This was an incredibly wonderful way to conclude this Inauguration. It was so powerful, so full of genuine love and hope.

Puh leez – “black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.”
Let’s keep the seperation ongoing so people like Lowery and Jesse can still have a purpose in life.
Good grief.

Class envy (favoritism toward the rich), pluralism (our mosques, or wherever we seek your will) and racism (when white will embrace what is right) … here’s hoping this benediction isn’t foreshadowing the future path.

Best lines of the day.

I am saddened when one cannot listen to a prayer such as this and not be moved by its power and its message. I agree with Mari that the benediction was a beautiful conclusion to this ceremeony. We all need to give more love, hope and compassion in our daily lives.

I am white and I embrace what is right…I take issue with his closing prayer asking God to help us work for that day when white will embrace what is right. What a divisive, pitiful ending to an otherwise wonderful ceremony!

Some of these comments remind me of what my friend Scott twittered…
“Christians who do not get satire and parody should stay away from the Internet. It’s far too dangerous for you to be here.”

Rev. Lowery stole the show, bless him!

This prayer is impossible to parody.

I was riding in the car today on the way to lunch when I heard Rev. Lowery’s benediction and I thought it is a powerful statement of the message of the gospel. The Bible is filled with images of judgment upon nations and people who ignore the poor.
Then, after lunch, I had the “joy” of listening to Rush Limbaugh trash the opening of Lowery’s prayer by calling it nothing more than the old liberal playbook. And I realized today that, well, I guess Rush Limbaugh would say I’m a liberal. If being a Christian and believing what God has called upon us today is a mark of being liberal, then sign me up.

I am white and Rev Lowery’s “when white will embrace what is right” did not bother me. Whites have inflicted horror on people of other colors. It is a reality that has not completely ended.
I think Rev Lowery was trying to remind people that electing Obama was a huge step forward, but there is still far too much discrimination against people of color.
During the campaign I read unbelievable things on websites about not voting for a black person.
There were incidents of people having what was supposed to be Obama hanging from trees in their yards.

Rev. Lowery is a racist. He thinks because I am white I am doing wrong. Thatt is stereotypical and outright racist. How sad!

What part of being a Christian includes the willingness to kill one’s children and grandchildren?
Astounding that supposed black leaders don’t see that they are supporting racial suicide. Compare the African-American abortion rates with white rates.

Wil…open your eyes and see the evil that has been done in our name. White is not yet right. We have a lot to answer for as a race and a color.

Does Rev Lowery not realize that it is the “White” that got Barack ahead… who donated the majority of the money to his campaign??? The ending to that prayer was a spiteful slap in the face to the majority of Americans considering that we are primarily white and we voted for him as a majority. All races will have their difficulties but through Jesus we are able to carry the cross we are given. Those not of white skin need to stop acting like victoms and start having appreciation for living in the most accepting and free nation this planet has ever seen.

So, if you are multi-racial, are you part evil?
Was evil partly done in your name?
Or does a drop of non-white bllod atone for the evil white blood?

Rev Lowery added a bit of humor with the words of the singer Big Bill Broonzy. It was a reminder of how far we have come. I took no offense and enjoyed that cultural reference. The song he referenced is “Black Brown and White.” It was a song that attacked racism and for a long time it was not allowed to be played in the US. How far we’ve come.

Everyone needs to relax. As an African American woman, I personally am very grateful to everyone, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, of mixed descent, etc, who were able to elect this man. This day offers a message to my children that there are no limitations on their life and that they can dream big dreams. I don’t believe that Rev. Lowery meant to be offensive. Don’t be so quick to be offended and lash out. The many African Americans that I know and have spoken to feel grateful, hopeful, and encouraged by what all Americans have done today.

I wanted to add to my comment that I am not a Christian. I’m not even sure that I believe in God. However, neither of these things prevented me from appreciating this benediction.
Given that, I believe that in many ways my actions are more like those of Jesus than the angry messages that are posted here. I’m willing to listen to another’s viewpoint, hear the sincerity of his message, empathize with his or her pain, and give what I can to help, without needing to thrust my beliefs upon them.
Reverend Lowery’s speech and Elizabeth Alexander’s poem are about what it takes to make this country and this world a better place: Love, Respect and Compassion. They are prayers for peace and happiness for everyone.
I hope that everyone here will listen to those messages and take them into their hearts.

christina: good points. for what it’s worth, i agree.
wil: see how thoughtful christina’s post was? she said the same thing, only w/o the inflammatory words. if your goal was to provoke an angry response, good job; if it was to persuade others of your viewpoint, you’ll need to work on that.
morella: good lord, that’s one of the dumbest things i’ve heard this year so far!
joy: i’m not sure where to begin. you’re obviously referencing abortion. while we’d agree that non-medical third-terms should end, embryos are NOT children. do your biology homework. and quit it with your righteous crap.
jeez.

As to the last line, I am white an I recognize that in our nations history it is the white that has primarily had the power to do right or wrong in relationship to the black, brown and yellow. As that powerful majority, yes, we have participated in this good moment but not quite earned a pass on being reminded that we have not consistently used our privilege for good in relationship to minorities. As a recipient of Caucasian DNA and as a human being, I gratefully receive the reminder from an elder to “embrace what is right” and delighted in the humor that was part of it’s context. Plus, I hope that this starts a trend among young rappers, the Prayer Rap.

oh for heaven’s sake,
as my grandmother would have said…
let’s not overdo the interpretation of simple verse…
as a white woman, over 60, former flower child, now ancient poet
may i attest to the fact that this beautiful prayer, which began with a verse from ”lift every voice” and ended with classic jive,
is a distinctly american prayer,
and must be celebrated as a distinctly american voice on this day
in a benediction — which means ‘blessing’ — to cover all of us at the end of a remarkable inauguration…
and if you don’t get all of that verbiage
what i mean to say is
chill out everybody
it’s a great day
go smile somewhere
at somebody
and especially at yourself

“When Black will not be asked to get back.”
“When white will embrace what is right.”
A note to Rev. Lowry:
Over 600,000 white Americans gave their lives in a civil war to free the slaves.
Eleanor Roosevelt fought to get Black pilots trained and into combat in WWII
President Truman integrated our military.
President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne to ensure the desegregation of schools in Little Rock.
A Bipartisan effort from a majority white Congress gave us the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.
President Johnson pushed for these Acts and signed them into law.
Whites bravely marched, bled and died with Blacks during the Civil Rights Movement.
President Johnson and Congress committed money in the trillions of dollars for the Great Society Programs.
President Johnson and the first President Bush gave us the first and second Black Supreme Court Justices, respectively.
Every state in the Union has equal rights laws, passed by majority white legislatures.
President Reagan lumped George Washington’s and Abraham Lincoln’s holidays into one day in order to honor Martin Luther King Junior with a national day of recognition.
The first President Bush gave us the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
President Clinton gave us the first Black Commerce Secretary. So attentive was President Clinton to the needs of the Black Community, that Maya Angelou dubbed him our first Black President.
President Clinton appointed the first two Black women and the first Black man to the post of Surgeon General.
The second President Bush gave us the first Black man and Black woman to serve as Secretary of State, the first Black National security advisor, First Black education Secretary, First Hispanic Attorney General, First Hispanic Head of the Commerce Department.
Whites constituted the overwhelming majority of votes for President Obama.
Given the occasion at which he was praying, Rev. Lowry’s snarky prayer was either rooted in profound ignorance or supreme arrogance. It certainly did not recognize who put President Obama in the White House, or the extent to which white America has worked with Blacks, in a bipartisan fashion, to eradicate the toxic residue of slavery’s effects from the ongoing American experience.
Tragically, what is holding the Black community down today is the Black community itself, through rampant illegitimacy, black on black crime, drug use, and illiteracy born of the chaotic single-parent households that predominate in the inner city. Bill Cosby and NPR’s Juan Williams have been two of the few Black leaders to say so.
Rev. Lowry, if you lack the courage to place proper attribution, don’t use God as your PC foil.

I thought it was rather cool.

I think we should work for a day when civil rights leaders focus on civil rights and not the color of someones skin. Comments like these promote racism. The majority of people who voted for this black president were white. That’s pretty much the mountain top. I think that Lowery is instigating racism to keep from having to get a real job. His time and those like him is over.

Thanks Brooks!!! I’m glad to see there are other Americans that feel as I do. By the way, for what it is worth, I’m not white. I’m half Spanish, 1/4 British, and 1/4 Iraqi. I’m the first generation to be born here in my family. This nation has given me great freedom that my relatives before me didn’t have such as the freedom to go to get an Education and practice Christianity. The “whites” have built a beautiful free nation for all races to enjoy and succeed in. Lets appreciate our Founding Fathers and this nation for once!! Lets desire this nation to succeed instead of trying to tear it down from within. Lets love America for all the wonderful things it has accomplished.

What a beautiful benediction to end a beautiful ceremony. Thank you, Rev. Lowery, for reminding us to be kind to one another as we work together through some dark days. We’re all in this together.
To all of the outraged Caucasians on this board: do you see any Asians flipping out because Lowery invited them to be mellow? Settle down.

Thanks Brooks!!! I’m glad to see there are other Americans that feel as I do. By the way, for what it is worth, Im not white. Im half Spanish, 1/4 British, and 1/4 Iraqi. I’m the first generation to be born here in my family. This nation has given me great freedom that my relatives before me didn’t have such as the freedom to go to get an Education and practice Christianity. The “whites” have built a beautiful free nation for all races to enjoy and succeed in. Lets appreciate our Founding Fathers and this nation for once!! Lets desire this nation to succeed instead of trying to tear it down from within. Lets love America for all the wonderful things it has accomplished. Also, Gerad Nadal you make wonderful points! Allowing acts of American History to defend the reputation that this great nation unlike any other pursues what is right time and time again.

As a white woman, I took no offense to Rev. Lowery’s benediction. “We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right”, is an allusion to a very old civil rights chant that has taken many forms over the years. The terms black, brown, yellow, red and white do not refer to individuals but systems of oppressive class structure. Notice the use of the word “embrace” over “do what is right”. I do not percieve his words to be racist, only fact.

QUOTE: “Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.”
Obama has not been president for even one day and already, racist remarks are being spewed by black civil rights folks. This is just the beginning. We are in for a rude awakening. Now these black so called “civil rights” activists feel more “entitled” than ever to make stupid remarks. Racism is racism no matter what color you are. History is proving, slowly but surely, that there are just as many black racists if not more so than whites.

His remarks were highly offensive and typical left (even in religious circles). Let’s be entertaining so we cover up our racism and bias. It was embarrassing but I am not sitting here surprised either.

I agree with Julie 100%!!! “I am white and Rev Lowery’s “when white will embrace what is right” did not bother me. Whites have inflicted horror on people of other colors. It is a reality that has not completely ended.”
Who was responsible for the Holocaust? Who embraced slavery in this country (even less than 150 years ago)??
It wasn’t 3 months ago there was such controversy over Obama being a Muslim (and therefore unfit to be a candidate). Is this NOT racism? All of the white people offended by this comment- it is about you! You were the ones crying “Obama is Muslim!” So what if he was? What if he is?! Does that matter? I am white and my husband is Muslim. He is a good and smart man! I pity anyone who doesn’t recognize racism for what it is: hatred. Let it go. Today is a day of hope and unity. Embrace it!

Thanks, Chris, Terry, Grace… I agree. Count me as one more white person who appreciated his prayer that I and others continue to focus on the difficult task of embracing what is right.
It seems like some white people are upset that “white people” were even spoken about in general terms (something most people of color, on the other hand, are probably used to by now!). Let’s relax and not take it personally. I’m sure he didn’t mean, “you! hey you! pale guy in the third row: you’re not working hard enough.” Perhaps he did imply, however, that white people still have a ways to go before we can be counted as full allies in the struggle against racial oppression. Unfortunately, I think that would be accurate. As a group, in general, we white folks remain divided on issues of racism, and we have a long way to go.

