The Fallout of the Obama/Wright Controversy Is Nothing New
Commentary by Gary A. Johnson
For the record, I did not want to write this column. I am sick of the mainstream media deciding that Rev. Wright is going to be the dominant political story for weeks and weeks on end. I felt this column may contribute to that, however, after some deliberation I decided to put my views out in the blogosphere to add some perspective as to why this situation with Rev. Wright and Barack Obama continues to dominate the headlines and serve as a wedge between black folks, pastors and their church hierarchy.
Are you ready? What I’m about to say is not sour grapes or whining. It is what I believe to be THE fundamental truth if you are a black man living in America. Barack Obama is a charter member of the “Double Standard Club.” According to the current by-laws, if you are an active member of the “Double Standard Club” you will be held accountable for every other black person’s views and behaviors. That means that Barack Obama, by society’s view must answer questions and explain Rev. Wright to the rest of the general public.
Some white political figures are held accountable and others are not. It seems that those who are held accountable for the controversial opinions and behaviors of their pastors or colleagues are not held accountable to the same degree as their black counterparts. For example, MSNBC’s “The Verdict with Dan Abrhams,” CNN’s “AC 360″ featuring Anderson Cooper and FOX’s “Hannity’s America” starring Sean Hannity have all devoted special programming to the Obama-Wright Controversy. Hillary Clinton was grilled over Geraldine Ferraro’s remarks, however I don’t recall network specials on their relationship weeks after the incident. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, I am saying it usually doesn’t happen the way it is happening to Barack Obama.
It ain’t fair, but until the current system is changed, that’s the way it is.
Many in the mainstream media have made it their business to make sure that Rev. Wright and his antics cause “Jerry Springer” like debates on buses, in barber shops, beauty salons, classrooms and in the church among pastor and church members.
If you don’t like what’s going on, then the next question is: “What can you do?” The first thing you need to do is to make a commitment. If Barack Obama is your guy you stick with him. You can’t quit, you can’t lose focus, you just have to suck it up, be strategic and work smarter.
All is not lost. Obama can still win the democratic nomination. Yes, there is some truth to some of what Rev. Wright said, particularly when it comes to his social commentaries. In some ways, I think Rev. Wright is a brilliant guy who is “caught up” and determined to get his 15-minutes of fame. Further, I believe that people who don’t want Barack Obama to win the democratic nomination and the presidency have deliberately taken some of Rev. Wright’s words and positions out of context to slow or derail Obama’s momentum in the campaign.
Folks, this is “big boy” politics. Barack Obama has to find the right balance to play with the big boys and girls, gain white support and stay above the political fray. Whether you agree with him or not, Rev. Wright has made it clear that he is going to make himself a part of this campaign. Depending upon what “street corner” you’re standing on, the issue with Rev. Wright is a combination of a race issue, a generational issue and of course a political issue.
Some have argued that Obama started this mess when he “dissed” Rev. Wright by not inviting him to be present publicly when he kicked off his presidential campaign and when Obama publicly told the nation that Rev. Wright held a distorted view of the nation. Obama further referred to his spiritual mentor as “divisive.” Did Obama break some type of unwritten code? You be the judge. I say, “No.”
Barack Obama is a savvy politician running for president of the United States. I’m not saying that he will do and say anything to get elected; I’m simply reminding you that he is a politician who made a politically expedient decision to put some distance between himself and Rev. Wright. That’s what smart politicians do. Is that throwing Rev. Wright under the bus? Again, you be the judge.
Obama better be prepared to be grilled on the issue of his judgment. The Wright controversy puts the spotlight on a man Obama has known for two decades. A man who introduced him to Christianity, married him and baptized his daughters. It’s not that he didn’t know about Rev. Wright’s views; it’s how he chose to manage the situation over the years that people are evaluating.
In closing, if Obama is your guy I suggest that you forget about Rev. Wright. Take him off of your radar screen. Take a deep breath and regroup.
Don’t get mad, get strategic!
Gary Johnson is the Founder & Publisher of Black Men In America.com a popular online magazine on the Internet and the Black Men In America.com Blog. Gary is also the author of the new book “25 Things That Really Matter In Life.”
May 2, 2008 at 11:16, pm
Interesting theory. How is it that Hilary, white woman, Clinton had to deal with answering to the press/public for weeks about Geraldine Ferraro, Bill Clinton and her relationship to him, and his potential influence on her Presidency, and it is a “double standard” for the press and some of the public to question Barack’s relationship with his former Pastor who doesn’t have enough sense to sit down and be quiet? I see a double standard, alright. And it is not with the treatment of Obama in the media. It is with people who are alarmed because Obama did not deal genuinely with his relationship and knowledge of Wright’s theology from the beginning, so that he does not look like he is jockeying for a salvagable position now. Obama should be challenged about his prior allegiance to Wright as his pastor and the once who he willingly permitted his entire family to be a strong pastoral influence to just as Hilary White Woman Clinton would have to, had she had a 20 yr relationship with a controversial white Pastor.
