Tj,

This speech was not about children's learning development. That was just a supportive story from a study by some doctor. He used this story to prove the point that different does not mean deficient. You people are missing the point. If people from boston watch this speech and all the get out of it is an insult about their accents then they have a bigger problem on their hands, they think with no side of their brains.

I have to reiterate that I do not agree with this speech. The tone was harsh. Even though he said some things that were factually correct and I could see where he was coming from, I don't think this speech will bring people together. I'm trying to see this from a non-black view (being that I'm black) and I have to say that it comes off harsh.

I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter. (An African-American supporter of hers)...and I must say that this man was absolutely correct. A few of the things he said could have been said differently (more "politically correct")...but even if they were, I don't think we'd be discussing them. It takes passion and fervor to raise these issues and you can't always do so politically correct. Take a step back and take a deep breath and actually think about what he said tonight. It rang true to what's wrong with this nation. God does need to damn this country, and is in the process of doing so. Doesn't make me any less patriotic or have any less love for this country. I just don't love what is being done in it. Wake up America.

Oh, no! Jerico! You missed Rev. Wright's point entirely! What you seem to have heard is exactly what he was NOT saying, or rather, what he was warning against, not advocating! Please listen again -- I was and still am an Obama supporter and felt I owed it to myself to hear what the Rev really had to say. This speech was brilliant! Not to mention inspiring and occasionally hysterically funny. Does it help you to know that I am white? I heard nothing whatever that could be deemed offensive -- perhaps what sounded odd to your ears is that he told the TRUTH, something we are unused to hearing. BTW, his Kennedy and Johnson bits were delicious! He is one educated guy, and I feel it would be a privilege to know him.

I think that what Rev Wright was saying was that europeans traditionally learn more easily from books, while african americans learn better from lectures. Both are equally capable of learning, but that teaching needs to cover both methodology to best serve the mix of students.

Of course this is an over-simplification of the truth, but likely has a good deal of truth because of the

How is one going to sort out who was sold as a slave by the African's themselves, versus the Europeans if the subject matter is reparations?

If the subject is reparations, then would the already paid federal aid, food stamps, housing, medicaid, and the like be deducted from individuals.

Even if a person files for Medicaid, at least in Florida, and one can not qualify for such unless one is declared disabled or has children under 18.

My point is more along the lines that if an elderly person receives medicaid, the state files a lien on their property, or they have to sell it outright if they go into a nursing home, and give the nursing home all of the money but $1500.00

So...... the only thing I am pointing out is there would be huge problems even going down the road of reparations.

Just throw in affirmative action.....what about qualified people who were turned away from jobs because of employer racial requirements, and the same for college applicants.

Are the people who suffered because of affirmative action going to be reimbursed?

Then throw in Muslims, Muslim nations enslaved African Americans as well...

This is like a never ending thing.....

And think about it, every nation has had slaves, indentured slaves, and serfs...

Where does this line of thinking stop and start, in relation to slavery, in general, regardless of race, and rational thinking.

What about the sex slave trade today?

http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/visit_see_victory_cfexhibition_eastafrica.htm

..."One of the most famous slave traders on the East African coast was Tippu Tip, who was himself the grandson of an enslaved African. His real name was Hamed bin Mohammed and he was born in Zanzibar. Tippu Tip and his men took African people from their homes to sell them, from an area that stretched over one thousand miles from inland to the coast.

"..."Merchants and tribal leaders traded enslaved Africans for a variety of different objects, including guns, cloth, horses, copper, pottery, and even Venetian glass beads"...

FOR DIVISIVE, anti-Obama folks like LC, stud, musgrrl, Pam Gould, Angel, and Jericho:

It's amazing to me how the nay-sayers like you are commenting on this video saying that this man is Anti-America. He just spent 40 minutes explaining how different we ALL are and how we need to unite. He did not say Whites were wrong. He said it was WRONG to say that Blacks are wrong, uneducated or flawed because they are different. Did you hear the same speech? Or did you hear a quote or two and make a hurried decision as if spoon-fed by your TV?

This man is a former servant of this country. He does not hate America. He loves America, and he is an honest speaker about how people have been treated in this country. If you're missing that, you're simply ignoring the fact that there are people of color around you who do not feel fully embraced by America because there are not honest leaders who they can relate to. There are not enough people - teachers, leaders, etc. - around who validate the differences of all people.

And to add, the snippet quotes that the corporate media gave you over a month ago when you FIRST heard about Rev. Wright quotes him as saying "God %&@ Amerca". That's the snippet you heard. BUT the quotes leaves out that he actually said "God %&@ Amerca because she thinks she's God" as part of a larger speech. This is a point I've heard in White churches, perhape not verbatim, but this is not a foreign concept pointed out in religious circles - that our country can be so conceited at times and our actions domestic and abroad do not reflect the Godly love, culture-embracing society our leaders hypocritically promote. You need to get ALL the facts before you judge.

The media has completely taken his quotes out of context, which has angered people like you who don't want to see the full story - all you see is a crazy Black guy. You see deficient. You don't see different and you don't want to investigate to have an educated response. And taking it verbatim from the filtered media like dope addicts are just making yet another excuse to darken the obvious support from ALL races that is surrounding the All-American Barack Obama.

Times are changing and thank God, when President Obama begins his term in January, he will make wonderful change a reality for all people in this country. It would be a shame that if a moment like this costs Obama the presidency, all of you anti-Obama folks will allow a Corporate puppet like Hillary Clinton to take us down a slippery slope, or the good ol' boy John McCain to keep us in Iraq. It will be because of your fear and misunderstanding. And this country will never move past its divisions about race. We will never come together as Americans if you allow your racism to sway your choice.

TJ,
I can not believe you are that ignorant. Of course blacks should not get a free ride but the fact that blacks learn differently should be considered. If you recall the I.Q. test was discarded because it was unfair and it was acknowledged an I.Q. was based on community learning. For example: In one community Diva is use as an endearing term towards a woman. In another community a Diva is recognized as the songstress in an opera. 2 different outlooks but which one is wrong. should the one that does not understand the term diva was derived from the opera be failed in school when in his or her community this usage of the term is the norm.

This is how his speech or understanding is butchered. You want to disagree so badly you fight with any type of ignorance you can conger up.

There are so many things wrong with what Rev. Wright did in his speech that I don't know where to start and am not sure I can cover them all.

1. The theories of biological differences in learning, linguistics, and music are bogus. They have never been verified by real researchers or scientists.

2. Europeans did not use the diatonic scale with major and minor primarily until after Bach. Music before Bach was modal -- different scales with different relationships between notes. Furthermore, even after Bach, modal music is still written and frequently found in folk music. Just listen to Bulgarian dances or Hungarian religious music or Greek singing and it will be obvious.

3. The pentatonic scale is hardly exclusive to Africa. Ask Cantor Nate Lam or any learned Jewish music authority about the three main modes used in Jewish liturgical music.

4. As for rhythms, there is plenty of music influenced by African tradition that is in four/four with the first and third beats emphasized -- jazz is full of them. Likewise, although most music in the European tradition is in four/four, three/four (waltz), or six/eight, there is plenty that is in different time signatures. Again. look to the folk music of the middle ages throughout Europe -- Michael Praetorius, a 16th Century German -- catalogued lots of it, and most was neither in four/four nor in the major/minor diatonic that Wright referred to. Plus, what would Wright make of such as Stravinsky, Bartok, Schoenberg, all of whom were modern European composers? And if you want to hear things that violate all the supposed conventions Wright referred to, listen to parts of Wagner or Mahler.

5. Wright completely confused the linguistic principles with differences in dialect. Listen carefully to his speech and you will see what I mean.

6. Furthermore, while Noam Chomsky (referring to his pioneering work in linguistics not his political garbage) was pretty convincing in postulating an innate grammar imbedded in the brain, virtually everybody agrees that learning any specific language is environmental and not biological.

7. The idea that Africans have a different brain organization from Europeans is so dangerous that I'm shocked Wright didn't grasp the implications of his assertions. If Africans have a different brain organization, then it would be hopeless to attempt to educate them in math, science, engineering, and so forth -- all those things that require left brain skills. If Africans have a different brain organization, putting them into integrated schools is a disservice to them (because we are teaching them with wrong methods and expectations) and to the non-Africans who will be cheated out of proper attention because time is being wasted on a biologically futile quest to Europeanize African brains.

8. If his ideas are taken seriously, this means a two tier or at best a two track education system.

9. I strongly believe, and I think the scientific evidence is there to back it up, that there is more left/right brain difference within groups of children than there is between groups of children.

10. Wright basically asserted that there is inborn biological difference between those of European stock and those of African stock that culture and education cannot overcome. I believe that biology is important. I believe that culture -- deep culture -- is important. I believe that education is important. The balance among these elements is even more important. But the consequences of the view that there are innate biological differences that trump culture and education is very dangerous. I do not believe a civil society democratically constituted can withstand such a view. Democracy as we know it in America, that goes beyond mere plebiscite and extends to freedom of speech, of association, to reliable contracts, fair courts, rule of law, and the notion that no one should, on the basis of biological characteristics alone, be excluded from full citizenship rights, cannot withstand the notion that there are innate biological differences between races that trump our common culture and our universal standards of education.

The Jericho guy is what's call a "concern troll." Ignore him. He's a fake.

Maybe this is God's plan for this whole situation. Whether Obama wins or not, America has been challenged to really heal our racial issues. I see real HOPE! A real deep conversation has begun. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. God has heard the cries of the people. We are OK, just like we are. I'm OK and you're OK. We can learn to love one another, while appreciating our differences. Different, not deficient... Rev Wright doesn't hate white people, he is explaining to a diverse audience why black children hate themselves before they are six years old. He is explaining that if we view each other both white and black as different, but not deficient we can understand and appreciate each other. I love you, but first, I had to learn to love myself. I hope this makes sense. God bless America. Do not be afraid, but you are watching a miracle unfold, a prayer being answered, by which all of us (all of America) will be blessed if we get through the pain. God bless America!

Tony,
Can you imagine every teacher having to go and be retrained on how to teach according to brain type?
And we'd have to provide different text books to every student based on brain type. Can't teach a class if it's made up of a mixture of brain types. Classes would have to be segregated by brain type!
Sorry, but for all of you that think Wright is a genius, you're wrong. If you take what he says as truth and try to apply it to reality you get stumped because his thoughts can't be applied to reality.

this man is a true soldier of life. let this be a lesson to all who saw or rather an enlightment and opportunity to go fourth proudly with head held high, mind fine tuned , strong and well ready for the fight that is life in this world especially this place we call America. the time is here dont give up the fight for what is right.

TJ,
I'm black, and I scored 135 on my i.q. test in school. and I grew up in the inner city, poor as dirt. So I get offended when someone tells me that I somehow can't be as intelligent as a white person because of how I was raised culturally.

We treat others as we do because of the way we are, not because of the way they are.

1) Differences are important as far as education (everyone has an individual learning style, and yes, there are patterns based on demographic: age, sex, race) as far as medicine (certain drugs have markedly different effects for different demographics)and in many other facets of life
If we pretend they don't exist, then only the most popular solutions/techniques exist, marginalizing everybody who it doesn't really work for.

2) Both McCain and Clinton have associated themselves with people who have said or done things they don't support. Nobody has called for McCain has Parsley and Hagee, who he has not repudiated, nor has anyone asked. Clinton has Bill (who did some nasty stuff, not just said nasty stuff) and nobody demanded that she repudiate him, in fact, in some circles she gets points for loyalty. The connection of Wright to Obama is really based on the prejudicial view that all blacks are alike, and probably all know each other.

3) Wright's service and spirituality are sincere, and not spun. He could easily have come out and soft-pedaled, but that would not have been honest. For someone as obviously learned and smart as he is it is impossible to ignore too many black kids shot by police, too many black kids in schools that don't work, too many black kids in prison, too many black abortions, too few black faces in places where they serve as positive models. For every parent, white or black, that is mad that his kid doesn't get playing time, that his kid didn't get the scholarship, that his kid is in the back row, again, think about the patterns of recognition over the past century. or lack of it.
It's shocking Wright's not madder.It's shocking lots of folks aren't.

Tj,

Your an idiot.

Liam, you know why no one has called out McCain for his association with Hagee regardless of what the latter said? Because in the media's view, Obama is an easier target for supposedly being associated with hate. It's so unfair and so typically unfair to Black people and the Black church.

WOW!
Not only was I able to view this on CNN, but I was able to experience Dr. Wright at my church earlier today.

I almost cannot blame some of the negative comments towards him, because I know many people are just being introduced to Dr. Wright through the media's negative witch hunt.

Since I have known of and experienced his intelligence for years, I can say that today's speech truly represents the brilliance of this man. For those who took what they wanted and ran with it, I believe they went into it with an already closed mind ready to discount anything he said.

The problem is we think we have to agree with everyone in order for them to be right; however, we have to realize that we are all truly different. For too long this country has covered some of the ugly aspects of being an American, and if someone who is not "typical" to speak out against, the "typical" minds view them as whatever -ist word they can find. If more of us educated ourselves enough to recognize and understand the cultural differences, the more we can work to embrace them.

"The Truth Shall Set You Free." This man immerses himself in that in which He Believes, and which is the Only truth he Knows, the Only Truth ultimately worth knowing. This, his Faith, in turn simply defines his noble claim to existence, and ultimately his legacy here on earth as a notable human being and a spiritual leader to many. "This" is more than ANYONE with the gall to dissect this man's "essence" shall probably ever amount to while riding this third rock from the sun (but they COULD, if they stopped dissecting and started listening to his sermon and started Seeking True Change, starting within themselves first - Thoug Shall Not Judge).

So take note: This man takes no part whatsoever in succumbing to the circumstances of the times surrounding his controversy, nor is he held prisoner by it. He rose to the occasion as a true son of God and he spoke His Truth. To those expressing negative opinions about him before looking at the mirror first, please notice how worried and troublesome he was that you and the FOX washbrains feel so and so about this fellow human being's Religious Convictions. I think he's loosing constant sleep over it, endlessly worrying over the garbled noise and non-cohesive ennui coming out of those pop culture-handicapped brains of yours.

If this is how the majority of our country will decide who will be our next president, or if it is even one of the considerations, perhaps we all deserve what we get.

Looking at the history of the world we do seem to be heading in a weird direction right now that strongly indicates our love for ultimately destroying ourselves. The attitude of the illiterates posting here with arguments irrelevant to anything in particular only seem to reaffirm that.

If at the end of this (or the general) campaign Barack, the hands-down best candidate in this process loses, I hope he remains happy, upbeat and content, puts this whole thing behind him and goes on with his life to bigger and better things.

If I were Obama and I was chosen NOT to be a leader of a land where the majority of good, decent and vastly ignorant and set in their ways Americans do not wish to participate in the global changes undeniably unfolding on Earth in this time and place, I would feel OK with it.

I think this will ultimately help obama. How can hilary or mccain use the rev against obama after this speech? Its played 3 times in its entirety on CNN Today so all obama needs to do his reference it. I think hilary is going to have a real hard time using the wright "scandal" against obama with the super delegates now. I think they would have to be smarter and atleast a little more open minded than some of the ignorant people on this forum like jericho and Tj.

When you're black, and have grown up in the inner city you know Wright's talk is garbage. It's simple: all of my black friends that didn't graduate from high school did bad in school because they didn't care about their education. Only 15% of my class graduated from high school, why? Because no one cared about education. It had nothing to do with cultural differences that caused their brain to operate in a certain way.
Wright is giving excuses for many people that spent most of their time committing crime and smoking dope. And how do I know this? Because I saw it first hand growing up poor and black in America.

This is nonsense. The media sets the agenda and everyone in the country just falls in line arguing about none issues while America goes to hell in a hand basket. I am not sure that a society so unwilling to think critically deserves a candidate like Barack Obama, Mcain or Clinton. America is getting too dumb. Rev. Wright is not an issue people. Let's get back to health care, to the war, to education, to the sort of dialogue that is going to stop America's precipitous economic and cultural decline. We're allowing ourselves to get too dumb

Aeap,

LET ALL WHO PUT ON THEIR CAMO UNIFORMS TO FIGHT FOR THIS COUNTRY STAND UP,

LET ALL WHO HAVE BEEN TO WAR FOR THIS COUNTRY STAND UP,

LET ALL WHO HAVE LOST FRIENDS AND FAMILY BY THE HANDS OF AN ARMED ENEMY IN DEFENSE OF THIS COUNTRY STAND UP,

You say i do not deserve to be called an american, well i agree, i am a patriot who has and will STAND UP so people like you can SIT DOWN and complain about equal rights while drinking your triple latte. i am signing off, where i work revelee sounds at 0600!

Okay, Wright speech clearly required a few biology lessons.

Right and left brain dominance is cultural not biological.

Girls are more right-brained than boys; minorities are more right brained than caucasians. It is statistically, it is not every single person in an entire race.

You can study or teach in ways to match various learning styles. Right now in America they are trying to make teachers teach in ways to match more learning styles or encourage "whole brain" development. Like, one way for more right-brained is to use movement and role-playing. That is why Wright was saying how the black kids were more active in class: right-brain learns through analogies, movement, visuals. Left brain is through reading and calculations.

Wright and Obama are trying to inspire discussion of race; looking at how people don't understand brain hemispheres and learning styles, I think they should be trying to inspire discussion of biology.

I think we should all be thankful that the trolls are wasting their efforts here rather then harassing Trinity members in hospice.

I liked the speech. I disagreed with some of it - but overall I liked the speech.

I admire the man now - disagree with him (seriously) on some points but I now like and respect his views, even when they were different from mine.

But then what do I know. I'm a Canadian, an athiest and I'm white - so I guess that's three strikes, eh?

TJ, Wright has probably done more to take black kids off the streets and help them with their education that you ever will. Watch his Bill Moyers profile and all the things he does for the community, or shut up. People need to care about each other, haves need to help the havenots. Kids who have never grown up in disciplined environments have no role models to learn discipline from. Wright tries to provide them with these role models and a disciplined environment.

Oh, and no you don't have to test kids differently if they have different learning styles, you can just teach differently. Pick up a study skills book, there is always a chapter on left vs right brained. If you were smart you wouldn't have said so many dumb things here.

As a white man brought up in a racist family I've perpetuated the "deficiency" rationale most of my life. It's only in the last couple years I've been able to be more objective in my view of race, culture, religion, and so on. When I heard Rev. Wright's sound bytes I was shocked and appalled that he had a relationship with Obama, but now I understand it completely.

I'm ashamed that I fell into another trap laid by corporate media, another skewing of our world to support agendas. Rev. Wright is not a hater, he's an illustrator and this speech should be shown to all knowledgeable people across America, not so they can formulate opinions on Wright, but so they are exposed to this important and "descriptive" message.

I am a 43 year old white man with 2 bacheleors degrees and a Secondary Education teaching credential.

My opinion is that Reverend Wright is an extremely intelligent man and an excellent teacher. Lots of posts above against Wright's speech seem to be from folks who I bet came with a negative view of him already in their minds. They are close minded people. It's probably not worth anyone's time to try to argue with such people.

God bless Reverend Wright. Thank you, Reverend Wright for taking the time to try to educate us with this speech. I greatly appreciated the lesson's title: "different but not deficient".

You showed resepct for all people, and the ones who say you did not are just looking for something to be nergative about and to criticise you about.

On an entirely different subject, Barack Obama will be President because there are not enough ignorant people in the country that will form a majority that will vote for McCain instead. There are a lot of ignorant people in the country, but not enough this time to defeat Barack Obama. Not this time.

Finally we will have a truthful person as President, a man who cares about people of all colors and backgrounds, not just the rich.

Thank God!

Had to correct a few typos in the post I published earlier:

I am a 43 year old white man with 2 bachelors degrees and a Secondary Education teaching credential.

My opinion is that Reverend Wright is an extremely intelligent man and an excellent teacher.

Lots of posts above against Wright's speech seem to be from folks who I bet came with a negative view of him already in their minds. They are close minded people. It's probably not worth anyone's time to try to argue with such people.

God bless Reverend Wright. Thank you, Reverend Wright for taking the time to try to educate us with this speech. I greatly appreciated the lesson's title: "different but not deficient".

You showed respect for all people, and the ones who say you did not are just looking for something to be negative about and to criticise you about.

On an entirely different subject, Barack Obama will be President because there are not enough ignorant people in the country that will form a majority that will vote for McCain instead.

There are a lot of ignorant and racist people in the country, but not enough this time to defeat Barack Obama. Not this time.

Finally we will have a truthful person as President, a man who cares about people of all colors and backgrounds, not just the rich.

Thank God!

@earl: "Don't blame Rev Wright for causing a racial divide, blame yourself for not noticing that a racial divide exists."

*standing ovation*

Great quote, my friend.

What surprises me about the comments in this thread is the lack of consideration of the context of this speech. This is a black pastor speaking to an audience of black people historically told they are inferior, at an organization whose sole purpose is to combat that perception. OF COURSE he's going to contrast the way whites speak, or dance, or worship.

He's turning the same lens used to denigrate black culture onto white culture. When you look at white culture through that lens that presumes that different DOES mean deficient, you get a distorted caricature of the subject. That's the whole point!

And regarding the dig about the Irish ... listen again. That wasn't a dig against the Irish -- it was a dig against Bill O'Reilly.

One thing I do agree with though: This is going to hurt Obama more than help. Why? Because most Americans are too stupid to properly interpret the reverend's comments. They'll see the "making fun of Kennedy" clip, and some angry-black-man shouting, and draw the conclusion that Wright is a hate-filled racist, instead of the incredibly intelligent and all-inclusive guy that he seems to be.

When did lattes become the universal shorthand for all-talk-no-action?

Is there not a soldier on earth who digs a nice mocha?

Be serious, yall.

I see a major problem here in general. Both Barack Obama and Rev. Wright are far more intelligent than the usual familiar and more comfortable boneheads that talk to us about politics and religion and race - and many Americans - far behind their counterparts in Europe and Asia - are simply unable to follow them and keep up. The main obstacle that is holding this country back from listening such brilliant leaders is its obsession with ignorance.

The Obama spin is in full gear. Lipstick...Pig...

I will never forget Reverend God Damn America.

The Obama spin is in full gear. Lipstick...Pig...

I will never forget Reverend God Damn America.

I'm surprised so many commenters think that Wright's comments about differences in right/left brain, rhythms, etc. indicate those differences are biological. I haven't re-watched the whole speech to confirm this, but I'm pretty sure he is referring to cultural differences. That's the whole context of his speech -- the differences between the way different cultures do things.

I think this speech gives us two options: Either to judge his speech, OR take a higher ground by reasoning out his arguments. Surely each of us will pass different verdicts but we need to first of all forget about his analogies. Some were perfect, while others weren't. We all should take the theme of his speech "Different doesn't mean deficient" and reason out for ourselves what to belive.

I advise both Obama and Hillary Clinton's campaign not to spin Wright's argument, not to criticize nor support the argument. Rather both teams should throw this out to the greater American public and raise this to a stage of a National discourse as Obama attempted to do with his Race speech - Towards a more perfect union.

I have listened to the whole speech a third time tonight, and i think there is no better time to heal the world. I have decided to embrace every white,Indian, Asian, Chinese, African, African American, European, Arabic, Christian, Muslim, Jew, Atheist, straight, gays, lesbians, Democrats, Republicans, Independents - no matter how different they may be to me. I have come to see that we all are truly God's children, and a United States of America. I do not think the "United" in USA was a mistake - Out of many, One people.

God bless America. I love you all.

Rev. Wright's NAACP speech is elegant. Different just means different rather than deficient. I am not surprised that domesticated primates like Jericho, musgrrl, stud, Gino are not enlightened.

By the way, statistics is concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters.

Rev. Wright's NAACP speech is elegant. Different just means different rather than deficient. I am not surprised that domesticated primates like Jericho, musgrrl, stud, Gino are not enlightened.

The Right/Left brain stuff is debatable. After all, statistics is concerned with the collection and interpretation of quantitative data and the use of probability theory to estimate population parameters.

I'm Hispanic and I know so much more of the African community than some of my friends of other diverse groups. Go to a Black church. You'll be singing and praying and you will feel the spirit! I loved the speech! It reminded me of MLK. This is not so much about us or Barack although we were privileged to hear the speech. He was speaking to the African American community.They should be aware of their history but proud of their heritage, their church and their community.We are all different yet equal.I loved the intro!
I taught for twent-six years. He is speaking the truth about the right/left brain.Yet there are the exceptions. To answer the person above, Hispanics learn in cooperative learning. I recommend these books:
Teaching with the Brain in Mind by Erick Jensen Right Brain Children in a Left-Brained World byJeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons
Frames of Mind:The Theory of mulitple Intelligences
Teaching and learning through Multiple Intelligences Allyn and Bacon
There are seven styles of learning. Barnes and Noble has a plethora of books on this subject.
Rev. Wright has nothing to do with my choice as president.
I'm voting for Barack, NOT the Nuke Iran Obliterator or the man taking us to war for 100 Years.
the man that

I am not Rev Wright to know this for sure, but I assume that some of us who are angered at his speech might be missing the point. But if you are angered by something he said maybe I am not getting your point.lol

Look im not a Christian and I dont take the Bible literally, but I do see the goodness in the book. I do see how the book can help some. My point is that Rev Wright speech was meant to hurt people or devide people. I thought it was about how we all got to live on this earth so why are we judging each other. Why are we taking advantage of people or leaving people out because we are different. We are missing the goodness that we all have by doing that. We are diffrent people and lets show each other respect and not paint the whole world with the same broad brush. That’s what I got out of the speech. If you want to pick apart the speech word for word cool. But ask yourself if you really think he was making a hate speech again and if your answer is yes then you are right. I can’t judge you for that. Its your first amendment right.

holla

It would be an honor and so valuable to attend this man's church. He is a prophet.

Obama and his supporters along with Rev. Wright are a danger to America. I hope the worst for Obama and his supporters!!!