When I was in college, one of my professors told me that when racism is finally eliminated, we will not know it because nobldy will even pay attention to the color of a person’s skin. I have lived my life and taught my kids to treat eveyone exactly the same regardless of their race, color , national origin, etc. To my knowledge I have never discriminated against anybody. That is why I was infuriated by Rev. Lowery’s comment. He said I was doing wrong just because I am white. Racism. Pure and simple. Add that to the fact that he is supposed to be a minister of the Gospel. Jesus spent much more time talking about forgiving ones enemies than social justice. Get a concordance and check it out. The fact that President Obama chose this man for the benediction is scary.

Friends, “White” means all whites; yes, individuals have stood up bravely to support “right”, but sometimes have paid with their lives. But last year at political rallies people also shouted “kill him” when Mr. Obama’s name was mentioned. We should be able to pray that everyone demonstrate humanity. That really shouldn’t be aiming too high, should it? Rob, thank your friend Scott for me, will you? ckncook, pluralism?? a negative?? Joy, to which part of the prayer are you directing your comment?

Looking forward to the day when white [men] will embrace what is right?
Not much of an endorsement of Jefferson, et al., now is it?
Needlessly racist; blatantly offensive.
And yes, racism is still racism even when directed at people whose ancestors came from Ireland and Germany and France and Italy — even if the concept of a racial put-down directed at them is so alien that they’re not sure if this Spade is a Spade.

I can’t believe people are arguing Lowery’s racist comments are “ok” just because there’s a song with similar words or because he’s old and has seen hatred. I’m white. I don’t own slaves. I’ve never owned slaves. I’ve never discriminated and don’t know anyone who’s ever discriminated or owned slaves. You probably think Wright was ok damning America too. Don’t tell me to settle down. Just tell me at what point these hate-speecher are going to accept responsibility for their insults. Those of you who said Amen are racist and anchored to whatever injustice in the past. YOU are the people who need to grow.

“I pity anyone who doesn’t recognize racism for what it is…”
Perhaps you should reserve a portion of your pity for those who don’t recognize racism when they observe it.

You white people are hilarious.

This was a remarkable bookend to the celebration/inauguration on the Capitol steps. The prayer was moving, poetic, inclusive, historic, and worldly and patriotic. Not racist, not classist, not sexist, not Christianist. As a white man I say, it was beautiful and profound. Prayers for the Obamas, the Bidens, the new Cabinet, the new Congress and Senate, all Americans, visitors and immigrants to our nation, all nations of the world. Thank you, Rev. Lowery!

Oh lighten up people, so touchy. Lowry was talking about race in a tongue in cheek manner. I’m white and not offended at all.

“We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — when yellow will be mellow — when the red man can get ahead, man — and when white will embrace what is right.”
What kind of hole has Rev. Lowery been living in? Where is it that a black is asked to get to the back of the bus and what does he mean “when a white will embrace what is right?” As a white Republican American I am proud that my fellow white American’s have put aside past prejudice and voted for who they felt was best person qualified for the position. By voting for Obama, it is proof that the day has arrived when (at least where a white person is concerned) race does not matter.
How many Black Americans can honestly say they voted for Obama based on politics and not the color of his skin? I appreciate what men like Lowery have done for our country and the fight they have made for civil rights but they need to open their eyes and realize the great strides our country has made and stop stirring things up. No all whites enslaved blacks and many fought alongside these older black leaders for civil rights.
Don’t spoil the positive effect that Obama is having on our country by bringing up the past. No matter how much we would like to, we cannot change the past. All we can do is learn from the past, make sure that we don’t make the same mistakes, and strive for a better future.
I felt proud to see the unity of people today and even as a Republican, I was moved by Obama’s speech. I agree with his feelings that all Americans must work together and I am pleased that he acknowledges that the entitlement system that currently exists has outlived its purpose and is no longer acceptable. I feel that he does have a handle on the problems facing our country and pray that he will continue to have a positive influence on our country.
I pray that men like Lowery will stop separating people and will try to spread the message of peace, forgiveness, and love. Thank God that we are allowed to exercise our freedom speech and that not all people are stuck in the past.

Thorne, you seem to have a problem with this, invoking Jefferson. Jefferson kept slaves and had a sexual relationship with at least one of them. To me, that’s rape.
Now, I don’t think Jefferson was a bad man, just a product of his times. But in my book (and I am caucasian), Lowry has every right to call on white men (and women) to do what’s right. There has been a hundred years of doing what’s wrong. It’s time for Change.

Well … at least we know who isn’t colorblind. Reverend Lowery.

ßillery for prez. =)

In any written or spoken word it is possible to find fault in any statement or verse. Yet, I think it is possible to look beyond the negative, which seems to encompass us at times, and find HOPE. What we focus on will encompass us and will either overcome us or lift us up.
God, I believe created everything with His breath, believing the unseen into being. He has given us these gifts too. If we speak in love the world will be a more loving place.
A gentle person with a humble heart can see the silver lining behind every cloud as well as the rain and sunshine that make a rainbows. My prayer for you if that you can see and be enlightened in every drop of dew.

This is great. Rev. Lowery was quoting the Big Bill Broonzy blues classic “Black, Brown and White.” There’s nothing but the truth inside that song. Let’s hope Rev. Lowery’s prayer comes true and the lyrics he paraphrased become just another great lyric and not the truth as so many have lived it.

African Americans have a president but it certainly sounds like I do not. Why not we will be a great nation when black people do what is right?

I’m with Cleveland. I’m a white male, and I wasn’t offended by the speech. “When the red man can get ahead, man” or “when yellow will be mellow” — I mean, come on. It was obviously jovial, not serious.
If anything (and I guess this will show my obvious inner racism), I took it as a kind of compliment. The Reverend was praying for a time when everyone else just wants to “stick around” or “get ahead,” and the white folks want to do what’s right.

Christians should stay off the internet, how freaking stupid can you get with a remark like that? Well I guess Lowery stupid is how stupid you can get. I didn’t vote for Obama because he is half black. I voted against him because of how the democratic party has turned into the socialist people’s party I won’t give up what I worked hard to get. Not that I mind sharing I’ve been sharing for forty plus years and they still are asking for more and won’t work to get their own. I’m not talking about blacks. I’m talking about all the lazy bums and cry babies of this nation and of the world. There are plenty of people of color who have done very well for themselves in this country and world wide now I will work with them to make this world a better place. NOBAMA and no more bull crap. That was no prayer I’ve never heard one decent preacher ever pray like that in my life, that was words that inflame people to do stupid things and further say stupid things. By the way how come no one complained about the cost of this inauguration? They b*tched when George Bush spent a third less saying we were at war and the money spent 4 years ago should have been spent on the war and yet now we are still at war and the country is in financial disaster and it’s OK for this cowboy to spend three times as much as Bush did. Democrats are full of it!!!!

I don’t care if it is a quote from a song. It was in poor taste!

Time for the black community to get the “chip” off the shoulder and follow the example of other minorities that have worked their way through adversity, rather than sit around and point to the “evil” white people. Joseph Lowery, Al Sharpton,and Jesse Jackson have yet to mention that Obama is not the first afro-american, but rather the first bi-racial american to become president. I guess it is hard for them to say that the white mother and grandmother who did “embrace what was right” when they raised him after his black father abandoned the family. We will not hear the part where he is half white. They would have to get him to embrace what is right.Or half right?

AMEN!!! (Gear)

Sadly that day has not come. I too await that day when we can be equal but it will probably never be because we are all seperated. Not by skin color or socioeconomic status but by our perceptions….

Gerard Nadal, you are my hero.
And STOP blaming all whites for slavery, it is the most feeble, ridiculous argument ever made.
First of all, most slaves were sold by OTHER TRIBES to Europeans for transportation to other countries.
Many, many, MANY whites arrived in the US well after slavery was abolished.
And what if he generalized all the “yellow” people as guilty of the Rape of Nanking, or all “brown” people as Muslim fundamentalists?
It’s a dangerous slippery slope, and anyone who tries to justify racism– be it in God’s name or based on a single group of Caucasian’s behaviour a century or more ago should take a long, hard look in the mirror.
Hypocrite, thy name is self!

Blessings upon Barack Obama for showing class and dignity toward his adversaries that I would never have been able to muster. Kudos to his mother and her parents who raised a young man who now inherits challenges of the size and scope that few of our leaders have been called to address.

Give me a freaking break! Get over it! I don’t have slaves and never have!!! The comment was out of hand and Pres. Obama needs to address this issue that the Rev. Lowery made! This is the year 2009! If you keep talking about what happened, then maybe we need to go back to what happen in the past and have slaves again!!!! Some preacher you are Rev. Lowery!!!!! This is just the start of things to come I am afraid!!!!! God help us all!!!!!

Reverend Lowery needs to examine 3 white people in particular who raised Barack Obama and taught him his values……I think they embrace what is right……….and there are thousands of socall european descendents who voted for him…………and perhaps they too, decided on election day to do what is right…………Lowery’s comments were aggressive and divisive and I heard that thus far, not anyone in the media, have taken issue with

I guess this is further proof that while the minority has to be familiar with the cultural references of the majority in order to successfully navigate their society the inverse is clearly not true.
The first thing I thought of was the old AA saying, in reference to intra-community color issues and the clear color hierarchy of Jim Crow era US society in general; “If you’re white its all right, if you’re yellow stay mellow, if you’re brown stick around, but if you’re black get back”
Clearly Lowry is in line with the message of the day and the symbolism of this historical event that we are working towards a US that doesn’t have such a blatant racial/cultural/social hierarchy.
I asked my mom, and in her generation folks of all colors quoted this song in their protests concerning equality, desegregation, racial violence, poverty, etc…
Black, Brown And White
This song can be found on the CD: “Big Bill Blues” (Vogue). The recording date was September 20, 1951 in Paris.
Black, Brown And White (B. B. Broonzy)
This little song that I’m singin’ about
People you know it’s true
If you’re black and gotta work for a living
This is what they will say to you
They says if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But as you’s black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I was in a place one night
They was all having fun
They was all byin’ beer and wine
But they would not sell me none
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But if you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
Me and a man was workin’ side by side
This is what it meant
They was paying him a dollar an hour
And they was paying me fifty cent
They said if you was white, ‘t should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm boy, git back git back git back
I went to an employment office
Got a number ‘n’ I got in line
They called everybody’s number
But they never did call mine
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I hope when sweet victory
With my plough and hoe
Now I want you to tell me brother
What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow?
Now if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But if you black, whoa brother, git back git back git back

Obama can’t seem to find a preacher who isn’t a black racist with an anti-white agenda. Just more proof that this untested, repetitive liar is not fit to be The President of the United States.

Lowery is obviously a racist! It is very interesting how quickly one can shed the yoke of slavery and dawn the silk cloak of the Master! Well now Lowery seems to think the Blacks have moved to the front of the bus, the browns and the yellows are in the middle and the Whites are in the back doing what’s “right”. Well lets see if this new Master works out as well he has in Africa.

Perhaps those whites who have posted they were not offended are still drinking the kool-aid of guilt that society loves to force feed us. Somehow in their minds taking a verbal bash once in a while will help atone for the past. So that makes it ok to offend white people in a benediction, by a “reverend” at a very public function? This is a promise of CHANGE?….more like payback.

