Excellent post. I think this is a direction in which Obama can further address this controversy in a thoroughly positive manner, in the broader context of race in America.

Sometimes, to be postracial, to transcend race, you have to explicitly address race and the role it plays in people's lives.

Everyone is jumping to the conclusion that Wright's regular practice, week in and week out, was to give the kind of ranting diatribe against the United States as those we've seen in the videos. There is little evidence to support that, and a lot to contradict it. First, Fox News and apparently ABC purchased all the videotapes of Wright's sermons, and I think it's fair to say that if there were others comparable to the ones we've seen, those would have been shown too. Second, someone at Politico helpfully linked to the audio of the original "Audacity of Hope" sermon that inspired Obama's book. You would not even be able to believe it was delivered by the same guy as those being shown now as wallpaper on Fox. It's thoughtful and meditative and even scholarly. Third, Wright is -- or was -- highly respected by other clergy, black and white. And it's hard to believe that if his standard sermon was the sort of demagogic rant we've seen, he'd have acquired any level of respectability.

Look, it may emerge that, on a week-to-week basis, you could go into Trinity and watch a mad man rail against the US. If that's true, Obama's strategy last night was clearly the wrong one. But if it's not true, his strategy was the right one. The biggest question wavering Obama supporters have is, "how could he even sit through crap like that?" If the answer is, "he didn't. That sort of crap was extremely rare," his story holds together.

Why is Obama "justifiably angry"?
Did he have a bad childhood?
A bad education? Bad opportunities?
Perhaps it wasn't all gravy train,
but people in Zimbabwe, Iran, Ukraine,
Yugoslavia, Congo, and Cambodia didn't
have it easy either. No Harvards in
those countries. Obama could have
gone to Indonesia. I've never heard
of Hawaii as a hardship post.

First, we don't really know if Wright is always so angry. A 15 sec splice job isn't exactly a fair context to judge that. Seems rather canned to me.

Second, McCain said this: Somebody endorsing and supporting me doesn't me I support their views. They support my views. I agree.

Obama should be judged for the man he is, not for what anyone else does or says. Everything in the public record suggests that Obama is a unifier, compassionate, and his vision is positive.

This strikes me as more FoxNews hype and smear, guilt by association, than really any legitimate argument about Obama.

My question is why the MSM and Dems especially always get spooked by the Rightwingers. Let's show some backbone or a change.

Are you saying he has a choice about whether he is black or white. What country do you live in?

Pastor Wright was born in 1941 at a time of segregation in this country. Those who have never walked a mile in these shoes have no idea what it was like to grow up Black in America at that time.

While I'm not condoning Wright's remarks, perhaps it's worth a look at an abbreviated synopsis of his achievements in light of a few videotapes his detractors have saturated the MSM with, that have been played ad naseaum over and over again. Pastor Wright, like all of us is not a one dimensional character.

"Personal Information

Born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, PA; son of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright; married Ramah Reed; children: Janet Marie, Jeri Lynne, Nikol, Nathan, Jamila
Education: Virginia Union University, 1959-61; Howard University, BA, 1968, MA, 1969; University of Chicago School of Divinity, MA, 1975; United Theological Seminary, DMin, Black Sacred music, 1990.
Religion: United Church of Christ.
Military/Wartime Service: U.S. Marine Corps, private first class, 1961-63; U.S. Navy, hospital corpsman third class, 1964-67.
Memberships:
Selected: Ministers for Racial and Social Justice, United Church of Christ, 1972-; Black Theology Project, Board of Directors, 1975-95; Evangelical Health Systems, Board of Directors, 1986-89; Chicago Theological Seminary, Board of Trustees, 1999-2000; Virginia Union University, Board of Trustees, 2001-.

Career

Zion Church, interim pastor, 1968-69; Beth Eden Church, assistant pastor, 1969-1971; American Association of Theological Schools, researcher, 1970-72; Trinity United Church of Christ, pastor 1972-. Chicago Center for Black Religious Studies, executive director, 1974-75; Chicago Cluster of Theological Schools, lecturer, 1975-77; United Theological Seminary, professor, 1991-97; Chicago Theological Seminary, professor, 1998; Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, professor, 1999.

Life's Work

Reverend Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. is one of the most widely acclaimed black preachers in the United States. Combining social concern, spiritual growth, and political activism, Wright, who preaches in a black traditional style, brings a message of hope, redemption, and renewal. In 1972 he became pastor of a small United Church of Christ congregation in the inner city of Chicago. After over 30 years in the pulpit, his congregation has grown to 10,000 and is the largest United Church of Christ congregation in the United States.

Wright was born on September 22, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sr. and Dr. Mary Henderson Wright. His parents were his earliest influences, instilling in him a deep religious faith and a strong, positive image of his African-American culture. His father, who served as the pastor of Grace Baptist Church for 62 years was one of the first African Americans to receive a degree from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, earning a master of sacred theology degree in 1949. Wright was educated in the public schools of Philadelphia.

