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Many of us don't know much about Rev. Jeremiah Wright. We've heard the Bill O'Reilly soundbites. We've seen his 40-year legacy reduced to him being incorrectly labeled a "hater" on Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election. As educated Americans, I encourage us to move beyond the nonsense and make a serious attempt to understand the complexity and impact of Wright's socio-political contribution. It's time that we all get the facts straight.
Wright is the son of Dr. Mary Henderson Wright, a woman who earned her master's degree from the University of Chicago at the age of 19. For a black woman to achieve such a thing in the 1930s was simply astonishing. His father, Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Sr., has an equally impressive set of credentials. An educationally empowered home life, mixed with a passion for doing God's work, was the fuel for highly intellectual, fearless social activism that served as the foundation of Wright's long career in public service.
He is fluent in several languages and has four earned degrees. His church, the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, has long been one of the leading churches in the city, attracting a broad audience of progressive African Americans, including Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. The interesting right-wing accusation that he is "unAmerican" is conflicted by the fact that, unlike some of his most prominent critics, Wright has actually served in the military. I seriously doubt that Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly would be willing to risk their lives to support the views that they profess on the radio. The truth is that they are far more damaging to our great nation than Pastor Wright ever could be. To use hip-hop vernacular, Limbaugh, Hannity and O'Reilly are "studio gangsters" - men who sit behind a microphone and talk a big game but are far too cowardly to ever back it up.
To read Dr. Jeremiah Wright's bio in more detail, please click here. I encourage you to also listen to his sermons and read more about this man's astonishing legacy.
Barack Obama is a great man, but Wright goes pound for pound with the president when it comes to the scale of his social contributions. Wright was fighting against apartheid long before it was popular to do so. He has created ministries for HIV/AIDS and incarcerated Americans, established housing for senior citizens and helped poor children get tutoring after school. The United Nations has issued reports on American racism that agree with the positions of Dr. Wright, but unlike President Obama, he is willing to address these issues in public. While I cannot in one paragraph do justice to all of Dr. Wright's contributions, it is quite clear that this man was fighting for black people when Barack Obama was still in diapers. This does not disparage the growing legacy of President Obama, but one must make sure that we don't throw away all of our freedom fighters just because we have a president with black skin. As I mentioned in a separate article, racism forces us to choose between our leaders. The truth is that we don't have to choose between Barack and Jeremiah; we can support them both.
When it comes to Jeremiah Wright, the bottom line is this: Dr. Wright, in my opinion, is a living example of the old saying, "What would Jesus do?" Pastor Wright fights for the poor. He speaks truth to power. He allows his life to be guided by principles that transcend the warped incentives created by the pressures of man. While I am not one to say that Wright is perfect, the truth is that none of us are. But one thing we CANNOT do as people of color is to allow this man's empowered and productive legacy to be destroyed by one media incident and one presidential election. The world needs a Barack Obama. We also need a Jeremiah Wright to help keep President Obama honest.
I had a conversation with Karen Wallace, a prominent Chicago attorney who is very close to Rev. Wright. She also knows President Obama quite well and has been a member of Trinity United for several years. Karen and I were able to separate the truth from the madness, to ensure that America is able to get a clear picture of the legacy of Dr. Jeremiah Wright. The audio from that conversation is presented below.
Dr Boyce Watkins is a finance professor at Syracuse University. For more information, visit www.BoyceWatkins.com. To get his commentary sent directly to your inbox, click here.
Comments: (30)
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By: LaShawn on 7/04/2009 7:55PM
JL! Good to see your comment! I agree wholeheartedly. There is nothing wrong with being or identifying as African and American. Too many people died for me to dismiss their contributions by saying "i'm JUST American."
And my first reaction to the Rev. Wright actions re: Obama makes me think of Malcolm and Martin... where Malcolm knew he had to act in a drastically different way from Martin in order for whites to accept the "lesser of two evils" in terms of civil rights.
I haven't listened to any of the audio yet, but I will. Asking Americans to recognize their past and actively work towards making a better future is not Un-American or Un-Patriotic. It's what healthy people do. None of us can change the past. The most that we can control is the future. I don't hold my breath thinking that the majority of white folk will ever "get it" and feel compelled to apologize, let alone, change. I believe that in the end, they will be held accountable for their actions and lack thereof. it does me no good to swallow poison and hope that they die. I can educate myself and educate others.
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By: leightonvyrene on 7/05/2009 6:01AM
Whitegirl here.
I am apalled at how many Whitefolks are unfamiliar with the prophetic voice! Or even, the books of Kings & the Prophets!
These folks go to church expecting to have God back up their preconceptions, and, apparently, that is what they are used to HEARING!!!
The whole concept of a God who chastens his own is foreign to them.
THIS IS A CHALLENGE TO MAINLINE CATHOLICS & PROTESTANTS!!!!! WHOSE GOSPEL ARE YOU PREACHING??????? PLEASE, START READING YOUR SCRIPTURES!!!!!!
I myself am an atheist, and it angers me that to be elected President of the US, one must be both male & Christian. BUT if your pastor actually READS & FOLLOWS the example of the prophets (let alone JESUS)....As Rev. Wright does....you will be deemed un-patriotic.
Well, excuse me, but JESUS whom you call CHRIST was NOT a proponent of the NATION-STATE..(Render unto Caesar that which is Ceasar's....And to God that which is God's)...(Mt. 22: 15-21).(NOTE: this includes the US of A)!!!!!!!
Stick that in your pipe & smoke it. Get back to me when you are more educated.