Why is it that “christians” forget to mention that “the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one”?(1Jn5:19)
thedestructionoftheearth.wordpress.com

Take a deep breath, people, and consider what this man has seen in his lifetime. Take a moment to remember hoses and dogs in Selma, MLK dying on a balcony, and four little girls dead in a church — think about his friends and fellow warriors (black and white) who died without witnessing this moment, think about the joy that must fill his heart and let the man turn the words of the past to new meanings.
There is nothing in what he said that implies anything but equality — among all races (that frail old man is not threatening your white world) — so do not be scared, take a deep breath and recognize that America is a special, special place.

Wow — there’s a surprising amount of hatred here among you Christians. Screw that.

I wonder why, at the end of a very eloquent speech, he had to drag race into it. I thought Christ Followers were color blind. Apparently I am wrong.

What delicate flowers.

White would embrace what is right?!! What a truly racist statement. Like only white people do things that are wrong.
In addition, he used white like it’s some generic term that covers everyone with pale skin. Is he talking about Irish-Americans, Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, Swedish-Americans, Bosnian-Americans?? Believe it or not, NOT ALL “WHITE” PEOPLE ARE THE SAME!!
And 99% of so called “White” people had zero to do with what happened in the civil rights era.
I happen to be part Native-American and part European-American. However, I look more like a European. Does that classify me as “White” since I look that way? And do I need to “embrace what is right”? Like any one race has a monopoly on what is right and wrong.
This is exactly the kind of blanket statement that Dr. King spoke out against. Just blurting out a blanket statement about people just because of their skin color. Or pre-judging a person because of how they look.
Oh and by the way, I know plenty of so called “white” people who are pro-immigration and plenty of Hispanic people that are anti-immigration!!
So don’t put me in a box just because I look “white” to you.

this is the most disturbing thread i have ever seen.
i can’t believe — that out of all of the things that Lowery said in his prayer, we’re stuck on a playful, creative part of it.
can we not be so sensitive as white people? why do we protest so much? We *are* guilty of not being right — even today, there are separate proms in southern high schools.
the prayer has so many beautiful words and moments in it, and it was a reflection of a man who has lived a long life, and seen a lot of things.
i’m white and i’m not right! often. but this statement does not offend me. and it *certainly* doesn’t speak of racism.
good f*ing grief!!!!
stop focusing on yourselves and looking for reasons to judge another black man. focus on the whole. (it’s what conservative christians do best, isn’t it? focus on the narrow. the words out of context.)
may we all see the world as bigger, and our god, so much bigger still.
-r-

If a white person – no matter what their ethnicity – had made even a whisper of a racist comment at the inauguration, the media, and EVERYONE else would be all over it. Get a clue, that “white” people aren’t the only racists. It wasn’t appropriate, especially in a prayer to God.

this is the most disturbing thread i have ever seen.
i can’t believe — that out of all of the things that Lowery said in his prayer, we’re stuck on a playful, creative part of it.
can we not be so sensitive as white people? why do we protest so much? We *are* guilty of not being right — even today, there are separate proms in southern high schools.
the prayer has so many beautiful words and moments in it, and it was a reflection of a man who has lived a long life, and seen a lot of things.
i’m white and i’m not right! often. but this statement does not offend me. and it *certainly* doesn’t speak of racism.
good f*ing grief!!!!
stop focusing on yourselves and looking for reasons to judge another black man. focus on the whole. (it’s what conservative christians do best, isn’t it? focus on the narrow. the words out of context.)
may we all see the world as bigger, and our god, so much bigger still.

I thought what Lowery said was lovely, and I was not offended (i’m white, and agnostic). It was rich in history, poetic, uplifting and playful. I’m all for doing what’s right. Super, so let’s move on and keep embracing that.
He’s entitled to his views, and there were lots of views on the stage today just like there are many views in this forum. There were things we could pinpoint and be offended by (like the fact that there was an invocation and a benediction, in a country that is supposed to separate church and state), but there was SO much more to be inspired by!

I am a black woman who thinks that this vitriol against Lowery is shocking. And on Beliefnet no doubt. White/black/brown/red…these categories don’t really encompass who a person is. There is only one race, the human race, but “looking white” and “looking black” do matter. My grandfather was a full blooded Cherokee, a fact I did not find out about until he was on his deathbed, and my great-grandmother on my father’s side was half Chinese and half-white. But when the cops stopped my brother on the way home from volunteering at a Christian camp, there was no reason other than that they perceived him to be black.
Please people, let’s at least acknowledge that race has divided our country, that it has done some serious damage to the hearts and minds of countless people. That just because you yourself didn’t own slaves doesn’t mean you didn’t benefit from the historical fact of this terrible atrocity. Dr. King spoke out against judging people by the color of their skin, this is very true. And this is the goal. Yet, I don’t think Dr. King would castigate a poor, old, man who has lived to see the day that he only hoped for when he was risking life and limb during the Civil Rights movement.
Dr. King could hope for a day of racial understanding because he lived the daily experience of being a black person. He understood what it meant to be thrown into jail, to be knocked in the head, and ultimately to be killed because of the DESTRUCTIVE REALITY of race.
Yes, black people need to get the chip off of their shoulders. I physically felt my heart of stone crumbling when Obama was elected. Nobody is allowed to have a free-ride as racists. But “white people” need to grow a thicker skin as well. As a group, the descendants of enslaved Africans have had to endure generations of comments and degrading living situation, not because of anything that they did but just by the sheer fact of the color of their skin, not the content of their character. Hundreds of years people, of generation after generation passing on the pain and coping mechanisms just to get by in a society that hated for no real reason.
White people have only really been sytematically berated publically for about seventy years. And lets be honest, does the fact that a black person says this or that, really affect the employment opportunities of white Americans. This new trend of “reverse-racism” is just another form of oppression. Ignoring the pain of others is also a form of cruelty.
Come on guys, I am a grad student and my young mother remembers segregation. My grandfather was run out of Mississippi by the Klan. These aren’t antebellum scars people. Today is the dawn of a new day, but yesterday was not so distant…

Such a fuss over the ending to a prayer! Oy Vey! As an over 60 white woman, (a “non-believer”) I found it a well thought out prayer from a man who was there with MLK and lived long enough to not only see a Black man become president but was able to participate in the celebration.

Rev. Joseph Lowery’s benediction at President Obama’s Inauguration was moving, poetic, inclusive and historical. As oratory it was beautiful he spoke of the highest ideals of Christianity while recognizing the failures of America as a Christian nation to live out those ideals.
Some have posted views that suggest that Rev. Lowery used race with offensive expression. He did not; he spoke of how race had once divided a nation that promised liberty to all. It was after all race that drew America into a civil war.
How historically poetic that he should have the honor of bestowing the benediction since he lived through some of the darkest of those racially divided times in his nations history. Today America has turned the page and closed the chapter on racial division.
Now she must write the next chapter of her history and demonstrate racial equality and unity as a people that represent diversity as one of its highest ideals. We will all be watching and praying towards the realization of that hope.

People who are stuck on the last bit of humor in the prayer have missed the entire point of the rest of it. The fact is that in the great history of this country we the ruling class, inarguably made up of mostly rich and mostly white and mostly men, have NOT done what was right. But even THAT’S beside the point. It’s about working TOGETHER to make a difference and having an egalitarian attitude and servant’s hearts no MATTER our color. Get a clue! Narrow minds, like blood vessels, clog with crap and the result is far worse than a stroke!

===========================
=
= CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
=
= REVERSE RACISM IN THE
= OBAMA INAUGURATION PRAYER
=
===========================

Renee,
You say, “the prayer has so many beautiful words and moments in it, and it was a reflection of a man who has lived a long life, and seen a lot of things.”
He most certainly has, including everything contained in my post above. It’s a shame he could not have included in his prayer, gratitude to Almighty God for the countless MILLIONS of white people and their elected leaders who have brought about successive rounds of advancement of minorities at every level of society, culminating in President Obama’s election.
This ‘playful’ omission has provoked the outrage on this page. I count myself among the legions of Americans who have had a belly full of the blame game and victim politics emanating from the Black Community.
With the ascendancy of a Black man to the most powerful leadership position on the planet, having been put there overwhelmingly by whites, the game is over for the race-baiters in the Black community.
Blacks have broken through the glass ceilings at every level of government, industry and society.
Today was not only a great day for minorities. It was a great day for us all. It’s too bad that Rev. Lowery failed to grasp the soaring, triumphal achievement that Americans accomplished this day. His flat-footed ending of the benediction proves that he is yesterday’s man.

WELL…WELL…WELL…WHO IS A RACIST NOW? I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS WHEN I HEARD THE PORTION OF THE BENEDITION THAT STATED- “WHEN WHITE WILL EMBRACE WHAT IS RIGHT”- MR. OBAMA, YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHO VOTED YOU INTO THE WHITE HOUSE….PLEASE DO NOT TELL ME THAT FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WE ARE GONNA HEAR THIS RACIAL CRAP…REVERAND??? PLEASE HE IS A JOKE…

I am embarrased to say I voted for a man that would allow such a racist comment at the end of the benediction today. I myself am a black woman…and I am appalled at the prayer. The words that he used..when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, etc….when white will embrace what is write…My co-workers were very upset by this mans comments. This election is not about Black v/s White. It is about our hopes and prayers in our nation striving once again. In watching all of the inagural balls tonight. That is all they could talk about was that this was history b/c of a African American president. Whew hew….who cares….All I want is for our country to turn around and become the great AMERICA that I know it can be!

I WAS FIRST SHOCKED WHILE LISTENING THE THE CLOSING PRAYER IN MY CAR. MY FIRST THOUGHTS WAS DID I REALLY HEAR THAT THE WAY I THOUGHT. I THOUGHT ABOUT IT ALL DAY WHILE I WAS WORKING. I THOOUGHT FOR A CLOSING PRAYER IT SOUNDED VERY RACIAL AND MADE ME FEEL SEPERATED INSTEAD OF TOGETHERNESS. THEN I CAME HOME AND LOOKED THE PRAYER UP AND SURE ENOUGH JUST LIKE I THOUGHT NOT BRING ANYONE TOGETHER AT ALL.
GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

After hearing and also reading this transcript, I was extremely offended. It is truly appalling to me how this complete idiot can stand up in front of millions of people and bash the white population, when he should be kissing all of their liberal butts. If it were not for the liberal “WHITES” Mr. Obama would have never been elected. I find it extremely ironic how this president can preach the needed togetherness, but allow controversial comments such as this to be made.
WAY TO GO!!!! This is the real change we can count on!

How long do “whites” need to pay for the sins of their great grandfathers, I’ve never had a slave or spit on black people because they are black and I don’t know any of my black friends that have been slaves or had to use the “rest room on the left”. This concept that white people have alot to be sorry for and need to feel guilty to make amends for something that was done decades ago is just insane in a nation / race that is striving towards equality. Yes the past was horrible but dig through enough of the past and you’ll drown in events that were as bad and worse among all races. But keep cherry picking events that suit your agenda and/or your race. Move on people and realize that as one nation were all accountable for our words, no matter our color. Thank the lord it wasnt a white minister that prayed that…. blacks get off our backs.