Truthfully i disagree with those who think Jeremiah Wright's speech today is a nail in Barack Obama's Presidential coffin. Never have i believed in Obama's candidacy than now. I personally think everyone should be judged by his or her own actions.
I just listened to this speech for the fourth time now. I feel inspired and motivated. I can now relate better to Obama's message of Hope and Change. I now understand why Obama would not throw this man under the bus when it was politically correct to do so. I now understand the reason most people connect with Obama's message of hope, despite some lack of Wasshington experience. I think i now understand better Obama's faith in the American people. I now understand the "something" about Obama that made him so unique and an excellent choice without concrete reasons.
I think there is a philosophical connection that attracted Obama to this man - high intellectual analysis, which transcends the level of reasoning of the average politician. I now reassess most of Obama's comments, and see the reason why he titled one of his books: "An Audacity of Hope", after one of Wright's sermon.
Just like MLK, i believe history shall judge Wright as a national hero who could relate change in a more concrete term for neutrals like myself. A change in attitude is what can make our great country regain its moral leadership around the world.

Marcus I agree Rev. Wright is a prophet... Too bad he is also stupid, hateful, and racist! I hope you go to his church and never come out, you fucking loser!

thank you for providing this - God bless you!

Yikes! Is TJ still there? Children learn better from humans- NOT lectures. They learn better from doing. No offense, but I can tell you know nothing of teaching children. As a teacher one has to know how a child learns, or you are not a good teacher.
Multiple Intelligences and Learning Styles - Emerging Perspectives on ...
Left Brain Right Brain Quiz
Funderstanding - Right Brain vs. Left Brain

Um, if I like, stay here and um, say "he's angry" then you'll believe me, not your eyes and ears, right?

And if I say he's racist and um, Obama is going to lose because of him, then, uh, repeat it elebenty seven times, you um, won't think I'm a troll but a brilloiant analyst and um, you'll all go and, um, vote for um, the angriest bully, John, uh, McCain.

Right?

Okie-dokie then.

::thud::

Stud,

Thanks, but I never asked you to join the military. If I felt my country was under attack I would defend it, don't try to guilt trip me.

"Just like MLK, i believe history shall judge Wright as a national hero who could relate change in a more concrete term for neutrals like myself. A change in attitude is what can make our great country regain its moral leadership around the world."

Thank you Emeka. I've already watched this speech THREE times. Great people inspire others to ascend to greatness. This speech by Jeremiah Wright is a firm testament to that.

HAHAHAHAHA SEAP he was not mocking Irish people. It was a not so subtle dig at O'reilly! I cant believe you didn't get it.

the only danger of this speech?

That some people are too stupid to understand it.

The things I'm reading here are shocking to me. There are people who don't understand when Wright is being metaphorical and when he's being sarcastic. He was mocking the Kennedy's? Are you even listening? HE WAS NOT MOCKING THE KENNEDIES. He was saying that they speak differently but no one would ever consider them deficient!

And I thought left vs right brained learning styles was common sense!! We all have the same brain. Kids, when they're toddlers, tend to use their whole brain. But then we go into the real world, and the way school is taught uses mostly the left brain, so you become more left-brained. Because different cultures emphasize different cognitive learning styles, kids raised in a certain way will have more dominance on one side of the brain than the other. Neither side is BETTER than the other. In fact, an aim of modern education is to make kids more "whole brained', because right now our education is too focused on the left, so that kids who don't use the left so much seem stupid when really they are not.

And duh, no, not one race is entirely in one side, but different cultural groups TENDS to be more to one side. TENDS.

Girls also tend to be more right-brained than boys, which is why people wonder if the left-brain focused science and math curriculum just isn't being designed well for them. The new york times had a story on this recently, about how maybe you should teach differently for boys vs girls. Thank God Wright didn't go into that. Otherwise he would totally be misogynistic too, huh?

Wright clearly overestimated the intelligence of his audience.

Add to this:

THE IRISH JOKE WAS A DIG AT O'REILLY. GOD DAMN!! SOME PEOPLE ARE STUPID! NO WONDER BUSH GOT ELECTED

VMorris, I am sure that Native Americans will never forget God damn America either...

VMorris I am sure that Native Americans will never fortget God Dman America either...

mssgrl,

Who cares what side of the brain you learn from? Yes, he makes generalizations. We all know we are unique and different. The culture that we live in might have some values that might shape us, but it's up to us. His whole message is - when we see someone different from us, we just view them as just that - different, not deficient, as in 'something wrong w/ them'.

I was impressed w/ his speech. The press does an injustice to him by just portraying him in soundbites.

mssgrl,

Who cares what side of the brain you learn from? Yes, he makes generalizations. We all know we are unique and different. The culture that we live in might have some values that might shape us, but it's up to us. His whole message is - when we see someone different from us, we just view them as just that - different, not deficient, as in 'something wrong w/ them'.

I was impressed w/ his speech. The press does an injustice to him by just portraying him in soundbites.

Since Rev. Wright's speech is on the Internet, those who do not understand the concept of his speech should take notes while listening and once the speech is over do some research to better understand the meaning and the man.
What I am getting from Rev. Wright's speeches, is passing on information that is a part of the history of America. A part of history that has been left out of every history book that has been written. We have a choice, either we accept the information or we reject it. If we accept the information, we as a nation will move forward and leave a better nation to our children and grandchildren. If we reject the information, our children and grandchildren will rehash the same issues that we are facing today.
My grandmother use to say "we can learn something from anyone." But we have to be open-minded to receive the message.

There are a number of news personnal and bloggers who describe Rev. Wright as being hateful and a racist. When I listen to people speak and some of the words in the message are not clear, I use my Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus for clairfication of those words for a better understanding of the message. I decided to use the dictionary to define racist for those who feel they are describing Rev. Wright. According to my dictionary a racist is(a.) supremacist, favoring racism, bigoted: see conservative, prejudiced. The definations: supremacist, conservative, and prejudiced. 1) supremacist - one who believes in the supremacy of a particular group. (supremacy - domination, mastery, supreme authority: see Power) 2) conservative: tending to conserve, tending to preserve established institutions; opposed to change, moderate; cautious. 3) prejudiced - preconcieved, usually unfavorable idea, an opinion held in disregard of facts that contridict it; bias, intolerance or hatred of other races.

Rev. Wright is a well learned man who is an expressive speaker. A man who should be respected for the service he has given to this country, and for the thirty years of service he has given to his community. How many hateful, racist people give a lifetime of service to others?

I have a saying "You can't see in me what you don't have in you."

White people are running scared, because for once there are intelligent black leaders coming out and they are pointing out things wrong with this country...and they're right.

The times, they are a changin'

The real problem we face with this issue and in America today is the fear of retribution and the denial of reality. A large portion of white America is in denial about the level of racism that still exist within themselves and within America as a whole. They are in denial about the severity of the influence of America’s racist, brutal and bias acts that have occurred in our distant and not so distant past. At the same time, White Americans realize that serious wrongs have been done and are fearful that they will somehow have to pay for their transgressions.

That truly sad part is that they don't really get it. As we always have done, Black Americans as a whole are Americans first. We don't deny our Blackness or our past, but we strive to overcome and are still fighting as a whole to be treated fairly and given an equal opportunity to succeed. Barack Obama's message personifies the message of Black America which should personify the message of America. If we all work together on equal foundation America as a whole will be lifted to heights that we have never seen, but always knew we could achieve. There is nothing wrong with the rich getting richer, but that should happen as everyone one gets richer and not at the expense of the masses which has nothing to do with color. That is just pure economics. Until we become our brother's keeper, we will continue along this path to nowhere! Obama '08!

The real problem we face with this issue and in America today is the fear of retribution and the denial of reality. A large portion of white America is in denial about the level of racism that still exist within themselves and within America as a whole. They are in denial about the severity of the influence of America’s racist, brutal and bias acts that have occurred in our distant and not so distant past. At the same time, White Americans realize that serious wrongs have been done and are fearful that they will somehow have to pay for their transgressions.

The truly sad thing is that they don't really get it. As we always have done, Black Americans as a whole are Americans first. We don't deny our Blackness or our past, but we strive to overcome and are still fighting as a whole to be treated fairly and given an equal opportunity to succeed. Barack Obama's message personifies the message of Black America which should personify the message of America. If we all work together on equal foundation America as a whole will be lifted to heights that we have never seen, but always knew we could achieve. There is nothing wrong with the rich getting richer, but that should happen as everyone one gets richer and not at the expense of the masses which has nothing to do with color. That is just pure economics. Until we become our brother's keeper, we will continue along this path to nowhere! Obama '08!

the right brain common is true. i am african american and went to all white schools from age 5-21. and i did learn by using creative side of my brain. i was a biology, chemistry and nursing student.

i used pictures, charts and great hearing to learn, which are right brain ways of learning.

Obviously i had to read tons of books, and I represented the information in symbols...so yes..that is true!!!

did i mention that i was a dean' list student and graduated w/ a 3.7 GPA

I am a white man who has supported Obama financially and with my vote.

Reverend Wright is an eloquent speaker who is doing his parishoners, race and the NAACP in general. He took what was a stirring and emotional speech and turned it into a farce by twisting the accent with which Kennedy delivered his innagural address (with lines such as "Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.")

I listened to the actual audio from Kennedy's innagural address (which Reverend wright should have done before making his ill considered comment) and found that Kennedy clearly said ASK in clear English. No need to know how to spell EEEask because that is NOT what Kennedy said.

This speech could have been viewed as an elloquent call to change rather than an insulting parody of one of our greatest presidents and one of the world's top 100 speeches. Reverend Wright is indeed an intelligent man. He needs to engage that intelligence before making false statements and using them to justify ignorance.

I really don't want Hillary as my candidate but my main man Obama needs to step up and at least correct the facts. I actually agree with mcuh of what Reverend Wright said, unfortuanately he inserted a lie (not an opinion, listen to the speech) and then used it to divide white and black america along the lines of language.

i guess now we can say SHAME on all you foul talkers and haters of wright and Obama.truth hurt and i know you feel the heat and hurt because he is a man of truth and speaks the truth without fear

Obama Man I think you are missing the point and probably taking what he said a bit too personally in that regard. He was simply trying to state that, yes, one of our greatest and most beloved presidents did have an accent, but we loved him anyway, and would never ever think any less of him for speaking the way he did. Therefore, we shouldn't judge others based on such things. His point being, “Different does not mean deficient…”.

I believe we are witnessing history. The fact that there have been so many discussions on topics that would never be talked about prior to this controversy, allows me to hear different people's perspectives and begin to gain a better understanding of others. I can understand where the negative and positive commenters are coming from. I will say this, Rev Wright studied, along with bringing a wealth of prior knowledge and experiences with him to this speech and gave his conclusion and explanation of how DIFFERENT is perceived. How can I knock the man for this, he is using his brain, he is trying to understand.
Everyone is so quick to believe they have the right answer. For this reason I am no longer a conservative, because conservatives see one way, a right wing blueprint and see anything different as wrong when the nature of liberal thinking is to have a better understanding of issues and attack them in a way as seen from different vantage points.
Rev Wright is a human being so please stop condemning this man for using his brain and commenting the same as many of you have commented. All i ask is that before you comment you do as much research as this man did. Because I did not research nearly as much as he did I can neither agree or disagree with his statements, but I can appreciate them and look more into them.
And please stop trying to make Wright and Obama one person. I have no reason to believe that Mr. Obama has the unability to think on his own. If he is anything like me then he can listen to another man talk about anything and take what he wants out of it. I can definitely see Rev Wright having the capability of interpreting and translating the bible in an interesting way, but I would have to go to his church on numerous occasions to say definitely. The truth is none of us know anything about this man still. Obama probably knows him best from sitting in his church for 20 years, but that is only the preacher side, but it's more than any of us.

Rev Wright' speech is on C-span 2 right now, He reminds all passionate speech is an art form and he is an absolute master orator. It is refreshing to listen to his speech as he is not afraid to say what needs to be said and HEARD.
Thank you for posting this speech

BTW he is now on the National Press club Live on C-Span 2.

THE PEOPLE THAT SAID HE IS RACIST WERE NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR OBAMA ANYWAY. IF YOU INTERPRETED HIS SPEECH AS RACIST YOU ARE REALLY A CLOSET RACIST

A minister does not make a man nor does a church. You have to understand that racism is a real problem within this country. As a Catholic, I have attended church for almost 40 years, and I still have a problem with some of their viewpoints, and yet I will be a Catholic until I die. You all know deep in your hearts that a minister in a church does not shape a man, especially a man that is a product of so many cultures. You have to remember, the powers within this country wants to keep us apart, keep the races at war with one another, only then can they truly control us. Obama is an amalgamation of black, white, Indonesian, and Hawaiian cultures. He is America! Only a man that has been molded in this fashion can repair the image of America around the world and heal the rift within this country between the various races. Using the antiquated theory of Reverend Wright, he is blessed with the ability to use both sides of his brain and represents a fresh breath in Washington’s stagnant air. If you happen to subscribe to the idea that a man you see for a couple hours on Sunday can shape your character then how about a man you are married to. Bill Clinton is a habitual liar whose main talent is deception and manipulation. He lied to the nation without even blinking and has had numerous affairs. He strongly supported NAFTA and is receiving donations from Islamic extremists as we speak. What about Whitewater? Lets be fair, if we are to say that a minister shapes your character then we must question the character of Hillary. I am amazed that people never mention all the questionable affairs of the Clintons. From Hillary’s lover that committed suicide while she was with Bill to the federal files found illegally in her office during the impeachment of Nixon. When will we give her the same scrutiny we are giving Obama. Lets be fair!

Clearly he believes some stuff that isn't true. That might be hurtful to white America. Whatever. What I take away from this speech is his resilience. He won't back down because more than Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or John McCain, Rev. Wright has changed his world. The man is accomplished in a way that the vast majority of national politicians aren't.

Reverend Wright expended much of his speech explaining how European-Americans and African-Americans learn differently. Who can dispute that most of our learning comes originally via our senses with the final interpretation of the brain? Take our auditory system for example. Do we hear and interpret the same thing when listening to the same person? According to Wright, yes. Later in his speech, when he mimics JFK's dialect, he presumes that Whites and Blacks hear and interpret the same thing. But to my ears and at least one other responder on this site, JFK's words were completely lucid. To sum up Wright, we all hear and interpret (our brain at work) the same thing yet we learn differently. Reverend Wright unintentionally contradicts his own self.

I haven't listened to all of Rev. Wright's speech but I have to say I enjoyed what I heard. When he did the impersonation of Pres. JF Kennedy, I just smiled - it's a pretty good impersonation! And his point was that the accents of white American's are accepted while the accents of black American's are frowned upon. He wasn't mocking these presidents. People who are so used to the sanitized yet insanely divisive news reportage coming from FOX or MSNBC or ABC cannot appreciate the authenticity of a speaker like Rev. Wright. We've gotten so used to highly processed junk news and speech that we can't digest the organic truth. Some of you will leap on this and say, 'organic? yeah, you mean BS.' But you who do that are probably the same people who can't think deeper than the sound-bites your brain has become programmed to accept. I don't completely buy Rev. Wright's description of the right-brain, left-brain learning styles of ALL AfricanAmerican/EuroAmerican children. I think there may be some truth to it, but in fact, as a teacher of many years and a life-long learner, I know that there are many different learning styles within and amongst ethnic groups. For example I am a more right-brained, intuitive learner but I'm white. Is that because I grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood? Is it because my parents were first generation East European Jews? Or is it also genetic? My father was very left-brained, my mother the more creative one. Is there gender involved? I think that Rev. Wright over simplifies things when he describes learning styles this way. Nevertheless, overall I can tell that the problem people have with Rev. Wright is they can't stand to hear the truth. He tells it like it is, for the most part and how it is is too much for most American's to stomach.

what more does Rev. Wright have to say? Jericho and others but your feelings INSIDE where they are safer and LISTEN to what Rev. Wright is saying. He was not talking about hating white people he said we need to respect people's differences. In a 4/4 timed song, you clap 1-3, I clap 2-4...that is a true difference.

I love this man! He is not afraid to speak the truths that so many Americans (black and white) want to keep hidden!

It is time to change our ways of thinking. Because someone doesn't function like the majority of people FEEL they should does not make them deficent. It seems to label difference as a deficent is an easy way to deal with the "problem" rather than taking time out to understand and adjust.

A change is going to come.

For those of you who watch this ENTIRE speech in it's ENTIRE context and still have negative things to say about Rev. Wright, that is your issue. Instead of blaming Preisdent Obama(LOL) and Rev. Wright for being racist and un-American, maybe you need to look in the mirror at yourselves. You have the problem, not Obama and not Rev. Wright.

A Change Is Going To Come!

Amala [9:58AM] writes that the reason that people dislike the ravings of Rev.Wright is that "they can't stand to hear the truth"

A couple of points to teach the teacher a bit: Accents and grammar are different things. Perhaps you and the good Rev. should look them up. Accents do not excuse poor grammar. Perhaps you should look at "code switching" in some of your teaching handbooks. Not teaching acceptable forms of speech and writing does a disservice to all students.

If someone's is born in the United States, that person is not an immigrant. An immigrant is someone who migrates to another country. Is it possible that your school does not carry dictionaries or is it more likely that you do not know how to use one? As a suggestion, because words have actual meanings, looking at words you do not understand in dictionaries can be very handy in deciding the truth of statements. [Perhaps you should pick one up.] Because words have actual meanings, it is easy to see that Rev. Wright is wrong [lying?] and that being born in the United States makes being an immigrant here impossible. As a "teacher" and "life-long learner" you should be ashamed of yourself for not knowing this very basic fact.

Wright chanted that Arabic is a language and not a religion over and over at one point. This tactic is a rhetorical fallacy known as the straw-man fallacy. This technique, by definition, gives false views to a real or imagined opponent solely to create the appearance that one's own views are better/more defensible than they actually are or to draw attention away from an issue at hand. I have never heard anyone suggest that Arabic is a religion and would bet that you have not either. Suggesting that people who disagree with Obama or Wright hold such a ridiculous view is a technique of lies meant to paint them as fools. Not understanding this fact and arguing the truth in the statement clarifies exactly who the fool is.

Painting people who disagree with Rev. Wright [a person who frequently expresses some uplifting ideas that may actually have had some value were they not overshadowed by the hatred that is being spread along with them] is weak-minded at best.

I feel sorry for the children whose minds you play a part in shaping.

Obviously those of you whom were unable to formulate positive motives and intentions from watching & listening to this speech have not been looking around over the course of the last few years..simply stating facts is all he did and he used many credible resources to do it.. Open yours eyes.. looks at what is going on in the world.. you have cops putting 50+ shots into a car occupied by unarmed black males, you have JENA 6, you have a government built on bullying people, oppressing the less fortunate and dividing the different.. look around! This man is one of only a few whom has the skill, the language, the know how and the power to make a real "positive" change.. NOT just for one side of things or for one race of people, but for everyone. And for the person whom made the comment that how could someone like Barrack share his time with someone like rev. Wright.. you obviously have "personal" issues of your own to deal with.

Thank you for posting this! It's been almost impossible to find...

The more I see Rev Wright, the more I like him. The more I hear the media misrepresent (or to be charitable, misunderstand) what he says, the less respect I have for them. This morning's address to the National Press Corp and it's followup trashing on Fox News did nothing to change that trend.

BTW, I am a white male atheist. I don't think Rev Wright would hold that against me.

Wright chanted that Arabic is a language and not a religion over and over at one point. This tactic is a rhetorical fallacy known as the straw-man fallacy.

except that the people who have been putting emphasis on Obama's middle name have been doing so expressly for the purpose of conflating him with fundamental islamic terrorists. much as they did that other hussein, who actually headed a secular dictator state.

you either entirely missed this point, or are intentionally nit-picking to discredit what Wright was talking about. why do you think that fox news this morning, in a teaser for the upcoming NPC speech, showed only 3 secods of the NAACP speech - the three seconds where Wright repeated "Barak HUSSEIN Obama," without any context of why he was saying it? it is not an accident.

43 presidents all white. Barack Obama, a man of mixed race has to defend himself against charges he is a racist. What made Barack Obama, Alicia Keys, Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Derek Jeter and others identify themselves as black? If they are the product of a Black/White union why is the White side not recognized? It's not the Black community that made this so it is the racism of the White community that makes the product of this pairing unacceptable. It is a waste of time for Blacks to keep discussing race with whites it is truly the definition of insanity.

We are fortunate to have him amongst us. Rev. Wright has spoken the Spirital and Historical truth and presented facts that they the Europeans who have been unable to understand the culture and religions of Afro-Americans and other people of color. Thank you for airing the video However by the new york times classify this video with hip hop show how direspectful and racist these Europeans are!

I can't believe there are those of you out there feeble minded and weak willed enough to buy into his subtle racism as a message of "truth."

The Jena 6 were thugs.

As a 75 year old white atheist, if I had a religious bone in my body, I would join Dr. Wright's church in a heartbeat. I found his speech to be inspirational and totally without anger, divisiveness or political intent. His message embracing the NAACP's theme for change is sorely needed at this time, and his embracing the need for people of all backgrounds, races, faiths, languages, and educational levels to join together to effect this change is truly uplifting. Maybe there is hope after all. Thank you for posting this speech. I am only sorry that Reverend Anthony's introductory remarks were not posted as well, which described the accomplishments of Dr. Wright for those who may not know of them.

Not only is Jeremiah Wright brilliant, truthful and honest, but he is now on the road to acknowledgement by the people across this nation and around the world. Why! Because the "hate" media took his words out of context and created a "hate" campaign. Only THIS time, Rev. Wright's true words, true mission is overwhelming the negative media/political campaign! Fabulous! I am non-religious, yet, I can easily praise a charismatic leader of this high level. May he continue to lead in the changing of this poor nation back into our Constitution (and more)!

I have heard that Wright's comments are always taken out of context. Could Joy D who posted this argument at 1:10 please give me any contest in which these statements would not be offensive and hate filled?

"Racism is how this country was founded and how this country is still run. No black man will ever be considered for president, no matter how hard you run Jesse [Jackson] and no black woman can ever be considered for anything outside what she can give with her body." [I guess Condoleezza Rice doesn't count with the good Rev. Wright.]

or

"The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied."

I am so tried the rhetoric this is obviously a very brilliant, well versed man. It is a shame that so many don't understand that we are not "deficient were are different." What is so hard about that to understand. The black experience and the white experience is very diffrent. Do you realize the only sides of this story that we are getting are basically from the white experience. Where are the hispanics, Native Americans, etc. on this issue. It seems to me it working again, Hillary, although a concerned women, knows the divisiveness in this county, she stayed in because she knew or was told that the way "blacks" are "feared" by other races, and used that "scare tactic card" to disrupt Obama's successful bid,
since the race card is not working. I am so tried of listening to people trying to understand the black experience in this country, they never will. Obama tried to start a dialog, but they even turned that on him. But thanks Obama for pulling some of this country together, but don't worry you will never get credit for it.

so sad, so sad

I think this speech is good. I feel like I learned something from the man. I feel like he is a man that lived through a different time period, which is why he seems to be misunderstood. But to be great is to be misunderstood. I feel like the media as well as some of you folks on here are just looking for a reason to blow something small into something big. Mellow out on this, if Rev. Wright was not Obama's former pastor and just some random African American pastor still preaching the same what some call "demeaning" sermons would it be a big deal? I didn't think so. Because it is Obama's former pastor, it has caused quite the uproar and everyone has something to say. Personally I don't feel like he made any racial attacks against the Kennedys or even the Irish. He just set the record straight. Its true what he said. I don't think it is fair for some of you to say "Well Obama has lost my vote." Rev. Wright is not running for President, Obama is. Chill out! This man grew up in an era where the Jim Crow laws were in full effect. He endured the pain and the degradation of our race that some of us will never have to face. And if we do come face to face with it, it will never mount up to what Rev. Wright and others before our time have dealt with. Its easy to say "get over it" or "he is just a racist," but in actuality he is calling it as he sees it.

I think this speech is good. I feel like I learned something from the man. I feel like he is a man that lived through a different time period, which is why he seems to be misunderstood. But to be great is to be misunderstood. I feel like the media as well as some of you folks on here are just looking for a reason to blow something small into something big. Mellow out on this, if Rev. Wright was not Obama's former pastor and just some random African American pastor still preaching the same what some call "demeaning" sermons would it be a big deal? I didn't think so. Because it is Obama's former pastor, it has caused quite the uproar and everyone has something to say. Personally I don't feel like he made any racial attacks against the Kennedys or even the Irish. He just set the record straight. Its true what he said. I don't think it is fair for some of you to say "Well Obama has lost my vote." Rev. Wright is not running for President, Obama is. Chill out! This man grew up in an era where the Jim Crow laws were in full effect. He endured the pain and the degradation of our race that some of us will never have to face. And if we do come face to face with it, it will never mount up to what Rev. Wright and others before our time have dealt with. Its easy to say "get over it" or "he is just a racist," but in actuality he is calling it as he sees it.

aeap,

3000+ americans dead, anthrax.... i'm sorry i didn't know that was a good will gesture just like pearl harbor must have been, pardon my misconception.

!!!!!!!WAKE UP!!!!!!

Wright's an accomplished speaker, giving an attention-holding keynote address. He's got some things very right, maybe other things wrong. (But, heck, I feel that way about the evening "news.") Certainly I don't come away from this speech, anyway, feeling attacked or offended. (Stats: female, white, age 60, politically Independent)

If you can find it in your mind to find something negitive about this man and what he is saying, its clear you are stuck on stupid like he says because everything he says are facts why dont you open your eyes and open a book and research and use your own mind and not those on Fox NEWS.

James,

Please educate yourself before posting about the stupidity of others.

"It's" is a contraction. It is short for "it is" It's not a way to ascribe a property to some "it".

For example: “It's clear that you are stupid and need to learn a bit more before you can possibly be taken seriously.”

"Its" is a possessive pronoun. Its interpretation is something like "that which belongs to it", where "it" stands for some previously defined object.

For example: “That post I read today was a person, its head would be inserted rectally.”

I hope you find this helpful. Perhaps educating yourself will help in more ways than you can currently comprehend.

I would like to agree with Just Saying about James.

I would also like to point out that calling someone stupid while misspelling negative and saying that also tends to detract from your credibility as well. Perhaps if you addressed these problems I would be more likely to accept your assertion that I am “stuck on stupid” like he says.