May 3, 2008 at 2:37, pm
The problem we are having in the Black community as I see it is one conscience. Our pastors and our churches have been the anchors in the lives of many of our people for as long as we can remember. For many of us, these symbols of God’s presence in our midst remain anchors to help through the storms of life and in the joys of life.
The actions of Senator Obama and the response of Pastor Wright have been now challenging us to reflect deeply on whom we are, what we believe, and how we practice what we believe. Jesus raised a question very early in his ministry, “Who do say I am?” This is the time for Black Christians to prayerfully ask the same question… “Who do you say we are?” However, if we accept the definition of whom we are or who we want to be from dominant society, then we may be accepting a distorted and twisted image of ourselves imposed by forces outside of us. Look at how we have been further divided and conquered over the situation regarding Senator Obama and Pastor Wright. Who are the real enemies of our people? Perhaps, the real enemy is within us.
Black Christians regardless of faith tradition genuinely hold to a traditional understanding that their pastors are anointed of God, and speak the words of life in God’s name. This “theological” view is no different of Black Roman Catholics who view the pope as the vicar of Christ on earth; Black Orthodox Christians who revere their Patriarchs as those servants anointed with God’s favor; or Black Baptists, Methodists, Lutherans, and COGICS, for example, who believe the pastor’s have been “set apart” for the ministry. Non-Christians for example, Tibetan Buddhists view the Dai Lama as the “reincarnated” Buddha; Muslims (Shia and Sunni) look upon their spiritual leaders with respect. The examples I use are to point out that something deeper occurred which may be at the root and in the heart of the Black community. It certainly affected me, a contemplative Black Christian priest here in Chicago. Something inside of me didn’t sit well.
American culture (USA) with its emphasis on “separation of church and state,” has done great harm to all religious traditions by reducing the influence of religion rooted in churches, and promoting a pseudo-religion of the state, which sees itself as the supreme pontifical voice of all the people. This too may be why some of us can easily support the senator’s behavior of disavowal and distancing of Pastor Wright. What I see now is someone who very much wants to be “Caesar,” the supreme pontiff of America. America has now become the “New Jerusalem.” Unfortunately, the division among Black folks (Christian clergy and laity) is because some among us, in my view, who have discarded our sacred traditions, have been bought and sold by American culture…. These group of Black folk our colluders in perpetuating our own oppression.
The drama between Senator Obama and Pastor Wright played out on the public stage were egregious and immoral. It reminded me of the passion of Jesus through his crucifixion and death. Who is Jesus in this public drama? Pastor Wright. Senator Obama betrays, denies, and convicts this pastor. What did the pastor do wrong? Pastor Wright spoke truth, the same truth that he professed and as practiced all during his 36 years of ministry. Pastor Wright spoke the truth in front of those whose intention it was to demean, and demoralize him…. But it was the senator that nailed the good pastor to the cross.
This drama also surfaced another challenge for Black folk which may be causing inner turmoil that was a public rifting between two Black men, one younger and the other an elder with a long personal relationship, however defined. We are decrying the fact of a crisis among Black boys and men; the lack of strong positive role models, and then we sit and watch in horror as the younger Black man (who knew not his own father) disavows the elder Black man (father-figure). All one has to do is read Senator Obama’s book, The Audacity of Hope to see how much Pastor Wright meant to him.
Are there any solutions?
(1) If the actions that took place on the public stage aren’t addressed at some point, the moral damage in our community will carry further moral depravity. It’s important that our pastoral leaders address the situation individually and collectively, and without judgment as we reaffirm our belief that “I am because we are.” If we do, subscribe to this view then we should look to Black South Africans, Nelson Mandela, and Archbishop Tutu as a models to help us live the spirit of Ubuntu.
(2) There is disconnection between Black Christian theology in the academy and the everyday reality of Black folks. Black Christians (lay and clergy) should spend time learning about Black Liberation Theology with its biblical roots, and Black theologians and pastors should do a better job of educating their congregations about the meaning of liberation theology instead of the “prosperity gospel,” a heresy in the Christian tradition. Perhaps an understanding and appreciation would enhance what our belief and better move us to practice what we profess on our lips.
(3) Black and non-Black pastors regardless of their denominational affiliation and without taking sides between Obama and Wright should individually and collectively respond to this moral lacuna according to chapter 18 of the gospel of Matthew, where we find Jesus addressing sin against God because of our offenses against our neighbor caused by our “ego.”
(4) Regarding Senator Obama and Pastor Wright, those who carry the soul of our people must now take the initiative to bring about forgiveness and reconciliation. Who are these individuals? –Black women. Mrs. Michelle Obama is the rock of the Obama family. It may very well be through her quiet way, joined by her mother, and the women of Trinity United Church of Christ, that will be bring about forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation. It will also be our women regardless of their position, who must unite to protect and defend that which is sacred to us … that no political campaign can destroy. I pray at least for God’s grace that will one day bring forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation not only between Senator Obama and Pastor Wright, but all us.