In 1959 Wright enrolled at Virginia Union University, in Richmond, where he remained until 1961. That year he left school to join the military. He served in the Second Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1961 to 1963, achieving the rank of private first class. In 1963 he graduated as valedictorian from the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, and from 1964 to 1967, he served as a cardio pulmonary technician at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. During 1965 and 1966, he was awarded with three Presidential Commendations from President Lyndon B. Johnson.

After his discharge from the military, Wright continued his education. He enrolled at Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 1967, and was awarded a bachelor's degree in 1968 and a master's degree in 1969. He then entered the University of Chicago Divinity School, receiving a master of arts degree in 1975. He ended his formal education in 1990 when he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree in black sacred music from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

While continuing his studies, Wright also began making forays into a career in the ministry. Between 1968 and 1971 he served short-term stints first as interim pastor and then as an associate pastor. From 1970 to 1972 he was a researcher for the American Association of Theological Schools. He was also a columnist for Chicago's Independent Bulletin during 1972. Then, on March 1, 1972, 31-year-old Wright was hired as the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, a position he continues to hold.

When Wright joined the staff of Trinity United Church of Christ as senior pastor, the inner city church boasted just 87 active members, most of whom came from the neighborhood surrounding the church. Wright embraced his new congregation and took up the phrase coined by his predecessor Rev. Dr. Reuben Sheares, "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian." Within months the church had adopted the phrase as its motto and vision. Under Wright's leadership, fueled by his passion, and motivated by his preaching, the congregation began to grow by leaps and bounds. By 2004 there were over 10,000 members, with people coming from across the metro area. The congregation, which proudly notes its diverse socio-economic mix, dedicated a new 2,700 worship center in 1997.

According to Wright, the Christian call extends in two directions: upward to God and outward to the community. As a result, Wright takes seriously the need to reach out to others, especially Chicago's inner-city residents. Trinity has 70 ministry programs, 22 of which target youth. Half of the programs target the community, including adult education, literacy, computer, child care, and education for unemployed or low-income families. For Wright, religion, social outreach, and political activism go hand in hand. He vocally opposed the U.S. involvement in Iraq beginning in 2003 and has tackled such previously taboo issues such as AIDS from the pulpit.

As Wright's reputation grew as a powerful and dynamic preacher in the black sermonic tradition who incorporated music, politics, and social issues into his sermons, he became a sought-after lecturer and preacher. In 1993 he was named second on Ebony's list of the top black preachers in North America. Once admitting that he had considered a career as a seminary professor, Wright satisfied his desire to teach by accepting invitations to lecture and teach at numerous universities and seminaries. He first stepped in front of a classroom in 1974 as an adjunct professor at Chicago Theological Seminary. In 1975 he was an adjunct professor at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, and from 1976 to 1992 he served as an adjunct professor for the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education. He has also taught courses at United Theological Seminary, North Park Theological Seminary, and Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Wright has authored several books, including Africans Who Shaped Our Faith, Good News! Sermons of Hope for Today's Families, and What Makes You So Strong? Sermons of Joy and Strength from Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. According to Cleophus J. LaRue in The Heart of Black Preaching, in his title sermon of What Makes You So Strong, Wright "demonstrates the power of the mighty sovereign at work in the lives of black people in twentieth century America. This sermon focuses on the root of black strength and survivability. Wright makes it clear throughout the sermon that the source of all strength, and especially black strength, is none other than the Spirit of God." As in his preaching, in his writing Wright focuses on the dual issues of corporate concern and spiritual sustenance. His latest publication, What Can Happen When We Pray: A Daily Devotional, was published in 2002.

In recognition of his contributions, Wright has been awarded seven honorary doctoral degrees. He has also served on a number of boards and commissions, including serving on the board of trustees for Virginia Union University and Chicago Theological Seminary. He continues to be a highly sought after preacher, teacher, and lecturer.

Awards

Selected: Howard University, Dean's List, 1968; The Fund for Theological Education, Rockefeller Fellowship, 1970-75; three Presidential Commendations from L.B. Johnson, 1965-66."

Was this maternal or paternal ancestors? If paternal, I'm wondering about the path to Kenya.

Remy - thanks for the info on Wright.

I hope after this firestorm dies down (maybe even after Obama is President), we can go back an help clear his name.

Obviously, a 30 second clip of "the worst of..." shouldn't define ANY man.

The more I read about Reverend Wright, the more I start to like him. Someone who hates America would not minister to a poor southside community for thirty years. Someone who hates would not be involved in social justice programs designed to help the least among us. Reverend Wright has a right to be angry. There are a lot of injustices to be angry about but he gets past his anger and does something about it. He helps his community. That's someone I admire and I wish there were more ministers like him. I can't tell you how irritated I am by the televangelists who prey on the poor instead of helping them, who preach the health and wealth gospel that is designed solely for their health and wealth. I'll take a politically incorrect angry preacher who helps his community any day of the week.

I think by distancing himself from Wright when most people are probably saying "Oh yeah, Barack Obama went to this guy's church for 20 years and he never heard stuff like this and walked away? He must agree with him then.", he opened the door for people to keep attacking him on people like Wright, and any future person he's known for a long time that has ever said anything perceived as controversial.

This 'rejenouce' stuff is crap for my brain.