The news is still abuzz over the spark and surprised remarks of Barack Obama’s former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Now, granted I have never set foot in a United Church of Christ to hear a pastor like him speak, or in this case of delivering the "good news" for about 20 minutes plus on a Sunday. Now, this may shock some of you for reading this, but I’m going to say something that might say or raise eyebrows. I’m going to say it right now: It’s misunderstood. There I said it! Misunderstood from those who thinks he preaches hate. Even some of the pastors here in Milwaukee thinks that Rev. Wright’s comments are misunderstood. Read the article "Local Pastors Say Wright Is Misunderstood" from last week’s Journal Sentinel. First off, I never seen nor hear the comments or sermons of Rev. Wright in person, except on Youtube. Now I did caught some clips of the minister preaching about the problems that America had endured with blacks. Instead of asking "why he’s preaching hate", it should be truly asked, what was the motive? Or in this case, why did he say it? What was the purpose of him talking about "God (whatever) America" for the government intervene on the negative side of not leaving other countries alone, which would later, be regrettable. Or, his opinion of the government introducing HIV, and more prisons to the black community. This is the same pastor who earned degrees from Howard University, University of Chicago Divinity School, United Theological Seminary, stood as professor at Garrett Evangelistical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. This is the same campus where my older sister received her Masters in Divinity back in 1999, and it does have connections with the United Methodist Church, and Northwestern University. And believe or not, Rev. Wright once served in the Armed Forces, in the 2nd Division of the United States Marine Corps.
I promised my current Pastor that I wouldn’t mentioned him on this blog.(whom is black and doesn’t preach hate) But we were talking about him today, I would say again, because he did mentioned him on Easter. And he summarized that some of the things that Rev. Wright talked about, most folks wouldn’t be able to say. It’s like, not to put anyone on the spot, to say blacks know about more of the truth behind America’s failures and mishaps, on the other hand, whites don’t want to hear it. But, it is what it is. That was the basis of the buzz sort of speak. It’s just like Bill Cosby four years ago when he was traveling across the country about proper parenting, crime, education, jobs problems in the black community. Or when he once said that "Milwaukee, you are city that is put on notice. I didn’t do it. You notified yourself". I have to admit, some of that was true. If you go to the library or an any other source, look up "A Commitment to Change" from 2004 which Bill Cosby was a guest at North Division High School. We (in reference to the city) have been put on notice based on what happened previously. And he was ended up being called a racist or a sellout against the Black Community, just because he said some comments that most people or some are afraid to speak out. Or, almost like Eugene Kane talks about race in the Journal, which some of it is the truth, but for some don’t want to admit the "point-blank range" truth, which is stared in the face. All of this, is like a big huge reality-check. Now since this is out in the open, do I have to agree with the talks or comments of Rev. Wright? Probably not. But his viewpoints are somewhat to examine even further.
So why all of this? Why all the hype of what he said? It speaks for itself. Some of it maybe "radical", or "off base". Or better yet "off the meter". Whatever you think about it, it has generated a buzz for us to think even further of asking why and how. Maybe he’s a "Old-school" throwback of ministers that truly spoke out things that most people wouldn’t dare to cross the bridge. Or ministers who reminds us of churches that took a stand against the evils in the community, while others sit down. Obviously, that has been passed up too many times. Do I think that Rev. Wright didn’t provoke the truth of America’s problems with the government in a philosophical way? Probably so. Was he venting and not being anti-American? Absolutely.
Now, what is Patriotism? Dictionary.com defines the word as "Devoted love, support, and defense of one’s country; national loyalty. Or it can mean "Love and devotion to one’s country." Our ex-president Bill Clinton questioned Barack’s Patriotism as in during the General Election. Well, I read what Bill had to say, but let me say this. I think Barack Obama so far, is answering his Patriotism. I think he is. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I know he’s no General Patton, Norman Schwartzkopf, Tommy Franks, or Colin Powell. But I hypothesize, (still using that word!) that he expresses it in another view point. Take a look at his latest speech that he gave in Philadelphia last week, where he stood infront of 8 American Flags and talk about his family, his wife and kids. Plus his upbringings from his Kenyan Father and Greek Mother, in which he used them as an example of who he is. Hey, after I read that speech, and viewing it on Youtube, it begins to set foot to those who were asking, "who is really Barack Obama?" have probably got the answer. Ok it may not be the answer. But it could be a answer of starting to understand. Is that Patriotism? I don’t know what is. But whatever he expressed that day, probably got individuals reading. Yeah it was a cool speech. Well written and documented to a T, but behind the speech I think, is very clear of his objectives. Just my thought.
