News-Record.com

Interesting article by Martin E. Marty:

http://chronicle.com/free/v54/i30/30b00101.htm

So, maybe Wright is an emotional person who simply doesn't edit what he says?

I hope McCain taps current Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as his Vice President - that would surely sway all those who will vote for Obama just 'cause he is black and all those who will vote for Hillary just 'cause she is a woman.

I'm not sure Obama's "burden of race" is inexplicable except as a racist construction. His carrying this burden is, in fact, at the core of his appeal (otherwise he is a undistinguished legislator at the left end of the spectrum, plus charisma).

What Obama promises is the transcendence of the dead-end discourses of racial tribalism premised on a racial "we" that sees the other as qualitatively different. The Rev. Wright speaks the black version of this discourse, while the white version is apparent--usually in more muted tones, occasionally not--in any discussion of local schools. Pretty much any time a white person uses the introductory clause "I'm not a racist," he is about to articulate a tribally white idea.

People are tired of this. Some say we need a Monyihanian period of "benign neglect" of race ("stop talking about it so much and people will stop getting so counterproductively whipped up about it"); others believe we need a "healer." Obama appeals to both constituencies.

If that's a burden, it's also a burden that makes him the favorite for the presidency.

"Some say we need a Monyihanian period of "benign neglect" of race ("stop talking about it so much and people will stop getting so counterproductively whipped up about it")"

Probably not possible.

There are too many who have a vested interest in continuing to talk about it and continuing to get people counter-productively whipped up about it.

Do we not see evidence of that here in Greensboro from time to time, as appropriate?

As far as the Globe' columnist's point, he's right. Hillary gets a free pass on the issue.

I don't understand why.

I'm spending some more time mulling this over....
if I am being racist or looking at this through a white lens, please enlighten me. I try to be even-handed and fair in all my interactions with people. I may not always be successful, but that is alway my intent.

It's been my experience that a minister is more a reflection of the congregation's beliefs than the other way around...and I could be wrong--that is my experience. I truly don't understand how Obama continued to be a member of this church without understanding what was being taught. He's an intelligent man--what am I missing? I personally could not stay in a church where the minister said hateful things about other races. I've called people to task for racist, stereotypical remarks in conversations. Where was Obama all these years--why wasn't he calling people to task for racist remarks in his own church?

If I stayed in a church for 20 years that held racist views about blacks--or any other race for that matter , I think people could make some assumptions about my beliefs...and it would be hard to argue. I don't think my saying, "By the way, I don't agree with those racist statements" would be an adequate answer. I think that not only would my views on race would be questioned, but my veracity would be questioned.

I would appreciate some opposing views.

And yes, Hillary should be questioned also.

Allen,
My questions have been too harsh in tone. I have set myself up as "right" and Obama as "wrong," which is ego personified. I don't understand the situation with Obama and his church but my current lack of understanding is no reason to cast aspersions, political or otherwise, on another human being.

I do hope that the person who prevails in this election can bring our country together--that will be the mark of a truly great president and leader.