Finally, if nothing I said matters, Senator Obama may very well become president. My challenge to him however as a Christian is “what does it profit one to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” How can you move us to rise about our divisions, if you cannot and will not be reconciled with your brother or the community that nurtured your identity? You can speak eloquently, but “if you don’t love, you’re nothing more than hot air.” For my brother, Pastor Wright, prophets are messy folk and they must always remember, that “it is not my will, but God’s will be done, and I must continue to “die to self so that Christ may increase.”
Yes, it is easy and expedient to suggest that we focus on Senator Obama and summarily dismiss Pastor Wright. As for me, I’m challenged to act on what I profess with my lips and in my heart…something greater beyond myself. “Where charity and love prevail there God is ever found…. Brought here together by God’s love, by love are we thus bound.”
Peace!
May 3, 2008 at 8:24, pm
This controversy is distracting me with my mission to raise mentally strong, successful, have unconditional love for his fellow man and woman youths. I taught a lesson in Sunday school a few weeks ago to young, impressionable, colored youth about creating and living in Harmony with one another, basically building bridges instead of fences. Fences create DIVISION and BRIDGES create harmony. I feel that this Controversy IS NEW, we are trying to advance not live in the past. It is depressing to see this highly publicized controversy and have a title for this story as nothing new or why don’t you just say “Business as Usual in the Colored Community” or “Self Destructive Behavior in the High Society Colored Community”. Seems like REV. WRIGHT DONE SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL FOR SOME GOOD PUBLICITY FOR HIS CHURCH, I WOULDN’T KEEP GOING TO THAT CHURCH EITHER! Every time we look at a problem in the Colored Community we say it’s nothing new. If we are trying to advance and get the respect from other ethnicity’s, will we ever decide if ANY problem is new. “The fundamental characteristics of reality is change itself”. EVERYTHING AROUND THE COLORED COMMUNITY IS CHANGING, AND OUR SELFISH, JEALOUS WAYS HAS DEVOURED OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN WILL WE EVER LOVE EACH OTHER WITHOUT CONDITIONS!!! WHEN WILL OUR FRATERNITIES, SORORITIES, MASONIC MEN, SO CALLED CHRISTIANS, AND OF COURSE OUR REAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS LIVE BY WHAT THEY PREACH. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS, AS RESPONSIBLE ADULTS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS. STOP COMPLAINING AND START TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR YOUTH. HARD HEADED PARENTS, CREATE DESTRUCTIVE YOUTH, WHO DEVOUR AND DESTROY OUR COMMUNITIES!!!
May 3, 2008 at 11:45, pm
“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.”
“Because they control the minds of the masses.”
This is a quote by Malcolm X.
Only in America
The most successful presidents have always been open and hopeful, sunny and optimistic about the promise of American equality and opportunity. But there has long been a dark side to democratic politics, a willingness to play on prejudice, to get men and women to vote their fears and not their hopes. Those prejudices fade and seem to die down, but they never quite go away. They remain embers for cunning political operatives to fan into flames.
In close elections, decided on the margins, it is discouraging to think that a small minority of racists could make the difference.
[{Newsweek article-April 2008}]
An excerpt
Mr. Johnson your article here is eloquent and speaks with intelligence and scholarly reasoning. It is just so bad that a lot of America can not get it because of something way bigger than all of us black folk here in this country. That is why the quote and the excerpt. Barack Obama made a decision that is very understandable to me, and he will continue to receive my support and my vote. The two parts I place here before I made comment are to show some thinking for myself. I see that there are a lot who want to be so upset and mad at the Reverend Wright (black and white), I am not one of those. The truth to power or the power of truth is always good to me. The white supremacist mindset of a lot of America is what we the African American black community has had to deal with since the beginning history of the United States of America. Both Barack Obama and Revered Wright have had to deal with this in our society and each in their own way. As for the religious stuff I am a man who has taken his own direction with that and let there be more good moral ethical noble humane intelligent reasoning be with as many men and women as can get it from God. Thanks for allowing my two cents worth here. Peace and blessings be with all. Mr. Bromont
May 4, 2008 at 4:17, pm
Just another thought here. I am glad you wrote this article Mr. Gary Johnson
June 5, 2008 at 4:48, am
Now Wright is comparable to Jesus, my Jesus???????? This is too much for one blog! Wright told the truth, as in AIDS is a plague created with the intention to kill Black people? Where is the proof for this hypothesis– which is not “truth”?????? where Tupac Shakur is hiding? As for the Black liberation theology nonsense, the role of the pastor and the inspired messages have helped us–which by the way is not a homogeneous us–just as it has helped any other people who deal with suffering, struggling and oppression. This is not a Black thing, it is a God thing. As a licensed and ordained Christian minister, I will never stand for reducing the Word of God to propagate an agenda that promotes a man’s ideology based upon his own human experience. The only man who qualified for such emphasis is Jesus and He died for us, not Wright. Wright needs to be like Jesus and OPEN NOT HIS MOUTH.