What a racist tirade I heard by Reverend Wright while listening to his entire speach last night. The man openly mocked the white accents of John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson, mimics and insults all white Bostonians and makes an under the breath insult to the Irish. This is nothing more than the deplorable black face vaudeville acts or the once popular imitating of negro voices in musicals by non blacks that we shunned. He does nothing to forward the black movement. Did I actually here him say repeatedly that black children are not capable of learning proper English? Listen carefuly white America. This man DOES NOT speak for all Black Americans and all black churches do not preach this way. At least not mine. And this is the guy Obama says was his inspiration? What kind of country are we going to end up with if Obama is elected? I heard him say repeatedly that African American children cannot learn to speak proper english. Speak for your own children Rev, mine do quite well, thank you. You are a racist bigot!

Wow..this guy was brought up in a middle class family/neighborhood, by a preacher father, an educated mother who worked as a school vice principle, and went to an elite school in Philly. How did he and his parents achieve such accomplishments within a school system he defines as prejudice to the "white brain?"
I think hip hop music tells a more accurate account of real life Black America. Stories from those who live/lived it.

This article should not be up for debate or conversation. There are no open minds here. Either you understand or you don't. There is nothing to be gained by or lost by watching or posting this video. Those who see it positively or negatively will continue to see it that way. It is sad. I appreciate Reverend Wright's boldness although the pulpit shouldn't be a place for politics.

The speech today and the reference to JFK and the way he said ASK, comparing that with uneducated black kids of the 60's is so off base the guy is a friggin idiot.. are you kidding? HE IS MAKING IT WAY WORSE FOR Obama.. Wright needs to go away fast.. Kennedy had a bostonian accent.. the black kids of the 60's were uneducated.. real simple

My cousin called me from Phoenix, AZ this morning to fulminate about this speech. She regrets that she voted for Obama. I live in Oregon. Our primary is May 24. I am taking this speech into consideration. I will not vote for a person associated with racists (of any race) or anti-Semites or anti-Zionists.

I am not a supporter of Obama for president, I am a Democrat and descended from Europe. I listened to the entire Wright speech, and I must say I came away with more respect for the man. I feel he gave some very thought provoking points, that I cannot dispute. The one thing I cannot reconcile though, is that Christianity is NOT part of the African culture or history but rather a religion forced upon the slaves by their owners and missionary's later in Africa. Why would any black, (or native American, Native Hawaiian or aborigine) want to embrace the religion of their oppressor when all these cultures had their own religions before being concurred?

To all you idiots out there who were "moved to tears", think that whatever this man says is completely true and believe that "whitey" is keeping you down I have one statement to make to you - Get the hell out of the country if it is that bad to you. Oh you won't? Please explain why you will not leave. Oh, I will explain it. You won't leave because in any other country on earth, you would not have one tenth of the privileges that you are affored here.
Wright is an anti-American racist along the lines of David Duke. If you are to stupid not to see that, you are to stupid to call yourself an American. Now, let me hear how I am a racist evil whitey keeping you down.

Wat reverend Wright is saying (Bill Moyers - PBS) about the way governments (including the US government) are misusing, manipulating and even terrorizing their own people, and what he says about the way people differ, is so (worldwide) true, that his speeches are called unamerican by Americans.
The American people are religious people. They are even religieus in believing what their government tells them.
I hope for a change, a new start in democracy, but the one thing I believe is that the American people are not ready for change, not ready for their own true story, that tells about the land of no freedom.
I hope for Obama to stand firm next to reverend Wright, but of course the people wanted to hear other stories, the ones they are familiar with. So, change? Not for a long long time. The American mindset just doesn't allow change, yet.

Rev. Wright's 5 minutes' worth of smirkey comments comparing black, white and European clapping styles were designed to give the NAACP audience a sense of superiority. If you miss his theme of black superiority, you're not paying attention. "Different does not mean defficient," indeed! Different, according to Rev. Wright, means better. That was the subtext of his entire message.

SMOKE and MIRRORS. Style over substance perfected. Right Brain subject oriented? Dr. Paul Joseph Goebbels would have been proud to hear that part of the speach. Nevermind your enviroment, here's Bell Curve. It's polarizing extremists like this guy that keep race at the top of the news charts in the U.S.

Everybody knows white guys are bitter and jealous of Obama's charisma
and afraid of his intelligence. White guys know that if Obama wins, all
the white chicks will want to marry a charismatic black man. And then more
and more dynamic black guys will follow in his footsteps. And more white
girls will follow. Can't have that. We've got to keep slandering and attacking
- twisting the truth about Obama and Wright. We control the media. Blacks
must always be made to look bad, no matter what. Blacks must always be made
to stay in their place - BELOW THE WHITE MAN!

How about my boldness for my previous posting, DeeKay? Are blacks the only ones who can be "bold" when stating their opinion's on matter of race? If this is what Obama wanted, to open a dialogue for the issue of race, then I am a bold "whitey" for stating my opinion. I am through playing this political correctness B.S. game. This "whitey" is done with that. Oh, BTW, please, PLEASE explain what I do not understand. Convince my "closed-mindness" to be unlocked.

How did that racist left-brain right-brain bs become part of liberation theology?

To Wright and Obama:
Anything you say, you black N-----'s, we will twist it negative!
We will easily SPIN everything that comes out your your mouth into
something negative. Just watch. White America knows we are lying,
so there is nothing you can say or do about it. This is a lying game,
you stupid black monkeys, and we, the white race are all in on the
bottom line. The bottom line is this: The White race must always rule
supreme over blacks.

Reverend Wright may say "different does not mean deficient" but he certainly does not seem to feel that way about European American's. Citing research from so long ago is not an effort at making change or moving forward, it is staying stuck in the past, and not embracing the changes we have already had in our country. Our county may not be perfect, but we are much than many other places. If all the folks whose ancestors have suffered indignities were as bitter and angry as Reverend Wright, then we would have bitter and hateful Native Americans, Irish and Chinese, and many others, not to mention people with disabilities, or differently abled. Most people I know are just trying to make a living and don't care what color someone is or what a persons heritage is, they try to be good citizens and do some good as they pass through the world.

Why is it that Rev Wright is considered angry and racist, when Cornel West is considered the opposite? Both men say the exact same thing except one uses bigger words. I work in the school system and there is something wrong when you look at the special education classrooms i.e. being mostly black. Over half of the recommendations for special education come from the classroom. There is a problem in the way teachers approach students that differ from them rather it is racial or economic. Equality did not start til the mid sixties. Slavery allegedly ended in 1865 unless your ancestor was owned by American Indians. Lets stop the pretending that this country was founded on the principle that "all men were created equal" Women, people of color and those that fallen short on the pay scale can testify that the boot of the select few was place firmly on their backs.

I find it truly sad that semantics are preventing us from hearing just how devided we are on issues that cross all the boundaries we are are trying so desparately to protect.
Answer this question.
Why are we so set on protecting vs changing a system so obviously flawed?

Kajonli, could it be that the reason there are more black kids in special ed is because their mothers messed them up by abusing their bodies i.e. drugs and alcohol while they were pregnant? Oh, this is a racist comment? I apologize. Only blacks can make racist comments (Wright) and be hailed a hero. Why is it that only blacks can be called a hero when they say all white people are evil and racist tho, Oh, you have never read James Cone's book "Black Teology and Liberation"(tho from your comments I bet 100 to 1 odds you have)? Cone was touted as a hero during Wrights speech at the press club. Cone is the biggest racist that this country has produced in a long time. Also, please explain how teachers approach students differently when it comes to race or economics. My wife is a "whitey" teacher and has never approached a student that way, tho, I think I shall start telling her to do so because that is what "blackie" thinks anyway. If she is going to be accused of being a racist no matter what, then she should be racist.

WOW! WHAT A SPEACH! I AM A WHITE MIDDLE AGE, MALE. THAT SPEACH IS GOING TO BE ONE THE BEST SPEACHS OF THIS CENTURY! PLEASE STOP THE SECOND GUESSING! THE MEDIA DID A NUMBER ON THIS BRILIANT MAN. ACCEPT THE FACT THAT OBAMA IS GOING TO BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. I CAN SEE WHY OBAMA WOULD GO TO HIS CHURCH....I WOULD!

Fe, well this "whitey" is going to "change", from being a stand-by, let "blackie" say whatever they want and just sit there and bite my tongue. Nope. Those days are over for this "whitey". Whenever anyone says anything about the white race that puts it down or paints them as all racists, well I am going to come out swinging and put an end to that B.S. I have changed. Every black I come into contact with better watch out. Because I shall call them out. Period.

Well James, you keep on praying at that "church". Because your feet are going to be frozen to the ground if Osama (ooops, Obama) is elected. Hell will have frozen over if that happens.
Signed,
Whitey Cracker and proud

To Wright and Obama:

Anything you say, you black N-----S, we will twist it NEGATIVE!
We will easily SPIN everything that comes out your your mouth into
something NEGATIVE. Just watch. WHITE AMERICA PLAYS STUPID
(The Clintons, Dems, Repubs) but WE ALL KNOW WE ARE ALL LYING,
and there is nothing you can say or do about it because you can
never really be sure. This is a LYING GAME, you STUPID BLACK MONKEYS,
and we, the whole WHITE RACE is in on the BOTTOM LINE. The bottom line
is this: The White race must always rule supreme over blacks at all costs.
THE BLACK RACE MUST ALWAYS BE LOWER THAN THE WHITE RACE.

I watched the speech twice and have read quite a few comments regarding the speech on this and other forums. I feel that overall the speech showed Rev. Wright to be an eloquent and intelligent man. The basic idea that "different is not deficient" is fundamentally a very important idea and challenges people to take the time to understand the circumstances surrounding a person rather than just the situation a person is in.

What did bother me, however, is that while at the surface his words claimed to promote unity, when one took into account his tone and examples it seemed very clear that he himself was very bias towards one way of doing things. The comments about the accents were perhaps in poor taste but did serve to illustrate a point. But the repeated use of stereotypes when describing white vs black ways of doing things were in my opinion somewhat ignorant and racist. At times I felt like I was watching old episodes of Def Comedy Jam because everytime he imitated a white man it was the same characature of a rigid, souless, nasally voiced stiff that has been the brunt of the jokes in black comedy for years. Another example is his reference to differences in music in which the white music was once again represented as the stiff regimented style while the black music came out soulful and inspired him to dance. I dont fault the man for having a preference, we all have preferences, but when attempting to give a speech that is hinged on the idea that different does not mean deficient, I couldnt help but feel like he was implying that one way of acting, talking, preaching, and dancing was deficient to the other.

I dont feel like he is a hateful man, but I do feel that he is without a doubt a racist man. Perhaps he is justified in being racist though, given the circumstances under which he was raised. While many americans waived flags and uttered "we will never forget" after 9/11, we ask people who grew up during an era when many institutions were segregated (by law) along racial lines... to just forget about it and move on. People act as if these events which shaped his childhood, his identity, and sense of self worth are all of the sudden going to dissappear because we live in a different time now.

The dominant force that has defined black culture in America is race. And when a culture is defined for 400 years by their race, it is not going to dissappear over the course of 30-40 years. It is irritating to have to deal with for people that had no part in creating the situation... but acting like the situation doesnt exist will not make it go away either.

No matter how much we attempt to deny the fact that racial divides exist in this country, everytime a case occurs involving a case where two "races" are on opposing sides... people quickly jump on their respective team before the facts are even heard. We says this with O.J., we saw this with Rodney King, we saw it with Elian Gonzales, we saw this with the Duke lacrosse players, we saw this with the Jena 6, and we are seeing it again in this election.

The basic problem as I see it is that anytime you are coming from a standpoint of race as a motivation, you are in fact being racist. I dont know how websters defines the word racist, but it must be something close to that. The very assertion that because you are X you must also be Y is a flawed one from the start and should be insulting to any human being with a free will. My fiance and I are both of "mixed" descent according to most peoples definition of race and it scares me to think that if we have children (who would be of German, Itallian, French, Native American, Japanese, Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Hawaiian descent), they will be somehow expected to choose a side based on which parts of their genetic material they wish to associate themselves with. Rev. Wright is correct, different does not mean deficient, and if he had just left it at that rather than procede to give a series of racist examples, I feel like his point would have been much better recieved... because I do feel that in his heart he intends to do well for others. His record of service to the community certianly speaks to that.

I am white. I am European. I am not Christian. I am educated. This is the first time I have heard Wright speak.

I feel motivated to join the NAACP after listening to this empassioned speech by an intelligent, visionary leader.

I heard equality and differences. This was not sound bytes - it was the entire speech. I support 100% what I heard.

Well, WFC, you could join but you are white and they do not allow whites in the NAACP. I doubt you are white. I am in the procees of forming the NAAWP (National Association of the Advancement of White People). I wonder how long this organization will be around before Sharpton, Jackson and Wright come out and condemn it for being a racist organization. I am betting on about 3 hours. Hmmmm, wonder why they do not call the NAACP a racist organization? Oh, I think I know the answer - Only whites can be racists.

Signed,
Whitey Cracker and proud

FOR David, Whitey and Peter and all the other racists on here. This white woman does not identify with you. I support Obama.

Wow, the racist comments really come out when you're speaking from behind a computer screen.

And then you go back to work tomorrow and clock in, where your manager is BLACK. Obama will prevail. And if it's not Obama, it will be another Black man or woman, in your lifetime, who will bring this country together and make a mockery of your small-minded racism.

"Stupid" appears here 20 times and some form of "Ignorant" 12 times.

Why are my comments racist Amanda? Are we not supposed to be having a dialogue on race relations in this country? Please explain to me why Wright can say that the "white man is keeping the black man down" and that statement is not racist? Also, what's all the racist B.S. about "whitey" keeping the black man down? As per your words "And then you go back to work tomorrow and clock in, where your manager is BLACK. Obama will prevail. And if it's not Obama, it will be another Black man or woman, in your lifetime, who will bring this country together and make a mockery of your small-minded racism." Please explain. I want to know how I can become a better "whitey". I have to go to work for my black manager tommorrow. Hmmm, I wonder why my manager is not white? Must be because BLACKS can make it in America if they work their asses off. Oh my small minded racism comes from me being right brained or is it left brained. I forgot, I am white and cannot think clearly, please straighten this white man out and save me from my small-minded racism.

Signed,
Whitey Cracker and proud

He is a well spoken piece of doo doo.

He is speaking before the NAACP. Yet, he has a really hard time remembering there are two A's, in NAACP ... not one.

Must be that wright brain thinking. Or not.

NACP National Academy of Cable Programming
NACP National Advisory Council on Preservation
NACP National Advocate Credentialling Program (National Organization for Victim Assistance)
NACP National AIDS Control Program
NACP National AIDS Coordination Programme (Zimbabwe)
NACP National Alliance of Cheer Professionals
NACP National Anti-Corruption Plan (Mongolia)
NACP National Archives at College Park (College Park, MD, USA)
NACP National Association for Communistic Peoples
NACP National Association of Cancer Patients
NACP National Association of Collegiate Parents
NACP National Association of Community Pharmacists
NACP National Association of Conference Presidents
NACP National Association of Connexions Partnerships
NACP National Association of County Planners
NACP Native American Cardiology Program
NACP Native American Collaboration Projects
NACP Native American Comprehensive Plan
NACP Native American Contention Project
NACP Naval Aviation Community Partners
NACP Negrosanons against the Coal-fired Power Plant
NACP Network Access Co-ordination Protocol
NACP Network Admission Control Program (Cisco)
NACP Network Appliance Certified Professional
NACP New Amyloid Component Protein
NACP Non-A-Beta Component of Alzheimer Disease Amyloid, Precursor Of
NACP Nordic Association of Clinical Physics
NACP North American Carbon Program (US Carbon Cycle Science Steering Group)
NACP North American Central Plains (conductivity anomaly)
NACP North American Certification Project
NACP North American Coffee Partnership
NACP North American Computer Products
NACP North American Consumer Products
NACP Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain (aquifer system)
NACP Northgate Area Comprehensive Plan
NACP Notes for Active Church Participants
NACP Nuisance Alley Conversion Program

I believe that racism has been a terrible scourge on this country - and it continues to exist, in different forms. It's not something we can ignore, but something we must work together to solve.

That being said, I believe that expansive government policies, like affirmative action, are on the whole, destructive to people of color. I believe that the plague of unwed pregnancies in the black community (over 70%!) is the most devastating thing to that community, and government programs that perpetuate this plague are counterproductive and destructive. I believe that identity politics, are, in the main, divisive and will never unify this country.

I am willing to hear from those who disagree with me, and work toward real solutions.

But to many people - particularly, liberals, progressives, and much of the African-American leadership in this country (including, I believe, Rev. Wright), my views pigeonhole me as ignorant, and probably a bigot. People talk about a dialogue on race, but what many of these folks want is a monologue.

Men of color who go against the groupthink, such as Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Larry Elder, etc. are demonized as Uncle Toms, "selling out", etc. There is no dialogue - no civil discourse, no polite attempts to refute their views. The only arguments I see presented are those of the ad hominem variety.

There is a great divide in this country. Don't make the mistake of thinking the wall has been erected from only one side.

I believe that racism has been a terrible scourge on this country - and it continues to exist, in different forms. It's not something we can ignore, but something we must work together to solve.

That being said, I believe that expansive government policies, like affirmative action, are on the whole, destructive to people of color. I believe that the plague of unwed pregnancies in the black community (over 70%!) is the most devastating thing to that community, and government programs that perpetuate this plague are counterproductive and destructive. I believe that identity politics, are, in the main, divisive and will never unify this country.

I am willing to hear from those who disagree with me, and work toward real solutions.

But to many people - particularly, liberals, progressives, and much of the African-American leadership in this country (including, I believe, Rev. Wright), my views pigeonhole me as ignorant, and probably a bigot. People talk about a dialogue on race, but what many of these folks want is a monologue.

Men of color who go against the groupthink, such as Thomas Sowell, Walter Williams, Larry Elder, etc. are demonized as Uncle Toms, "selling out", etc. There is no dialogue - no civil discourse, no polite attempts to refute their views. The only arguments I see presented are those of the ad hominem variety.

There is a great divide in this country. Don't make the mistake of thinking the wall has been erected from only one side.

I think many of you missed the main point. What Rev. Wright was mainly saying to MSM was to leave him alone to minister. He is not running for office, Barack Obama is. Therefore, there is no reason to take soundbites from his speaches and try to smear Barack Obama. Barack is a Politician, and he is a Minister (two separate occupations). He basically was just showing off a little bit. Telling MSM that he is not the ignorant individual they tried to portray. He was also saying he's just different and went into the studied history of how prople are different but not deficient. That's all his speech was about. I would like to ask to you people always go through what you hear with a fine tune comb like you have done what Rew. Wright has said. I bet many of you went throught college and was lectured to and never went through the speech with a fine tooth comb like you've done this speech. Just shows that The truth get's to the core and arouses people. This is a good thing. At least people are thinking and are waking up from the deep slep they've been in for many years.

Whitey Cracker and proud get this.

Science, you know what that is, right, tells us that pigmentation, you know what that is, right, is the result of a series of enzyme actions, enzymes are little helper bio machines, but if these enzymes are deficient and not doing a good job the result is blonde hair, blue eyes and light colored skin. Are you like that? But here is the cracker, if the deficient enzyme action is taken to the extreme, the result is mental retardation. I often wondered what it would be like to meet one of those. I wish I could be around in fifty years or so, when the history books laugh at the White race because we thought that we were so superior when actually it was just a defense mechanism indicative of our inferiority complex. The joke is on us, you and me. But you and I are different, I can laugh at it, but you get red in the face.

Is it possible to be BOTH different AND deficient? The Reverend speaks as if those conditions are mutually exclusive....

I think the Reverend is brilliant and articulate.

Those who are against what he has to say, do not want to recognize the disgusting way the African American community has been treated in this country. It's time to stop denying the white privilege that exists, and it is time to change this ugly situation. Even in 2008 I hear racial remarks that are intolerable to me. I speak up but how many others do too?

Thank you Reverend for reiterating "different, not deficient". AMEN AMEN AMEN May you go from strength to strength and may all people recognize and embrace our differences as well as what unites us as people. I hope a change comes soon.

Baruch Hashem - Praise G-d.

First, this is to Sally. I agree with you that Wright is not running for the Presidency. What I do disagree with you is the fact that Obama subscribes to the beliefs that Wright spews out of his mouth, if he did not, he would have left that church and Wright's friendship two decades ago. Also, I have gone through college and have been lectured innumerable times. And yes, I have gone through those lectures with a fine tooth comb to LEARN what is being said and taught. Going through what Wright has said with that fine tooth comb, I have LEARNED that Wright is an America hating racist who has a member that believes in his values who is running for President of the United States. Period. Please convince me otherwise.

Second, not even skin deep, Thank you for clearing that fact up. I guess I am inferior to (and a retard)to all blacks. Gotta ask you this, tho, Why is it that any country that is controlled by blacks ends up destroying itself? I will give you an example from today, Zimbabwe. Hmm, let me get my facts straight (remember I am a retard and it takes me some time to think clearly). Zimbabwe recently booted all white leaders out of their government. They also kicked all Whites off their farms. What is happening in Zimbabwe as I type? Well, there is massive food shortages and the government has no clue what to do and they are now pleading for, hold onto your gold chain for this nugget, help from mean old anti-black America. I wonder why that is? Aren't we their "mortal" enemies because we are a white nation? Please correct me if I am wrong (remember I am a retard).

Finally, still awaiting your response, AMANDA.

This guys is brilliant. All the people getting upset about this are in denial. And the people that think he should be 'happy for all this country has given him' .. He earned everthing he has fought for .. Get it right.

White, Jewish, Female, explain to me why blacks cannot get over what is now the past. I am a retard, according to another poster and I must have this explained in detail. Oh, please explain what privileges I get for being white, here and now in 2008. Give me one, just asking for one privilege I get for being white. I can sure as hell tell you that I do not have Affirmitive Action on my side (blacks do, correct?). Oh, I served in the Navy for 15 years as a white sailor. You ever heard of quotas? I have been on advancement boards where a black sailor had to be advanced over a white sailor because there were not enough blacks in that speciality, hence you needed to promote the blacks to fill the quota. According to you, that is discrimination. Please inform me, enlighten my inferior brain, why this is not racist towards "mean, ole, whitey". I know what you are going to say, prove me wrong, affirmitive action. Hmmm, that sounds like the "man" is discriminating against "whitey". That is okay. God forbid we discriminate against blacks.

This is to Joe, one of the first posters. Wright was not a Marine. He was a Navy Hospital Corpsman. He was a sailor. Marine medics are Navy Corpsman. This is just one more lie this racist has said. He was stationed at Navy hospital in the states. Wow, another lie by Wrong, oh sorry, Wright.

Get over the past? Surely you gest. You think the oppression doesn't exist in the present? How often WC, do you get pulled over for the offense of "driving while black?" I can assure you this happens often in my town. How can you possibly deny that white privilege exists. When you go to a mall, are you followed around and instantly suspected? Have a read...and give yourself time to absorb it.

http://www.case.edu/president/aaction/UnpackingTheKnapsack.pdf

It is amazing to me that Wright tells us to see others as different, and not deficient, but then goes on to make fun of those who don't sing like they do in many black churches. He said in his speech to the NAACP that people who sang "Oh how i love Jesus" in the subdued European way were wrong or wierd for doing so. Sorry Rev. you can't have it both ways.

One man can not bring peace to a world that has been without peace for years. His goal is not to bring peace but to bring about awareness to the things needed for change.

What did he say that was racist?

That black men need to change the way that they treat black women, Black women need to change the way they treat black children, black children need to change the way they treat black elders or was it when he said black elders need to change the way they treat black children? He speaks about the issues black, white or what ever. And the constitution gives him that right.

No one is calling you a racist for disagreeing with Rev. Wright's speech. So why is he a racist for disagreeing with our government. If you are offended then do not listen, but the majority of the comments about him from the media are deeply rooted in racism. He spoke about the differences in cultures and is openly mocked by the media as if black people do not have the right to feel proud and uplifted about their differences and as if the black race is not owed an apology for having their history systematically striped from them during slavery and today with this campaign. The notion that Obama is doing so well because he is black says that black people are not capable of forming a political opinion about this race so they will just vote for the black man. That is pure racism at its finest and is broadcast on the news every time someone talks about his supporters. This is a turning point in black history and this man (Obama)who has certainly worked hard to get to where he is in life is being reduced to a "black voting fad"

The mere fact that everything Rev, Wright says is taken out of contexts by anyone who refused to actually listen to him proves the fact that it is time for change.

Back to the whole peace issue, if you really want peace, listen to the man. No one is asking you to agree with him but to just listen, because where he may not speak for all people, he does speak for a lot of people and it is truly time for change.

We need to change the way we judge people in order to bring about the change that is needed for our country to live up to its potential.

It saddens me that anybody would denounce this man of great intellect and integrity and consider this profound speech as DVISIVE. The comments below prove what I found out the hard way on an Ann Coulter blog regarding the ignorant comments made toward my blog entry when I (a black woman from Chicago who loves and respects Obama and Wright) was defending their position on Ann's blog. The intellectuals WILL get it white or black and the ignorant ones ones will continue to be ignorant and spew hate and keep their minds closed! Obama was not going easily coast into the White House and Rev. Wright has EVERY right to defend his character and 36 years of devotion to uplifiting and bringing people to God. Even atheists respect that. . .after all this IS AMERICA where we are supposed to be free to be who we are! Different not deficient!

O btw, thank u digg for presenting the speech in its entirety and letting people judge for themselves. When speech was aired I was in a Burger King and was awe inspired. Tried to pull up any video on internet and was hard pressed to find one. In my search however got plenty of Anti-Wright rhetoric. I will admit only now how naive I was to believe the media pundits would publicize the positive aspects of this speech!

O btw, thank u digg for presenting the speech in its entirety and letting people judge for themselves. When speech was aired I was in a Burger King and was awe inspired. Tried to pull up any video on internet and was hard pressed to find one. In my search however got plenty of Anti-Wright rhetoric. I will admit only now how naive I was to believe the media pundits would publicize the positive aspects of this speech!