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By: lacam31 on 7/06/2009 3:55AM
I support REV.Wright.He is just saying what a lot of black folk want to say but are not willing to say because of their status in society.Even President Obama know what the Rev. said was right on tune.
As bernie Mack use to say he is saying what you can't say or you are scared to say.Yes the Rev. Wright should be defended.Somebody need to have a backbone.
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By: Staci on 7/06/2009 9:00AM
Thanks, Boyce, for writing this commentary on Rev. Wright. He is a man who cares for the people and will stand up for the right thing. We need MORE PASTORS LIKE HIM! He is unapologetically and unashamedly black and we should continue to look to him as a source of inspiration and guidance. Thank you!
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By: stewart on 7/06/2009 11:05AM
what makes me mad is if we (black folks)express our opinion we are called a racist but people like Rush, Bill, and the dude that called the women's basketball team "nappy head" they can say what ever they want because it is their opinion.
When your white your right but if your black step back. I look at it this way if you don't like what the Rev. Wright has to say then don't attend his church. Sometime the truth hurts. lol
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By: cowboygary on 7/07/2009 1:27AM
Wright is a race baiter in the same category as Jackson and Sharpton. How can anyone make excuses for the US of KKK and the totally racist rhetoric of Wright? Most churches would have lost their tax-exempt status for the political diatribe from the pulpit--but not Wright. And then we-sniffle- support the garbage spewed from this miscreant. Our authorities have become petrified at taking action against, or even speaking out against, powerful Black leaders. Racism is alive and well in this country--and the minority population are the chief offenders.
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By: Andre on 7/08/2009 12:13PM
Although I understand that Rev. Wright has made an extraordinary contribution to our community and also comes from this incredible line of powerful and inspirational leaders within his own family, he was somehow not able to see the powerful moment in history that had arrived with the emergence of Barack Obama. He did everything in his power to derail and detract from Obama's mission to achieve the presidency. Does this mean that Rev Wright has no place in history or should be branded an egotistical fool and a racist? No. We should never allow the chattering class to determine our worth. Their agenda is suspect. But there is still something wrong when someone with this much education and importance cannot catch the vision and, "do the right thing", which in that particular moment in history may have been to keep your mouth shut until you know what the plan is. It would have been easy for him to coordinate his reaction with the Obama campaign. Instead, he chose to clown for the cameras. His legacy is intact but I think he needs to learn when to keep his extraordinary ego in alignment with his extraordinary gifts.
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By: Rev. Dr. Robert Yarbrough on 7/10/2009 6:22AM
As I said during the campaign, you guys were witness to the greatest dog and pony show ever. Rev. Wright raised us up a president and had enough foresight to create a diversion so that Barack and his people could make it through to the White House. I grew up in the "TRINITY HOOD."
You Better Ask Somebody!!!!!
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By: Deborah on 7/09/2009 11:14AM
Rev. Wright has been defamed because he told the truth about white America.I know the man personally. He is loved and respected by all who know him. America attacks all persons of color who speak the truth. President Obama owes a big debt to people of color who were responsible for him winning the election. If he fails to repay the debt, he may not win a second term. Black people must hold ALL elected officials accountable including our president. Anyone who does not share our vision for equality and freedom for black people should not benefit from our support.
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By: Mustafa Rasul Al-Amin on 7/12/2009 5:17AM
“Them Brothers Like Jeremiah Wright”
As them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Stand vigil throughout the night,
Shining The Creator’s Divine light,
On the immoralities and evils perpetrated by Whites,
On the immoralities and evils perpetuated by Whites,
Bourgeoisie Negroes run from the Divine light,
Shone through them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
And cast down on them wicked Whites,
As Negroes take flight,
Hiding in White nights,
Finding comfort in White nights,
Agreeing with wicked Whites,
Comforting wicked Whites,
Consoling wicked Whites,
And protecting wicked Whites…
And when them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Speak to the wrongs and evils done by Whites,
Addressing the vicious transgressions of Whites,
The inhumane transgressions of wicked Whites,
That directly affects Afrikan plights,
Our Brothers increase the ire of Whites,
Incurring the wrath of Whites,
Enduring the ostracizing of Whites,
As they are vilified by Whites,
And callously cast into the coldest depths of wicked White nights,
Whilst bourgeoisie Negroes run from the Divine light,
Whilst bourgeoisie Negroes try to avoid the ire of Whites,
Whilst bourgeoisie Negroes flee from the wrath of Whites,
Fearing the wrath of Whites,
They hide in the cold White nights of wicked Whites,
Chastising them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Crucifying them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Sacrificing them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Aiding and abetting wicked Whites,
All in the interests of wicked Whites,
And in the interests of protecting the interests of Whites…
When our Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Shine down The Creator’s Divine light,
Bourgeoisie Negroes mustn’t take flight,
They must take a stand, face the light, and choose to fight,
Be transformed into Afrikans, who dare not take flight and fear no fight,
Stop fleeing in fright like cowards in the night,
Become Afrikan warriors whose shields boldly reflect The Creator’s light,
Sheltering our Brothers like Jeremiah Wright from the viciousness of cold White nights,
Enabling the righteousness of The Creator’s Divine light,
To devour the iniquitous darkness of viciously cold wicked White nights,
We must begin to celebrate, cherish and defend them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright,
Whilst forever holding them Brothers like Jeremiah Wright, real close, and real tight…
“Mustafa Rasul Al-Amin”
(Saturday May 10, 2008)
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