Apr 28 2008
Wright Speaks
Wright says criticism is attack on black church
By NEDRA PICKLER – 1 hour ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a defiant appearance before the Washington media, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright said Monday that criticism surrounding his fiery sermons is an attack on the black church and rejected those who have labeled him unpatriotic.
“I served six years in the military,” Barack Obama’s longtime pastor said. “Does that make me patriotic? How many years did (Vice President Dick) Cheney serve?”
Serving in the military isn’t an automatic get out of jail free card, sir. I don’t care if you served 22 tours in Vietnam, when you come back and talk shit, it’s unpatriotic. Dick Cheney’s lack of service is irrelevant to the words that you shat out of your mouth.
Wright spoke at the National Press Club before the Washington media and a supportive audience of black church leaders beginning a two-day symposium.
He said the black church tradition is not bombastic or controversial, but different and misunderstood by the “dominant culture” in the United States.
If that isn’t racism veiled by “analysis” I don’t know what is.
He said his Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago has a long history of liberating the oppressed by feeding the hungry, supporting recovery for the addicted and helping senior citizens in need. He said congregants have fought in the military, including in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“My goddaughter’s unit just arrived in Iraq this week while those who call me unpatriotic have used their positions of privilege to avoid military service while sending over 4,000 American boys and girls to die over a lie,” he said.
Blah blah fucking blah. Your Goddaughter joined the military. She wasn’t drafted. If she gets sent to war, it’s because she chose to be there. That’s the price you pay for your military service. You know it going in, sir, as I’m sure she did.
Unless she’s a moron, and since I’ll assume you won’t say she’s a moron, let’s leave it at “she knew what she was getting into.”
Wright said he hopes the controversy will have a positive outcome and spark an honest dialogue about race in America. Wright says black church traditions are still “invisible” to many Americans, as they have been throughout the country’s history.
Oh yes. An honest dialogue. Just don’t mention the pastor’s remarks. Or his past remarks. Or buy his DVD’s. Let’s have an honest discussion!
He said he hopes “the most recent attack on the black church — it is not an attack on Jeremiah Wright — it’s an attack on the black church,” he said to applause, “just might mean that the reality of the African-American church will no longer be invisible.”
Actually, no, it’s a criticism of you. Honestly, I don’t give a fuck about the color of the dopes that sit in the pews taking all your crap in.
Videos clips of Wright’s sermons, circulated widely on television and the Internet, knocked Obama’s presidential campaign off-stride. The Illinois Democrat distanced himself from the comments of Wright, whom he has known for 20 years.
In a sermon days after the Sept. 11 attacks, Wright said “America’s chickens are coming home to roost” after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan and “supported state terrorism against the Palestinians and black South Africans.”
Asked about some of the comments after the terrorist attacks, Wright challenged the reporter questioning him.
“Have you heard the whole sermon? No? The whole sermon?” he responded. When the reporter shook her head, he said, “That nullifies that question.”
In what context are your remarks acceptable, sir? So far, I’ve seen the sermon in question by many sites trying to provide context, and I don’t see how the context given changes the quotes excerpted. I really wish someone could help me there.
He said criticism comes from people who only have heard sound bites playing repeatedly on television and have never listened to his entire sermons.
Wrong.
Wright said he’s told Obama that if he is elected in November and is inaugurated in January, “I’m coming after you.” He said that’s because his differences are not with the American people, but U.S. policies.
“Whether he gets elected or not, I’m still going to have to be answerable to God on November 5 and January 21,” Wright said.
I’d pay to see that. Something tells me he’ll clam up the minute a black man takes the reins.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
A view from within the United Church of Christ:
http://WWW.UCCTRUTHS.COM
Wright lights the fuse
Monday, April 28, 2008
Trinity United Church of Christ’s former pastor, Jeremiah Wright, gave an indignant speech this morning before the National Press Club and African-American church leaders. The speech and Wright’s response to questions afterwards will undoubtedly reignite the controversy around his sermons.
In his speech, Wright disowned the controversy by claiming that the media reporting and the public response was not about him, it was about the black church as a whole. Wright also mentioned the call to have a national conversation on race which was first raised by presidential candidate Barack Obama and formalized by the United Church of Christ’s national office.
Throughout the question and answer period of his speech, Wright continually deflected questions about his sermons often answering a question with another question. When asked about his “God damn America” sermon, he asked “Did you hear the sermon?” When asked about his allegation that the U.S. governemnt created the AIDS virus to commit genocide on African-Americans, Wright asked if the questioner had read Horowitz’s book and then claimed that he believed the government was capable of it. When asked about his controversial sermon that appeared to blame the U.S. for 9/11, Wright claimed to be quoting an ambassador although Wright clearly subscribed to the belief in the sermon.
On any level, the speech was a trainwreck. Wright didn’t accept responsibility for his sermons or take ownership of his own words. By deflecting the controversy as commentary against the black church, Wright has also ignited a completely manufactured racial conflict and has unfairly cast a negative view of the black church and the United Church of Christ. Wright has effectively sabatoged the black church, the United Church of Christ and Obama’s candidacy to protect his own ego.
While I personally agree with the spirit of Obama’s call for a national conversation on race, it can not and should not be orchestrated as a defense of Wright’s sermons. The controversy is not about race, it is about Jeremiah Wright. If we are going to have a real national conversation on race, it should be done in the spirit Obama’s unifying optimism that we can overcome our shameful history.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Keep in mind that the web site quoted above has no official affiliation with the UCC.