Greetings!
On a day when emotions are running high, and the temperatures are cold, we must not forget that we have been an America that has been unaware of the plight of minorities (especially African Americans),
For those tired already of hearing this (as you call it crap), please understand that those living as crap in this country have not been invisible, yet we have had a voice that was silenced at each and every turn, negated even when repeated by another of the majority who would reap millions for the same idea and concept. This journey has not been easy, this journey has not been pleasing. Emerged from what this majority chose to ignore is a somewhat bitter pill. No one person is responsible, yet this call to realize that an effort must be made to accept not Americans of a darker hue, as Irish and Jews have been melted into the collective fabric of what we hope to be a better America. Change is a six letter word until you put in the work to actually give those six letters meaning and purpose.
Chill and know that it will take time, you only have to review the struggle of African Americans trying to live in America, with all it’s freedoms for most to actually understand. It can be done, for the sake of our children MAKE IT WORK.
PEACE

I felt this was a wonderful benediction, until Rev. Lowery spoke the last paragraph. As a Caucasian in a mixed race marriage for over 18 years, I was very insulted by the all inclusive statement regarding the white race. “we ask you to help us work for that day / when white will embrace what is right.” This is a statement of future tense, meaning according to Rev. Lowery, that Caucasians in general have not, nor currently do embrace what is right. Although I believe Rev. Lowery has a right to feel and speak as he feels, I do not believe such a statement has a place or should have been included in the inaugural benediction. With this last paragraph, Rev. Lowery not only managed to mar a wonderful benediction, but also mar a defining moment in history.

I am white. I heard the prayer and was not offended. In fact it brought a tear to my eye. It asks, among other things, that white embrace what is right. I pray to be led to do what is right all of the time. How is that offensive?
My guess is that some right wing talk show host or blogger got a hold of the text of the prayer and asked his listeners to complain.

I really liked this prayer best of all. It was poetic, and his voice is just beautiful. Bp Robinson (whom I respect and admire) and Warren (whom I think is a good salesman) both came off a little screachy and preachy, although I LOVED the content of the Bishop’s prayer.

You’ll realize that in a nation of millions not all opinions are given by the media. Many minds, mine included, can think for themselves. It’s nice to blame someone for an opinion different from yours but an offensive comment is still offensive even if YOU werent offended. I’m tired of being shovled guilt like I deserve it. I’m all for equality and wish everyone else was, especially are nations role models and spiritual leaders.

Well you guessed wrong. Blogs are all over the internet with this controversial prayer. Seriously! Did NO ONE read over the benediction? I agree with one of the author’s above…Thank GOD it was not a white reverand telling blacks to relax! Wonder what would have happended if that had been the case. Now, think of that! SO YES…This comment has left me totally “disenchanted” I too voted for Mr. Obama..and I too…am worried that this is going to be the THEME for the next four years…Please get down to business and STOP the talk about race…ENOUGH!

I am a white pastor and felt inspired by the benediction. Although I would like to commit on all the races mentioned, I will only speak as a caucasion. I concure with what “Tampa” mentioned Jan 20 at 9:58 pm. because I try hard to do what is right and need God to bless those fallible efforts and correct where I am not “right.” The prayer from Psalm 139 comes to mind “search me and try me, O God.” That’s a fitting and challenging benediction that I needed to hear. Additionally, I need God to bless me to be senesitive to the plight of others and our brother’s benediction, for me, began to concisely help me remember to consider others before myself in love.
Peace

I just heard that racial idotic remark on T.V, and didn’t even believe what the I had heard. And then I read the transcript, and read the most idiotic, and simple minded remark I have ever heard.
Why don’t you realize that the white democratic vote was given to Obama?!
Instead of making an unsensible comment that is farthest from the truth, why don’t you give a thankyou to all those who helped in the campaign. WHITES INCLUDED!
I am NOT going to apologize for being white, and I had NOTHING to do with slavery. I am not a racist.
I go to a school where white is the minority, I have black in my family, and I am not going to explain myself anymore.
Because no matter what I say, or any other white person,
it will never be enough.
But don’t go on National T.V. and spew utter bs about “whites doing what is right”,
because you are black, and you aren’t doing it!
I am only 14 years old, and I found something wrong with this,
how can you be gray and not understand the immaturity of what you said?!

For those of you that missed it, Rev Joseph Lowery gave the Inaugural Benediction. The black reverend, friend of Obama, said the following: “black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.” Yes my friends change has come. Not even in office for 20 minutes Obama’s crony manages to accuse the white people for all race ills in America. White people hold black people back, white people are the reason why illegal aliens must leave (former Mexican President Vicente Fox said that the illegal’s are doing the work that our blacks wont do, also raciest), white people are keeping Asian people tensed up, and finally white people screwed the Indians (well we did do that one) *As a side note the Indians did not control illegal immigration and look what it got them.* I for one am offended by this and feel Obama should repudiate the reverends prayer words. And for the record I was not born here and my family had nothing to do with slavery, I never made anyone sit in the back of a bus, I did not force people to violate our borders and come here illegally, I have done nothing to any Asian to get them uptight and I have no beef with the Indians. This white guilt play is very offensive. I pay my taxes, I work hard, I take from no one, I asked little of anyone and Lord knows I have gotten screwed by many. If we add to this the fact that Obama’s secretary of education ruined the Chicago school system (as if it needed any help), his secretary of the treasury avoided his taxes and owes tens of thousands in back taxes and the most reputable person in his cabinet is Hillary Clinton, then I agree Change has come!!! Let me do what the reverend wants me to. I want to embrace what is right. It is wrong for lazy people to live off the fruits of others so lets end welfare, hard working people who earn a good living busted their butts to get there so lets end the progressive tax system, (we should all pay the same) unborn children have never hurt anyone so lets end abortion, sex offenders ruin the lives of children and families so lets abort all of them (we can call it post birth abortion for sick freaks for all you liberals that only approve of the death penalty for the unborn), I could go on forever but I think that these will be the first “right” things this white will be embracing. While the reverend complains of a travesty long dead of blacks sitting in the back of the bus, he threw the white people under the bus. For those of you ignorant enough to say “well Obama did not say that”, you’re a fool to believe that Obama did not prescreen and choreograph everything for his perfect day. The only thing missing today was his teleprompter to help him hide his poor speaking skills.

Mr. Lowery did not deliver a prayer but a speech. It was more to justify his thoughts rather than pray. As a speech it was inaccurate at best and inflammatory at worst. He was predictable with “Yes We Can” and to denigrate the “Rich” as just one thing that discounted this entire speech. His comment about White and Yellow did more to incite more separation than unity. Rather than people seeking apologies or compensation from those who had nothing to do with bad history, Seek true unity!!

Wow. This is not a blog that I read regularly and I suspect it is not one to which I will return. The comments are so disturbing and hate filled that I’m shocked. Even more than my shock, I am worried about the way that these comments demonstrate a profound ignorance of the cultural history which Rev. Lowery referenced in the final section of his speech. The words were not just from a song, but also they were taken from a chant that was frequently used during civil rights demonstrations, rallies and protest marches in the 1950s and 1960s. The words are also part of a playground chant that “colored” children in the past sang during jump rope and clapping games. Heck, I’m fairly sure African-American children still chant the original today (though I have not been a child in a long time so I can’t be positive).
Lowery changed the original words which were about how much power white people had in the early & mid 20th centurey (“if you’re white, you’re right”) and how little power black people had (“if you’re black, get back”). But the song is also about the hierarchy of power between various hues/shades of skin color even WITHIN the black community. So in fact, the chant/song was not only about white racism, but also about racism by people of color towards other people of color.
Lowery’s point was not that somehow white people are evil or not right. He was making a joke by referencing this piece of cultural history and he was highlighting the fact that the song no longer applies. We no longer have to obey the hierarchy. We have choices now. White people and light-skinned African-Americans are no longer right simply because of the color of their skin. They can be right (or not) because of their choices and the content of their characters. Dark-skinned black people no longer have to get back because they are dark, they can also come to the front. He was not speaking words to a prayer, he was quoting a children’s song that we are beginning to move past with Obama’s election. It was funny and wonderful and most importantly acknowledged the historic nature of this moment.

I went to youtube and listened to Rev. Lowery’s closing benediction, since I originally missed most of it.
When I heard the lines of which there seems to be such controversy, I immediately recognized the lines as the ones I’ve heard since childhood, with a twist.
The lines were often said and at other times although not audibly spoken they were implied and played out in everyday life.
The original lines were: “If you’re white, you’re right – if you’re brown, stick around – but if you’re black, stay back.”
Many Americans seem to want to deny that this ideology or mind
set has been a part of pre-civil rights America and unfortunately yet carries on.
So Rev. Lowery’s twist on the lines to me were encouraging sort of a mantra reminding us that with the help of God those old addages and commonly accepted, although unspoken, sayings on a collision course with change.
All of us red and yellow black and white are all precious in God’s sight. He calls us all to righteousness, even if you profess to be righteous. The Bible says that all of our righteousness is as filthy rags so there is room for all to get right. So if you are called to righteousness or to remain or get right don’t be offended just take it as a pat of encouragement.

I thought the benediction was beautiful, stately, and still very valid even to this day in the United States of America. I live in Alabama, where a great deal of the “stepping stones” of the civil rights and voting rights movement took place. I have witnessed that even in this day and age, racism still exists. It is, unfortunately, still passed down through the generations as something to be proud of. I take my 10 yr. old daughter to civil rights museums and sacred spots in my own state (there are so many to choose from), Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi, so that she can see how terrible things were, and why they still need to be changed. Just reading someone in their post referring to Rev. Lowery as a “complete idiot” tells me why this is still so relevent today. Rev. Lowery has seen, and been through, so much more than any of you can fathom in the name of civil rights. He has personally witnessed so many fall for this cause. I found the last paragraph very uplifting, and a wonderful nod to the “old school” sermons that were (and still are) common place back in the day.
I have found the comments that I’ve read so far on this board to be disturbing. There is so much being spewed here by ignorance, rather than by seemingly intelligent people. That is the real shame, not objectional lines in a very poignant paryer for furthering peace in of country.

“when white will embrace what is right.” straight out demonizes white americans. Does no one read these speeches prior to the event? Or, is this going to be another administration of elitists; so smug and arrogant that they can do no wrong? Out of relative obscurity, a man, with a odd name, rises to power. The same thing happened in 1933 in Germany and we all know how that turned out. People say, this is a great day for America. I say it is another mnemonic reminder that racism is alive and prevalent. Racism doesn’t discriminate. It comes from all directions. A truly great day will be when children only read about racism in history books and we have no need to discuss race, color, creed or sexual orientation.

I had been reading information about Rev. Lowery’s Benediction today to see where that quote may have come from. I had thougt it might be tied to the civil rights movement and wanted to know. I have been reading the comments hear and I can just feel the anger. I am an independent voter, neither totally liberal or conservative and I pride myself of being informed by all sides. When the honorable Reverend made that comment, althought intellectually I knew it was a refernece to the past and what was overcome today, it still stung. President Obama was about change and unity and moving forward. There were other more positive comments that could have been used to honor those who fought for equality for all without insulting people who helped elect Obama and without fanning the flames of racism. It put a bad taste in my mouth and made me think, gee that was unifying… that was change, that was representative of ALL people…. It made me feel left out as if because I am white ( which the President is as well don’t forget), I should be ashamed and that this day was not for me to celebrate. I was disappointed at this momentus occassion that I made my 4 year old watch and experience, I wanted to feel unity, change and hope instead I felt bad as if someone was saying “hahahaha despite white people Obama was elected” infact it was the efforts and voted of ALL people including millions of white people that made this day possible so I dare to say that whites DID EMBRACE what’s right by electing this president and maybe that’s what could have been said.

Mike get over yourself.If the Rev. benediction did not pertain to you then let it go.Your ugly response makes you no better than him.You make it sound as if you are superior.We have all made mistakes and fallen short.How sad that you let one man’s words make you miss the whole point of this day.Today was not about one race.Such ugly,ugly things you said.I will pray for you and the Rev.

