2008 Woodie Awards
Obama's reverend is right
Uncommon Sense
Abel Tomlinson
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Opinion
In Sen. Barack Obama's epic speech on racism and unity, he unequivocally rejected controversial comments by his former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. However, as a poor white country boy from Middle America, I cannot disregard Wright's truthfulness.
Reality check: despite talking-bobble-head pundits hysterically yapping about racism, Wright said nothing racist or hateful.
If we simmer down and examine Wright's words carefully, we would notice that he rightly criticizes the unjust policies of America's rich, white male rulers. I hold an identical critical view. Perhaps our criticism is motivated not by skin pigmentation, but by knowledge of socioeconomic injustice?
Wright and I both share deep frustration, even anger, toward the unjust, deadly policies of current American governance. This governance is overwhelmingly controlled by wealthy white men. Since American founding, rich white men have defined our "reality," financially guided our elections and dominated all major political parties and our wealthiest corporations. This is sad truth, not racism.
Like Jesus, we both know economic inequality causes substantial injustice that harms the poor. For instance, there is great disparity in educational funding and opportunities for the poor and minorities in America. There is also a vast difference in poor people's access to health care when compared to wealthy people.
We are also concerned that our criminal "justice" system is unjust in many laws, which disproportionately harm the poor and minorities. Most specifically, the War on Drugs fuels the imprisonment of more than a million non-violent offenders, disproportionately poor and black drug offenders. This injustice also leaves millions of children fatherless in impoverished, broken families.
Obviously, these unjust policies seem to be white racism to many poor blacks, which raises a crucial question. What is worse: potentially racist comments that harm no one or potentially racist policies that impoverish, imprison and kill millions?
Reality check: despite talking-bobble-head pundits hysterically yapping about racism, Wright said nothing racist or hateful.
If we simmer down and examine Wright's words carefully, we would notice that he rightly criticizes the unjust policies of America's rich, white male rulers. I hold an identical critical view. Perhaps our criticism is motivated not by skin pigmentation, but by knowledge of socioeconomic injustice?
Wright and I both share deep frustration, even anger, toward the unjust, deadly policies of current American governance. This governance is overwhelmingly controlled by wealthy white men. Since American founding, rich white men have defined our "reality," financially guided our elections and dominated all major political parties and our wealthiest corporations. This is sad truth, not racism.
Like Jesus, we both know economic inequality causes substantial injustice that harms the poor. For instance, there is great disparity in educational funding and opportunities for the poor and minorities in America. There is also a vast difference in poor people's access to health care when compared to wealthy people.
We are also concerned that our criminal "justice" system is unjust in many laws, which disproportionately harm the poor and minorities. Most specifically, the War on Drugs fuels the imprisonment of more than a million non-violent offenders, disproportionately poor and black drug offenders. This injustice also leaves millions of children fatherless in impoverished, broken families.
Obviously, these unjust policies seem to be white racism to many poor blacks, which raises a crucial question. What is worse: potentially racist comments that harm no one or potentially racist policies that impoverish, imprison and kill millions?
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
teresa Stewart
posted 3/30/08 @ 11:16 PM CST
I don't feel that Obama's Pastor should be scandalized all over the news. The Bible tells us touch not my anointed do my prophet no harm. That means don't even put your mouth on him. (Continued…)
Myra
posted 3/30/08 @ 11:17 PM CST
I fully agree.
stephen
posted 3/30/08 @ 11:33 PM CST
Reverend Wright's statement to the effect that the US government created the AIDS virus to murder people of color is "right"?
Tell that to the families of all the Caucasian gay people who've died of the disease!
JanetP
posted 3/31/08 @ 5:56 AM CST
It is just stunning to me that Jeremiah Wright is being hailed as a hero after the airing of his outrageous anti-American and anti-white rants. And, as well, that Obama joins him on the throne for his speech that came 20 years late. (Continued…)
R D P
posted 3/31/08 @ 7:21 AM CST
That's funny, almost every time someone calls me a racist they bring up 'socioeconomic injustice' as if there is a conspiracy to keep any race of people from earning as much money as I do. (Continued…)
Quixotical
posted 3/31/08 @ 2:58 PM CST
GREAT COMMENTARY! Reverend wright spoke the truth. But what more do you expect from the average institutionalized american. I wish people would educate themselves on the facts. (Continued…)
DavidP
posted 4/01/08 @ 12:04 PM CST
Reverend Wright said some unflattering things about America.
My country right or wrong - right?
WRONG!
Reverend Wright's statements might be inflammatory, but that doesn't mean there isn't truth in them. (Continued…)
Mike S
posted 4/04/08 @ 1:15 PM CST
"Governments lie." Wright went on to state: "The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. Governments lie. (Continued…)
hamiltongrad
posted 4/05/08 @ 9:17 AM CST
I may be late to this debate, but I am shocked at the logic of this article and of the statements. Just because you do not agree with XYZ does not make it wrong?
How about the KKK ? Do you agree with what they have to say ? No ? Just because you don't agree does not make their similar racist remarks wrong either, then . (Continued…)
BW
posted 4/06/08 @ 6:27 PM CST
This writer is clueless. He compares apples and oranges. You cannot compare August 6, 1945 to September 11, 2001. We were at war with Japan. We attacked military strategic targets. (Continued…)
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