Today I listened to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's address to the National Press in Washington DC in its entirety with my friend & colleague Dave (also a Reverend).
On Sunday, as I drove to Seattle (also with Dave) we listened to his speech to the NAACP in its entirety via CNN.
This morning, I listened to Barack Obama's response in its entirety.
My feelings have moved from depressed, to angry, to sad over the course of the last 12 hours. I want to make clear that as a vocational minister of a church, a student of theology, a Biblical studies major in college, and as an Obama supporter...that there was not one thing Rev. Jeremiah Wright said in either of those speeches that I disagreed with. Actually, his words represent the "different kind of Christianity" that I feel many of us "Christians" a part of this blogmmunity/vox de populi are a part of. On that note, I would be interested to hear your responses to Wright & Obama's words.
I cannot express how deeply disappointed I am in Barack Obama. I feel as though his denunciation of Wright is a political move- making him no different than any other candidate. Barack could have responded wonderfully as he did with his Race in America speech, instead he turned his back on the tradition that made him who he is.
Way to sellout Obama. I am now officially voting for the lesser of two bad choices. It remains to be seen which candidate I will vote for in the Oregon primary this month.
I would love to have some good dialogue about this- please comment, and look for many future posts about this. I understand that this is short, I hope to flesh out some more ideas once the conversation gets going. For now, I plan on walking around the block from my house where Obama just set up headquarters and expressing my disappointment.
15 comments:
I didn't much care for Rev. Wright when I first heard the sound bites. And after I heard most of his speech at the Press Club, I still don't much care for his 'delivery' - he comes across as arrogant and um, pugnacious?
However, after hearing him I found myself realizing that (as usual) his words were taken out of context and used as the media saw fit. I still don't care for his style, but I liked what he said.
As far as voting? Couple of problems here:
1) I can't (won't) vote for 'that woman'.
2) I'm a former Republican but ohmigod-I-so-want-a-change
3) Obama's handling of this (and his stance on guns) has me lost.
I keep thinking I'll make a stand and not vote... of course I realize that my vote really doesn't make a da*# bit of difference. So I'm bummed.
Thanks for your comments "Snowbug."
Although I am sure we would disagree on many policy stances politically, I appreciate any authentic conversation and welcome you to the discourse on this site.
However, I will no longer post any of your comments, if posted under the alias "snowbug." I have found that anonymous conversation is not authentic conversation.
I look forward to hearing more from you in the future...and look forward to getting to know the real you as you wrestle with your own political views, choices, etc.
Mucho Peace..
Ron
That's fine. You can erase it. I actually posted under my snowbuggie account the other day. But since my husband works in a job that isn't conducive to political dissent ;) I guess I'll just have to continue lurking.
Take care though.
Peace
I hate to say "I told you so..." but I told you so... Way back when during the Reading Rainbow days when we all tried to read Audacity of Hope and i called it the audacity of bullshit... They're all politicians man and they give less than a crap about any of us. A politician keeps his job by appealing to the most amount of people, and how do you appeal to the most people? With a broad and ambiguous message that you can no more follow through on than you can be held accountable for...something unmeasurable like hope or unity...
Does it make you feel any better than the event at which Rev. Wright spoke at was allegedly organized by a Hillary supporter?
I look forward to having a good conversation about this with you... hopefully tonight! Honestly, I keep trying to figure out what Rev. Wright said that was so awful. Everyone is up in arms and I keep thinking, "What's the big deal here? Am I missing something?"
Because of this I keep thinking that maybe I am just out of the loop. Honestly though, I think there is no doubt that I will still vote for Barack.
Here is what i am thinking...
after i read your blog this morning i did the same thing you did... i watched the national press speech, the naacp speech and then obama's response. It has taken me most of the morning so much of what i am saying is fresh in my mind and not all that "flushed out."