I’ve not read every single posting, but I especially appreciated those by Chris, January 20, 4:23 PM and “Your Name”, January 20, 2009 9:48 PM. I am white and do not consider myself racist, but I appreciated Lowery’s last lines because most white people (including me) are able to enjoy privileges that people of color do not yet enjoy. (For example, being white makes it easy for me to not have to think about racism on a daily or weekly basis. Follow the link for more examples.)
In my opinion, there is no reason for white people to feel guilty for having privileges like this. But why not recognize that they shouldn’t be primarily white privileges, but should instead be experiences that everyone can enjoy? That we still have work to do, and that for society to evolve, all of us have to work toward that end?
Of course there will be cases of reverse racism, when white people are treated badly by people of color, simply because of skin color, but overall it is still easier to be a white man in America than it is to be a person of color or a woman (let alone both). We still have work to do. Thanks to Rev. Lowery for the reminder.

Many people have been offended by the Rev. today – I see it all over on other sites.
I don’t associate it with our new President.
But the Reverend either needs to apologize or set the record strait.

Count me in the “I’m white and not offended category.”
That said, as posts here reveal, it probably wasn’t the best thing to say. Or, perhaps it was as it demonstrates how far from so called “color blindness” we are (if such a thing is either possible or good).
Sadly this tempest in a teapot will cause a churn of recriminations, calls for apologies, and help folks like Rush, Hannity, Wright, Sharpton, and others stay relevant (two sides, one coin).
What it won’t do, sadly, is cause us to wonder why so many people on this site and others are using this as a convenient excuse to effectively say “give ‘em some of power and see how UPPITY they get… bitin’ the hand that feeds ‘em… I knew this would happen….”
Race and racism isn’t gone (if it were I don’t think reactions to this would be so raw), but I don’t think we’ve acknowledge that things get more nuanced.
(BTW, has anyone noticed how “cut-and-paste” the dissent is?)

Social location: female, lesbian, white, middle class, culturally Christian
I am so grateful for Rev Lowery’s prayer. I’m more closely aligned with his views than Rev Warren’s. But I’m also grateful for Warren’s prayer. I didn’t like the divisiveness of the “Lord’s Prayer,” but i prayed with him anyway from home.
It’s time to be united, and i pray that the whole country will do that.

Let me just add that I respect and admire Rev. Lowery and can’t even begin to imagine what he has witnessed in his life time. I am happy that he was able to witness today and I did see goodness in his eyes and hear it in his words. I truley believe this was just poor judgement to use that quote for many reasons including it gave ammunition to so many hate filled racists. Otherwise, his words were nice and filled with his experiences of the past (which most of us can’t even imagine) and his hope for the future. I believe he knows of what he speaks maybe just could have spoke it a little differently.

I am a seventeen year old Canadian student. I watch the inauguration today live on the internet. I would not say I was individually offended by the Benediction by Reverend Lowry but is it not this sort of racial profiling and separation that sparks racism? Why must everything on this day being about the colour of one’s skin? Obama was elected not because he is black, but because he is an amazing role model for any family man and has the talent and the drive to bring immense changes to America.
The leaders of tomorrow are today’s young people, like myself. I just hope that the racial opinions and vengences of today’s elders die with them. So that maybe, one day another man or woman of a minority will be elected and there won’t be celebrations because of their ethinicity, but by the composition of their character.

I’m white and I thought that Rev. Lowery’s prayer was beautiful and well crafted. I do hope that I will always do what is right…as should all people. Emphasizing whites being right is especially important in a racist society constructed by rich white males and maintained by privileging non-rich whites over others. Just because a white person is not a bigot does not mean that they are not racist. Racism (like all “isms”) is a system, not simply an attitude. Any person who benefits from, accepts, and does not resist a racist system is a racist. This is why it is so important to emphasize whites being right. It is also important to recognize not only that whites enjoy privileges that should be “extended” to everyone, but also that we enjoy privileges “because” they are denied to others. We have so much leisure and excess in this country precisely because our country has stolen the resources of other countries, exploited its cheap labor and weak government institutions, and used our military to open new markets for our products. For those who felt convicted by Rev. Lowery’s prayer, I challenge you to look at reality and history from another vantage point, that of history’s “victims of progress.”

As a white person, I wasn’t at all offended by Rev. Lowery’s benediction. That rhyme is something that has been around for many, many years in black churches. Rev. Lowery is very much a man of his generation, and his benediction reflects his many years of experience. I laughed, just as those on the Capitol steps were laughing. He meant no offense, and (at least in my case) none was taken.

I was in agreement with the Reverend until his flippant conclusion to the prayer that evoked laughter from the crowd.

I was not offended by the ministers comment at all and I am a white, 30 something stay at home mom from a RED state.

Gerard,
why are you taking this so intentionally? demonizing one sentence in an entire day?
imo, as a caucasian, i have a LOT of responsibility in not doing the right thing. i am automatically nervous when a group of young african american boys walks near or by me. i still notice the unfairness of two separate proms in the south.
there is so much that we all have done… and our history as caucasians sucks.
so, let’s embrace what’s right. in all sorts of ways.
and let’s not turn this into any victimization on *our* parts, either.
let’s not be afraid of our history… acknowledge it, know who we are and what we think *now*, listen to the future, and move on, still embracing the right — in whatever context that may be.
-r-

tempest. teapot.
it’s easy to see that there are quite a few perpetually angry folks out there just waiting for something to trigger them. as stated above, i have my own disagreements, sure. but if you hateful, obviously non-democrat types are set off by a man simply quoting the lyrics of a song and NOT by the past 8 years of ‘bushism’, maybe pray for a little sense of perspective, hmmm?
(and while i’m thinking of it, turn off that caps-lock, too, IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE YOU’RE YELLING.)
P.S. stephen c.– so, if we’re not part of the solution, we’re part of the problem? wow, that sounds remarkably like a recent former president i just mentioned. does NOT help.

To: Amazed, January 20, 2009 10:44 PM & History Gal, January 20, 2009 8:54 PM,
Fantastic, well said, couldn’t agree more with both of you.
To the posters who have written comments stating that blacks only voted for Obama because of his skin color, or this one:”It is truly appalling to me how this complete idiot can stand up in front of millions of people and bash the white population, when he should be kissing all of their liberal butts.”,
You people seriously need to examine yourselves. I can’t believe how many of you genuinely seem to think that you deserve special thanks because you’re white and voted for a black man. Seriously? You are the ones with the messages of hatred, filled with fury and vitriol. I cannot fathom how any decent (Christian/religious or otherwise) person could react with so much anger to this. You have no sense of proportion, of what it is truly worth getting that angry over.
In my view, the benediction was quite beautiful – it both brought tears to my eyes and made me laugh. And I’m not even Christian (by culture, religion, upbringing or otherwise) or religious. It was also full of historic references, which the majority of people on this board seem to be missing.
Perhaps those who are so angry over one line (that clearly had no actual racist intent anyway), should go pick up a history book or something, as well as pray for some patience and humility – virtues we all should aim to have more of if we want to ever overcome the problems that do still exist in our country.

Rev. Lowery was only telling us truths. “Truths are those things which do not change with time”; they are time-invariant! The people who do evil to others and refuse to acknowledge or recognise their actions need to be reminded constantly. Rev. Lowery was doing that just one more time, and he should be commended highly for his boldness to tell the truth, and clarity of thought.
The few “whites”, who are guilty or feel the guilt, always oppose or discredit the truth, just to feel good in their evil ways.
I repeat the truth once more, “Let the white embrace what is right!!!”

The laughter is the same reason this has become an issue to discuss. Its been heard before, but now with a little spin its become offensive to some. A little Flip_flop. It was just a spin that changed the direction of the punch. From black to white; to black, red, yellow, brown, to white. Its always gonna offend someone!!! What ever happened to Peer Editing??? What was the need?

Why is it necessary to even mention race? Why shouldn’t we all be asked to do what’s right?
Is this guy a Christian? I ask that because, imo, no Christian would be looking for God in a mosque. The Christian God is not the same as the Muslim. For one, He is a God of love. Muslims have many names describing their god – love is not one of them. There is a difference.
If he’s not Christian, I can understand why he mentioned it.
Think about it.

I White and was born that way through no “fault” of my own. I did not inherit any responsibility for the evil things that other white people have done. While I have a responsibility as an American and a decent human being to do good things and help my fellow man, being White does NOT add any responsibility!

I am white and I am proud of America today. As I listened to Rev. Lowery’s ending, I thought it sounded a bit out of sync with the event. I said to my wife, “I don’t think he ran that last part by anyone for advice”, sort of a rebel move on his behalf. I really believe he could have made the statement so much better by being positive and thankful. I submit the following change. The ending could have thanked God and MLK’s dream because Today blacks no longer go to the back, Today you see browns working all around our towns, Today yellow is the well educated fellow, Today the red man is restituted by the Fed man and white has embraced whats right.
Can I get an AMEN!!!
I think that would have been more appropriate for the day!!!
I will give Rev. Lowery a pass because he appearently still holds to those negative experiences of many years past. I am happy for him that he has lived to see this day.
I hope someone influential to him will impress upon him to publically acknowledged his prayers poorly constructed ending and that it might have been negative and offensive. I choose to believe he did not mean it to be. I would be very impressed if he did reach out to mend the offended.
Overall I was impressed with the whole day. Barack Obama has the skills to be a great President. I voted for him and I am praying he will be.
God bless America!!!

Tesserae,
Yes, there will always be pockets of ignorance and racism among whites. It’s tragic.
However, Rev. Lowery missed the moment. Given the historical sweep mentioned in my first post, near the top of the list, today was the day to recognize that the last barrier to Black achievement had been torn down. This was the work of all Americans, and is the culmination of a process that began with the work of the Abolitionists two hundred years ago.
None of this could have happened without the overwhelming support of the white community. That the only mention of whites as a group was associated with the worn out depiction of us as prone to doing the wrong thing shows Lowery as stuck in the past. Worse, he is guilty of ingratitude.
This was the day to proclaim gratitude to God for the work of all who have lifted minorities to their rightful place in society, to proclaim victory over institutionalized bigotry. It was a day to solidify and solemnize that unity among the races. Unfortunately he missed the moment.
Read NPR’s Juan Williams’ book ENOUGH to get a black journalist’s perspective. In sum, he recognizes that most of Black American’s wounds are self-inflicted.

I am of African American Decent but my family is as diverse as the United Nations and I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. In fact, I embrace it! For those of you who were offended by some of the remarks made Mr. Lowery during his benediction I suggest the following; First, don’t take owership of something or some situation that you don’t own, you didn’t cause the problem it preceded you; Second, you should pick your battles and if you truly trust and have faith in God then you know that you already have the victory and the devil is already defeated because the battle was never yours, as do you it too belongs to the Lord. His will, His time, His season and He requires both trust and obedience, each is incomplete without the other. He didn’t bring us this far to leave us, we need only have unwavering faith and abide.

Dear all,
I initially wondered about his all-inclusiveness, but I came to the conclusion that we all seek God in these different places, just that the chances of finding him in a mosque, etc are a bit slimmer… And sorry if I sound like a bigot.
Now, I LOVED his prayer. I may not agree with all the Reverend Dr Lowery stands for, but his prayer was great, and was as much a highlight, almost, as the inauguration speech, to me. He managed to distill decades of years and tears of long, long hope that was the civil rights struggle into a 5-minute prayer. God hasten the day when, like swords being fashioned into ploughshares, the tanks will be beaten into tractors.

President Lincoln was white. I do not engage in African slavery. My ancestors came to American in 1868. They did not engage in African slavery. So what have I done that I need to embrace right? In a general sense all men should embrace right, but to single out a race, well that is racism. If Rev. Lowery really wants an end to racism, he should start with himself.

