Letters to the Editor

• Sulzer444

  [Read the article: Wright's theology not "new or radical"]
  [Read more letters about this article: Here]

  It is difficult to understand and it may feel very uncomfortable for you. I (a black woman of 40) will try to explain SOME and offer some solutions to help you better understand and continue to support Obama even though you might feel confused. I tried to explain this to my husband (white) who also supports Obama (he's a true Obamabot) when he couldn't understand why Obama would stay there.

  I'll preface this by saying that if you are trying to figure out if Obama believes this stuff, simply look at what he has DONE since law school. Have his activities supported a divisive mentality or bias? Has he done anything to advance people in general, of all races? You'll see that his actions line up with what he says he believes.

  As far as the question of why he stayed if he disagreed with Wright's philosophy, consider this.

  (first off, forget the words Black Liberation Theology. Its an academic term that people on boards use but doesn't mean anything to (and probably had never been heard by) those who espouse it).

  Understand that many black folks in poor neighborhoods really do feel the system is against them and they feel quite unable to overcome it. That's why Wrights words in that setting were probably so well received by so many. (It also HAPPENS to be one of the reason Obama receives such wide support among Blacks. We - even those who feel hopeless - want to believe the country is ready to accept us for who we are not how we look). Watch the Wright clips again (the short ones and the longer 3 minute ones that are supposed to be "in context"). Notice that not everyone in the church is clapping, shaking their heads and agreeing with him. Just look for yourself. Catch the expression on the faces of some of the congregants. Even the choir members!

  Apparently, MANY people who listened and didn't agree with Wright. And MANY stayed active members and served on the choir etc and didn't leave.

  Why didn't those who disagreed leave?

  Either:

  1) these tirades were few and far between and only lasted 2-4 minutes of a typical 40-60 minute sermon. And people recognized them for what they were (a preacher getting happy and feeling good).

  2) people found many other spiritually and socially substantive reasons to stay active in the church

  3) people didn't feel compelled to complain

  4) elements of it they may have agreed with (this possibility makes you most uncomfortable,

  I'm sure)

  5) some combination of the above

  __

  I tried to explain to my husband that i went to a very large AME Zion Church in Metro Washington DC for years (AME stands for African Methodist Episcopal). We had an excellent teacher (i call him teacher because he taught more than he preached). The message was always biblical but as a black church we also focused a lot on issues central to the black community. We were proud that we had such a large percentage of members as men - since so many black churches have such low male memberships. We did a lot of outreach to black men recognizing that having strong men in our families and communities would advance our collective fate. Keeping our men in their families, as responsible husbands and fathers and contributing members of our community was very important. (This is just one example). This was not racist but it might have sounded that way if you happened into the church one day and caught my pastor on a "preach" day (or moment) and not a "teach" day (or moment).

  Ultimately everyone's tolerance if different and is directly related to their own experiences. I'm not sure I would have hung out in Wright's church, because I know every week was not like what we've seen on TV. And the only reason I know that is because of my own experience in a similar church.

  Bottom line: if you're trying to decide if Obama is a secret racist, examine HIM and what he's done. See if his actions support such a radical theology. (BTW most blacks and black churches are not espousing this theology - even my old church).

  Second: if you're trying to understand why he stayed, or why he waited so long to spit him out, try this. You're married to a guy who cheated once. Maybe twice. But you decide you and your two or three kids will stay. Why? (some women wouldn't. Many do. I assume it because they decide the total positives are greater than the total negatives. (As a woman who would leave immediately WITH my kids, I might disagree with another woman who stayed - Hillary - but i respect their ability to make their own decision that's best for them from their own vantage point). Marriage analogy not working? Try a career analogy. Boss sucks. But the job gives you great satisfaction. Or pay sucks but its your dream job. There are always reasons people stay in less than ideal situations.

  Barak has stated over and over that his work in that church and its community and the relationships he had there were what mattered most to him. And that's probably why he stayed even though he said he heard some controversial remarks through the years.

  Not sure if this helps. I know its sort of scary but don't fall prey to these "older than time" fear tactics. Don't worry what Black folks are saying behind closed doors. I won't worry about what white folks are saying behind closed doors. Let's try to be honest and open the doors and talk respectfully and intelligently with each other so we can finally begin the healing process of this awful race issue that is (as Condi Rice so eloquently put it) our nation's original sin.

  Permalink Sunday, May 4, 2008 10:38 AM