But i am "agree" with much of what rev. wright is saying... as a student of theology, and an aspiring church worker, much of the stuff he said I hold as "true" intellectual level. So, it saddens me to see obama part with rev wright. So, i can see where adam's "i told you so" is coming from... i knew that obama wouldn't get elected if he was going to actualize and be an active prophet of Christ's hope... someone who lives the prophetic lifestyle would be hard pressed in getting elected to office, prophets are polarizing figures, and christian hope does not necessarily fit into a liberal democracy's ideas of freedom equality. But it just show that most presidents/candidates true religion is America not necessarily set of religious belief statements they accept as true. This is not a bad thing it is just something that i wish they would be honest about.
Though i agree with rev. wright's ideas his posture in delivering those ideas seemed fairly disingenuous. Though he may continually say that "different does not mean deficient," the way he characterized the european and african modes of operating does not leave much room to say the european mod is more appealing (read: better). His caricature of african mode, i think, clearly shows his preference. In a society that has been disciplined by entertainment... rev. wright's characterization of the african cultural learning style, linguistic mode, and musical anthropology (at the naacp), i think, will ring as the more appealing, and thus perhaps, even "more true." The difference between truth and entertainment in american society has been drastically blurred, and i think he knows this. So, his characterization of both histories is, to be discreet, nuanced at best.
I think that it would fair to say the Rev. Wright is defensive, and may be playing the put upon misunderstood card a little to confidently. I will refer you to a blog that contrasts the differences in Pope Benedict's speeches with Wright's: it can be found at http://www.ekklesiaproject.org/content/view/312/9/.... (psst: they quote they appeal to a lutheran) i think there is something to say about suffering the abuse of others when you speak the truth and knowing that the truth is enough to defend its self, there is no need to defend that which is true. That doesn't mean you can't explain certain statements and ask for others to seek deeper understanding of what you are saying (i.e the unfair "sound byte" characterization of his sermons). All this to say, his defensive posture may be a hinderance to the ture words he is speaking on behalf of the community of Christ and i think that it is something that the Christian community can ask him to repent of... though i feel like that would be hard to do out side of direct friendship.
Last i think that i feel a certain affinity in my life right now to rev. wright because of certain life circumstances (i.e. read my "can a sexist wear girl pants blog), and thus can understand, on a more macro level, his defensive attitude. But i don't think that means that my (or his) defensiveness is the christian posture to assume... i just hope there is a Christian community that can discipline him and me into more christlike speech... and that may include "bombastic" language. Because i do believe that humble and bombastic can go together. i don't think his posture has been able to hold those two together in public spotlight (not that that matters). And this is just me outside of a direct friendship with him postulating about the condition of his heart and how his heart acts out in his actions (maybe i should take the log out of my own eye).
I think that is enough for now.... i will think and pray about this more in the coming days.... thanks for the conversation starter ron.
Ron....I watched all three speeches/conversations in their entirety. I thought he did very well with Bill Moyers. I felt he defended himself well, spoke with understanding and I felt like I knew him better. The second speech was interesting and thought provoking. The National Press club situation is one that can only be watched. He did a disservice to many, not only Barack Obama, by his smug, arrogant approach. You will see this if you watch the facial expressions and the disrespectful way he handled the people who asked him questions. The entire event was so narcisstic, I was indignant! Talk about frustration! There is so much more to it that should be addressed but this is a limited forum. I called the HQ for the party in D.C. and asked them to communicate to them that I wanted to see him shut down this man who is damaging our campaign, our campaign. I am in this 100%. I am in financially and with my voice. Barack Obama did what he had to do to save his chance at becoming our president. He did what I think he had to do to distance himself from SOME of Wrights rhetoric. I don't think that was an easy process at all! I am sure he struggled with that a lot. For what it's worth, just wanted you to know. I love your heart and your passion for all this. Keep it up man!
I couldn't agree with Neil more. From a theological perspective, there is little I disagree with when it comes to statements Rev. Wright has made. However, the comments that Obama distanced himself on, I too find myself cringing at. You don't prove that the US government is capable of spreading the AIDS virus, by insulting your audiences intelligence while reminding them that they know little if they haven't read the same books you have. I thought that his behavior throughout his NPC speech was respectable and admirable. However, his attitude during the Q and A was nothing short of a childish taunting to the queries before him. Obama called it a spectacle and I would agree. Obama was frustrated with some of his insinuations and so was I.