I still can’t understand how someone who calls themselves a Christian can vote for and align themselves with a party the supports abortion on demand, partial birth abortion, homosexual marriage and an endless list of other sinful things. You can focus on the skin color if you like but I looked at his morality and found him lacking. I’ll continue to pray for people who call themselves Christian and support things that are clearly contrary to God’s Word.

His comments were outdated and racist. Why did Obama support him?

First and foremost, At the age of 87 Rev. Joseph Lowery has experienced racism at all levels. He has a right to say what he feels. Secondly if people are offended by his “little” ryhme at the end of his prayer,GET A LIFE. I’m guessing that the people who were offended are offenders of racism. Does one realize that it was people of color who constructed the very buildings that exist in Wash.,DC. ( white house, capitol)that most of them can’t even enter without be eyed suspiciously. People of color are still looked down on in many venues. It’s 2009 not 1959 it’s time for people with lack of melatonin to step up and and stop acting like we are in the 50′s where afro-americans(NEGRO)were second class citizens.
KUDOS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA,WHO IS OUR PRESIDENT. LIKE IT OR LEAVE IT.vs

Rev. Joseph Lowery’s benediction was racist, but why am i NOT surprised?? Another black leader cannot handle an historic moment with respect, honor, and dignity. Instead of unifying and rising above racism, he lowered himself to it. WITHOUT A DOUBT, his conclusion was divisive and racist. But then again, since i’m an evil white man i’m probably just saying this b/c i’m incapable of embracing what’s right. as long as i have been alive (35yrs), the white man has been more than tolerable of racial issues and comments such as lowery’s. if the roles were reversed, there would be riots in the streets of OUR country. pathetic is america for even allowing idiots such as lowery to call himself a reverand, much less tolerate such a racial message. maybe i have been living in a different america, but the only true racist i know are overwhelmingly black. yes, that may also be a divisive statement, but it is also a fact – unlike the racist lowery’s statement.

As an African-American Christian, I found Reverend Lowery’s prayer insightful and encouraging. He touched on the sovereignty of God and His concern for all of humanity. Unfortunity, some based on their theology may not embrace these truths. But, I’m still hopeful. Even if some people don’t acknowledge the harmful effects of slavery and racism in this world. I’m still hopeful. Even if my brothers and sisters in Christ refuse to accept me based on a theological difference of opinion. I’m still hopeful. Even if President Barack Obama doesn’t follow through on his campaign promises. I’m still hopeful. Because, “my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholely lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

It was a great benediction. I don’t agree with the ending but I hardly noticed it until my wife brought it to my attention. As I watched the video I could’t help but notice Obama’s smile shrink as Lowery said white will embrace what’s right. To me this was just another black man that can’t get over the civil rights movement and is still blaming whites for their problems today. Blacks cannot go to the white house without being looked at funny? Mzdevine when was the last time YOU were in the white house? Blacks enjoy more than ever now a days. Just ask any one of the millions on welfare driving cadillacs. Just ask any one of the black women on welfare pumping out babies one after another just to keep the cash flow coming because daddys a crack dealer with a harem if he’s in the picture at all. I don’t know of a single black person who cannot vote, who cannot go into any restraunt, store. And as I ride the bus, I can’t help but notice the blacks WANT to sit in the back. yes obama is President, and I do hope he suceeds for this country because a failed president is a failed America. So get over it mzdevine. Enjoy the moment.

I really suggest that anyone who wants to actually understand Lowery’s prayer should listen to the following storycorps stories and really hear what he was referencing:
http://www.storycorps.net/listen/stories/mary-ellen-noone
http://www.storycorps.net/listen/stories/ezra-awumey-and-sam-harmon
The first remembers the time of his opening lines (“god of our weary years”) and the second remembers the time of his closing lines (“black will not be asked to get in back.”)
The lack of recognition in these posts about cultural history terrifies as does the scarce mention of the significance of the inauguration date (the day after we all celebrated MLK Day). The words in Lowery’s prayer were there as a nod to all the work that MLK and other civil rights demonstrators (of all races) accomplished.
Both the beginning of his prayer and the end quoted songs with which we should all be familiar if we truly want to understand American History. He began with the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” (sometimes called the Negro national anthem) which hearkens back to Reconstruction and ended humorously with a chant that references 20th century American history. Neither is actually directly about slavery (despite the comments on this board) or even about the evilness of whites or white racism (again despite the complaints on this board). Of course both songs touch upon those ideas but they are about the struggles of Black Americans and the desire to overcome barriers.
In other words, to those who are offended, you seem not to understand that his prayer was not about you or even about your forefathers’ responsibility. It about what is an amazing moment in history. Let me say it again, it is not about you as an individual. It is about our history. Really, there is a remarkable amount of ego-centrism in the way that posters responded to his benediction. If you want to be offended that his words were about black struggles as to about you then I get it. Be upset that they are not about you, fine. If you want to say that his words were an insult to you then it is only because you are interpreting everything through the lens of self.
FS

Ignorance breeds hatred and violence. Some will capitalize on this ignorance, which will produce the type of situations we see in the Middle East. Before, we make these assumptions about other races, we need to do a little research. But, it’s always easier to assume. It requires no thought and no work.
This election has brought out the best and the worst in America. For the moment, the worst are hiding behind the anonymity of the internet. But, eventually they will manifest in our society once again.
I will be there for my brothers and sisters regardless of the color of their skin.
May God help us.

I listened to the prayer of Dr. Lowry and I felt a sweet spirit about the words that were said, I am a white woman. A mother of seven. I am a christian and I do understand everyones comments, it all depends on where you are coming from. I went back and listened to the stories of some of the people on storiecorps. I am angry because of the injustice that have been done to many people around the world. When my oldest daughter was young she loved American girl dolls, especially Addy. We read many stories about black people. Stories about slavery and talked about how wrong it was what happened. All of my children have read many books about Jews in concentration camps, some of their favorites are For the Stars and of course The Diary of Anne Frank. One of our favorite movies is called Night John, about a black girl who learns to read. I have taught my children to be respectful and tolerant, even if they don’t agree with some things, but to also stand up for what they know is right. I hope we can all take Dr. Kings example and do things in a peaceful way as he followed the example of Ghandi. I am not offended by the benediction. I am hoping that no black person will ever be asked to go to the back, that all will be well with everyone, and that all people will embrace what is right. I can also see why some young man at age 35 was angry about the speech and saw it as racist. Until I read the blog from FS I was a little disturbed after I read the young mans point of view but I believe FS said it with truth that many see through the lense of self. We would all do well to first seek to understand then to be understood. My children came home from school and talked about watching the inauguration and said the prayer was definitely the best part!

A day of celebration, of unification, of a higher and true self…yet, the Reverend’s old injuries ended the inauguration with a flippant, divisive, degrading sentiment, apparently embraced by black churches. I WAS offended, now I am just saddened. I would like to pray for myself, thank you. “Jesus, in your name I pray: please open the hearts of all people, of all races, and creed. Let them come together in your name, with TRUE harmony, a common cause to uplift one another, to be born anew, letting go of old grievances, and for all to embrace love, kindness and the bounty of your blessings.” Amen
I am not a religious leader, but I do know the difference between right and wrong. Just as it is wrong for whites to stereotype black people, it is also wrong for blacks to stereotype whites.
CW

Dear FS and Your Name posted January 21, 2009 9:21 AM, thank you both very much for the really thoughtful, compassionate things you posted. Honestly, you could get together and write an important book that I would be very fortunate to read.

I for one, was offended by Dr. Lowery’s concluding prayer. It has nothing to do with self. It goes to judgement. I am sure the Obama people screened Dr. Lowery’s comments. The fact they either knew it would be controversial and let it go anyway, or just didn’t see how it could play disturbs me. President Obama’s election should be a celebration that America has grown from the days of slavery. We don’t need to have it thrown in our faces at the precise moment we are demonstrating such growth. Let’s remember that lots of white folks had a strong hand in electing President Obama. Let’s also remember that Obama is half white, raised by white people…who by all accounts did a good job.

The people who were “offended” by the benediction are so, so wrong. It was beautiful, inclusive, and respectful of both God and Man. We are fortunate to have a few religious leaders who have open minds, and who recognize that God must, indeed, have a sense of humor: it took humor to create us as we are.

i for one loved this speech. Dr.Lowery’s words were inspiring. and even if obama is half white. what matters is we have change. if you could look back into your history book what do all of our presidents look like.? This is a new movement for the United States of america and yes white people had an effect on obama’s election but the background of this country always come to mind when you think of obama. i for one love Dr.Lowery’s speech and i completely agree with it.

How about comparing this…
–For we know that, Lord, you’re able and you’re willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor or the least of these and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these.–
with these…
–Leviticus 19
15 ” ‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
–Exodus 23
2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,
3 and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit.–
Or how about this…
–Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.–
Think that’s pretty much saying all religions are ways to God? So much for Jesus being the Way. How pre-postmodern.

Warren – You weren’t offended by the benediction?! It was beautiful, inclusive, and RESPECTFUL?! Are you kidding me? The words themselves were extremely disrespectful, but it’s not just the words. It’s the fact that he said that to the entire United States of America, to every white person in America. Everybody says we are uniting as a nation because we voted in a “black” person, but all I see it doing is dividing us. Can we leave the race issue alone and just govern America? We separated Church and State….can we separate Church and Race?

His conclusion that “What embrace what is right” is counter to the whole theme of inclusion that President Obama embodies. On a day such as yesterday why was it necessary to single out one group. It is that pervasive attitude among non-white Americans that the white population needs to “embrace what is right” is the single thread that will hold this drive towards unity back. The fact that Obama was elected President is a fact that we do. It really disturbs me that no other race can so openly be chided without reprocussions. As a white person, I for one, am tired of being told how I should act, that I don’t get it. The more “get it right” rhetoric I hear the less sympathetic I become, the more distant to the idea of unity I become. If we are truly a nation coming together then all must be included without prejudice.

There is a hurt among the African American communities that still needs to be healed. How can we judge their need to state their wrong that has been done to them? Family torn apart and humanity was denied them during our countries years of slavery. As time passes and small steps are taken, these wounds will probably continue to heal but there are still wounds that lie unhealed. Why can’t we allow that? Where is our humanity?
People are complaining that President Obama has been denying his caucasion geneology. I feel that is totally false. I also understand that because President Obama has walked in appearance as an African American, he fully understands what that brings to every encounter.
Amen!

AMEN GERARD.

The Prayer was an awesome Prayer and I believe it was heartfelt and most adequately delivered. I saw nothing wrong with it. It was a Prayer for people of all races and nationalities. I don’t believe there was a hint of any sort of racism within this prayer. The conclusion was most appropriate. This is still not a perfect world in which we live. Things have gotten tremendously better for races of all walks of life, yet there is still much work to be done. Dr. Lowery’s Prayer’s conclusion simply pointed out praise unto those that did not live to see this day of history come into is full bloom, and that the spirit and works they laid before us would continue to guide us on the path of pulling this; our nation on one accord. Anyone that read otherwise into this Prayer may need to bow down to the Heavenly Father and ask him for understanding and a purer but clearer mind and heart. We’ve come a mighty long way as a divided people, but today, we stand together united as one. Races from all walks of life put President Obama in the White House and not one race alone will tear him down though Lowery’s Prayer or by no other means. Again, That Prayer was for us all and by no means, antagonistic to no race.
Thank you Dr. Lowery for a Prayer of such sweet peace and spirit-felt release.

