Letters to the Editor
dog-walker
Published Letters: 82
-
"the first white black man to run for president."
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I wrote on an earlier thread and still think it's a problem, even though I have to agree that politically, Obama had to respond in this way.
But we should remember -- Joan, you too -- that WE as a society backed him into a corner, and as weeping said, shouted "witch! witch!" with enough vigor that for his political survival he appeared to have no choice.
BUT IT SHOULD BOTHER THOSE OF US WHO CAN THINK! AND HAVE READ A LITTLE HISTORY!
Yes, our political culture includes the many amplified voices of a genuinely ignorant populace that can easily be swayed by demagoguery and drawn into outright sadism.
But whomever you may support for political office and whatever policy objectives you might wish to see accomplished, if you are a thinking person, you should be able to resist the hysteria.
Weeping said, "So he is not now, nor has ever been a member of the communist party."
And this is what we have done.
And Joan, you have done it.
To those of you who go all stinky foul on Joan. Jeez. Your posts just gum up the conversation. (And as my previous post points out, raise marital issues in my house.)
But it's true, Joan, that you too have demanded that Obama enact a ritual precisely similar to the HUAC. (Did I get that acronym right?)
I'm glad Obama gave it because I want to see his policy objectives accomplished.
And we are distracted from a focus on policy at GREAT peril.
Proof: Bush.
I believe Obama has the best opportunity to advance those objectives because of his broad fund raising success. THAT already is a change. And, to my knowledge, a big one. All nuts and bolts and nitty gritty detailed elbow greased hard work.
And this horrifying cultural hazing has, it seems, been required of him.
But we should be trying to figure out WHY that is, instead of joining the chorus.
The revulsion against Wright is racist.
Yes, his argument contains a few whacked out ideas (right/left brains, etc.), but the central thrust that African American anger is righteous and NOT necessarily subversive, ...
No... you know what. The truth is... I'm thinking about the Farakan (I know I didn't spell THAT right) statements... Wright was bating the press and everyone else. He was challenging us to prove we were not racist by swallowing a load of bull along with some righteous truths. And if we couldn't swallow the bull, then that would prove we ARE racist.
See? This is difficult because the issues Wright addresses and his central argument ARE righteous. He IS prophetic in that sense.
But -- though I think it wrong to rebuke him for his terrific flair -- it's GOOD to be entertaining -- ESPECIALLY for a preacher or anyone else with an important story to tell -- BUT, he is obviously also an ASS.
Now, here is a terrible tragedy and it sticks in my craw: the institutions of America -- WHITE America -- share responsibility for Wright's excesses. He is reviled for his anger, which overcomes his reason.
But, truly, isn't that anger hard to look at because if I were caught in the same historical predicament, would I not also be consumed by an anger so intense it would be hard to breathe?
Thinking of this, mustn't we genuinely marvel at Obama's poise and equanimity?
Okay -- and THIS is also a REAL problem -- it can at least partly be attributed to the fact that Obama is NOT the son of the son of an actual man-owned-as-chattel. He is in a real way an OUTSIDER to the AfricanAMERICAN experience.
Whew! This is all so complicated.
Help. What am I trying to say?
-
Is THAT racist?
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The suggestion that a black man or woman is "caught in" an "historical predicament?"
I can't see my hand in front of my face!
BUT... if HRC takes us into a war with Iran because of this crappola with Wright, every soul who fanned the flames of this distraction will have blood on their hands.
Remember how it was a big serious issue that Gore was a liar?
-
@weeping
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"founded in legitimate grievances and observations about American social dynamics, history, etc."
Joan, you engage weeping generally, but I'd love to see you address this specific observation.
Is it true or not?
If it's true, what does that mean?
-
@GThrasher: "I cannot soldier on."
[Read the article: Obama "outraged" by Wright]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]But, do.
b.c. the pain you feel -- the terrible "catch 22" you accurately describe -- the articulation you are capable of
matter.