Rev. Wright, Senator Obama and the Ghosts in the Room

very thoughtful piece. You are absoloutely right. The time has come for us as Americans to talk through the issue of race that has plagued us for hundreds of years. It is interesting to see that Obama as an african american is able to speak about the issue with such authenticity.

Thank you for your candid and intelligent response to the Rev. J. Wright and Senator Obama issue. I hope this incident can move us forward on the subject of race in America. It is unfortunate that many found Rev Wrights comments the exception as though there are no other African American Reverends that speak out in the same manner. I am not saying such speech is the status quo of African American Churches but as an African American, such speech is uttered from time to time during services. The Church in our communities commonly and traditionally serve as a meeting place to discuss social and political issues of the day just as during the Civil Rights movement. It is true that most members would find Rev. Wrights' speech non progressive but not hateful. They may view it more as a reminder of the consciousness of a nation who, in the past, has done the unthinkable in the name of hate and economic advancement. Rev. Wright may sound paranoid when speaking of AIDS/HIV in our communities but let's not forget our history documents government testing of black men with syphilis. I hope his comments gave educators and fighters for HIV information to strategize on how best to communicate or deliver prevention programs in the future. Finally, many of us have friends, family, politicians, and clergy alike that may have very prejudiced ideas that we do not agree with but we don't stop being their family, golf buddy, friend or whatever. We simply know that we are not on the same page as these indivduals and steer clear of confrontation. Although, as individuals we are in better proximity with each other to make a difference in race relations, we usually do nothing positive or negative to discourage the opinion or thinking of others. Therefore, it seems unreasonable to hold any political figure White, Black, Hispanic, or otherwise to such a standard. Such a standard should begin with us as individuals and then be upheld by our political leaders. Once again thank you for your article.

ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT GOD SAID FORGIVE YOUR ENEMY NOT SEVEM TIMES BUT SEVENTY SEVEN TIMES.......PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMY AND LOVE YOUR ENEMY AS I LOVE YOU

We seem to relegate to the background that God is real and that He made all things; man being part of. Because of this, many of us have fallen head over heels with satan's lies about one version of a skin color being supreme than another.
Interestingly, all flesh; whatever your color, form or make do vanish after a brief spell of existence on this earth as God said in His word. So who benefits most with all these hullabaloos of skin color fever the enemy satan has used so effectively and efficiently to man's demise since time immemorial? Do we recognize his deft hands at the very core of our lives at all? am afraid many don't, thats why they will remain insatiable.
My last straw is that if God has willed Obama to preside over this land He made, he will prevail.

I attend a very conservative Christian school where a very well respected professor recently said, "You know God Damn America is almost right because how can we ask God to bless America when America hasn't blessed God." I don't think Wright's comments are all that controversial. Patriotism can be a good thing, but not when patriotism and religion come to be synonymous. Even though Obama sat in that church for twenty years doesn't mean he agreed with everything Wright said. Just like my professor (who I happen to agree with), but I'm sure there are plenty of people who would disagree with him, but that doesn't make him less Christian . You can disagree with someone, but still respect and love them. I am proud of Obama for not disowning Wright. It's pretty un-christian to disown people anyway. And to Jean regarding your old saying, "You are know by the friends you keep" well Christ kept some pretty unappealing friends-prostitutes, traitors, etc. We're all sinners, besides, where in the bible does it say that being un-patriotic is a sin.

If you are born in America, raised in America, attended American Schools, born to American Citizen parents, YOU ARE AMERICAN...SURPRISE! It doesnt' matter what your color is or where your ancestors are from.My mothers ancestors are still on the Reservation. My Fathers ancestor's came from Wales. He is also part Irish and German. What does that make me? Just your "Typical white Grandmother".

Obama should be praised for some of his poignant appeals to heal our nation's racial divides. But, he delivered this speech only to retrieve a floundering campaign and really therefore showed no real leadership. He did not stand courageously and take responsibility for his irresponsible membership in a church that was built in part on militant Black racism. He arrogantly proclaimed and lectured us how he represents a healing vision to unite our racial divides because he is half black and half white and implied that he has this strength of character and leadership born out of this unique background. Wrong!! He showed no leadership in his church for 20 years in healing racial divides. Never saying l word to bring reconciliation in the urban ghetto of South Chicago. In fact his 20 years of membership, begs the question. Why? Pastor Wright and his church offered Obama the route to his political ambitions. To show leadership and confront Pastor Wright would have been making a powerful enemy that would have dashed these ambitions. Obama has made his political rise in Illnois State Politics as a member from his southside district on a very radical platform that earned him the highest liberal ratings for members of the Illinois legislature. He has continued this as a member of the Black Caucus in the U.S. Senate. Never did he reach across party lines and bring policies of reconciliation which include militant support of partial birth of abortion or bankrupting entitlement programs. He accepted no guilt in his speech and no responsibility but only pulled out the "boogeyman" of evil corporate America and how they are responsible for the real problems of America that supposedly all Americans can unite and direct their anger and frustrations toward correcting. That's called leadership by the liberal media and Frank Schafer??