I was ok with the prayer until the end. Why was it “necessary” to imply that whites haven’t embraced what is right. I was offended by this implication. I pay my taxes, mortgages, and other bills on time. I treat others, regardless of skin color, with respect. I do what is right. Yet I feel that I have done something wrong. My family did not own slaves. This “reverend” can stand up in front of millions & make a “racist” comment and the media does nothing, but have a white (European American) make similar statementsand he is labeled as a racist.

AMEN and AMEN and AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

The last part of the benediction was very meaningful to me! Without going into a numerical equasion of the causal effects of that remark, I must tell you that after all of these 73 years of my life, it hurt the most! Lived that, suffered through it! But it wasn’t until I moved from the North to the infamous town in Virginia, which gave birth to the Willie Lynch Syndrome, a mere 8 years ago, did I realize why it was happening.
It had been a subtle thing, a none but the yellow, thing. A slight in high school, a snub in college, a rejection in marriage. Which permitted me to excell and exceed in all my endeavors to be the best in all my accomplishments. Throughout my life it was there but a google of Willie Lynch, was the revelation!
A battle still being fought amonst ourselves, one that made me a better soldier, but the battle is still raging! I hate the war, but I have hope that a dialog and revelation will remove the curse. Which is what this statement is… People, Damn this curse!

“Reverend”?? Lowry…hmmm…strange title for a man who spoke as you did. I am different from you and as a Christian, am not supposed to judge. I do not claim to know what your 87 years must have been like in this country. You, however, seem to think you know what my life has been like, since you accuse me of not “embracing what is right”. I ask you, “Reverend?”, who then made “it” right? How do we today, in 2009, have a Black American as President of the United States? If the black man was treated injustly and held back, how did Barack Obama get elected President? I think you need to let go of your prejuidices and hate, and think about this. It appears to me as though the unembracing white man had the major role in freeing slaves and making equal rights a reality. Dr. King could have marched from here to China, but if it weren’t for white people in political power being convicted and knowing what he was saying right and that the previous way was wrong, NOTHING would have changed. Aren’t you tired of hate and prejuidice? Why on such a beautiful and miraculous day that God blessed this country with would you give people an evil thought and make such an unchristian-like statement, causing separation and ill-feelings?? People like YOU are the reason this country is still separated by race. You still want to blame people from the past, when it is people in the present day who make their own fate. Our president has proved this beyond doubt; that ANYONE, ANY COLOR has their own fates in their own hands, which God teaches us in the Bible – it’s called FREE CHOICE. Maybe you should take a look in the mirror and get down on your knees and pray to the real God, the Father of Jesus Christ, and examine your heart. You did a bad thing yesterday – everything went so perfectly, but YOU gave ammunition to try to continue the hate between races. I’m tryng not to judge here, but that was NOT very Christian-like. Now is I have to forgive you and pray for you as taught in the Bible, and I am really angry with what you said, so this will be tough for me. Why don’t you try reading the real Bible sometime? There may still be time to teach an old dog new tricks.

These racist comments made by Lowery are totally uncalled for. Why is it that African American; black people can say what ever they want to, but if any white person makes any comments we are racist and have created a divide? I believe if the African American peoples it this country would let go of slavery and quit trying to hold the LIVING Caucasian people of this country responsible for slavery this country we would all be better off. We the Caucasians do not owe the African American race anything!! I don’t agree at all what was done in the days of slavery yet the African American people continue to hold me responsible. I, nor my parents, nor my grandparents have had any part of slavery. GET OVER IT ALREADY!! Who really needs to do what it “right”? In regards to doing what is right; what is the percentage of black vs. white in our prison systems through out the country? Which race is truly the one that needs to “do what is right” It is time for the blacks to move forward letting go of the past. Come on people! Mr. Lowery was not trying to make a joke; he purposely was making a jab at the Caucasian race. I did not find it funny at all!!
I also understand that a person whom is half white and half black in most cases looks African American. But I don’t feel it was appropriate for Obama to ignore his Caucasian side. He should have acknowledged both. After all who raised him? How much was his father actually involved in his life?? Fair is fair, and right is right………let’s get it right, he is half white!! Hey, I made a rhyme!! Are we going to laugh now??

Amen Donna!! I second her comments!!

His conclusion that “What embrace what is right” is counter to the whole theme of inclusion that President Obama embodies. On a day such as yesterday why was it necessary to single out one group. It is that pervasive attitude among non-white Americans that the white population needs to “embrace what is right” is the single thread that will hold this drive towards unity back. The fact that Obama was elected President is a fact that we do. It really disturbs me that no other race can so openly be chided without reprocussions. As a white person, I for one, am tired of being told how I should act, that I don’t get it. The more “get it right” rhetoric I hear the less sympathetic I become, the more distant to the idea of unity I become. If we are truly a nation coming together then all must be included without prejudice.

Why so defensive – my goodness did he strike a nerve?

WHY ARE YOU SO ANGRY!!! MY GOODNESS ITHOUGHT IT WAS IN GOOD HUMOR…DON’T TAKE THINGS SO PERSONAL.

Touched by a man of life’s experiences, that we know not what, who has a heart after God. The prayer brought tender tears to my eyes. May God Bless America.

I for one, was offended by Dr. Lowery’s concluding prayer. I am Japanese American whose is completely mellow. What a ignorant statement, I am and have always been very mellow. In fact my nick name is mellow yellow,
and for him to say that “red can get ahead” was even worse, many Native Americans are owning casinos and don’t need well wishes to get ahead they are very rich,.

The consequences of racism are still very much a part of the American fabric. Should we move on? Absolutely! How shall we move on? This is the real question. To just demand that one “get over it,” is an insult to the man/woman who is still reeling from the repercussions of the hand life has dealt to them, too often for the people of color a construct of the external view rather than an embracing of their humanity. Perhaps we should work harder to understand the perspective of an individual rather than condemn them for their view forged in a crucible we will never have to endure. Compassion and understanding (or at least a semblance of understanding) comes when we take the time to get involved in the lives of the people we deem shiftless and lazy, those who we think are responsible for their own misery. When is the last time we worked in a soup kitchen, or volunteered in an inner city school, or made it our business to connect with a community based organization. We fear what we do not know and we do not know because we do not care and we do not care because we are too busy with our own lives and our own plans. Perhaps we should accept that we see what we want to see based on what we believe is right. Besides, if we have truly overcome, why do we still have the ethnic sections in our supermarkets and drug stores and why are we still half this and half that? Can’t we just all be Americans working together for the common good, and for goodness sakes, can’t we allow an old man his opinion without condemnation? Dr. Lowery has seen a lot in his 87 years and this one thing is probably still real; the more things change in his neck of the woods, the more they are probably the same, not as overt but very much a covert operation. Whether we like it or not, the color of power in this country is still overwhelmingly white and like it or not, again, things may not be as they were in the sixties, but the despair and the hopelessness of a race is still very much a reality in this land of the free and home of the brave. What shall we say to these things. . . and what are we going to do besides throw stones and hope that none shatter our own glass houses?

I enjoyed the prayer – all of it. Newscasters were talking about this part being part of something called “The Negro _____” black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right. I don’t remember what they were calling it tho. I wanted to look up more info on it. Does anyone know what they were calling it or how I can look up more info on “The Negro _____”?

It seems that Mr. Lowery is unaware of the civil rights changes that have occured in the past few DECADES. I have never witnessed a brother who was asked to, “…get back,” And I doubt that I ever will. That sort of thing would be considered a hate crime. Mr. Lowery should go for a walk and have a look around. As far as “embracing what is right” goes, this wonderful country has been on that path since Lincoln. Sounds like a race baiting comment to me.

Having just read every post, I can clearly see just how much farther we have to go before Dr. King’s hope is fulfilled.
(White, not offended in the least, but saddened that so many were)

Seems to me that President Obama has his work cut out for him if he’s wanting to “unite” the people of this country. These words from one who claims to embrace the hopes that stem from the promises of Barack Obama make it clear that we are no closer to accepting one another in totality, solely as human beings than we were 30 years ago. The fact that we continue to make differentiation, whether for good or ill, tells me that there is a long road ahead in the effort to change the hearts of man. I submit that it can not be done save each individual’s heartfelt desire to look at his fellow man and see no skin color.
Why is there no repudiation for Joseph Lowery’s words? Why isn’t there an outrage over this prayer to God?
When I was in grade school, we had to “prove our work” by taking the sum of an addition equation and subtract it from one of the addends. In doing so, one could readily see if he was correct in his calculation of the original equation. Using this formula in conjunction with Lowery’s prayer, we can see that his original words were wrong. There would have been an outrage had a white pastor said something to the effect of, “when white regains his civil right and when black would cut others some slack.”
Being offended is a choice. While I shake my head in indignation at the words of Joseph Lowery, to be offended is not worth the effort. True unity will not take place until each man, woman and child decides within himself that he will purpose to change direction in his thinking. No one man can unite a country in this with his words or laws as long as we continue to carry the deceitful heart that beats within us.
Fingers will continue to point and accusations will continue to fly, but we each need to feel conviction as we remember the words, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

This is to Ray—Just because you haven’t “seen” a black man have to get back…. that makes it the universal truth? Just who are you? Look around yourself— there are a lot more people than just you in this country. Oh and you might want to look up narcissism in the dictionary–you might just see your name there.
Good Luck

A Presidential inauguration is no place to make racial slurs of any kind.
And calling me, a young white guy, racist was over the top Joseph Lowery.

I sat quietly on the sofa & decided to watch the inauguration yesterday morning. I did not vote for Obama due to different political beliefs. But, I sat there, trying to have an open mind & trying to see some light, or ray of hope in this man that obviously most of America sees. Then, when Rev Lowery delivered his benediction , I felt as if he & Obama drove a wedge between us. As I saw Obama smirk at his racial comments, I knew then that here we go. So, it’s obviously not about hope & inspiration and change. It’s all about the same old, same old poor me I’m black speech. Come on Rev Lowery, times have changed. Without that race card you try to throw down at every turn, I guess you wouldnt have a podium to stand at. Then, what would you do? You have to keep screaming that to stay in the spotlight. The last time I rode a bus I didnt hear the driver ask blacks to sit in the back. In fact, I am discriminated against all the time by blacks myself. So, maybe you should ask your own race to do the same of what you asked of whites. It makes no sense why those words ever had to be spoken in the 1st place. In fact, I never thought black, white, red or yellow until the Rev Lowery brought racism into my home. Thanks alot, sir! Thanks for allowing me to see that you are absolutely right! Nothing will change until everyone, including yourself stops judging races & preaching what you cannotyourself live up to. I was looking for a reason to support Obama & you overshadow that by your petty , out dated speech. You are preaching to the choir! Last time I checked whites were still the majority in this country….and thats how Mr Obama got to the Whitehouse. I do what is right. I wasnt there in the 60′s. Get over it & grow up! Lots of people of all races have endured hardships. The 60′s are over. We are living in 2009. You might want to jump out of your time maching & take a look around.

Excellent prayer Rev. Lowery
This little white , middle aged, follower of Christ comes in agreement with you. I am sure our Lord Christ took your prayer straight to the Father’s right hand. Where your case has been pled and where your loving heart is well known to both the Lord and the Father.
Bless you Rev Lowery.

I loved the closing. I think that rhyme has probably been around a while. I pray for the same day. The word ‘racist’ was not used, but to pray for any of those things, including that whites will do right, is not racist. It is to be hoped. Obviously ALL whites are not racist and I do, as a white person, try to do what is right, but know full well many do not. The context is obviously gentle humour, and people who take offense need to check what they are identifying with in that statement.