WOW! I just watched the whole speech! And I can see why the Rev. is so powerful he's intelligent, and not affraid to speak his mind. He's not a politician he is a minister a spokesperson for GOD and that is his duty first and foremost not to sugarcoat anything for the namesake of politics to let the truth be known in his own words, not for man or media. This whole lynching is absolutly crazy! First you got a black man running for president, so to get something on him haters start tripping on the people he know's (and since his haters can't get anything on him and his squeeky clean record duh! he's running for the oval office and he's made it this far!) like the Reverand , that in my opinion is nothing wrong with the way he feel's or what he says but of course the abusive persons i.e. haters, vigilanties, racists and the media have to pick apart every thing he says and take out or in contxt and disagree with him cause that is what they do. I dont think that non or misbelievers were expecting him to say what he did during his speech if they were then they should not feel let down, you cant tear down any man and just expect him to take it laying down. if the Rev shut his haters up then they werent hateres to begin with just weak minded people who dont have an opinion for themselves and are caught up in others opinions. If the Rev did not shut the haters up and they are still talking then it is those true haters that are doing there job and assisting the Rev in becoming one of the most powerful preachers in our time and fulfilling the prophecy of the "Change that is going to come"! he feels the way he does about life and doing his job as a Rev. And haters got a problem with that (like he's not supposed to feel the way he feels - now he's getting all this press about his views, he's his own MAN! he don't know you! He is a warrior for the LORD! and an educated man, people are so fickled So you got the media which is apart of some sort of conspiracy trying to break this man, a simple man yet making him more powerful cause people are talking about it more and more! this is really great! I say go for it Reverand do your thang fight the good fight! And the cold part about this is that this isnt even about politics or is it Obama is still running.......so what we got a black man, a white woman and a Reverand and the republican party is just sitting back, watching and laughing they got there person and that is the conspiracy! And america is so caught up in this man! and his speech was not directed at Obama's campaign but at the attacts that have been coming his way! from the simple minded media who are getting paid up the wazu or should i say the brilliant media who are doing there jobs! to get the simple minded americans to loose focus on the real issues of life and life altering changes that are to come! cause this in america is a first: I'll say it again a Black man, a White woman and then they throw in the Reverand! man people are tripping! and for the really crazy rasict hick that are on here please just end YOUR GENERATIONAL CURSE! I really feel bad for your ignorance it kinda makes me wonder what did your forefathers do that was so bad that it left you and your generations cursed with such tramendous stupidity and stunted growth! WOW THAT'S DEEP! incest, rape.....it couldn't have been that cause that is part of the whole signs and symptoms of your beings and dna make up, so i really do wonder what they did to cause the chain of such thought!

Whitey Cracker said: "Wright was not a Marine. He was a Navy Hospital Corpsman. He was a sailor. Marine medics are Navy Corpsman. This is just one more lie this racist has said. He was stationed at Navy hospital in the states. Wow, another lie by Wrong, oh sorry, Wright."

The truth: "Wright gave up his student deferment, left college and joined the United States Marine Corps and became part of the 2nd Marine Division with the rank of private first class. In 1963, after two years of service, Wright then transferred to the United States Navy and entered the Corpsman School at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, where he graduated as valedictorian. Having excelled in corpsman school, Wright was then trained as a cardiopulmonary technician at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland where he graduated as salutatorian. Wright was assigned as part of the medical team charged with care of President Lyndon B. Johnson (see photo of Wright caring for Johnson after his 1966 surgery). Before leaving the position in 1967, the White House awarded Wright three letters of commendation."

It must be difficult to live in a world where facts are obstacles to understanding.

This man is shameful to Christians. Jesus teaches love and humility. Mr. Wright has neither. Arrogance is sinful and this man has enough arrogance for all the pharisees that ever lived.

dont forget to tell wright and farrakkan that Jews helped created the NAACP its a secret they may forget!

Remember Doctor King and why they???? kill him. This is nothing more than a high tech lnyching, by those who are afraid of the truth. Why????? because the truth hurts. Just listen to what scared people pick at in their comments.

Rev. Wright is absurd. Where does he get his information that black people are right brained and white people are left brained? This guy is an idiot. He's doing a good job sabatoging Obama's campaign.

All of these anti black statements prove an undeniable overall truth about the white race in America. Whites are a cancer to the family of man. For the past 500 years, whites have committed massive genocidal crimes against people of color. Whites have purposely used disease to wipe out millions of native Americans and then rob them of their lands. They tried to do the same thing in India, China and Africa. Whites enslaved for profit and then killed as many blacks and indians as possible. Whites will come up with any excuse to demonize, criminalize and finally genocide masses of decent innocent blacks, mexicans and all people of color. People with black skin would be fools to ignore the truth about the white race. Whites are lying every day about the people they are actually oppressing. The devious whites on this message board are only telling one side of the whole story by twisting reality and making the victim appear to be the criminal.

Rev. Wright is absurd. Where does he get his information that black people are right brained and white people are left brained? That white people planted AIDS? This guy is an idiot. He's doing a good job sabatoging Obama's campaign.

"That white people planted AIDS?"

Don't blame the whole White race. Let's put it a different way. All of the AIDS creators just happened to be white. And a black guy happened
to be the one to blow the whistle on the secret genocidal operation.

boydgraves.com

All black people have the CCR5 delta 2 positive gene. They are hundreds of times more likely to contract HIV than white people. The HIV virus did not come from monkeys. HIV is identical to the ESP-1 virus, derived from a sheep virus in Iceland, developed under the US Special Virus Program.

Check out US House Resolution 15090 page 193. The government got $10 million to develop a “synthetic biological agent” to “deplete the immune system”.

But there is a cure they don’t want you to know about! Check uspto.gov (the US Patent and Trademark Organization website) and search for US patent number 5676977.

For some great information, check boydgraves.com.

First, to sosjtb12, if he was apart of the medical team that helped Johson then he was in the Navy. Please refer me to someplace that verifies his time in service. Remember, according to Wright and "science", I am a retard and cannot think correctly.

Teri, why is this a lynching? Tell me please why you believe what he states is the truth. Back it up with facts please.

Third, Juan Garcia, Please provide an example of how the white race (which by the way is the reason you sit and type away on the internet, pretty smart Heh?) "finally genocide masses of decent innocent blacks, mexicans and all people of color. People with black skin would be fools to ignore the truth about the white race." Please give me one example. btw, do you know how blacks became slaves and were brought over here? Blacks bretheren, other blacks in Africa, sold prisoners to countries who would pay wouldn't that make them profiteers off the backs of the black?). To blame "mean, old whitey" for brining blacks to America is true. But how did "whitey" get them? Hmmm, sold by other blacks. (Historical Fact). Also, blacks are a cancer on this society (i did not want to go there but issue brought up by you). They are the reason inner cities are crap. They are to lazy to get off their ass to do anything. They suck on the government's teet for everything but when it comes time for them to "pay the man" they bitch and moan that it is racism. To sum it up, blacks in this country (not all) are the laziest race in this country. Have latinos had it bad in this country? Oh yes. Do you see them bitching and moaning every chance they get at how unfair and unjustly they have been treated? Nope, thay are to busy working and they do not have time. How about Asians (WWII interrment camps) You see them bitching? or any other race bitch and whine as much as blacksdo when claiming racism? You sure don't. Wonder why that is?
One last thing, give me an anti-black comment I have made that is not fact. I believe the cancer is all the anti-white comments I have been reading. Yours for example calling whites a cancer.

Lastly, Linda, I have asked before, why is Wright being hailed a hero for speaking his mind, but I am being demonized for speaking mine?

Signed (you have all been calling whites racists so I may as well be one)
I Think Blacks Are Inferior (definition of a racist)

Just because the man was a Marine does not mean that he is not a racist bigot. The fact of whether or not he is a Marine makes no difference. Yes "once a Marine always a Marine", but that does excuse racism and anti-Americanism. Yes Rev. Wright is not running for President and Sen. Obama is. I am not denying that, but what I have a problem with is that this man and his beliefs are so looked upon by Sen. Obama. A Rev/Pastor/Rabbi/Pope what ever your belief may be that person is someone you feel that has a great amount of wisdom. Be it because they are educated or because they speak the word of God and are so public. I know that a lot of people hold themselves to a standard based on their "Spiritual adviser" and their actions. A person like this is such a mentor his personal beliefs are just that personal. A Rev/Pastor/Rabbi/Pope should be speaking the word of God not the word of God/Himself. Some of the things that come out of this guy's mouth are unbelievable and unforgivable. Further more politics has no place in the pulpit. Religion is controversial enough without brining in politics.

Now I do commend him on the fact that he has not back down and has stayed consistent. But to me if he was any type of supporter for Sen. Obama he would further screen his speeches so to not cause undue stress. No, he is not running for President but as we all know when a candidate runs it is a free for all on who can gum up the most dirt. This means that candidates are defined by their relations, and a relationship that is questionable is sucked dry by either the press or the competition. This should be expected

As far as the press running the sound bytes on a continuous loop, this should not be a surprise to anyone. When Britney Spears was the center of attention no one complained. Why was that soooo important to the country? This on the other hand could be important considering he has such close and controversial ties to what could be a future President. Not to mention that this county already has a double standard on the racist issue. If an African-American says the “N” word it is a word of affirmation and brotherhood, but a Caucasian does the same thing in the same context and he is labeled as a racist. How about this NOBODY SAY IT!!! There is a standard that everyone should be able to follow no matter what you ethnicity.

Wright did not and does not say "white people" he said the government planted aids and you are calling it racist but Wright said himself that he told Obama that he would come after him if he were to become president.

WHAT A RACIST!!! He would turn on his own church member to continue to fight a cause that he feels deeply about. He must hate black people too.

It is not about black or white it is about policies that he does not agree with and again the constitution gives him the right to voice his opinion.

Wright does not practice hate of white people. He his against policy so please do not use his misrepresented comments to justify your racist tendencies. If you do not like black people you do not like black people it has nothing to do with what Wright is saying because the last time I checked he does not speak for black people he speaks his views on his society.

What gives you the right to hate an entire race for one man's words, when you call him a racist for disagreeing with our governments actions.

YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN THE MAN YOU CALL A RACIST THAN!!!!

A Marine, from a sailor to you, I thank you for putting everything in perspective. I brought up the statement of his being a Marine to show how Wright has lied. Now, I also agree that what is coming out now is fair game. Obama is not running for high school president. He is a candidate for the highest most powerful position in the world. Obama and everything he has ever done in his entire life should be brought out in the open and scrutinized under a microscope. Obama has attended a racist church for 2 decades, that shows his core beliefs. Obama BELIEVES what Wright preaches, anti-American hate speech, conspiracy theories that are not based on fact (the AIDS comment) and that Wright will lie to cover his ass or to further his agenda ,"chickens coming home to roost" comment is a great example. He is quoted as saying he was just repeating what the U.S. ambassador stated. Peck never said this at all. A lie. If Obama did not BELIEVE all this garbage, he would have left Wright behind 20 years ago. Instead he has been a close friend to Wright for those 20 years.

Also, do you know how these "soundbytes" came out? The church was selling them. Why is that? All the clips are about Wright degrading America, being racist against whites (you can be racist against whites, correct?). For Wright to say that these snippets distort what was said is B.S. They were provided by his church. All the sermons on those tapes preach white hatred and anti-American views that the church stands by. I have also seen the entire sermons so that does not "nullify" the question of why he said "Goddamn America (sad pathetic response he gave yesterday)" or why whites created the AIDS virus to wipe out blacks. This guy is a radical who will do and say anything to further his agenda. Gotta ask everyone on these boards, Do you want a President that has a close friendship with a radical? I sure as hell don't want a President that has that relationship with a radical whether they are black, white, purple, gray or orange.

Jennifer - Bless you for being compassionate but you need to realize the hyperbole, incorrect comparisons and the untruthfulness in Wright's speeeches.

For example, did you know that FREE BLACKS owned other BLACKS as slaves. That the American Indian owned BLACKS as slaves. That the MUSLIMS in the middle east were the BIGGEST buyers of slaves - they purchase something like 20 million and are still enslaving people today! DId you know that many more slaves went to BRAZIL than to the US? And slavery exists today: LOOK at Saudi Arabia where women cannot go outside without a man and who can be cast out of her home by a man who says three times, I divorce you!

Only 650K slaves came to the US and it was a part of the culture back then so to say it was a sin as Obama and WRight do is incorrect. Don't look at the past through today's lenses. Events occur in a time period - It is the same as women showing their boobs and butts today - 40 years ago you were a SLUT if you did so. ANd good girls did NOT have sex before marriage. You MUST look at events in the time period they occurred before you duge and that is what WRIGHT is NOT doing!!

And don't forget about the thousands of WHITES who fought for the BLACKS and to end slavery - do you hear WRIGHT thanking them or condemming them? HUH??

Did you know that BLACK MEN had the vote before WHITE WOMEN who were considered chattle or property of their husbands unil around the 1930's?? Just like the animals they kept on their farms.

Keep in mind that slavery happened over 150 years ago. That would be your great great great great great great great great grandfather's time period. Would you blame your grandfather for having slaves during that time period if he needed them and society in general thought it right to do? Would you get upset if your grandchild from 9 generations ahead in time came back and said you were a SLUT because you wore shorts or T tops? Don't slip into Wright victim hood mentality.

Further - Wright is a hypocrite -he is moving into a ONE MILLION DOLLAR MANSION house his church is building for him. AND he did NOT grow up in racism - he lived in a middle class home and attended an ELITE high school.

Start reading about him on many different media and you will see the "truth" behind Wright!

Jennifer - Bless you for being compassionate but you need to realize the hyperbole, incorrect comparisons and the untruthfulness in Wright's speeeches.

For example, did you know that FREE BLACKS owned other BLACKS as slaves. That the American Indian owned BLACKS as slaves. That the MUSLIMS in the middle east were the BIGGEST buyers of slaves - they purchase something like 20 million and are still enslaving people today! DId you know that many more slaves went to BRAZIL than to the US? And slavery exists today: LOOK at Saudi Arabia where women cannot go outside without a man and who can be cast out of her home by a man who says three times, I divorce you!

Only 650K slaves came to the US and it was a part of the culture back then so to say it was a sin as Obama and WRight do is incorrect. Don't look at the past through today's lenses. Events occur in a time period - It is the same as women showing their boobs and butts today - 40 years ago you were a SLUT if you did so. ANd good girls did NOT have sex before marriage. You MUST look at events in the time period they occurred before you duge and that is what WRIGHT is NOT doing!!

And don't forget about the thousands of WHITES who fought for the BLACKS and to end slavery - do you hear WRIGHT thanking them or condemming them? HUH??

Did you know that BLACK MEN had the vote before WHITE WOMEN who were considered chattle or property of their husbands unil around the 1930's?? Just like the animals they kept on their farms.

Keep in mind that slavery happened over 150 years ago. That would be your great great great great great great great great grandfather's time period. Would you blame your grandfather for having slaves during that time period if he needed them and society in general thought it right to do? Would you get upset if your grandchild from 9 generations ahead in time came back and said you were a SLUT because you wore shorts or T tops? Don't slip into Wright victim hood mentality.

Further - Wright is a hypocrite -he is moving into a ONE MILLION DOLLAR MANSION house his church is building for him. AND he did NOT grow up in racism - he lived in a middle class home and attended an ELITE high school.

Start reading about him on many different media and you will see the "truth" behind Wright!

Jennifer - Bless you for being compassionate but you need to realize the hyperbole, incorrect comparisons and the untruthfulness in Wright's speeeches and in the man himself. For example, did you know that FREE BLACKS owned other BLACKS as slaves. That the American Indian owned BLACKS as slaves. That the MUSLIMS in the middle east were the BIGGEST buyers of slaves - they purchase something like 20 million and are still enslaving people today! DId you know that many more slaves went to BRAZIL than to the US? And slavery exists today: LOOK at Saudi Arabia where women cannot go outside without a man and who can be cast out of her home by a man who says three times, I divorce you! And don't forget about the thousands of WHITES who fought for the BLACKS and to end slavery - do you hear WRIGHT thanking them or condemming them? HUH??

Further - Wright must like the WHITES he condemns as he is moving into a MILLION DOLLAR MANSION in a WHITE neighborhood. IF he was so oppressed why live with those he rails against? Doesn't make sense does it?

helen sabin, thank you for making a my point (more eloquently) than I did in a previous post. I am fed up with all the "Well we were slaves so treat us as victims" B.S. that Wright and many other blacks spew everyday.
Someone on these boards please explain to me why every other race in the country has moved beyond injustices of the past, but blacks cannot.

"There is a class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs -- partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do not want to lose their jobs. ... " And, "There is a certain class of race problem-solvers who don't want the patient to get well, because as long as the disease holds out they have not only an easy means of making a living, but also an easy medium through which to make themselves prominent before the public."

Booker T. Washington

rjw1, wow I think you summed up Sharpton, Jackson and Wright with that quote. As someone said before regarding me earlier "It must be difficult to live in a world where facts are obstacles to understanding."

Helen, I think you need to do a little more reading on this subject. Here's a tip...try consulting a variety of different sources.

Cracker, what you did was post a quote or "sound bite" from Booker T. W. and used it out of context. Kind of like slave owners used the Bible to justify slavery.

Wonderful truths were spoken. Too bad Rev. Wright doesn't beleive it. He so carefully explained the differences between each of us and then began mocking the white race for the way they worship Jesus. Huh. sounds like someone is talking out of both sides of their mouth.

Ivan S, please explain to me how that quote is out of context. btw, I did not post the quote, hmm, a distortion of the truth?

An Opinion:

Medicaid and food stamps are not reparations, but these two costly programs, that are one price of past and present economic, social, and spiritual depression, poverty, racism, segregation, and discrimination.

Corrective actions restore equal justice, create equal opportunities for work and education, and fostering national grief work to heal individuals, families, and this nation.

Won't competent children become competent able adults, less dependent on the system, but thriving to achieve positive productive results for themselves, and their families? Aren't competent children are more likely to be responsible adults? Don't large percentages of America's capable children, those who see themselves as a valued asset of their families and communities grow up to be adults capable, and wanting to give back.

Ivan S, how is that quote and my answer to that quote taken out of contexr? please explain. btw, I DID NOT post that quote, I was agreeing with someone who posted it. A distortion of the truth? Where have I heard that before.

Signed
Cracker

Dear White Cracker and Proud,

First you must understand that there are exceptions to every rule and that No one is saying that black people should be treated as victims.

What is being said is that because of slavery, the black family, values and culture have been shaped by the years of injustice to black people which lasted for more than 300 years.

It is not the black people who are the victims it is the children. If you think about how to be a parent, you understand that a lot of your ways like it or not have come from your parents. Where did your parents learn-from there parents. The point is that the seasoning process, the lack of self-esteem and the willingness to want to do nothing with your life has been handed through generations because of slavery.

Don't believe me? Then way is it that most Americans take their children to see Santa at the mall? Because it is what we do, it is what has been handed down from generation to generation. The same is true for the black community.

Black people for the most part teach respect of adults, rules and social skills through beatings. Why because that is the only thing they know. Black people for the most part do not value or see the value of education because they were taught that they were stupid and worthless.

Your answer to this group of people is get over it. Well that is not going to happen because it is so deeply rooted in the black culture that get over it is not going to work. Black people need to be reached out to by people who are willing to help end this trend of self destruction in the black community. In order for change to occur I must change! If you are not willing to admit that the effects of slavery is a burden to the black community then your children in my children will be waring over race issues and their children will war over race issues.

Which is why I say the children are victims because the adults today can not resolve issues that have been going on for hundreds of years.

Black people are well aware of the fact that the slave hunters in Africa where black and that Black Kings in Africa sold slaves to slave traders which is why there is such a divide in the black community. No one is speaking out about that.

Give the black race credit for one thing please-even though they were taking away from there home stripped of there language and culture taught to hate everything black and beaten during the seasoning process they still managed to find the strength to fight back and overcome and all black history books credit white people for helping overcome-----EVEN WRIGHT or did you not hear him when he said it was the white church that was instrumental in the development of the underground railroad.

The man may be extreme but calling him a racist just makes him act more extreme. He is not against white people he is against the government and like I stated before he said he would go after Obama(a black man) if won the election, because he would be apart of the policies that Wright does not believe in.

If I'm so wrong
If I'm so out of touch
If I'm a "primate"
If I'm a "concern freak"

etc...
The tell me WHY did Barack Obama just DENOUNCE EVERYTHING Jeremiah Wright said in those speeches that all of you so QUICKLY defended.

Why is every news station CNN, MSNBC, FOX,CNBC, ABC, NBC, CBS etc... describing the speech of Rev. Wright and his Comments at the Press Club as damaging to Obama's campaign and NEGATIVE!

This is PROOF that I am RIGHT and ALL of you are WRONG!!

You are racist against WHITES if you agree with Rev. WRight!
even Obama agrees with ME! and so does the MAJORITY of eduacated SAIN people in this country and around the world.

It's so counter productive to continually drag up the past not for learning purposes but for victim status purposes. At some point the “black community” is going to have to stop letting this get in the way of their collective advancement.

Denise, My great-grandfather came from Ireland at a time when England was trying to do to them what was done to blacks in the slavery period. Do I hold animosity towards England? No. That is in the past.
Now, I have three kids. When I was growing up my dad would beat me if I did something he did not want me to do. Do I beat my kids if they screw up, do not do what I want them to do? No. Your arguement that because past generations committed atrosities it is okay to act that way now is flawed. I have not passed on to my children that in order for someone to not do something against the rules they need to get a beating. I have learned not to live in the past i.e. Ireland and England. Just because people were persecuted, for whatever reason, IN THE PAST, does not mean they are excused from everything that is wrong in their life today. You are making that arguement which is completely false. It is an excuse not to strive to be your best. There are alot of blacks who HAVE gotten over it and are now sucsseful.
To reiterate what I have said, you are making excuses. Why can sucsseful black people get over it but you cannot?
Now Wright is a racist. Period. End of story. If you do not think he is look up the term racist in the dictionary. He has called white people evil. Be honest to this question. If a white pastor were to preach the same things that Wright has preached, that is white theology and liberation in his church would you consider that racist? Would you consider it racist for a white preacher to say that whites are superior because they learn to speak proper english but blacks cannot (seems Obama speaks fantastic english). Would you say it is okay and completely correct for a white preacher to say "Goddamn America". It is a free country.
It is a free country and anyone can excercise their right of free speech. But why when a white excersises his free speech, as I have on this board, I am vilified as a racist but Wright is considered courageous? I have not said anything that is not based on fact. You through your statements are making excuses for blacks (not all blacks) behavior to do what they please and then blame it on slavery.

Regarding Rev. Wright's recent comments:

"I am outraged by the comments that were made."

"His comments were divisive and destructive."

"[Wright's comments] were not only divisive and destructive, but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate, and I believe that they do not portray accurately the perspective of the black church. They certainly don't portray accurately my values and beliefs."

"When he states and then amplifies such ridiculous propositions as the U.S. Government somehow being involved in AIDS, when he suggests that Minister Farrakhan somehow represents one of the greatest voices of the twentieth and twenty-first century, when he equates the United States wartime efforts with 'terrorism' then there are no excuses."

"They offend me. They rightly offend all Americans, and they should be denounced. And that's what I doing very clearly and univocally here today."

By the way, these words are Senator Obama's, not mine.

My question is, why do so many Obama supporters try to defend Wright when Obama himself denounces him?

Dear Jericho and rjw1

Because Obama is weak and he proved it today when he denounced Wright.

He started his campaign with the platform that race issues needed to be addressed. Wright did that and yes he may have been extreme and may have stepped on a few toes and echoes but the fact still remains that these issues need to be address.

The fact that Obama would make that statement that that is not the man that he met 20 years ago is BS!!! You mean to tell me that 20 years ago when segregation and race riots where fresh one his mind he did not express these view BS

The bottom line is that Obama is running for president and he will say what he has to say to get support. And with that he just lost my support. I believe that America needs a change and if Obama is not willing to fight the fight I am not willing to Barack the vote. No because I believe in Wright and not because I am a racist but because if he is not willing to hold his ground now he will not hold it in office. This is coming from a person who campaigned for this man in my community and at my job.

And in terms of educated and sane people in this world- There are some that understand where Wright is coming from.

To the counter productive comment- lets see how counter productive we are in 40 years when were are still living in fear of WMD!!!

The person that stayed true to his game is Wright. And no I am not saying that I agree or disagree with his statements all I am saying is that I respect the man for being who he is and not being afraid to exercise his constitutional right to free speech. That is all Obama had to do was say that the man does not speak for me and he has the right to voice his opinion because he does.

He's grabbing his 15 minutes of fame..and taking Hussein Obama down every time they hand him the microphone...and in the process he's missing his chance to put someone in office that would do us great damage. I hope they play him from now till next week. Many idiots are Smart (in one area or another...see Hitler or GW Bush they managed to get elected by keeping their Mr. Wrights in a sack until after they were elected)...Wright would not get in front of his church and yell God Damn America unless he meant it and wanted to influence others to follow. He's a black racist ass. Every time he opens his fat mouth Obama's polling hits the floor..what a jerk.

The only thing that Rev. Wrights comments have done is...
show the Whites in this country just how un-evolved and intellectually deficient a significant part of the african american population is in comparison to the rest of the country.

We really thought african amnericans were smarter than this.
To actually DEFEND and not understand that Rev. Wrights comments are racist and divisive and damaging to Obama's campaign shows an enormous lack of intellegence on the part of Blacks.

If your purpose is to establish your equal place in a society...you DONT insult the ruling Majority and in the next breath endorse a candidate!!???
if you do, then I promise none of the people you just insulted will ever vote for WHOEVER you are endorsing..DA?!

The revelation of knowledge that REv. Wright has eagerly illustrated in his speech about the "Black point of view" has set Blacks back 60yrs in the minds of Whites in this country.
He not only damage Barack Obama's change for Pres. but any future possible Black candidates for Pres. in the US

Way to go African Americans....you blew the only chance you've had in the last 400 years at equality (by supporting Rev. Wrights statements and sermons)

Do you actually think that Obama would have won IOWA if this shit would have come out before the IOWA primary? (of course not) (
NOTE:Iowa is mostly white and Obama won by a LANDSLIDE) If whites are soooo racist why would they overwelmingly vote for a Black President????

If this is your best shot a leading the country and trying to help yourselves have a respective position in this country other than filling up the Jails and putting a strain on the Wellfare system...

then you need to learn how the game is played... before you open your mouth and insult the very people who your asking to vote for your candidate... you need to HOLD YOUR Racist tongue for the GREATER CAUSE. That is exactly what whites have dont the last 100 years in order to get Blacks to vote for them. DA!!

