Letters to the Editor
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Joan.
You seem to be focused on the whole "he stayed there for 20 years" thing. I get that, it's the common theme in all of the chatter about this. But I would think as a self-professed Irish Catholic you'd know how meaningless that actually is. I'm a French Catholic and have been a member of the same parish for over twenty years. I was confirmed there, my sister was married there, my father's funeral was held there and both my nephew's baptisms were there. You'd assume from this that I go there weekly, but I don't. I go maybe once every other month (which is more than anyone else in my family). But if you asked me if I'm a practicing Catholic I'll say yes, and that I'm a member of that parish. And the parish knows me as a member.
I'm sure you know numerous Catholics exactly like me. My priests over the years have said some stunningly offensive things (not to mention their tacit approval of child abuse). But I don't think anyone would ever assume to know me through my priests (even though I've had personal dealings with them many times). If I was to run for political office no one would ever say "his priest is on record saying that he finds gay marriage to be sinful! He does not deserve to be elected!"
I've been thinking about this alot lately, and there really is no other explanation for why my Roman Catholicism wouldn't be an issue were I to run for office...it's because I look white (I'm half Native, but you'd never know it). My religion, and my personal spiritual mentors (the priests I've had at my parish) have held opinions far more odious than what I've heard Wright say...and yet it wouldn't raise an eyebrow. Obama's "Wright" problem is solely because he's black. Can we please admit this?
And so I'm left Joan, wondering why you aren't taking a more strident tone in defending Obama against this pretty naked racism? I mean you've done alot of work exposing and denouncing the sexism on display this primary season...but here we have an example of Obama being eviscerated on racial tones (people can gussy it up with talk of "patriotism" but let's be honest...it's race) and you join in.
why?