Ron, what was it that Obama said that had you accusing him of selling out?
What do you expect Ron? As far as my theology goes, a follower of Christ can not become President of any Empire. As silly and overused as it is by the RIGHT, we have only one President (and it's not GW).
I think as Christians, we want another Messiah, someone who will change things, politically. But Jesus' way, his politics, has no room for politicians (as beautifully defined by Adam above). The nature of the game is deception. The nature of the game is to appeal to the masses, not be prophetic. Prophets, like Jeremiah Wright (although I'm not neccessarily calling him a prophet, haven't heard him enough to know for sure) - but the way the media has attacked his statements, feels a lot like prophets to me.
Say what is true and people will hate you.
Barrack seems to teeter just on the edge of honest, progressive, political change - but at the end of the day, Adam's right, he's a politician trying to become President.
You have to play the game.
To stick to your ethics and beliefs too long, to stick up for the voiceless and powerless too long, will get you crucified.
So perhaps we shouldn't get too wrapped up in putting our hope in a man... especially a politician.
And don't get me wrong - I'm voting for Obama, but in the months leading up to the election - I don't expect much more than these silly word wars and antics that are being waged by the candidates and the media - and the endless press conferences to cover up an image they don't want imposed on them.
YES.
Thank you all for your comments.
Jim, I am with you man...
I think, once again, I took this too personally- Obama is a politician, and the media will reduce great thought to sound bytes...
the conversation continues on my next post!
Ron,
I have been a lurker on your blog for a while, I figured this was a good a time as any to comment for the first time.
First let me say that I have only heard the sound bites of this whole ordeal, so I won't comment on if I agree or disagree with Rev. Wright's speeches. However, I have been hoping that Barack would distance himself the rev officially.
Unfortunately, our political system, and the election of people that run our country, is not a fair process. The press and the public unfairly use words against candidates, that have not come directly from the candidates themselves. In the case of Jeremiah Wright, the words have been used to such a degree that it puts Barack at risk of losing the nomination.
The terrible thing is that due to what Rev. Wright has said, not due to Barack's words, Barack is being judged. This is not fair, but it is a fact. Due to this fact, Barack had no choice but to separate himself from the Rev. Wright.
Barack is a new kind of politician, but he still has to be elected within the old framework. This is an unfortunate reality. I am impressed with his honesty in interviews. I will not judge him based on his unacceptance of Rev. Wright.
Regardless of factuality, Rev. Wright's words and speeches have proven to be very divisive. This is not a good person for any person that is trying to be elected to office to be aligned with. Barack had to separate himself in order to have a chance at winning.
Welcome to blogdom Brian!
Truth is always going to be divisive- so it is, upon hindsight understood that Barack had to distance himself from Wright politically.
I think I was more so angered by Obama's choice of words in his renunciation speech- "I didn't know the man," etc....sounded, in a Biblical sense a lot like Peter after the politically divisive Jesus was arrested.
Now I am not comparing Rev. Wright to Jesus, but...his message comes from the same prophetic tradition. Speaking truth to the powers.
I think through this "accept or reject" times, I have just personally realized that I cannot endorse or campaign for any candidate. Rather, hope to speak truth and campaign for the issues I am passionate about regardless of who gets elected.
I agree, the dichotomy of Christian faith and politics forces us to almost place a boundary when align ourselves politically. This gives us the room to have our own ideas separate from political ideology and/or political affiliation. For this reason, I register as an independent and only switched this year to vote for Barack in the primary, but will be switching back.
I still think that Barack best embodies what we need as President, but I will be as fast to criticize him if I disagree with him as anyone else.
I like this political conversation on your blog! It is much more civil and caring than the conservative extremists that I often debate with over email.
sorry,
I should have included this on the last one, but amy and I have a blog that we have been plugging away at for about a month now. Feel free to check us out!
brian-and-amy.blogspot.com
sweet!
I will add you to my blogroll Brian!
I hope you find as much rest and great conversation as I have in this digital community of people from all parts of the country.
Mucho Love to you and Amy!
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