Come back and try again in 100yrs when you have EVOLVED a little more.
But remember Whites will have evolved also in 100 yrs and will probobly be just as hard to beat then as they are now.

your more realistic hope to ever be in power in this country is to continue to MULTIPLY LIKE RABBITS and rule not by intellect a capability but by Majority.
This will succeed for you far before your intellect will ever deliver any real results for you.

Barack Obama is one of the most intellegent "Black" men of late. Do you think it's any coincidence that he's HALF White.

I bet his MOTHER was the smart one (just a guess)

White Cracker and Proud

I am a successful black woman and I am over it. It just so happens that I teach in the inner city and I am a witness to destruction of the black community daily.

No childhood was no walk on the beach. I was beat and even put out of my house for weeks and months at a time starting from the age of 12. I had my first child at 17 in the tenth grade. I made it and is it wrong for me to try to understand and help black children who are not making it.

I try not to yell and scream at my children like I was yelled and screamed at. I try not to beat my children for things that can be corrected through conversation. Yet because of my upbringing, I find my self falling victim to what historians call mental slavery.

I am not making excuses for black people I am just putting some of my views out there for discussion.

Please do not judge me from the words that I type because I am more than that. I do not hold white people responsible for the systematic destruction of the black community and I do believe that there are people out there that use slavery as a scapegoat but in the same turn, I believe that there are black people out there who do not know any other way.

Also white cracker, do not let Wright's words define you because they do not define me.

TO: EQUALIZER,

you must be BLACK.
Your an IDIOT to call Obama "weak" and your a moron if you think Wright is a respectable person with the correct position on these issues.

You say that "eduacated people" do agree with rev. wrights comments smart ass remarks.

Ithat is true then I would bet my balls to bacon that 100% of those college graduates went to BLACK Colleges funded by White tax payers and most likely went to school on grants provided by White tax payes

So those "eduacated poeple" your talkng about are a BIASED group and DO NOT COUNT

TO: EQUALIZER,

you must be BLACK.
Your an IDIOT to call Obama "weak" and your a moron if you think Wright is a respectable person with the correct position on these issues.

You say that "eduacated people" do agree with rev. wrights comments and smart ass remarks.

If that is true then I would bet my balls to bacon that 100% of those college graduates (your refering to) went to BLACK Colleges funded by White tax payers and most likely went to school on grants provided by White tax payes and the Negro College Fund with donations from many white and black organizations and companies, etc...

So those "eduacated poeple" your talkng about are a BIASED group and DO NOT COUNT

Anyone who has a brain knows that Rev. Wright is an idiot!

I did not say that he is a respectable person with the correct postion on the issues.

I said I respect him for being who he is and I respect the fact that he is not afraid to say what is on his mine just like I respect you.

Like it or not Obama switched up his game and Wright did not. Who is the weak one in this situation?

I am not saying Wright is right but what I am saying is that obama is playing for both teams which is why he lost my vote.

I did not say that he is a respectable person with the correct postion on the issues.

I said I respect him for being who he is and I respect the fact that he is not afraid to say what is on his mine just like I respect you.

I did not say educated people agree I said that understand where he is coming from.

Like it or not Obama switched up his game and Wright did not. Who is the weak one in this situation?

I am not saying Wright is right but what I am saying is that obama is playing for both teams which is why he lost my vote.

The numbers speak for themselves.

a significant population of the Negroes in the US would rather "GangBang" and drive around listening to Rap music and looking for pussy, rather than get their lives together....

FOR EXAMPLE:

Justice Department report released in July 2003

About 10.4% of the entire African-American male population in the United States aged 25 to 29 was incarcerated,(THAT'S JUST STATISTCIS FOR BLACK MALES BETWEEN 25-29YS OLD)
by far the largest racial or ethnic group—by comparison, 2.4% of Hispanic men and 1.2% of white men in that same age group were incarcerated.

According to a report by the Justice Policy Institute in 2002, the number of black men in prison has grown to five times the rate it was twenty years ago.

Today, more African-American men are in jail than in college. In 2000 there were 791,600 black men in prison and 603,032 enrolled in college.
In 1980, there were 143,000 black men in prison and 463,700 enrolled in college.

Mr. Wright is completely correct. I don't know what I was thinking, but now he makes it all so clear. Black folks are different. Wow it all makes sense. Black folks learn different and act different and clap different. The answer is clear. BLACK SCHOOLS ! So that people of color can learn in an "African" way. Black only stores, so they can buy things geared towards black style. Maybe they should get their own place on buses for a unique black perspective. Black water fountains, because I bet white people have different tastebuds too ! OH WAIT, That does sound familiar!
Do I sound like a racist, or does Rev. Wrights agenda just sound a whole lot like Jim Crowe ? I honestly can't see past his open racism. There are certainly a lot of honestly needed points that he makes, but I refuse to accept "change" that is part and parcel with racism. And we haven't seen old fashioned racism like this since the 60's !

Jericho-

Um, the name of the person who posts a comment appears BELOW the comment, not above. I believe you meant to address Denise, not me.

"different, not defficient" ~ "separate, but equal"

Whitey is quite happy with Wright's proposed divisions of labor, with Whites handling all the knowledge work (objectivity) and Blacks handling all the entertainment (subjectivity). Whitey's always happy to have a black man speak these words on his behalf. Whitey loves separatists. That's why nobody ever shot Farrakhan or Elijah Muhammed, but King and Malcolm are dead.

It's unfortunate hiphop died before we got here, to this would-be turning point in history. Maybe if we were awake we could properly process what's happening.

separatists and crackers have overlapping vested interests. Just like AlQaeda and the military industrial complex. think.

I don't think Wright is more racist or biased than white pastors such as Fallwell. Everything in this nation is white, and being white is the norm, therefore, some white folks have a hard time understanding Wright.

With that said, I think Wright and his fellow African Americans should be fair not only to Blacks, but to people of all colors. I am Asian American, and often times NAACP and Black leaders would say/do some really offensive stuff to my race, and not apologize for it.

I'm sure if you shake Dr. Wright family tree you will find some white American Blood, so which side of him that white American find Racist? It's funny that now when Black America speak against the injustice we suffer as a people in America, all of a sudden we are Racist. Just what if I saw Dr. Wright as a white man instead of a black man by my degree of skin color would it change the the idea of him being racist? I believe that one day we will succeed as having a race call AMERICAN with out the sub titles. Maybe the best thing that happen for this country is Barack Obama. By the way I never heard Dr. Wright exclude himself from the ills he saw in HIS COUNTRY, you know AMERICA, the one he was born in.

Unfortunately, it is very sad how black people fail to realize the white supremacy attitudes of white people. Even after the Reverend's speech a lot of blacks were like "oh lord the master is going to get us for what he be saying." When what Reverend Wright said what the most true, prolific, provocative statements about the difference of both races. We as black people have been beaten down so much we don't even realize when someone is trying to pull us out of the trenches. I am tired of our black leaders, preachers, and pastors having to apologize for lifting us up. For pointing out the "white supremacy attitudes" in this country. White people should never be given respect in this country until they apologize and make amends for their outright hatred, violence, raping, child molesting and killing directed towards black people. Black people should stopping walking around on egg shells as if we should apologize for acknowledging and speaking out on the injustices, inequities, and disparities that we see every single day!!! A white person can never tell me to get over it and just forget about the past. They have no right to tell black people that, because they have never experienced a portion of the drama that we have experienced. White people are treated so good in this country even the poor white people don't even know that they are poor!!!

If the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are. I have even gotten republican newsletters saying “should the right sit this one out” if they had something, you better believe they would be spinning it so much we would have forgotten about Wright. Wright is not WRONG or wrong for Obama but an easy target to promote hate mongering and the pundits are going to live to see the errors of their ridiculous accusations because truth stands up for itself. . . it doesn’t need any help from the Republicans or Democrats. Most people with an IQ higher than 80 can recognize the hype. Wright is a man to be respected and admired and have led many to the Lord not to hate or bigotry. The only thing Wright is guilty of is name calling and believe me we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Lest Obama is the second coming of the Lord he knew what he was getting into and I hope for his sake he knows that if the two are in a room in agreement for the Lord they should continue to pray together for each other and do the work they know best. Obama politics and Wright should keep on running for the Lord before he does get tired and bring as many people as he can for God. Remember this is the main reason our forefathers put separation of state and church in the Constitution. I will never be ashamed of Rev Wrights work as a pastor or Obama’s gift for bringing people together to talk about complex problems, his appeal cannot be taught as there are many others with qualifications that rival his but no one can put a price on popular appeal. Obama’s a praying man and instead of applauding him for it he is getting crucified for it, but for believers in Christ like me that is the same thing that happened to Christ and we are all the better for it. This race is far from over and Rev Wright had every right to defend his beliefs and reputation. If it was so dastardly and bombastic you would not get 1000s of well educated African American and races of all kinds to attend the church. It continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many and will be so far into the future long after Barack has taken office and leaves office. It is not a bunch of zombie like members like the Polygamist cult and the people that attend can think for themselves and considering the vast numbers of African American churches to choose from people are choosing Trinity United Church of Christ by the droves. Rev Wright has nothing to be ashamed of nor Obama. Finding God there is a GOOD thing. That is what faith is all about and keeping it when the going gets rough. Wright taught me that. I have the audacity to believe that Obama can do it . . . Obama taught me that!

Proud Former Member of Trinity UCC!

I am all for the Rev. Wright's right to free speech and the man is obviously intelligent. I do have to draw the line at making fun of a man who risked his life for those that were less fortunate than him (Robert Kennedy) I can't understand why a man like the Rev. would stoop to such a level as a to make fun of someone like that. He is a hater, plain and simple.

Wow...Ryan. You're allowing the opinions of one man to sway you sooooo much that you wouldn't vote for someone you believed was the best candidate? Were you really an Obama supporter? You probably know as many racist as Obama if not more. And I would bet money some have served as president of the United States.

Dear all,
I have read the posts in this blog and I cannot help but smile. We are talking about the race issue in this country. Disjointed though it may be. Ignorant on the part of some who don't understand that racism is a system of advantages that benefits whites over people of color. By definition only whites can be racists because only they benefit from this system. Reverend Wright is not a racist because he is not white. Reverend Wright is a man who has fought for this country. If you judge the person's character by those sorts of things, then you can only agree that he is a patriot and is interested in the betterment of the nation. He is an American who happens to be black and as a result has suffered and witnessed the suffering of a huge number of other Americans, solely because of the color of his, and their, skin.
If you choose to enter into this conversation, perhaps you should educate yourself about the real American history, not the "white-washed" fairy tales you get to learn in elementary and high school.
There is not one thing in Reverend Wright's speeches that is not documented in the history of this country, vile though it may be. So first you have to learn the real history and then put yourself in the shoes of those affected by this history (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans) and see if you can walk around the block in those shoes, let alone a lifetime, as people of color have had to.

AMERICA WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR THE ATROCITIES OF SLAVERY OR IT'S FOREIGN POLICIES! IF BARACK BECOMES PRESIDENT AND HAS DENOUNCED HIS PASTOR FOR SPEAKING TRUTH. WHAT DO YOU REALLY THINK HE'LL DO IN THE OVAL OFFICE?

SEPARATE BLACK AMERICA AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

BLACK PEOPLE WAKE UP AND STOP TRYING TO PLEASE YOUR WHITE SLAVE MASTERS. ACCEPT THE TRUTH WHEN YOU HEAR IT. REVEREND WRIGHT SPEAKS THE TRUTH!

When a person states facts based on the truth how can it be called racism. He stated the truth that any person could research and then just agree with or disagree with. But their disagreement with the truth doesn't make it less true. He is not running for President. So, why does the media slant what he says or does? He is not the first minister to have expressions about our country. Matter of fact there are people who have burned our flags IN our country and we don't renounce them as racists or anything like that. I don't agree with everything my minister preaches and it's okay. Either the media is slanting because they can or because they know absolutely nothing about freedom of speech and evidently NOTHING about the African American Church. I thoroughly enjoy attending African American churches. They are lively and thought provoking. Rev. Wright is a preacher. There is nothing to be politically analyzed in his messages. I wouldn't ask a mathematician to analyze a paper on Greek literature. So, why does the political analysts need to analyze a sermon? They don't even know where to begin. Come on. We have allowed ourselves to continue to look for something on Sen Obama. ADMIT IT!!! There isn't anything. STOP and let's just have an election. May the best candidate succeed.

If the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are. I have even gotten republican newsletters saying “should the right sit this one out” if they had something, you better believe they would be spinning it so much we would have forgotten about Wright. Wright is not WRONG or wrong for Obama but an easy target to promote hate mongering and the pundits are going to live to see the errors of their ridiculous accusations because truth stands up for itself. . . it doesn’t need any help from the Republicans or Democrats. Most people with an IQ higher than 80 can recognize the hype. Wright is a man to be respected and admired and have led many to the Lord not to hate or bigotry. The only thing Wright is guilty of is name calling and believe me we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Lest Obama is the second coming of the Lord he knew what he was getting into and I hope for his sake he knows that if the two are in a room in agreement for the Lord they should continue to pray together for each other and do the work they know best. Obama politics and Wright should keep on running for the Lord before he does get tired and bring as many people as he can for God. Remember this is the main reason our forefathers put separation of state and church in the Constitution. I will never be ashamed of Rev Wrights work as a pastor or Obama’s gift for bringing people together to talk about complex problems, his appeal cannot be taught as there are many others with qualifications that rival his but no one can put a price on popular appeal. Obama’s a praying man and instead of applauding him for it he is getting crucified for it, but for believers in Christ like me that is the same thing that happened to Christ and we are all the better for it. This race is far from over and Rev Wright had every right to defend his beliefs and reputation. If it was so dastardly and bombastic you would not get 1000s of well educated African American and races of all kinds to attend the church. It continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many and will be so far into the future long after Barack has taken office and leaves office. It is not a bunch of zombie like members like the Polygamist cult and the people that attend can think for themselves and considering the vast numbers of African American churches to choose from people are choosing Trinity United Church of Christ by the droves. Rev Wright has nothing to be ashamed of nor Obama. Finding God there is a GOOD thing. That is what faith is all about and keeping it when the going gets rough. Wright taught me that. I have the audacity to believe that Obama can do it . . . Obama taught me that!

Proud Former Member of Trinity UCC!

If the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are. I have even gotten republican newsletters saying “should the right sit this one out” if they had something, you better believe they would be spinning it so much we would have forgotten about Wright. Wright is not WRONG or wrong for Obama but an easy target to promote hate mongering and the pundits are going to live to see the errors of their ridiculous accusations because truth stands up for itself. . . it doesn’t need any help from the Republicans or Democrats. Most people with an IQ higher than 80 can recognize the hype. Wright is a man to be respected and admired and have led many to the Lord not to hate or bigotry. The only thing Wright is guilty of is name calling and believe me we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Lest Obama is the second coming of the Lord he knew what he was getting into and I hope for his sake he knows that if the two are in a room in agreement for the Lord they should continue to pray together for each other and do the work they know best. Obama politics and Wright should keep on running for the Lord before he does get tired and bring as many people as he can for God. Remember this is the main reason our forefathers put separation of state and church in the Constitution. I will never be ashamed of Rev Wrights work as a pastor or Obama’s gift for bringing people together to talk about complex problems, his appeal cannot be taught as there are many others with qualifications that rival his but no one can put a price on popular appeal. Obama’s a praying man and instead of applauding him for it he is getting crucified for it, but for believers in Christ like me that is the same thing that happened to Christ and we are all the better for it. This race is far from over and Rev Wright had every right to defend his beliefs and reputation. If it was so dastardly and bombastic you would not get 1000s of well educated African American and races of all kinds to attend the church. It continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many and will be so far into the future long after Barack has taken office and leaves office. It is not a bunch of zombie like members like the Polygamist cult and the people that attend can think for themselves and considering the vast numbers of African American churches to choose from people are choosing Trinity United Church of Christ by the droves. Rev Wright has nothing to be ashamed of nor Obama. Finding God there is a GOOD thing. That is what faith is all about and keeping it when the going gets rough. Wright taught me that. I have the audacity to believe that Obama can do it . . . Obama taught me that!

Proud Former Member of Trinity UCC!

Reverend Wright is only speaking the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. I would respect Obama more if he backed the Reverend up. Anyway, if Obama loses the election it will be because America is not ready to see a black person leading the country.

I really liked the part where he starts talking like he's in "da hood" I suppose he has to dumb down his language for his followers to understand him properly. We are making so much fun of his little dance and his dialect here at work today hardly nothing was done. If you want someone who speaks the truth listen to what Bill Cosby has to say about black folks in America.

I really liked the part where he starts talking like he's in "da hood" I suppose he has to dumb down his language for his followers to understand him properly. We are making so much fun of his little dance and his dialect here at work today hardly nothing was done. If you want someone who speaks the truth listen to what Bill Cosby has to say about black folks in America.

Wow, that Wayne State University certainly was/is a hotbed of scholarship. Where are his additional attributions, footnotes, references, support?

This is the same dangerous twaddle which gave rise to Ebonics close by in Ann Arbor.

The thousands of male and female black executives, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and those in other fields give the lie to this padering by Wright and his like.

To Whitey Cracker and DENISE:
Whitey, I am amused by your creative writing style and DENISE's introspection is enlightening. Beyond the details what I compiled is that Denise is excusing the self-conmiserating inbred limitation of the "black culture" is natural. Whitey, your 100% agree with this premise.(Wright?)...So My question is: In this Pro-Forma apology of the race reality where you both agree and inarguable so does Obama and Wright, why THEN, Denise did Obama throw Wright under the bus if not for Political expediency? Did Obama take the bait and like fish, they die through the mouth? I think I know: Whether Obama disavowed him or not, he was going to Lose anyways..he is ingenous and naive..and I DON"T WANT HIM IN THE OVAL OFFICE ....EVER

To Whitey Cracker and DENISE:
Whitey, I am amused by your creative writing style and DENISE's introspection is enlightening. Beyond the details what I compiled is that Denise is excusing the self-conmiserating inbred limitation of the "black culture" is natural. Whitey, your 100% agree with this premise.(Wright?)...So My question is: In this Pro-Forma apology of the race reality where you both agree and inarguable so does Obama and Wright, why THEN, Denise did Obama throw Wright under the bus if not for Political expediency? Did Obama take the bait and like fish, they die through the mouth? I think I know: Whether Obama disavowed him or not, he was going to Lose anyways..he is ingenous and naive..and I DON"T WANT HIM IN THE OVAL OFFICE ....EVER

Wright must be a supremely egotistical man. He was stung by Barack trying to distance himself, and felt the need to defend his honor regardless of Obama's presidential hopes. After all, Obama is just a politician who "says what he needs to say". It's disrespect aimed directly at his former "disciple".

Meanwhile he has supplied the Republicans with enough wacky sound bites for a hundred attack ads. The American public won't spend time parsing the intent or context. He's going to appear side by side with Barack on TV from now until November. I hope Wright's "honor" is worth the result.

If the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are. I have even gotten republican newsletters saying “should the right sit this one out” if they had something, you better believe they would be spinning it so much we would have forgotten about Wright. Wright is not WRONG or wrong for Obama but an easy target to promote hate mongering and the pundits are going to live to see the errors of their ridiculous accusations because truth stands up for itself. . . it doesn’t need any help from the Republicans or Democrats. Most people with an IQ higher than 80 can recognize the hype. Wright is a man to be respected and admired and have led many to the Lord not to hate or bigotry. The only thing Wright is guilty of is name calling and believe me we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Lest Obama is the second coming of the Lord he knew what he was getting into and I hope for his sake he knows that if the two are in a room in agreement for the Lord they should continue to pray together for each other and do the work they know best. Obama politics and Wright should keep on running for the Lord before he does get tired and bring as many people as he can for God. Remember this is the main reason our forefathers put separation of state and church in the Constitution. I will never be ashamed of Rev Wrights work as a pastor or Obama’s gift for bringing people together to talk about complex problems, his appeal cannot be taught as there are many others with qualifications that rival his but no one can put a price on popular appeal. Obama’s a praying man and instead of applauding him for it he is getting crucified for it, but for believers in Christ like me that is the same thing that happened to Christ and we are all the better for it. This race is far from over and Rev Wright had every right to defend his beliefs and reputation. If it was so dastardly and bombastic you would not get 1000s of well educated African American and races of all kinds to attend the church. It continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many and will be so far into the future long after Barack has taken office and leaves office. It is not a bunch of zombie like members like the Polygamist cult and the people that attend can think for themselves and considering the vast numbers of African American churches to choose from people are choosing Trinity United Church of Christ by the droves. Rev Wright has nothing to be ashamed of nor Obama. Finding God there is a GOOD thing. That is what faith is all about and keeping it when the going gets rough. Wright taught me that. I have the audacity to believe that Obama can do it . . . Obama taught me that!

Proud Former Member of Trinity UCC!

If the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are. I have even gotten republican newsletters saying “should the right sit this one out” if they had something, you better believe they would be spinning it so much we would have forgotten about Wright. Wright is not WRONG or wrong for Obama but an easy target to promote hate mongering and the pundits are going to live to see the errors of their ridiculous accusations because truth stands up for itself. . . it doesn’t need any help from the Republicans or Democrats. Most people with an IQ higher than 80 can recognize the hype. Wright is a man to be respected and admired and have led many to the Lord not to hate or bigotry. The only thing Wright is guilty of is name calling and believe me we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Lest Obama is the second coming of the Lord he knew what he was getting into and I hope for his sake he knows that if the two are in a room in agreement for the Lord they should continue to pray together for each other and do the work they know best. Obama politics and Wright should keep on running for the Lord before he does get tired and bring as many people as he can for God. Remember this is the main reason our forefathers put separation of state and church in the Constitution. I will never be ashamed of Rev Wrights work as a pastor or Obama’s gift for bringing people together to talk about complex problems, his appeal cannot be taught as there are many others with qualifications that rival his but no one can put a price on popular appeal. Obama’s a praying man and instead of applauding him for it he is getting crucified for it, but for believers in Christ like me that is the same thing that happened to Christ and we are all the better for it. This race is far from over and Rev Wright had every right to defend his beliefs and reputation. If it was so dastardly and bombastic you would not get 1000s of well educated African American and races of all kinds to attend the church. It continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many and will be so far into the future long after Barack has taken office and leaves office. It is not a bunch of zombie like members like the Polygamist cult and the people that attend can think for themselves and considering the vast numbers of African American churches to choose from people are choosing Trinity United Church of Christ by the droves. Rev Wright has nothing to be ashamed of nor Obama. Finding God there is a GOOD thing. That is what faith is all about and keeping it when the going gets rough. Wright taught me that. I have the audacity to believe that Obama can do it . . . Obama taught me that!

Proud Former Member of Trinity UCC!

Lesson to be Learned:

Rev. Wright and other's connected to Mr. Obama need to put their ego and pride aside and shut up. I cannot imagine men of their age cannot understand that they are being used to destroy Mr. Obamas campaign. Unbelievable!!!!!

For the record...I agree with the majority of what Rev. Wright has to say about our American society...however, he and other's should have enough sense in their heads to turn down speaking engagements as well as NOT speaking to the media. We, black folk, keep making the same darn mistakes over and over again.

Naomi,
You want to know why "the best the republican pundits has got for dirt on Obama is Wright then that just shows how desperate they are" (probably not, but I will tell you why)?
How long has Obama been running for the presidency? 1 year and a couple months. In that time, until recently, (oh you will love this) he has been given a free ride by EVERYONE involved in the media, everyone who does not have the guts to ask him hard questions for fear of being called a racist. Look at Obama's and Hillary's last debate. Obama, who is on the record saying that Wright is an issue, bitched and moaned after the debate because he was asked about his relationship with Wright. Stephanopolus and Gibson were slaughtered by everyone. "How could you spend 45 minutes asking and talking about this ISSUE? They were demonized for asking questions to a presidential candidate that went to his credibility and his core values. I have said it before, he is not running for prom king. He is seeking the most powerful position in the world. Any question that is asked him is legitimate. Period. End of Story.
When the askers are vilified for asking a question, there is something wrong going on. Why is it okay to ask Hillary or McCain anything from their past friendships to their current friendships but not okay to ask Obama? Hillary and McCain have been around a long time. They have been gutted as far as to their past and people know who they are. NOONE, until recently has known who Obama is. Wright was Obamaa's pastor for 20 years, Wright and Obama had a relationship that Obama describred as Wright being an uncle. Wright preaches hate. Period. Whether Wright is black, yellow, white, green or polka dot, what he has said is nothing but HATE SPEECH.
This goes at the crux of the matter. How could someone have a close relationship with this man for 20 years and not know his views? He has given several excuses about this controversy. He was not honest throughout until he saw that it would not go away and that it was hurting his chance to be President. Then, although he heard the exact same crap Wright spewed on Monday many times before, he did not come out and denounce the man or the statements with such vigor as he did Tuesday. Why not? Wright said the same stuff in the "snippets" that he sasid at the press club but amplified them. Why was Obama not as offended back then?
To get back to the issue of is this all the Republicans have on Obama. No, there are other things and if he is the nominee he better be strong enough to answer these types of questions, and not bitch, or he will be slaughtered in November.
To reiterate, he is NOT running for prom king. He is running for the Presidency of the United States. He has to show that he has balls to stand up to personal attacks. If not, how is he going to stand up for what needs to be done as President i.e. dealing with leaders of other countries that want us annihilated? Goes towards credibility, which Obama has none i.e. Wright issue.

Signed,
Cracker

"AMERICA WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR THE ATROCITIES OF SLAVERY OR IT'S FOREIGN POLICIES! IF BARACK BECOMES PRESIDENT AND HAS DENOUNCED HIS PASTOR FOR SPEAKING TRUTH. WHAT DO YOU REALLY THINK HE'LL DO IN THE OVAL OFFICE?

SEPARATE BLACK AMERICA AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Posted by: Muslim at April 30, 2008 4:49 PM"

separatists hate obama don't they? crabs.

Wright = crab

STOP RACISM- This applies to those going to an extreme:
If you are 100 % support of Rev. Wrights speech without being open to provide constructive criticism or if you are 100 % against Rev. Wrights speech without being open to hearing the positives from the speech THIS IS FOR YOU-NEXT TIME YOU CALL SOMEONE A RACIST MAKE SURE YOU'RE LOOKING IN THE MIRROR!

