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Recent media portrayal of Pastor Jeremiah Wright of TUCC
I am extremely angry, saddened, and frustrated with the white media’s portrayal of former Pastor Jeremiah Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ. I joined TUCC in 2005 after one of Pastor Wright’s sermons that mentioned the social, economic, and political struggles of Afro-Brazilians. In what other black church is there such a commitment to Africans throughout the Diaspora that I would have even heard such a sermon? TUCC has one of the most educated Pastoral Staffs of any African-American church in the country. Many if not all of the staff have Masters degrees and a number of them have PhD’s. The church is attended by university professors, politicians, news reporters, doctoral students, medical doctors, and lawyers. Because of its openness and commitment to social justice it is also attended by lower-income African-Americans.
I point this out because Trinity is home to some of the most
highly educated African-Americans in the Chicago area. As research indicates, as education increases, the likelihood
that African Americans recognize and face discrimination also increases. It is no wonder that highly educated African
Americans attend a church like Trinity where white supremacy and racism is denounced. Since when has this become radical thought and as the white media portrays it, extreme? Trinity’s commitment to black liberation, empowerment, black love, and a commitment to God as a Black Christian community stems from black liberation theology. It is in this context that we should understand Pastor Wright’s statements which the white media has misconstrued. Pastor Wright is not only a preacher but is a scholar. He has a doctoral degree of ministry and received his Masters at the University of Chicago. The white media and White Americans have to come to grips with the fact that racism does exist in American society and that there are a sizable number of educated African Americans who denounce it and for us this is not a radical stance. White supremacy has been and continues to run rampant in American society. TUCC is a home that allows me to
denounce white racism while at the same time sharing a bond of love with an African American community often ignored by the white media.
Comments (5)
Denouncing white supremacy and racism is not radical thought. Nor is it extreme. And nobody has suggested anything of the kind. Erecting ridiculous straw men like that does no good whatsoever.
March 16, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I respect your opinion.
I also recognize that many of the things Pastor Wright said in those video clips represent deeper grander truths that lay silent in the minds of many Americans.
But there's an immense difference in the way Obama discusses them.
Why?
In March 2006, Barack Obama gave a speech in which he talks about the way he thinks those truths should be discussed to heal from the past and move toward multi-culture unity.
He refers to "rules of collaboration", and he explains why he thinks engaging in a less toxic discussion of these issues is more conducive to healing and moving forward.
I'm in no position to judge how or why Pastor Wright preaches the way he does.
All I can say is that I appreciate the path Obama has taken.
March 16, 2008 6:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
"black liberation theology" ? Help me understand
Where in the definition of "theology" do you find the term "black", "liberation" or "black liberation" ?
This is terminology that Rev Wright uses frequently, as he did in the interview with Hannity.
"as education increases,the likelihood that African Americans, recognize and face discrimination also increases" I guess with the enormous number of educated attendees at Trinity,
we should try to understand the Rev's frustration.
March 16, 2008 7:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know what? Look it up. I've been explaining black religious traditions for a few days now, and I'm beginning to remember that it's not my job to explain anything to someone who can't be bothered to go to wikipedia and find out for themselves.
March 16, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
I totally agree.
The MSM tone about Wright is fundamentally prejudiced. We have white pundits gets all huffy and scared because a popwerful black preacher is angry at American arrogance and racism. I note that the MSM doesn't invite any black commentators to give THEIR view. It's only the white perspective. (And of course, conveniently, white fire-and-brimstone preachers get a pass -- why? because of the white comfort level) The response to this is totally irrational. Wright is proudly black and indignant about Americas failings. BO aside, I think the MSM is, to borrow a phrase, truly engaging in a "high tech lynching" here.
As an aside, the WaPo columnist Colby King, a black man, said he has heard preachers like Wright many times before. He said it is a way for the black community to vent their frustrations. And he pointed out that the most segregated day of the week is Sunday morning. Apart from him, I haven't seen anyone ask a black person for their perspective on this. Just whites talking about white's feelings.
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http://youtube.com/watch?v=bOOL3BYaIEQ
"Don't let anybody make you think God chose America as his divine messianic force to be a sort of policeman of the whole world. God has a way of standing before the nations with justice and it seems I can hear God saying to America "you are too arrogant, and if you don't change your ways, I will rise up and break the backbone of your power, and I will place it in the hands of a nation that doesn't even know my name. Be still and know that I'm God. Men will beat their swords into plowshafts and their spears into pruning hooks, and nations shall not rise up against nations, neither shall they study war anymore." I don't know about you, I ain't going to study war anymore."
Martin Luther King Jr.
Address to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (1967-08-16)
March 16, 2008 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
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