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1

I love how everything with you is black and white.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 29, 2008 10:51 AM
2

Since when is an atheist Marxist from Zimbabwe an expert on the American black church?

Posted by Hernandez | April 29, 2008 10:52 AM
3

Because his skin is black, Hernandez. We can never understand. He can.

Posted by Mr. Poe | April 29, 2008 10:56 AM
4

Republicans can exploit this all they want, but it's superfluous. If they respected black culture they wouldn't be Republicans in the first place so what does it get them? But for Democrats? The black church is the new electric third rail.

Posted by elenchos | April 29, 2008 10:58 AM
5

Rev. Wright is pretty mild compared to some of the black preachers I've seen, which makes sense, since he's UCC (Congregationalist). If you listened to his sermon or listened to him on Bill Moyers, what he's trying to say, but no one's listening because they don't want to hear it, is that we shouldn't worship the U.S.A. government. Which approximately 69% of the US population wouldn't think of doing because GWB is a turd.

Posted by Dope | April 29, 2008 11:03 AM
6

I guess when I think about my sociology class, I guess I have a hard time grasping much of minority stuff in the states.

I mean, I came from an underclass, but then again I'm also white male.

I'm also not trying to burst through any glass ceilings with my career as I'm a only scientist (scientists have different prejiduces), and not into business. I suppose I can't really compare too much.

But thinking of where I came from, the self disipline to make something of myself, yes I do believe it is possible to make something of yourself from anywhere (yet hard!)

What this has to do with anything, I guess the only thing I completely buy about "white privelage" is the fact that we don't have to consider it in our daily lives. We can go on our ways completely oblivious of communities that are advertantly/inadvertantly sepparated from our own.

When I listen to cermons of Rev. Wright, I wonder if the black experience is 1 part the shitty economic/social experience of minority america and 2 parts self fulfilling profecy in that by only clinging to pain will we be able to retain our identity. That said, the will power of one person to remain positive and focused in the light a VERY negative community is very difficult, if not possible, and issolating. I guess it's no wonder that when someone makes it out of the old neighborhood, they move.

Read carefully, before you acuse me of being an ignorant whatever... CONSTRUCTIVE feedback and sensitivity training is requested.

Posted by OR Matt | April 29, 2008 11:08 AM
7

This is what happens - you give 'em an inch and the next thing you know they get all uppity and start thinking they can be President. We should have kept them in the cotton patches like God intended.

Posted by Bwana | April 29, 2008 11:08 AM
8

I have absolutely no qualms with the logic of this post, which is troubling and difficult to type. But still, bravo.

Posted by Juris | April 29, 2008 11:08 AM
9

It's interesting, there was a Juan Williams commentary on NPR this morning that disagreed with your post entirely. I suggest you check it out.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90024842

Posted by Elizabeth | April 29, 2008 11:21 AM
10

The narrative of the Obama campaign has been that we're moving past race, that we are uniting as a country motivated by hope and change.

So, I am still unclear how Rev. Wright continuing to make statements about how blacks are different from whites helps Obama move the country past race.

I did appreciate his explanation for why I don't have rhythm though.

Posted by PopTart | April 29, 2008 11:26 AM
11

It shouldn't matter what church Obama goes to, or even if he goes to church, and the problem is not white mainstream vs. black mainstream. The problem is the mixing of religion and politics. It is sad that Obama has to denounce his former pastor, because Mr. Wright should be irrelevant to the whole process.

Posted by crazycatguy | April 29, 2008 12:40 PM
12

On the bright side, all this stuff keeps his Imam out of the news....

Posted by NapoleonXIV | April 29, 2008 12:47 PM
13

"Since when is an atheist Marxist from Zimbabwe an expert on the American black church?"

The smartest comment on Slog ever.

Posted by CA | April 29, 2008 7:40 PM
14

Charles, does this mean you're going to 'shed' bedding white heterosexual women in order to stay in the non-mainstream, which is apparently so important to you? I'm assuming it does, but I just wanted to give you the chance to confirm in public. Looking forward to your clarifcation!

Posted by croydonfacelift | April 29, 2008 11:59 PM

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