I find it interesting that even though the repeated statement "different not deficient" is so often followed by mockery of people that are different from reverend Wright. So often when he speaks of the difference of so called "european-americans" he speaks with a look of distain on his face. Why is this?

Which WHITE FOOL brought up IRAQ? WHITE SUPREMACY has been TOTALLY CRUSHED in IRAQ. The ARABS ain't taking your WHITE LIES and WHITE BULLSHIT anymore in the Middle East! Thats why you're getting kicked out of the middle east! You racist white assholes should actually be bending over backwards thanking all the BLACK CITIZENS and HISPANIC CITIZENS you've CONNED into fighting arabs and DYING over there IN PLACE OF YOU WHITE RACISTS and your LYING PUNK WHITE RACIST BRETHREN. BLACK SOLDIERS come back to America and then have to face all of your SECRET HIDDEN RACIST DISCRIMINATION and have to listen to people like you RIGHT WING RACIST JERKS TWIST THE TRUTH ABOUT OBAMA and blame everything on Blacks. HISPANICS who fought hard have to come back and listen to YOU and your RACIST RIGHT WING talk about BUILDING A WALL and and KICKING OUT as many SPANISH PEOPLE as possible out of America like PIECES of GARBAGE! You Racists will destroy America! WHITE MAN LISTEN - YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN HISPANICS OR BLACKS OR ANY HUMAN BEING. If
you think you are, TRY IT! CARMA is Coming Soon for YOU EITHER WAY!

Posted by: Juan Garcia at May 1, 2008 11:11 AM
TRY IT! CARMA is Coming Soon for YOU EITHER WAY!

Dear Juan,

It's KARMA

Hows that anger problem workin out for you??

I'm lovin these comments!
Keep them coming!

Your lies and insults won't work, Whitey Cracker and proud (devil). I'm sure you know that most of the chaos in the today's world really is "whitey's fault." For 400 years, Whites colonized africa into hundreds of countries, thus dividing the people into factions. Whites stole the most fertile lands in africa and forced most of the blacks into the worst areas, which even to this day, has led to massive starvation. The Blacks got wise and fought back and kicked out many of the racist whites, but are fighting each other to regain control of their arable lands. Whites promptly applied immunodeficiency agents (AIDS) into the populations and provided large arsenals of conventional weapons everywhere in order to make the civil wars as destructive and chaotic as possible for the african people. So while the blacks are getting sick and battling each other for control, the white vampires are trying to suck the natural resources dry and kill off the blacks at the same time. Whitey's fault -
"Whitey" not meaning you, "Whitey Cracker and proud." You're just some white trash who is simply jealous and bitter that blacks and hispanics are rising from years of genocide, slavery, lynching, castration, jim crow, black codes and discrimination while you and your trailer trash family have for generations done nothing during the course of their struggle. No one was holding you down so you lash out on this message board with twisted truths. It still won't change who you truly are. You are white trash.

CLIMATE CHANGE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE WHITE RACE. THE SUN'S UV RAYS ARE NO JOKE. THE SUN HAS OTHER SPECTRUMS OF INVISIBLE RAYS WHICH ACTUALLY ENRICH BLACKS, BUT ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE PALE WHITE RACE. WHITES ARE LIKE VAMPIRES. LIKE SUBTERRANEAN DEMONS, RACIST WHITES SELFISHLY LIE AND TRICK AND HIDE THE TRUTH AS SURE AS THEY MUST PERPETUALLY HIDE FROM THE SUN. THE SUN GIVES LIFE TO ALL LIVING THINGS ON THE EARTH, BUT IT KILLS WHITES DEAD. FOR MOST HUMANS, THE SUN REPRESENTS LOVE AND LIFE, FROM GOD. YET WHITES BY THEIR WICKED NATURE, MUST HIDE AND RUN FROM THE SUN, AND CRINGE FROM THE TRUTH, THE SON OF GOD. MADONNA'S VIDEO WAS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. JESUS WAS BLACK, AND JESUS IS THE WAY TO SALVATION...

"Zeus" says:

"THE SUN HAS OTHER SPECTRUMS OF INVISIBLE RAYS WHICH ACTUALLY ENRICH BLACKS"

So tell us what these other spectrums of invisible rays are. You are so learned that clearly you must have some scientific data to show what IR spectrum you are talking about. So whatcha got?

Zeus, You think VAMPIRES are real?

Man, chill on the movies and try to integrate into American society for a change, you might get somewhere with your life.

Juan,
First, You say I have stated twisted truths. Please back that statement up. Please use FACTS to show what I have stated on this board is "twisted truths".
Now, explain to me why most of the chaos in the world is "whitey's" fault. Please back up what you say with facts. Oh, about AIDS. Wow, you are ignorant to any facts that go against your hatred of whites. How did "whitey" give blacks AIDS? btw, there are more whites who have AIDS than blacks in this world (stats from World Health Organization). The entire population of people who have AIDS, only 5 percent are blacks.
Your first line in your post states that "Your lies and insults won't work". I shall ask you again, look through all my posts and give examples how I have lied or been insulting. Then please make a case on why those statements are lies or insults.
Why are you insulting me (see above) by calling me white trash? Isn't that what you are saying that I have been doing? I shall bring up the question again. where in any of my posts have I insulted anyone as you have by calling me white trash.
One last question, use facts please, Why are you living in the past? Are you or anyone you know, in 2008, being lynched? castrated? enslaved? or being systematically killed? You see, you are not able to come into the 21st century. You always must blame someone else for you failings. If something does not go your way it is because your great-great-great grandparents were abused. You make this excuse when you should be taking personal responsibility for YOURSELF. All races, black, white, yellow have had atrocities committed on them throughout time. It seems to me that the only race that cannot move on are black Americans. Why is that?

Juan Garcia,
First, You say I have stated twisted truths. Please back that statement up. Please use FACTS to show what I have stated on this board is "twisted truths".
Now, explain to me why most of the chaos in the world is "whitey's" fault. Please back up what you say with facts. Oh, about AIDS. Wow, you are ignorant to any facts that go against your hatred of whites. How did "whitey" give blacks AIDS? btw, there are more whites who have AIDS than blacks in this world (stats from World Health Organization). The entire population of people who have AIDS, only 5 percent are blacks.
Your first line in your post states that "Your lies and insults won't work". I shall ask you again, look through all my posts and give examples how I have lied or been insulting. Then please make a case on why those statements are lies or insults.
Why are you insulting me (see above) by calling me white trash? Isn't that what you are saying that I have been doing? I shall bring up the question again. where in any of my posts have I insulted anyone as you have by calling me white trash.
One last question, use facts please, Why are you living in the past? Are you or anyone you know, in 2008, being lynched? castrated? enslaved? or being systematically killed? You see, you are not able to come into the 21st century. You always must blame someone else for you failings. If something does not go your way it is because your great-great-great grandparents were abused. You make this excuse when you should be taking personal responsibility for YOURSELF. All races, black, white, yellow have had atrocities committed on them throughout time. It seems to me that the only race that cannot move on are black Americans. Why is that?

What's funny is to read these posting here (and I read all of them) and see the myriad of responses that, although all of you have great points, they all are in some form of fashion prejudical, contradictory, egoistic and emotional. I personally don't see anything wrong with that because the nature of being a human is contradictory and complex itself. We seem to forget that although these people are in the spotlight, they are humans first and humans are going to contradict themselves; humans are going to be egoistic, especially in this country (capitalism is the better way for a society to fuction I believe, but let's be real...it promotes egoism and selfishness); the thought of a black man or a woman president is going to stir up a lot of emotions and politics is complex on its own. With that being said...

1) Whether you support Reverend Wright or not to call him a racist, anti-semitic or a bigot is an elementary assessment. We can all agree that some of what Rev Wright had to say was not the best things to say on television. And he also may have fell short on some of his theories, postulates and what have you. But SOME of what he was saying is what a lot of people feel about this country. There are American soldiers that are over in Iraq right now fighting for Iraqi freedom that don't agree with the war. None of us who are here in America chilling on the interent have the right to call them anti-American. Its an unfair assessment of who they are as people and its kinda egoistic to say that especially if none of us life in sand-land and are shooting M-16's just to survive crossing the street. It's the same with Reverend Wright. None of us have been to his church for 20 years let alone a month's worth of consecutive Sunday's. We have not broken bread with the man, had talks with him or anything like that. Just because his comments rubbed some of us the wrong way doesn't mean we have enough proof that he is a racsit, Anti-American or any of those names. I mean I feel ya'll because you feel how you feel but if we are to make educated dialogue and conversations here...let's do it properly.

2) The best quote I read is from John. When he said that people talk about having a real dialogue about racism in this country but what they really want to have is a monologue. WHEW! Well said. But this is from Black and White folks. We can't say only white folks want to monopolize this conversation about racism. Radical blacks do too. Everyone wants their opinions to be life changing, earth shattering, history book recorded moments. I get that. Its understandable. But they are just opinions.

3) Someone said something about listen to what Bill Cosby has to say about blacks and not listen to Rev. Wright. I think that everyone who has critical opinions about black issues, Obama included as well as Farrakhan and Rev Wright (Cornell West, Ice-T, Kanye West) should be listenend to. Cosby isn't the voice of the black people. Not to be funny but this dude is an adulterer who allowed himself to be extorted in order to cover up his sin. Does that mean that he cannot speak for that part of the black community that feels the way he does? Does Cosby become irrelevant and ignorant and detrimental to those blacks who disagree with him because he is an adulterer? No. So why is Rev Wright's long history as a teacher of the gospel and loyal pastor to his congregation null-n-void because of 2 speeches? What because we all love Cliff Huxtable? So what? Rev Wright's congregation love him. Some of you do, but I see no difference. Just my opinion

4) Affirmative action may hurt whites and other people who are losing jobs and school slots to blacks. However, let's not forget why affirmative action was implemented in the first place. If the racist egoistic self-righteous bigots of those days played fairly, justly and legally blacks would have been able to compete without help, I believe. It didnt start with them not getting jobs or into good schools because they were black. The bigots of those times saw it fit for them to separate and give blacks the crumbs, the bottom, the bullshit of everything; school, books, clothes, education. Yeah there are people who made it and perservered. I mean even with a form of social genocide as brilliantly structured as racism every now and then someone will slip thru the cracks. Just like in good schools across America some one will slip thru the cracks and become a junkie or whatever. I'm not saying Affirmative Action is good or bad but the implementation of it was out of necessity. White people played dirty with black people for years. If a student couldn't get a good education cuz he was black of course he aint going to be qualified like a white student who had a good education. So you give the black student a chance cuz he was stripped of the chance to play fair ball from the beginning. Affirmative Action is a way to rid today's society of yesterdays' injustice. Whether it's right or wrong...it was necessary.

3) Reverend Wright has been who he is for years. I'm sure Obama knew that. I'm sure this isn't the first time Obama heard his Reverend speak like this or act like this. People are saying the reverend had a responsibility to Obama's campaign, that he should have shut his mouth for the cause. That may be true. But...Rev. Wright's responsibility is to God, not Obama. He was blessed with the gift of preaching and teaching the Gospel to God's children. His obligation doesn't solely transfer to Obama just because he is running for president. Obama had a duty to himself to, if he so felt it necessary, spearate himself from Wright earlier. Why should the Reverend stop teaching the wasy he has for AT LEAST 20 years because one man is in a good position? Obama should have taken an L for the cause and left his pastor before he started campaigning if he felt this way. No one from Obama's camp knew how radical Reverend Wright was? Obama's camp wasn't looking out for the bigger picture, the cause. If you are going to hold Rev. Wright responsible for what happens to Obama's campaign then you need to hold Obama responsible too.

5) And to blame Rev Wright for the dissolution of everything Obama... may be how some of ya'll feel but it is an unfair assessment. Next thing you know the people are gonna say how flip-floppy Obama is cuz he denounced his pastor. Some people are looking for a reason. I get that and that's cool. But let's not act like that this is not a possibility. Some people have been waiting patiently for some shit to pop off with Obama's campaign to shun him for whatever reason.

What's funny is to read these posting here (and I read all of them) and see the myriad of responses that, although all of you have great points, they all are in some form of fashion prejudical, contradictory, egoistic and emotional. I personally don't see anything wrong with that because the nature of being a human is contradictory and complex itself. We seem to forget that although these people are in the spotlight, they are humans first and humans are going to contradict themselves; humans are going to be egoistic, especially in this country (capitalism is the better way for a society to fuction I believe, but let's be real...it promotes egoism and selfishness); the thought of a black man or a woman president is going to stir up a lot of emotions and politics is complex on its own. With that being said...

1) Whether you support Reverend Wright or not to call him a racist, anti-semitic or a bigot is an elementary assessment. We can all agree that some of what Rev Wright had to say was not the best things to say on television. And he also may have fell short on some of his theories, postulates and what have you. But SOME of what he was saying is what a lot of people feel about this country. There are American soldiers that are over in Iraq right now fighting for Iraqi freedom that don't agree with the war. None of us who are here in America chilling on the interent have the right to call them anti-American. Its an unfair assessment of who they are as people and its kinda egoistic to say that especially if none of us life in sand-land and are shooting M-16's just to survive crossing the street. It's the same with Reverend Wright. None of us have been to his church for 20 years let alone a month's worth of consecutive Sunday's. We have not broken bread with the man, had talks with him or anything like that. Just because his comments rubbed some of us the wrong way doesn't mean we have enough proof that he is a racsit, Anti-American or any of those names. I mean I feel ya'll because you feel how you feel but if we are to make educated dialogue and conversations here...let's do it properly.

2) The best quote I read is from John. When he said that people talk about having a real dialogue about racism in this country but what they really want to have is a monologue. WHEW! Well said. But this is from Black and White folks. We can't say only white folks want to monopolize this conversation about racism. Radical blacks do too. Everyone wants their opinions to be life changing, earth shattering, history book recorded moments. I get that. Its understandable. But they are just opinions.

3) Someone said something about listen to what Bill Cosby has to say about blacks and not listen to Rev. Wright. I think that everyone who has critical opinions about black issues, Obama included as well as Farrakhan and Rev Wright (Cornell West, Ice-T, Kanye West) should be listenend to. Cosby isn't the voice of the black people. Not to be funny but this dude is an adulterer who allowed himself to be extorted in order to cover up his sin. Does that mean that he cannot speak for that part of the black community that feels the way he does? Does Cosby become irrelevant and ignorant and detrimental to those blacks who disagree with him because he is an adulterer? No. So why is Rev Wright's long history as a teacher of the gospel and loyal pastor to his congregation null-n-void because of 2 speeches? What because we all love Cliff Huxtable? So what? Rev Wright's congregation love him. Some of you do, but I see no difference. Just my opinion

4) Affirmative action may hurt whites and other people who are losing jobs and school slots to blacks. However, let's not forget why affirmative action was implemented in the first place. If the racist egoistic self-righteous bigots of those days played fairly, justly and legally blacks would have been able to compete without help, I believe. It didnt start with them not getting jobs or into good schools because they were black. The bigots of those times saw it fit for them to separate and give blacks the crumbs, the bottom, the bullshit of everything; school, books, clothes, education. Yeah there are people who made it and perservered. I mean even with a form of social genocide as brilliantly structured as racism every now and then someone will slip thru the cracks. Just like in good schools across America some one will slip thru the cracks and become a junkie or whatever. I'm not saying Affirmative Action is good or bad but the implementation of it was out of necessity. White people played dirty with black people for years. If a student couldn't get a good education cuz he was black of course he aint going to be qualified like a white student who had a good education. So you give the black student a chance cuz he was stripped of the chance to play fair ball from the beginning. Affirmative Action is a way to rid today's society of yesterdays' injustice. Whether it's right or wrong...it was necessary.

3) Reverend Wright has been who he is for years. I'm sure Obama knew that. I'm sure this isn't the first time Obama heard his Reverend speak like this or act like this. People are saying the reverend had a responsibility to Obama's campaign, that he should have shut his mouth for the cause. That may be true. But...Rev. Wright's responsibility is to God, not Obama. He was blessed with the gift of preaching and teaching the Gospel to God's children. His obligation doesn't solely transfer to Obama just because he is running for president. Obama had a duty to himself to, if he so felt it necessary, spearate himself from Wright earlier. Why should the Reverend stop teaching the wasy he has for AT LEAST 20 years because one man is in a good position? Obama should have taken an L for the cause and left his pastor before he started campaigning if he felt this way. No one from Obama's camp knew how radical Reverend Wright was? Obama's camp wasn't looking out for the bigger picture, the cause. If you are going to hold Rev. Wright responsible for what happens to Obama's campaign then you need to hold Obama responsible too.

5) And to blame Rev Wright for the dissolution of everything Obama... may be how some of ya'll feel but it is an unfair assessment. Next thing you know the people are gonna say how flip-floppy Obama is cuz he denounced his pastor. Some people are looking for a reason. I get that and that's cool. But let's not act like that this is not a possibility. Some people have been waiting patiently for some shit to pop off with Obama's campaign to shun him for whatever reason.

Whitey Cracker You stated : “He is quoted as saying he was just repeating what the U.S. ambassador stated. Peck never said this at all.” 

In fact neither you nor I can state unequivocally what Peck stated on September 15, 2001 in an interview on Fox.  Hannity & Colmes have said that they reviewed the tape of the interview and that Peck does not say that America’s “Chickens have come home to roost”.  We do not know exactly what Peck said, since Fox has not released the tape of the Peck interview which may be exculpatory for Wright.

In actuality, Wright states early in his sermon that “A white man he pointed out –an Ambassador! He pointed out that what Malcolm X said when he got silenced by Elijah Mohammad was in fact true. America’s chickens are coming home to roost!”  Therefore the Ambassador may have been quoted in sections of Wright’s sermon, we can not know without the tape of the Peck interview, but the quote of “Chickens have come home to roost” is of Malcolm X’s.  Regardless of how you view Wright’s sermon, the loop of Wright saying that “America’s Chickens have come home to roost” ARE NOT HIS WORDS. 

I think it is shameful. This so called "brilliant: man did what he preaches against. He says that Whites are racist towards Blacks, and then turns around and COMPLETELY disrespects ANY and EVERY IRISH IMMIGRANT in AMERICA. American's have the right to free speech, Thank GOD, and yay for him, he was in the Service, so were millions of citizens, they don't turn around and disrespect others either. He needs to get over his shit, and stop trying to sound like he's not racist towards Whites, because Frankly, his words say it all, no matter what context it's in!!! I don't think he's brilliant, I think he's a complete FOOL!

M Rahenkamp,
Okay you got me there. Wright lied,tho, trying to pin that statement on an ambassador. He did not say Malcolm X said it. He said a U.S. ambassador said it. Goes towards Wrights credibility, dont you think? Oh, they are not his words? Then who was up there at the pulpit speaking? Those words came out of his mouth.

Now, to all,
I have been asking some questions and have not received any answers to them. Why? I gotta wonder.

Which part of his statement? “Chickens have come home to roost” or some other part of Wright’s sermon? Wright may have quoted Peck. Neither you nor I know what Peck said! FOX has not released the interview. Until such time, stating that Wright did or did not quote Peck is just speculation.

As far as whose words “Chickens have come home to roost” are. Just because I state that “All men are created equal” doesn’t mean that they are my words or thoughts. Malcolm X gave a speech on December 3 1963, in which he states that the violence that Kennedy had failed to stop had come back to him. And that “the chickens have come home to roost”. Hence, the words are Malcolm X's.

Whites are just jealous liars because the Black Race is the ALPHA and the OMEGA. The Black Man is the Original Man on planet earth. Racist White Conservatives pathologically lie and fight to deny it, but the truth is that organized Black civilizations have risen and fallen for hundreds of thousands of years all over the world. White archaeologists have known this fact for decades: that Today's white race has existed for maybe 20,000 years and organized White civilizations have existed for maybe 2000 years. White archaeologists and anthropologists have been digging up skulls and bones from ancient cities everywhere on earth and can't find any evidence of the white race. Racist Whites are really the stupid dangerous ones because if they get their wish to kill off all the Blacks on earth, the whole human population would die off from the radiation of the sun. Like roaches, ants, sharks and whales, Humans need melanin if they are going to survive for the long haul.

Studies have shown that the most prevalent sexual dream of the white woman is that of a big, mean and strong muscular black man grabbing her and pulling her pretty panties down. And everybody knows that every black man wants a white woman. White Women fantasize about how the Angry Black Man forcefully plows his long hard Black Cock into her compliant Caucasian Vagina, and then bumping against the back wall of her cervix. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Finally, the Forbidden Nappy Headed Black Brute empties his balls and Loudly Grunts in pleasure. She holds him tight while He Squirts an amazingly Huge Thick Load of Milky Baby Juice into her Precious White Pussy. As the Black Stud's thick globs of acrid Semen oozes and bubbles out of her pretty Pink Creampie and dribbles between her Asscheeks onto the sheets, she Orgasms and giggles when she thinks of the bitter anger her dad, boyfriend and brother would have if they found out.

Remember "LITTLE BIG HORN" paleface painted man, you are still on our land and have imprisoned us put us on reservations and restricted us. We will soon drive you from our land. Every country you go to and try to steal, the call is still the same, "Yankee go home ". But you have no home. We are the only people who have not driven you out as yet. Soon yankee soon Little big horn Sitting Bull 'L

This speech was full of hate, you could hear it in his voice. Anyone that would listen to this person in the first place is ignorant. If you need a racist to tell you about what sort of change is needed, then may God help us all...

If you actually think you learned something from this man have serious issues with logic.

This goes double for you Zeus.

Read all about it: Fellating Logic

If a white man said that the brain of Blacks was different from that of caucasians, his career would be over. Period.

But at the NAACP, he is cheered for saying that. Go figure.

LOL. Gotta say the last few comments on this board are quite hilarious. Proves my point tho. If people cannot come up with facts to back up their statements, they just start ranting. Oh yeah, I must be racist. I want a big muscular white guy to be plowing into me. LOL.

It is obvious Wright can use 50 cent words and quote books and scripture but so can the devil. Wright and Obama are not a followers of Jesus as they both promote homosexuality and abortion. They do not mind that their Race is beset by these ills more than any other race. As far a reparations and all that BS As a matter of fact neither european or Africans or Hispanics have a right to this land the U.S was established on it was swindled from the original people who are far worse of and mistreated than those mentioned above. So you can all just get up and go back to where you claim you are from if you hate this land. All you who are worshiping Wright on this blog should be ashamed of supporting the lying distastefully things wright has said in regard to Condalesia Rice, Collin Powell and Clarence Thomas. Shame shame shame Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington are spinning in their graves because black people would support wrights lunacy. I suggest you read what they had to say.

You all mooning over Mr. wright who have listened to the Whole speech as I did know he said he is committed to a change and wants homosexual behavior to be put on par with normal reproductive behavior. He wants the killing of black children by their mothers to continue. In my opinion he should be committed to an insane asylum and will have no part in the kingdom to come that is why he is rewarded in this day and age with his Mercedes Benze and million dollar house in a gated white golf community while many in his race endure abject poverty. Oh foolish people open your eyes and smell the coffee. Legitimate Moslem's Jews and Christians do not promote homosexuality and child killing.

Man, I want my Div school teachers to teach me to preach like that. It was straight out of the gospel!

You wrote:
>>If a white man said that the brain of Blacks was different from >>that of caucasians, his career would be over. Period.

>>But at the NAACP, he is cheered for saying that. Go figure.

Look at History. When the white man made a similar assertion, he did it in a malicious racist and hateful intention. He did it to make himself sound superior..

Human,

You quote, from an earlier poster, that "the brain of blacks is different than whites. I have looked at history. At that time in history that statement was malicious and racist as well as hateful. Whites did say it to sound superior". So why is it okay and not malicious or racist or hateful when Wright or any black man says these things? Why do you not say that the black man saying these statements, here in 2008, is saying these things to sound superior?
The problem I have with blacks is they are always thinking "if it was done to my race X number of years ago, then it is alright for us to do the same things which we find offensive, hateful and malicious to those that caused our race harm in the past." Justifying one bad behavior for another. Not moving on. What is your reply to that, Human?

Chad-

I am referring to today, 2008. If a prominent White man said Blacks brains were different from Whites' how big of an outcry would you expect from the Black community? Massive, I imagine. Al Sharpton, just to name one, would jump on that big time.

And honestly, does anybody REALLY believe AIDS was invented by the U.S. goverment to wipe out the Black population?

C'mon, man, get a grip.

The tooth fairy is more credible than that claim.

Chad-

I am referring to today, 2008. If a prominent White man said Blacks brains were different from Whites' how big of an outcry would you expect from the Black community? Massive, I imagine. Al Sharpton, just to name one, would jump on that big time.

And honestly, does anybody REALLY believe AIDS was invented by the U.S. goverment to wipe out the Black population?

C'mon, man, get a grip.

The tooth fairy is more credible than that claim.

Cracker and proud,

Why is it okay for you to be a proud cracker and not be able to extend that same privilege and courtesy to people who are proud of being black, African American or whatever we call ourselves these days ? Questioning the association of Obama to Wright IS NOT a political issue. The high cost of gas, education, food and the biggest American lie of all the Iraq War ARE the issues . Both the opposition to Obama WERE desperate because Obama seemed to escape the worst scrutiny and won by landslides and the pundits couldn’t understand that. Since they couldn’t political dirt (his inexperience worked for him in that regard) somebody played the race card and ran with it. His rivals had to find something. Race still continues to be America’s ugly scorn that she has to deal with constantly because of mindsets like yours. Stuck on stupid. The pundits needed something to put fear in the hearts of the working class whites that clearly showed in Iowa that they wanted something different than politics as usual; and they found that in Obama. The pundits didn’t like this at all! America couldn’t believe it was possible for a person like Obama to win by a landslide in lily white Iowa and power is a funny thing, those who have it want to keep it even if they are screwing up. Most of my adulthood when I went to vote I had ambivalence about it because I never saw a candidate that truly represented me, as I am neither ultra conservative or liberal. For example I DO AGREE with less government, less taxing until we can account for monies already received by the government, no welfare for able bodied adults of any race because I do think it robs them of their drive towards self determination. I believe in prayer (or at a moment of silence to meditation on at least 3 positive mantras that all faiths can accept to accept); and that it should be brought back into schools, and I believe nobody has the RIGHT to take life EVER. I also believe we should be strong militarily to peace keep not make war. We should NEVER be on the offensive side of any war. On the other hand, I have seen up close and personal how we lose countless of brilliant minds because when they have go to school they have to spell according what’s in the books and that’s not what they hear. My son spelled the word “killed” “kilt” but that does not make him deficient, he is just fortunate enough to have a parent educated enough to explain the correct way. Many, many children are not that fortunate and fall through the cracks, across the board black, white, Hispanic and other nationalities, of the educational system. I myself am ADD but I was able to both sides of my BOTH sides of my brain to skip the fourth grade and graduate high school at 16 competing against white children in integrated schools. While I feel free to enter any building without the scorge of “White only” signs I have been chased out of a playgrounds in Blue Island and with the children chanting go home nigger.” Just about anyone who is different, is looked down upon, but in my opinion, it has been disproportionately black. This is not good for self esteem. The question I have to ask myself is why?

In my opinion, the answer to that question is that it is hard to have interest in a something that you never see. I never saw college graduates on my block, it was a stretch to see high school graduates. I didn’t understand kindergarten graduations but for some that is ONLY time they will see their kids walk down the aisle. A lot of African American children were like me, who did not see positive role models or black males doing positive things. Only handcuffed on TV or shucking and jiving in minstrel like fashion. I am not like that. Nor am I like Con- damesia Rice, or the sexual predator and “UncleThomas” on the supreme court. If you want to know one reason why I suspect Obama PICKED the church he did was precisely because of the fact that he like me probably for the first time in his life saw legions of black men and women who were not gang bangers or crack whores trying to get closer to the will of God. I am 45 years old and lived in Chicago and its suburbs and never saw people like Obama or Wright in my neighborhood or surrounding communities, especially males. I lived in poorer communities than the average attendee of Trinity United Church of Christ and often felt left out because I couldn’t always afford the tapes, books or retreats. But I needed to see they existed in order for me to strive harder. Oprah loves Chicago because she doesn’t live on 59th & Halsted or 73rd & Ashland. The projects sits right behind the multimillion dollar church as a backdrop and as proof that no one congregation or body can solve all the issues regarding poverty.

I sat in many sermons completely mesmerized seeing African Americans doing positive things and it still the only place I had EVER seen that many (thousands) of positive African American males actively participating at one time. They were trying to get high on the Lord and NOT drugs. I have NEVER sat in a single sermon and heard hate spewed out and never left uptight and angry at “whitey” but inspired to do better for myself and family. What I found out at Trinity with the help of the Great Rev. Wright was that it was okay to love God and ourselves too. It was our duty to project an image of ourselves positively instead of being ashamed of our differences (i.e. our hair textures or skin color) and proudly use our gifts to glorify and serve God NOT man. There were all types of people from different economic backgrounds, hues and nationality that hung on his every word given from the pulpit. Wright is one of the ONLY pastors I knew in my time that embraced women behind the pulpit and gays because (you do know that God loves them too).

There was never any exclusionary rhetoric preached in ANY of his sermons and I DARE you to find one. I CAN see how Obama might have not seen his most controversial sermons as he was probably like me and had the best intentions to attend every Sunday but missed a Sunday or two. I didn’t even know Obama attended there and I went there for 5 years! Pastor Wright has to preach 3 sermons a Sunday just to accommodate the massive demand for his word from God. The congregation is just that large! Many other pastors were invited to speak and honored to do so. I’ll gladly retract my statement and apologize if you find a hate sermon of any kind cause I missed that one. I picked this church because I was turned off by the labels of Pentacostal, Baptist or Jehovah’s witness, I just wanted to study more about the bible in a fashion that was stimulating intellectually. I definitely got that from Wright

How can you hate on a man and be prideful about yourself; then not reciprocate the same right and privilege for those who are equally proud of being black. Being proud of being black is not racist, nor does it mean you hate whitey as you say. Self pride is a necessary aspect in a society that oppresses people so subtlely by leaving out of most plots in movies unless we were pimps or prostitutes and it was very necessary for OUR children who had to see someone like Michael Jackson being so ashamed of being black he turned himself white before our very eyes. If his whiteness is like he claims why didn’t he use brown makeup to cover up the white spots. That’s how deep black self hatred and it is so dark and hidden that this extremely popular entertainer used his money to change the way he looks totally. Proud whitey, I am sure you have your preferences, are you one of those who prefers blondes, does that mean you hate to date brunettes? Of course not it is just a preference. Wright’s sermons maybe called controversial in the sense that he never backed away from the issue of race and dared to talk about it but it was NEVER talk spewing hate. That’s the reason I was turned off of Farrakhan even though I am black. It was ALWAYS with the unchanging love of God first; yet don’t forget to love yourself for who you are even if you are shunned because you are black.

I agree with you as far as Obama goes, this is a black woman who wanted to vote for him because he seemed to be different than ANY other politician to date and his association with Wright made me WANT to vote for him MORE not less and not just because he was black. Sure I will admit I was happy he was black but if he was anything like Con-damesia Rice or Uncle Thomas, they wouldn’t automatically get my vote because they are black. But now that Obama has thrown Wright under a bus he loses points with me but I learned from Wright how to be forgiving anyhow. He is STILL the best candidate in my opinion looking at what we have to choose from. Forgiving is what the teachings of Jesus Christ is all about. My grandmother’s appearance is like Wright who looks so white they could “pass” and when I was younger she told me the story of how she tried to get a job at a local Woolworth’s who hired “negroes” in her day and the employees discouraged her from applying there and to go downtown because she could “pass”, well when she went down there and had to fill out that application she checked the Negro box on the application and her application was immediately thrown in the trash. She feels she suffered racism doubly from her own race and from whites. She didn’t like the fact that I had a Black Jesus on my wall because she felt since none of us really know EXACTLY how He looks that he should be transparent which make him acceptable to all. I understand her point but she didn’t understand mine. My problem was that neither “Good Times” or the “Cosbys” represented what I was seeing everyday in my life; and what I WAS seeing in my community was depressing at best. I couldn’t relate to a blonde hair blue eyed Savior. I love the fact that they displayed an African version of Jesus and made have a sense of pride not hate. If it were proven that Jesus was indeed Caucasian that would make me stop believing in Him either. I always left Trinity inspired to do better for myself and obsessively brought the tapes home when I could to inspire those around me who wasn’t even trying to go to church. When people question why anyone would go for years to Trinity I can answer that one first hand, as it is the first and only church I went to faithfully for years. It made me feel good as a person to see so many positive black men and boys doing positive things and I wanted to be a part of it. In my community positive black brothers were all but nonexistent and they weren’t portrayed positively in the media. The typical brother on my block had several baby mamas from the same block and wasn’t doing anything for any of them!

I tried to understand why my mother and her siblings rejected the good ole time religion their mother exposed them to because of what Wright termed as Super Christians who looked down their noses if you didn’t get baptized in the name of Jesus or wore jeans to church. They tried to get me to go Buddhist and I had many Muslim spit plenty of game with the “white man is the devil” rhetoric while all along I was thinking I know too many black devils to embrace that philosophy. I grew up in a foster home where church was not an option. So Trinity represented the happy medium where I didn’t have to feel ashamed of ACTUALLY BELIEVING in Jesus and taking pride in being black. Do you consider Ebony or Essense a racist magazine, as they embodied the same urgency of projecting the image of black is beautiful.

Trinity had no such traditional exclusions, everyone was embraced and welcomed white or black, rich or poor, old or young. The bible was taught in a manner I have NEVER experienced in ANY other so called black church. It included people that were systemically excluded by other religious traditions and this is what made the church grow by leaps and bounds. Even I just learned that Trinity is the only black church in the United Church of Christ and one of the heads over all the UCC churches (approximately 280 churches in all and 90% white) drives an hour out of her way to attend Trinity and she is a WHITE woman! I am sure she did not attend because they were practicing hatred towards others or ourselves. After all, the scientist have proven all DNA can be traced back to AFRICA! But that was NEVER in any history book I had in school.

It is so wrong about what was being done to Wright, I find it reprehensible for reducing this man’s illustrative career into snippets of half truths and innuendo. No worries though, the Pharases did Jesus the same way. Wright wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to be ostracized for his beliefs. At least he had the balls to stand up and speak for himself and I might he can do that very well even better than Obama, Obama could take some lessons. The people who want to go on hating go right ahead meanwhile, those that want to know the Truth and about the Lord alreaady know why Obama went to Trinity for 20 years. I invite ANYONE who lives here locally in Chicago to visit and see for yourself. Go right ahead and spew hate but fortunately for us those that are so narrow minded tend not to go out and vote so I hope the Republicans ARE counting on Wright to be Obama’s only wrong because a whole lot of people who even bother to take the time and hear a whole sermon will know for themselves there is nothing WRONG about Wright. He who is without sin cast the first stone. . . . silence there, eh.. They will see and feel the love and inspiration that is pouring out of that church just like the people saw in the NAACP speech --- the undeniable intellectual powerhouse and man of God called Jeremiah Wright. It is not a cult with a bunch of zombie like members who can’t think for themselves. It is full of intellectual people of all types that attend. I for one would still be going were it not for my transportation issues. There was never a sermon that left me empty spiritually and full of hate. As far as I am concerned Obama LOSES (that’s right I said LOSES) points with me personally because I KNOW firsthand that Wright is a talented, well respected man of God.

I am a realist though, and know we haven’t grown enough as a country to understand how important it is and possible to be proud AND black in America, otherwise, Wright would be an asset rather than a liability for Obama. So, to Obama, I understand its politics as usual because we haven’t evolved enough yet as a Nation. I will be praying for you anyway.

BTW, how in world did religion become a political issue? Separation of church and state remember it is part of the constitution. There is a reason why that the forefathers had the foresight to include this. Wright and his followers believe that he has to answer to a Higher power than the Presidency or the religious right or left or Republicans or Democrats, to answer to and therefore had to set the record straight. I have seen the speech in its entirety and could not find a single website site airing it on the first day. . . I venture to say it was because it WAS SO positive. If YOU REALLY viewed that speech in its entirety and not just snippets you would NOT be able to accuse him of bigotry, name calling maybe but not racism. Nobody’s perfect. The kind of public scrutiny that people use for a Presidential candidate is exactly why the some of the BEST people are NOT in office (i.e. Oprah, Wright and even Jesus Christ himself). Nobody could pass the litmus test and still time and time again the best person never really gets into office (i.e. Bush).

Bush is an insult to me not because of his race but because of his lack of intellect. I KNOW he can’t write his own speeches, but Rev. Wright can! As a black person who went to integrated schools, I say to myself why did I have to be bussed outside of my community to have a decent school. Shouldn’t those exist in my neighborhood, “the hood” if you want to call it that? I don’t blame whitey for my problems there’s enough blame to go around for all those who hang on to hate. I think electing Obama is ONE important way in which America can prove that racism is a thing of the past and that we are moving forward. Unfortunately, though there still plenty of closed minded individuals like yourself in America that will vote based on race and not the content of their character. I’m just praying they are the minority in this country. Only time will tell. I can deal with you Cracker and proud, my question why can’t you deal with me being proud also without being racist?

I agree with you on having a NAAWP it’s only fair, cause we live in America where we are supposed to have the right to speak and congregate freely. Issues likes drugs is an equal opportunity destroyer and many a white community have been impacted negatively by meth. Intellect and creatively is not mutually exclusive to any one party and it is going to take the brightest and the best from all segments of America’s population to solve the complex problems of today. Quit making race and issue and it won’t be one. Long as we do make race an issue WE HAVEN’T evolved and we can expect more of the same. I am looking forward to the day when have an Asian, Gay, Arabic, Black or White to choose from as Presidential candidate. God created all men equal and until we are ALL participating in the elections everyone loses.

The brightest and best people shy away from public office because nobody wants the kind of media magnifying glass probing into their lives. I venture to say that no one reading this post could past the test very easily. We ALL have skeletons in our closets. For years I didn’t even vote because I have witnessed both parties lie and betray their constituencies. I was cynical about politics because I watched both parties marginalize my vote and my significance as a human being. Having a woman AND a black man to choose from energized me for the first time in my life (am I’m 45) to even find out more about ALL the candidates. So I understand Michelle’s Obama’s comment about her first time feeling proud. She knows the silent heartache of being different and not REALLY being accepted. I experienced racism also at the hands of nuns, who supposedly were servants of God, that traumatized me for life. But it didn’t prejudice me. It just changed the way I looked all so called people of God. I don’t buy into everybody that appears to speak for God.

Now that the general is steadily approaching, my experience has made me take the time to look at all the points of view by signing up for political newsletters from all the candidates parties I get republican email all time (by the way they are the most aggressive) and they don’t even know I am a black woman FOR Obama (that’s the beauty of the internet, it erases the racial divide in a way like no other). I am voting for Obama, not just because he is black, but because he seemed to be different, not stooping to the same ole dig up the dirt and sling type of campaign; taking the high road, so to speak in terms political campaigning. To me Rev. Wright was just icing on the cake. He association with Wright made me like him more. But because racism is alive and well he had to be made ashamed of his association with Wright just so he could acceptable to insecure, nervous, undecided white folk. So what if Clinton got a blow job from Monica; if he was balancing the budget? Who cares if a person has Communist views so long as they were part of legislation that changing public school education for the better? The Kennedy’s were famous for their orgies in the White House and didn’t suffer any backlash for it, why, because they were part of the civil rights bill becoming legislation. I hate the same old kind of politics and it turns me off because all it does is distract from the main issues. I don’t care if you are an extreme liberal or conservative so long as you are addressing healthcare for the betterment of all.

I can’t stand the way the media spins everything to sell airtime or papers. I can see through the hype though. Obama has an appeal that none of the others can touch. I feel more of rest of the world would respect us as Americans and come to table to talk about solution if Obama was in office. If popular appeal wasn’t important then Gore would have made it into office, as he was sqeaky clean by political standards. He was stereotyped as stiff and people couldn’t relate to him. If I were Republican I would be unimpressed by McCain and I liked Hucklebee a lot more than McCain. I am not closed minded and believe neither Democrats or Republicans own exclusive rights to intelligence. Intelligence is God given not party driven! I consider myself a Centrist, or independent and I am tired of choosing the lesser of two evils. Seeing more than one qualified candidate that I liked is refreshing but I am sick of how the Democratic party is dragging this race out and want a decision made once and for all so we can start talking about the REAL issues which is NOT Jeremiah Wright. He will continue to keep doing God’s work no matter who is in office and I, for one, think he would have been a GREAT cabinet member as he has many, many friends in high places from all walks of life. There are so many non-black people who admire Rev. Wright its not even funny. To malign his lifetime of accomplishments is evil, evil in its purest form. It’s sad how the media is trying to spin him and is proof of WHY the best and brightest RARELY run for office. Why should they? Who wants to volunteer for a crucifixion? You?

America doesn’t exist to the exclusion of all other countries either and her (America’s) arrogance IS going to backfire one day as everyone is not going to take her s**t sitting down. Why aren’t we “shock and awe’ing the hell out of Korea! We KNOW they have weapons of mass destruction. Yep, American policies to date have been hypocritical to the max. Yet, I am proud to be an American, yet was equally ashamed of the fact that Obama had to even choose whether he was American or black first, throw his at one time mentor under the bus. White America never has to address that question when they run. So why did he? He had to allay the fears of nervous, undecided, swing, white voters just to be accepted. I just cringed seeing Elisabeth on the view defend some extreme religious right person who supports McCain and yet continues to make an issue of Wright. Wright didn’t even come out and say he supported Obama publicly but the public made Wright an issue anyway. Why the double standard?

It would be hypocritical for me to say I agreed with all of America’s foreign or domestic policies. Many of them are just plain f****d up! We need to quit dragging people through the mud who run for public office and embrace differences of opinion long enough to give the brightest and best a chance to make a difference!!!!! Nobody ever called Kennedy and elitist yet he never had a blue collar day in his life. Just because you are well off doesn’t mean you are void of compassion and integrity. The Kennedy’s understood that and many became public servants when they could have easily chosen other occupations. “Cracker and proud” you remind me of that commercial where two siblings are laying on the beach. The brother kept aggravating his sister by putting his finger close enough to irritate her but not touching her. He squealed with glee “I’m not touching you.” The sister gets so frustrated that she calls out to her parents to make him stop. The brother was clearly entertained by his ability to annoy her in the worst way. Lucky for her she had parents there at the beach with them to intervene. Not so, for the people who have been subjected to your bigotry. I hope I speak not just for myself but for others when I say bug off! Take a chill pill, you can be proud of being white without demeaning others because they don’t agree with you. Different DOES NOT MEAN DEFICIENT!!!! Unfortunately we don’t have a moderator to intervene on some of your most outrageous comments but this is America, where the most important freedom WE enjoy is speech! That’s why I love this country so much!!!! You go, cracker! Just high five me virtually when I say I am black and proud too!!!

Cracker and proud,

Why is it okay for you to be a proud cracker and not be able to extend that same privilege and courtesy to people who are proud of being black, African American or whatever we call ourselves these days ? Questioning the association of Obama to Wright IS NOT a political issue. The high cost of gas, education, food and the biggest American lie of all the Iraq War ARE the issues . Both the opposition to Obama WERE desperate because Obama seemed to escape the worst scrutiny and won by landslides and the pundits couldn’t understand that. Since they couldn’t political dirt (his inexperience worked for him in that regard) somebody played the race card and ran with it. His rivals had to find something. Race still continues to be America’s ugly scorn that she has to deal with constantly because of mindsets like yours. Stuck on stupid. The pundits needed something to put fear in the hearts of the working class whites that clearly showed in Iowa that they wanted something different than politics as usual; and they found that in Obama. The pundits didn’t like this at all! America couldn’t believe it was possible for a person like Obama to win by a landslide in lily white Iowa and power is a funny thing, those who have it want to keep it even if they are screwing up. Most of my adulthood when I went to vote I had ambivalence about it because I never saw a candidate that truly represented me, as I am neither ultra conservative or liberal. For example I DO AGREE with less government, less taxing until we can account for monies already received by the government, no welfare for able bodied adults of any race because I do think it robs them of their drive towards self determination. I believe in prayer (or at a moment of silence to meditation on at least 3 positive mantras that all faiths can accept to accept); and that it should be brought back into schools, and I believe nobody has the RIGHT to take life EVER. I also believe we should be strong militarily to peace keep not make war. We should NEVER be on the offensive side of any war. On the other hand, I have seen up close and personal how we lose countless of brilliant minds because when they have go to school they have to spell according what’s in the books and that’s not what they hear. My son spelled the word “killed” “kilt” but that does not make him deficient, he is just fortunate enough to have a parent educated enough to explain the correct way. Many, many children are not that fortunate and fall through the cracks, across the board black, white, Hispanic and other nationalities, of the educational system. I myself am ADD but I was able to both sides of my BOTH sides of my brain to skip the fourth grade and graduate high school at 16 competing against white children in integrated schools. While I feel free to enter any building without the scorge of “White only” signs I have been chased out of a playgrounds in Blue Island and with the children chanting go home nigger.” Just about anyone who is different, is looked down upon, but in my opinion, it has been disproportionately black. This is not good for self esteem. The question I have to ask myself is why?

In my opinion, the answer to that question is that it is hard to have interest in a something that you never see. I never saw college graduates on my block, it was a stretch to see high school graduates. I didn’t understand kindergarten graduations but for some that is ONLY time they will see their kids walk down the aisle. A lot of African American children were like me, who did not see positive role models or black males doing positive things. Only handcuffed on TV or shucking and jiving in minstrel like fashion. I am not like that. Nor am I like Con- damesia Rice, or the sexual predator and “UncleThomas” on the supreme court. If you want to know one reason why I suspect Obama PICKED the church he did was precisely because of the fact that he like me probably for the first time in his life saw legions of black men and women who were not gang bangers or crack whores trying to get closer to the will of God. I am 45 years old and lived in Chicago and its suburbs and never saw people like Obama or Wright in my neighborhood or surrounding communities, especially males. I lived in poorer communities than the average attendee of Trinity United Church of Christ and often felt left out because I couldn’t always afford the tapes, books or retreats. But I needed to see they existed in order for me to strive harder. Oprah loves Chicago because she doesn’t live on 59th & Halsted or 73rd & Ashland. The projects sits right behind the multimillion dollar church as a backdrop and as proof that no one congregation or body can solve all the issues regarding poverty.

I sat in many sermons completely mesmerized seeing African Americans doing positive things and it still the only place I had EVER seen that many (thousands) of positive African American males actively participating at one time. They were trying to get high on the Lord and NOT drugs. I have NEVER sat in a single sermon and heard hate spewed out and never left uptight and angry at “whitey” but inspired to do better for myself and family. What I found out at Trinity with the help of the Great Rev. Wright was that it was okay to love God and ourselves too. It was our duty to project an image of ourselves positively instead of being ashamed of our differences (i.e. our hair textures or skin color) and proudly use our gifts to glorify and serve God NOT man. There were all types of people from different economic backgrounds, hues and nationality that hung on his every word given from the pulpit. Wright is one of the ONLY pastors I knew in my time that embraced women behind the pulpit and gays because (you do know that God loves them too).

There was never any exclusionary rhetoric preached in ANY of his sermons and I DARE you to find one. I CAN see how Obama might have not seen his most controversial sermons as he was probably like me and had the best intentions to attend every Sunday but missed a Sunday or two. I didn’t even know Obama attended there and I went there for 5 years! Pastor Wright has to preach 3 sermons a Sunday just to accommodate the massive demand for his word from God. The congregation is just that large! Many other pastors were invited to speak and honored to do so. I’ll gladly retract my statement and apologize if you find a hate sermon of any kind cause I missed that one. I picked this church because I was turned off by the labels of Pentacostal, Baptist or Jehovah’s witness, I just wanted to study more about the bible in a fashion that was stimulating intellectually. I definitely got that from Wright

How can you hate on a man and be prideful about yourself; then not reciprocate the same right and privilege for those who are equally proud of being black. Being proud of being black is not racist, nor does it mean you hate whitey as you say. Self pride is a necessary aspect in a society that oppresses people so subtlely by leaving out of most plots in movies unless we were pimps or prostitutes and it was very necessary for OUR children who had to see someone like Michael Jackson being so ashamed of being black he turned himself white before our very eyes. If his whiteness is like he claims why didn’t he use brown makeup to cover up the white spots. That’s how deep black self hatred and it is so dark and hidden that this extremely popular entertainer used his money to change the way he looks totally. Proud whitey, I am sure you have your preferences, are you one of those who prefers blondes, does that mean you hate to date brunettes? Of course not it is just a preference. Wright’s sermons maybe called controversial in the sense that he never backed away from the issue of race and dared to talk about it but it was NEVER talk spewing hate. That’s the reason I was turned off of Farrakhan even though I am black. It was ALWAYS with the unchanging love of God first; yet don’t forget to love yourself for who you are even if you are shunned because you are black.

I agree with you as far as Obama goes, this is a black woman who wanted to vote for him because he seemed to be different than ANY other politician to date and his association with Wright made me WANT to vote for him MORE not less and not just because he was black. Sure I will admit I was happy he was black but if he was anything like Con-damesia Rice or Uncle Thomas, they wouldn’t automatically get my vote because they are black. But now that Obama has thrown Wright under a bus he loses points with me but I learned from Wright how to be forgiving anyhow. He is STILL the best candidate in my opinion looking at what we have to choose from. Forgiving is what the teachings of Jesus Christ is all about. My grandmother’s appearance is like Wright who looks so white they could “pass” and when I was younger she told me the story of how she tried to get a job at a local Woolworth’s who hired “negroes” in her day and the employees discouraged her from applying there and to go downtown because she could “pass”, well when she went down there and had to fill out that application she checked the Negro box on the application and her application was immediately thrown in the trash. She feels she suffered racism doubly from her own race and from whites. She didn’t like the fact that I had a Black Jesus on my wall because she felt since none of us really know EXACTLY how He looks that he should be transparent which make him acceptable to all. I understand her point but she didn’t understand mine. My problem was that neither “Good Times” or the “Cosbys” represented what I was seeing everyday in my life; and what I WAS seeing in my community was depressing at best. I couldn’t relate to a blonde hair blue eyed Savior. I love the fact that they displayed an African version of Jesus and made have a sense of pride not hate. If it were proven that Jesus was indeed Caucasian that would make me stop believing in Him either. I always left Trinity inspired to do better for myself and obsessively brought the tapes home when I could to inspire those around me who wasn’t even trying to go to church. When people question why anyone would go for years to Trinity I can answer that one first hand, as it is the first and only church I went to faithfully for years. It made me feel good as a person to see so many positive black men and boys doing positive things and I wanted to be a part of it. In my community positive black brothers were all but nonexistent and they weren’t portrayed positively in the media. The typical brother on my block had several baby mamas from the same block and wasn’t doing anything for any of them!

I tried to understand why my mother and her siblings rejected the good ole time religion their mother exposed them to because of what Wright termed as Super Christians who looked down their noses if you didn’t get baptized in the name of Jesus or wore jeans to church. They tried to get me to go Buddhist and I had many Muslim spit plenty of game with the “white man is the devil” rhetoric while all along I was thinking I know too many black devils to embrace that philosophy. I grew up in a foster home where church was not an option. So Trinity represented the happy medium where I didn’t have to feel ashamed of ACTUALLY BELIEVING in Jesus and taking pride in being black. Do you consider Ebony or Essense a racist magazine, as they embodied the same urgency of projecting the image of black is beautiful.

Trinity had no such traditional exclusions, everyone was embraced and welcomed white or black, rich or poor, old or young. The bible was taught in a manner I have NEVER experienced in ANY other so called black church. It included people that were systemically excluded by other religious traditions and this is what made the church grow by leaps and bounds. Even I just learned that Trinity is the only black church in the United Church of Christ and one of the heads over all the UCC churches (approximately 280 churches in all and 90% white) drives an hour out of her way to attend Trinity and she is a WHITE woman! I am sure she did not attend because they were practicing hatred towards others or ourselves. After all, the scientist have proven all DNA can be traced back to AFRICA! But that was NEVER in any history book I had in school.

It is so wrong about what was being done to Wright, I find it reprehensible for reducing this man’s illustrative career into snippets of half truths and innuendo. No worries though, the Pharases did Jesus the same way. Wright wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to be ostracized for his beliefs. At least he had the balls to stand up and speak for himself and I might he can do that very well even better than Obama, Obama could take some lessons. The people who want to go on hating go right ahead meanwhile, those that want to know the Truth and about the Lord alreaady know why Obama went to Trinity for 20 years. I invite ANYONE who lives here locally in Chicago to visit and see for yourself. Go right ahead and spew hate but fortunately for us those that are so narrow minded tend not to go out and vote so I hope the Republicans ARE counting on Wright to be Obama’s only wrong because a whole lot of people who even bother to take the time and hear a whole sermon will know for themselves there is nothing WRONG about Wright. He who is without sin cast the first stone. . . . silence there, eh.. They will see and feel the love and inspiration that is pouring out of that church just like the people saw in the NAACP speech --- the undeniable intellectual powerhouse and man of God called Jeremiah Wright. It is not a cult with a bunch of zombie like members who can’t think for themselves. It is full of intellectual people of all types that attend. I for one would still be going were it not for my transportation issues. There was never a sermon that left me empty spiritually and full of hate. As far as I am concerned Obama LOSES (that’s right I said LOSES) points with me personally because I KNOW firsthand that Wright is a talented, well respected man of God.

I am a realist though, and know we haven’t grown enough as a country to understand how important it is and possible to be proud AND black in America, otherwise, Wright would be an asset rather than a liability for Obama. So, to Obama, I understand its politics as usual because we haven’t evolved enough yet as a Nation. I will be praying for you anyway.

BTW, how in world did religion become a political issue? Separation of church and state remember it is part of the constitution. There is a reason why that the forefathers had the foresight to include this. Wright and his followers believe that he has to answer to a Higher power than the Presidency or the religious right or left or Republicans or Democrats, to answer to and therefore had to set the record straight. I have seen the speech in its entirety and could not find a single website site airing it on the first day. . . I venture to say it was because it WAS SO positive. If YOU REALLY viewed that speech in its entirety and not just snippets you would NOT be able to accuse him of bigotry, name calling maybe but not racism. Nobody’s perfect. The kind of public scrutiny that people use for a Presidential candidate is exactly why the some of the BEST people are NOT in office (i.e. Oprah, Wright and even Jesus Christ himself). Nobody could pass the litmus test and still time and time again the best person never really gets into office (i.e. Bush).

Bush is an insult to me not because of his race but because of his lack of intellect. I KNOW he can’t write his own speeches, but Rev. Wright can! As a black person who went to integrated schools, I say to myself why did I have to be bussed outside of my community to have a decent school. Shouldn’t those exist in my neighborhood, “the hood” if you want to call it that? I don’t blame whitey for my problems there’s enough blame to go around for all those who hang on to hate. I think electing Obama is ONE important way in which America can prove that racism is a thing of the past and that we are moving forward. Unfortunately, though there still plenty of closed minded individuals like yourself in America that will vote based on race and not the content of their character. I’m just praying they are the minority in this country. Only time will tell. I can deal with you Cracker and proud, my question why can’t you deal with me being proud also without being racist?

I agree with you on having a NAAWP it’s only fair, cause we live in America where we are supposed to have the right to speak and congregate freely. Issues likes drugs is an equal opportunity destroyer and many a white community have been impacted negatively by meth. Intellect and creatively is not mutually exclusive to any one party and it is going to take the brightest and the best from all segments of America’s population to solve the complex problems of today. Quit making race and issue and it won’t be one. Long as we do make race an issue WE HAVEN’T evolved and we can expect more of the same. I am looking forward to the day when have an Asian, Gay, Arabic, Black or White to choose from as Presidential candidate. God created all men equal and until we are ALL participating in the elections everyone loses.

The brightest and best people shy away from public office because nobody wants the kind of media magnifying glass probing into their lives. I venture to say that no one reading this post could past the test very easily. We ALL have skeletons in our closets. For years I didn’t even vote because I have witnessed both parties lie and betray their constituencies. I was cynical about politics because I watched both parties marginalize my vote and my significance as a human being. Having a woman AND a black man to choose from energized me for the first time in my life (am I’m 45) to even find out more about ALL the candidates. So I understand Michelle’s Obama’s comment about her first time feeling proud. She knows the silent heartache of being different and not REALLY being accepted. I experienced racism also at the hands of nuns, who supposedly were servants of God, that traumatized me for life. But it didn’t prejudice me. It just changed the way I looked all so called people of God. I don’t buy into everybody that appears to speak for God.

Now that the general is steadily approaching, my experience has made me take the time to look at all the points of view by signing up for political newsletters from all the candidates parties I get republican email all time (by the way they are the most aggressive) and they don’t even know I am a black woman FOR Obama (that’s the beauty of the internet, it erases the racial divide in a way like no other). I am voting for Obama, not just because he is black, but because he seemed to be different, not stooping to the same ole dig up the dirt and sling type of campaign; taking the high road, so to speak in terms political campaigning. To me Rev. Wright was just icing on the cake. He association with Wright made me like him more. But because racism is alive and well he had to be made ashamed of his association with Wright just so he could acceptable to insecure, nervous, undecided white folk. So what if Clinton got a blow job from Monica; if he was balancing the budget? Who cares if a person has Communist views so long as they were part of legislation that changing public school education for the better? The Kennedy’s were famous for their orgies in the White House and didn’t suffer any backlash for it, why, because they were part of the civil rights bill becoming legislation. I hate the same old kind of politics and it turns me off because all it does is distract from the main issues. I don’t care if you are an extreme liberal or conservative so long as you are addressing healthcare for the betterment of all.

I can’t stand the way the media spins everything to sell airtime or papers. I can see through the hype though. Obama has an appeal that none of the others can touch. I feel more of rest of the world would respect us as Americans and come to table to talk about solution if Obama was in office. If popular appeal wasn’t important then Gore would have made it into office, as he was sqeaky clean by political standards. He was stereotyped as stiff and people couldn’t relate to him. If I were Republican I would be unimpressed by McCain and I liked Hucklebee a lot more than McCain. I am not closed minded and believe neither Democrats or Republicans own exclusive rights to intelligence. Intelligence is God given not party driven! I consider myself a Centrist, or independent and I am tired of choosing the lesser of two evils. Seeing more than one qualified candidate that I liked is refreshing but I am sick of how the Democratic party is dragging this race out and want a decision made once and for all so we can start talking about the REAL issues which is NOT Jeremiah Wright. He will continue to keep doing God’s work no matter who is in office and I, for one, think he would have been a GREAT cabinet member as he has many, many friends in high places from all walks of life. There are so many non-black people who admire Rev. Wright its not even funny. To malign his lifetime of accomplishments is evil, evil in its purest form. It’s sad how the media is trying to spin him and is proof of WHY the best and brightest RARELY run for office. Why should they? Who wants to volunteer for a crucifixion? You?

America doesn’t exist to the exclusion of all other countries either and her (America’s) arrogance IS going to backfire one day as everyone is not going to take her s**t sitting down. Why aren’t we “shock and awe’ing the hell out of Korea! We KNOW they have weapons of mass destruction. Yep, American policies to date have been hypocritical to the max. Yet, I am proud to be an American, yet was equally ashamed of the fact that Obama had to even choose whether he was American or black first, throw his at one time mentor under the bus. White America never has to address that question when they run. So why did he? He had to allay the fears of nervous, undecided, swing, white voters just to be accepted. I just cringed seeing Elisabeth on the view defend some extreme religious right person who supports McCain and yet continues to make an issue of Wright. Wright didn’t even come out and say he supported Obama publicly but the public made Wright an issue anyway. Why the double standard?

It would be hypocritical for me to say I agreed with all of America’s foreign or domestic policies. Many of them are just plain f****d up! We need to quit dragging people through the mud who run for public office and embrace differences of opinion long enough to give the brightest and best a chance to make a difference!!!!! Nobody ever called Kennedy and elitist yet he never had a blue collar day in his life. Just because you are well off doesn’t mean you are void of compassion and integrity. The Kennedy’s understood that and many became public servants when they could have easily chosen other occupations. “Cracker and proud” you remind me of that commercial where two siblings are laying on the beach. The brother kept aggravating his sister by putting his finger close enough to irritate her but not touching her. He squealed with glee “I’m not touching you.” The sister gets so frustrated that she calls out to her parents to make him stop. The brother was clearly entertained by his ability to annoy her in the worst way. Lucky for her she had parents there at the beach with them to intervene. Not so, for the people who have been subjected to your bigotry. I hope I speak not just for myself but for others when I say bug off! Take a chill pill, you can be proud of being white without demeaning others because they don’t agree with you. Different DOES NOT MEAN DEFICIENT!!!! Unfortunately we don’t have a moderator to intervene on some of your most outrageous comments but this is America, where the most important freedom WE enjoy is speech! That’s why I love this country so much!!!! You go, cracker! Just high five me virtually when I say I am black and proud too!!!

Oh by the way "Proud Cracker" your BEST comment is: "He has to show that he has balls to stand up to personal attacks. If not, how is he going to stand up for what needs to be done as President i.e. dealing with leaders of other countries that want us annihilated? Goes towards credibility, which Obama has none i.e. Wright issue." You are soooo right that IS why Obama lost some credibility with me, because he did throw his friend and mentor under the bus. You have to be intelligent enough to say you have friends you disagree with yet still respect, (i.e. like Whoopi does on the View everyday when Elisabeth get riled up re: Wright) then move on. Intelligent people can understand that from all races. Looking sort or nambe pambe to me on the Wright issue. To me Wright is a man to honored and respected for the good he does far outweighs any single comment may or may not have made. I agree with you 100% on the fact that you have to have big balls to be President. It is my hope that Wright sacrificially threw his own self under the bus because he sees the bigger picture so we could move on to the issues. Don't really know for a fact. . .but again I am a black woman with my own mind and lo and behold I do agree with you. Oh BTW Wright HAS more credibility with other people of other nations than all the candidates combined. He speaks several languages FLUENTLY!!! Bet you didn't know that either. . . again another example of the BEST and BRIGHTEST DO NOT RUN for office.

Oh by the way "Proud Cracker" your BEST comment is: "He has to show that he has balls to stand up to personal attacks. If not, how is he going to stand up for what needs to be done as President i.e. dealing with leaders of other countries that want us annihilated? Goes towards credibility, which Obama has none i.e. Wright issue." You are soooo right that IS why Obama lost some credibility with me, because he did throw his friend and mentor under the bus. You have to be intelligent enough to say you have friends you disagree with yet still respect, (i.e. like Whoopi does on the View everyday when Elisabeth get riled up re: Wright) then move on. Intelligent people can understand that from all races. Looking sort or nambe pambe to me on the Wright issue. To me Wright is a man to honored and respected for the good he does far outweighs any single comment may or may not have made. I agree with you 100% on the fact that you have to have big balls to be President. It is my hope that Wright sacrificially threw his own self under the bus because he sees the bigger picture so we could move on to the issues. Don't really know for a fact. . .but again I am a black woman with my own mind and lo and behold I do agree with you. Oh BTW Wright HAS more credibility with other people of other nations than all the candidates combined. He speaks several languages FLUENTLY!!! Bet you didn't know that either. . . again another example of the BEST and BRIGHTEST DO NOT RUN for office.

Thanks to you too Arabia1977, you seem to be one of the most intelligent posters here AND guess what? I respect that . . . AND I STILL RESPECT AND ADMIRE REV. WRIGHT. Change is happening in this country whether we like it or not!!!!

To use the left-right-brain-side argument to explain poor school performance is... lets call it euphemistic. Of course people who perform bad at school are usually responsible for that themselves, because of decisions they made not to invest much effort in it. Anyway, differences in left-right-brain-side usage do exist amongst people and perhaps even groups of people and it is fitting to use them as an argument for the point that differences do not automatically mean deficiencies.

And such a change in perception, the overcoming of the 19th century idea that human characteristics are linearly ordered with the white man on top of the scale is indeed a success for the NAACP. That's the topic of this speech and it is completely satisfyingly executed by Rev. Wright.

Someone here asked "What if you take it as truth?"... well, you shouldn't. The list of the things in the bible that you shouldn't take as dogmatic truth is pretty long also. It is the man's job to improve the situation of people. And if you face someone who doesn't invest much effort into his school performance you better speak to him about his value as a person than to point out what a lazy bum he is. That's basic psychology and you cannot accuse a pastor of being upbeat! So, in effect, he's just doing his job here. Of course, to support the view that AIDS is a device to exterminate unwanted social elements is... well... problematic. I personally am absolutely open to the idea that that's actually the truth, given that AIDS popped up after all those centuries exactly at a time when a lot of people felt that western society was being destroyed by sexual misconduct and the world being over populated by people who rip off the fruits of medical advances who they themselves could never have come up with.

So, looking at things objectively, it is far from unthinkable that Wright could be right about this. But it is probably not the right thing to do to use a legitimate suspicion, as I'd call it, as an example of factual oppression on the pulpit. It would be better to ask specific questions about the structure of the virus and such to professors in university lectures that cover the topic, for instance. After all there are a lot of things that are plausible, even likely from some point of view, but not actually true. You may have personal experiences with that yourself, especially if you're jealous or know someone who is. To hammer these things into the heads of passive audiences does overall little good.

I respect his engagement in general, but he's too much of a revolutionary activist at times when he's willing to come up with plausibilities instead of facts for effect. That is a dangerous trait, particularly in a politician, a pastor does after all have his say only in his community - if national television sees no point in introducing him to a wider public, that is. But as for Obama, it raises justified concerns. The problem with Obama's approach of being vague is of course that you'll project either good or bad things into him. Wright is a very good tool to make the projection more negative, there's no doubt about that. But this was really Obama's choice, he wanted the people to imagine who he is rather than telling them. So, I wouldn't blame Wright, what could he have done? Simply disappear from public knowledge? There's no way to do that.

I just want to say I don't see what's so inflamatory about this man's speeches. He makes some very good points and seems to really have done his research. However, I would have to say that for a man that has two M.A.s and a P.H.D. and speaks five langauges, I don't understand how he thinks we speak "American" because in fact we speak English; an American dialect of English but English none the less. I suppose southners don't speak "American" either nor northners or people from the east or west of America cause the all have different dialects and pronounce words differently as the good reverend points out in his speech. my point is we do speak English, go to England and they will understand you as you will understand them, accent aside. In fact we speak the original form of English because the Brits speak what is called "queens english" which was imposed after the american revolution. For such and educated and smart man, I don't see how he missed this point...I guess it wouldn't have furthered his argument.

Jeff,

I have a Master's in communication (Public Relations). Just because some one is educated does NOT mean they cannot be a racist and an anti-American. It seems to me that Wright despises this country. His B.S. proves that. I have said it before, if he hates it that much and that he believes America is such a racist country, why doesn't he leave? He will not because America has given him everything he ever has wanted i.e. alot of money and a huge house, btw, that is in an exclusive "whitey" community which he is always preaching against.
He will never leave because he has accomplished the American dream. I do not know why this man still preaches vile hate.

I am amazed at how so many people can hear the exact same thing yet take away so many different perspectives. This was the crux of Rev Wrights speech. No one is truly inferior. We are all just "different". There was no hate in his speech whatsoever. There was a lot of harsh truths for all of us to think about no matter what our background. I for one have learned some things about truth. Truth is rarely spoken without hurting the hearer but, over time, truth heals.
Lies on the other hand taste sweet to the psyche yet cause damage that may never heal. So those who state he is speaking hate are hurt because maybe the truths spoken by Rev. Wright hurt deeply. Maybe it exposed some part of us that we don't like to be reminded of. Maybe it shined its light on a part of our lives we like to keep hidden. So if one has allowed one speech to make Pastor Wright out to be some hate monger ( although I never once heard him incite a mob to take up arms as did the KKK, Hitler, Mao, Suddam Hussein, Bin Laden and other racists leaders) then the person who is offended is simply hurt that they have some issues to deal with. Maybe latent racism, or religious fanatacism. Maybe gay bashing or they don't like Jews and Catholics. Maybe its a black person who is still angry because of past hurts. Who knows what the source of the hurt is. I stand on what Christ said, "and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." What Christ didn't say was that the truth would be easy to hear. We know it isn't, they murdered Christ because of the truth. Interesting huh?

Europeans believe africa is deficient,

Where would you rather live? Europe or Africa?

99% of the population would vote Europe. Africa just doesnt work. Tribal conflict (ie racism) just prevents the country from progressing into the 16th century. Lets build more Africentric schools.

People I am disappointed in the comments viewed here.Clearing this is a person that is not of about bring people together. Pam Gould had it correct, the blame game has to stop, we as a people need to realize what we are worth.

The blame game has to stop, look at yourself and decide if you are making difference for you and your family.

I know there is still alot of racism in this country but can we get out of the past? Rev Wright is stuck in the past and he did sound a little racist to me. I thought he was arrogant and self serving. People remembered stories back in the past because not many people could read or write (no matter what color they were). I certainly don't go along with Pat Robertson or many other preachers. I group him with them. This just divides people even more. I will still be voting for Obama if he gets the nomination. He thinks we should get over all of this and work together. I don't know why he went to Rev Wright's church. I don't go to church because I don't agree with some of the things they say. But it's a personal decision. This just sounded like some 1960's speech to me. Many peoples attitudes have changed but not him. I hear he lives in a 3 million dollar house. That is what offends me about some preachers the most. There are many false prophets who spread lies for their own gain.

So blacks learn differently from whites. Shouldn't they be educated differently in their own, separate classes or schools?
(Of course, if a white person had stated that blacks learn differently from whites, he'd be accused of racism. But when a black man says it, it's wisdom.)
If Obama loses the election, all Americans of all races can thank Mr. Wright, who is clearly a preening, narcissistic racist, for seriously damaging Obama's popularity. Wright thinks that his notoriety is more important than Obama's candidacy. How pathetic.
(Wright claimed at the Press Club dinner that African slaves brought to America were already Christian before they left Africa. Who is really so stupid as to believe that lie? Africans who were stolen from Africa to be slaves in America had their own religions.)

To all the African-American Christians:
Do you really think you honor your African ancestors by clinging to the white slave-holder's religion, and believing that your own African ancestors are all burning in Hell? If your soul's eternal salvation relies on your Christian faith, do you not owe the slave traders a debt of gratitude for leading your family to Jesus, thereby preventing your own eternal damnation?
Or do you choose instead to believe Mr. Wright's lie that your African ancestors were Christians?

My White brothers keep on evading the bottom line with these PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL NIGGER SPOOKS, but ONE WHITE MAN WILL TELL THE TRUTH: Anything you say, you black MONKEYS, we will twist it NEGATIVE! We will easily SPIN everything that comes out your your NAPPY HEADED BUBBA LIPPED mouth into something NEGATIVE. Just watch. WHITE AMERICA PLAYS STUPID (The Clintons, Dems, Repubs) but WE ALL KNOW WE ARE ALL LYING, and there is nothing you can say or do about it because you can never really be sure, DUMBASS. This is a LYING GAME, you STUPID BLACK MONKEYS, and we, the whole WHITE RACE is in on the BOTTOM LINE. The bottom line is this: The ALL-POWERFUL WHITE RACE must always rule supreme over blacks at all costs. THE BLACK RACE MUST ALWAYS BE LOWER THAN THE WHITE RACE. WHITES WHO STARTED THIS COUNTRY ARE GOD AND MASTER, AND BLACKS WILL ALWAYS BE SLAVES TO WHITES IN AMERICA!!! AND THE MEXICAN WETBACK SPICS WILL BE KICKED OUT OF THE COUNTRY SOON!!!

DRED SCOTT DECISION:

BLACKS HAVE NO RIGHTS WHICH THE WHITE MAN IS BOUND TO RESPECT.

- - THIS MEANS THAT NO BLACK NIGGER WILL EVER BE A U.S. PRESIDENT

THE NEGRO MAY JUSTLY AND LAWFULLY BE REDUCED TO SLAVERY FOR THE WHITE MAN'S BENEFIT.

- - THIS MEANS THAT FOR PROFIT, WE WILL DEVISE A PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX TO PUT AS MANY BLACKS IN JAIL AS POSSIBLE.

THIS IS CALLED WHITE POWER

Studies have shown that the most prevalent sexual dream of the white woman is that of a big, mean and strong muscular black man grabbing her and pulling her pretty panties down. And everybody knows that every black man wants a white woman. White Women fantasize about how the Angry Black Man rhythmically plows his long hard Black Cock into her compliant Caucasian Vagina, stretching it and then forcefully bumping against the back wall of her cervix. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Finally, the Forbidden Nappy Headed Black Brute empties his balls and Loudly Grunts in pleasure. She holds him tight while He Squirts an amazingly Huge Thick Load of Milky Baby Juice into her Precious White Pussy. As the Black Stud's thick globs of acrid Semen oozes and bubbles out of her pretty Pink Creampie and dribbles between her Asscheeks onto the sheets, she Orgasms and giggles when she thinks of the bitter anger her dad, boyfriend and brother would have if they found out.

"We must become bigger than we have been, more courageous, greater in spirit, larger in outlook. We must become members of a new race, overcoming petty prejudice, owing our ultimate allegiance not to nations but to our fellow men within the human community." ~ H.I.M. Haile Sellassie I

It's good to see that some people see that Rev. Jeremiah Wright is not perfect. However, though he would probably not agree with me, he cannot be considered as a racist but a victim of racism. Perhaps one should remember he said a change is gonna come. He did not say it had come. We may not agree with every word that came out of his mouth cause as they used to say it St. Louis, MO, his mouth opens and closes like a Bible but it ain't one.

Rev. Wright put too much on the NAACP it surely has its weaknesses to say the least. When black women were being burnt alive in their homes at night by the KKK for organizing NAACP chapters in Mississippi, the NAACP did nothing. When integration came to mean hiring white teachers to teach black children the NAACP did nothing. One more thing when your ancestor were chained on the bottom of the slave ship, that does not make you a descendant of immigrants because they did not willing immigrate they were forced and even forced fed for that matter. So Rev. Wright is an politician of sorts and by that I mean his agenda is not the same as Kristos. He is different yet not deficient. We are all human and not yet perfect, however, some of us believe we will be made perfect through Kristos. Now remember this. "a house divided cannot stand" (Mark 3:25). It is Universal Citizenship we should be working for not the red, white and blue. Now remember, "um different not deficient".

"Let us not recoil in hatred against those who, even while protecting their freedom from bias and prejudice, reveal by their actions that the poison of racial discrimination has left its lasting effects, and by this reaction reveal that we, no less than they are prey to unreasoning emotion, that we, no less than they are susceptible to that virus which is called intolerance." ~ H.I.M. Haile Sellassie I

Barack is running for president, not Wright. At least Wright isn't molesting altar boys and little girls, Amen????? People need to focus on issues and the unification of this country.

Barack is running for president, not Wright. At least Wright isn't molesting altar boys and little girls, Amen????? People need to focus on issues and the unification of this country.

Well to all of you who think Wright is not a racist, how would a white man spouting the same crap Wright does be perceived? As a racist, correct? Little hypocritical aren't you guys?

OBAMA MAMA
Answer this question honestly. Why are you voting for Obama? Give me his stances on 3 issues and his solutions for them. I will bet dollars to doughnuts that you cannot. Do not tell me to go to his website. These should be coming out of his mouth. And, I bet you are just voting for him because he is black. No problem with me. I happen to be voting for McCain because he is white.

One souljah puts it like this:
Racism still exists; slavery left my people in a mess.
No ones free until we free up the rest.
Struggling for truth and right and we not done yet.
We oppressed but we still on a quest.
Have you felt evil breathe down your back?
You think it’s alright; we not done yet!
What you know about the pain that poverty brings.
Poverty makes my people depressed and we’re not done yet!
Don’t know nothing about our struggles.
My peoples to wage this fight and it’s not done yet.
You think it’s all good and we not done yet.
Check yourself if you fronting step back, cause we not done yet.

Studies have shown that the most prevalent sexual dream of the white woman is that of a big, mean and strong muscular black man grabbing her and pulling her pretty panties down. And everybody knows that every black man wants a white woman. White Women fantasize about how the Angry Black Man rhythmically plows his long hard Black Cock into her compliant Caucasian Vagina, stretching it and then forcefully bumping against the back wall of her cervix. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Finally, the Forbidden Nappy Headed Black Brute empties his balls and Loudly Grunts in pleasure. She holds him tight while He Squirts an amazingly Huge Thick Load of Milky Baby Juice into her Precious White Pussy. As the Black Stud's thick globs of acrid Semen oozes and bubbles out of her pretty Pink Creampie and dribbles between her Asscheeks onto the sheets, she Orgasms and giggles when she thinks of the bitter anger her dad, boyfriend and brother would have if they found out.

White America and the White Press-- Why are you all so fearful of Rev. Wright. Your problem is you don't listen well. Everything he has said is a part of history whether it be American history or Biblical history. You have to listen not just hear. Listen! Of course, White America's problem is-you want to deny the racist culture that we live in. Is it because you are ashame or just plain stupid. Rev. Wright tells the truth and he has always validated his facts and has acknowledged his assumptions and opinions. We are all entitled to our opinions. I'll trust Rev. Wright's any day before I trust George Bush, Dick Chaney, Bill and Hillary Clinton or John McClain. Why is White America so gullible? You all believe that a bunch of Islamic terrorist would hi jack an American Airplane without help from our terrorist CIA mobsters assistance. By the way, why was the president of the United States of America just flying around without any known destination on 9/11/01 at around 9:00am---11:00am EST. Why!

People please wake up and start thinking and ask questions when it doesn't make sense. Ask, why was John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King assassinated? Ask why are we paying over $4.00 per gallon for gas when gasoline is just a by product of oil. Also, ask why is gasoline prices spiking so high when two oil men are running the country? Ask, why did we invade Iraq, a very small country compared to ours and others. Ask, why are we funding convert operatives in Iraq to give the impression that militants are opposed to our being there. Yes, the people of Iraq do oppose us being there and justifiably, but they aren't fighting. Ask, why was Pat Tillman murdered? Was it because he found out that our leaders were full of B.S. when he realize the phoney attacks and the mountainous terrain-he gave up a NFL career-to shoot at. White people--please wake up.