This prayer floored me when I heard it. I was truly fine with it until the last part, where I felt Rev. Lowrey crossed a line that didn’t need to be crossed. It is a line that many minority folks have used against me and my fellow white people for far too long. I am tired of being told that I am the enemy. Once again, IN SPITE of MANY white folks voting for Barack Obama in November, we are still the ones who need to “do right”.
I did not vote for Barack Obama because he is a Liberal and I am a Conservative. I would have HAPPILY pulled the lever for a Michael Steele or Alan Keyes any day, so calling me a racist isn’t valid in any way, shape, or form. It’s amazing…black Conservatives are labelled “Uncle Toms” by their own race because they DARE to not be Liberals! Hmmmm. Sounds like they need to clean their own house a little bit before they start looking into the windows of mine…

The outraged commentators may be a little out of touch with the reality still out there in parts of America. (Can you say “New Orleans”) have look here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-burnett/if-youre-black-get-back_b_21426.html

Rev. Lowery
I am sorry you feel because I am white I have wronged all people of color. I was raised to always do what is right and have. But I don’t approve of the comment you made and it’s obvious slur. I can only assume that you have been judged by God and have the right to make judge. I think not!
Always embracing what is right.
Les Ye B. Judged

I am sorry you didn’t hear the deep truth in Rev. Lowery’s words. I am an old white woman who has shed silent tears and certainly has weary years. May God be with us all and may we be just and merciful. May we whites finally embrace what is right.

If a white person had said similar remarks? That’s all you need to know. When “yellow will be mellow”? What is that? Are Asians all upset and angry? If I was Asian I’d be particularly offended. I’d say, “don’t include us in your racist diatribe.” We are successfull in this country. Our kids “kick whiteys” butt in school. You want to feel oppressed do so but we will prosper in spite of any racism.” White America just elected a “black man”. Wake up. Seems that some won’t say America is not racist until there are NO white people in any position of power. Sad, but it’s the Left who are the real racists.

The lines in question are a quote from an old song. When it was written – it was the truth.
Unfortunately, it’s old enough that a lot of people don’t remember it and didn’t get the allusion.

Seriously I am so sick of white people acting like the things that happened in the past are not part of your culture! What he said was Right! Even if you have never wronged a “BLACK”there are many who have. So take it as an oppurtunity for the Rev.Lowery to say something that in the 60′s he would have been killed for and GET OVER IT!

Ana, I hope you don’t mind my re-posting your wonderful explanation of those last few words of Rev. Lowery’s benediction, but I think a few might benefit by reading it.
As for myself, a white, female, non-believer, I was incredibly moved by the Reverend and his beautiful benediction. How can one sentence obliterate the hundreds of words that came before it? Even before reading the historical roots of it, I did not find it offensive.
It amazes me that on a site called Beliefnet, so much vitriol would be circulating. I came here to read the text of Reverend Lowery’s words, but boy, what an ‘earful’ I got.
Your words again:
Ana
January 20, 2009 7:30 PM
I guess this is further proof that while the minority has to be familiar with the cultural references of the majority in order to successfully navigate their society the inverse is clearly not true.
The first thing I thought of was the old AA saying, in reference to intra-community color issues and the clear color hierarchy of Jim Crow era US society in general; “If you’re white its all right, if you’re yellow stay mellow, if you’re brown stick around, but if you’re black get back”
Clearly Lowry is in line with the message of the day and the symbolism of this historical event that we are working towards a US that doesn’t have such a blatant racial/cultural/social hierarchy.
I asked my mom, and in her generation folks of all colors quoted this song in their protests concerning equality, desegregation, racial violence, poverty, etc…
Black, Brown And White
This song can be found on the CD: “Big Bill Blues” (Vogue). The recording date was September 20, 1951 in Paris.
Black, Brown And White (B. B. Broonzy)
This little song that I’m singin’ about
People you know it’s true
If you’re black and gotta work for a living
This is what they will say to you
They says if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But as you’s black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I was in a place one night
They was all having fun
They was all byin’ beer and wine
But they would not sell me none
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But if you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
Me and a man was workin’ side by side
This is what it meant
They was paying him a dollar an hour
And they was paying me fifty cent
They said if you was white, ‘t should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm boy, git back git back git back
I went to an employment office
Got a number ‘n’ I got in line
They called everybody’s number
But they never did call mine
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I hope when sweet victory
With my plough and hoe
Now I want you to tell me brother
What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow?
Now if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But if you black, whoa brother, git back git back git back

I’d like to express my thank you’s to such an outstanding individual that I had the priviledge to listen to and understand. In my estimation he was the right person to give the Benediction that was done with colorful flavor!

I did not vote for our current president, but I did sit down yesterday and watched hours of inaugural activities to begin a journey of supporting our new president. I thought that Pastor Warren did a great job … of course, Jon Stewart had to find something to slam him for. However, unlike the Rev. Lowery’s invocation, there was nothing racially offensive in his prayer. I find it positively shocking that we, as a nation, have come as far as we have and then at a historic presidential inauguration it is thrown in the faces of the people who elected this president that they are still bigots and ignorant. I am offended and angry that Rev. Lowery felt is necessary and appropriate to include such statements in his “prayer”. I find it offensive that our President found it humorous … he is in fact half white and raised by a white grandmother! Just in case you aren’t aware, the United States is the ONLY country in the world to have ever elected, or placed, a minority for such a high government office. Yet, we still need to “embrace what is right”. I pray for our president and our country, for the days ahead are going to be difficult.

You have got to be kidding me. Okay, so now that everyone is realizing that these words at the end of Rev Lowery’s benediction are from an old song, I think by the Beatles, you think now you can justify this? Okay! You are obviously out of touch with reality like Rev Lowery. Being old & living thru the 60′s is no excuse to keep bashing whites at every turn. Who cares where the words came from…he said them & meant them to each race. Those comments had no place in such a special ceremony that should have been written to inspire people, not divide them. Try & justify it to yourself however you want to, but as always with these activists, this is always going to be their podium. According to them, it will always be the same no matter what has changed. If we have come this far, and voted in a black man as president & whites still get called racists & saying we need to embrace whats right when we are, then obviosuly it’s never going to change. I am not stupid, I know what he meant, and his little “out” is saying that it came from a song. So what? The words are still the same, and he said them. As far as I am concerned, he drove a wedge with the race issue, right off the bat. Song are no song, he is the one who is racist & he is the one who cant forgive & go on. Seems like everyone else has. Thanks to him , the only time I have ever been upset over race is right now. Mr Lowery is actually moving people backwards on this issue if you ask me.

Concerning obama, I have never seen such a racist following from the likes of him and this lowery fellow of his. I live in a small city and never experience such racial overtones as obama’s supporters in and around his chicago area and points in between. I have very close friends who are black and share a common love and friendship with them and enjoy their company very much and I don’t hear nor experience the racial signals that obama’s supporters and constinuents convey. The choice for a first black president was slim pickens and I would be a very dissapointed black person if this is the best representation of that.The world of obama seems very dark, dismal followed by hatred for America, whites, etc. and I just don’t get it. This is why I didn’t vote for him. If he continues supporting his racial movement who knows what the outcome will be and surely not for the common good that he claims. Big time bigotry is what I see coming from his world……

“Even if you have never wronged a “BLACK”there are many who have.”
Yeah…including other BLACKS!
The problem with Lowery’s closing line (dated as it is) is that it suggests WHITEY needs to be eternally apologetic for racial crimes other whites have committed, and they must make up for it by embracing “black culture”.
I suppose by that rhetoric, BLACKS are innocent of racial crimes? – as it suggests BLACKS have never wronged anyone but…other BLACKS.
As a mixed race (get the red, white innuendo?) American, the FACT is had any white person made a similar speech, referring to Asians as “Yellow” or suggested something like BLACKS need to start appeasing WHITEY, it would’ve have been a media firestorm.
I wasn’t offend by the RedMan comment because it wasn’t insulting – only the “white” and “yellow” comments were.
No big deal, but for argument’s sake, facts need to be put on the table.

Amen Brother!!

Let me put it in other words, So that all may understand what is wrong with Rev. Lowey’s bendiction. I attend a church where the pasture refers to everyone in attendance as children of God. What faith allows a man of the cloth to segment God’s children?
So continuing to do and embrace what is right.
Les Ye B. Judged

Glad to hear I’m not the only offended by his racist statements. What I can’t for the life of me figure out is why ALL other forms of racism aren’t discussed and addressed appropriately. I did not own slaves, my family didn’t (in fact some of them were endentured servants) and I am so TIRED of being blamed and held responsible for something I did not do. Racism will never go away as long as this is allowed to continue.

I am white and I take offense to this. If a white person had made these comments, this would not be acceptable. This is a racial comment as far as I am concerned.

President Obama is not a decendant of American slaves. He is half Amrican {white}, and half Kenyan. His formative years were spent outside the continental US, a diet probably of more fish and rice, than collards and cornpone. This venom spewing rhetoric that has been associated with Barack dosent fit him..But it does fit the mold of the new first lady. She has been the super hands off of this whole affair, and I think I know why. Remember how everyone used to say Nancy ran the house for Ronnie. Well get ready for Michelle.
Barack might have been sleeping in the front row of Wrights church not paying attention, but you KNOW who was..his wife.

WOW! Lots of folks here who have “over reacted” to the beautiful words at the end of the prayer…those before my first comment and the many after. And some think “racism” is over in this country? NO. The “white bashing” IMO didn’t happen, but there are those who, in their minds, think it did. Whatever.

Okay Pagansister, calm down & go back to sleep.
I think your dreaming!

Everyone should strive to “embrace” what is right. The words were not “do” what’s right, which might infer that “white” has not yet done “what’s right,” or worse, that “white” in general, has done what’s wrong. Besides the entertaining and edifying historical allusions to civil rights slogans, and the obvious need for rhyme, please consider the meaning of the word “embrace” before you get up in arms. To embrace something suggests a proactive movement beyond tactic acceptance, approval or even verbalized agreement. To enfold it in your arms, to draw it close to you, to make it a part of who you are.
Contemporary personal-accountability wisdom suggests: Whenever I have a problem with someone (or something they say) the problem is with me.
The paradoxical nature of race (like gender) is that it matters and it doesn’t matter. It defines us, but it shouldn’t limit us. No one white or one black person can stand and speak for all, therefore, a reference to “white” should only be taken personally by those whites to whom it applies.
Perhaps this is a good occasion for another general human guideline: if it doesn’t apply to you, don’t get offended.

What would Jesus have said?
Still continuing to embrace what is right!
Les Ye B. Judged

If a white reverend would have said that, he would have been called racist. Reverend Lowery is racist. Also, what about the countless millions of northerners with 1st generation ancestors that arrived after the Emancipation and were never part of Separation. Are you going to stereotype us? what did we do? How long will we have to tolerate this whining and nonsense? Stop the nonsense and learn history.
White Americans are over it, please get over it. White America elected Barrack Obama. 12.8% of the population wouldn’t have enough votes to do so. Instead of being rude, we will accept a thank you or God Bless you. We have move on have you? Has Reverend Lowery moved on?

I have been making Blog postings on my website about this comment, and I’ve heard from several people that because they were so wrapped up in the Obama hype that they didn’t even realize how racist that comment was. I agree with you guys that if that were to be a white woman or man making a comment like that, that we would never hear the end of it, because the white race will always be considered racist, even though it is not true! And “over reacting” pagansister…YOUR CRAZY!!!! The beginning of his speech, yes it was beautiful, but he crossed the line, but it’s ok because he is a black man!!!!!!!!!!! WHATEVER TO THAT

It’s astonishing to me, a resident Brit. with friends from many nations, ethnicities and tribes to hear offense and umbridge being taken when it was so clearly not given. Rev Lowery’s tone was suitably wry and reverent in my view. This response reminds me of doctrinaire Islams wild response to the (pretty mild) danish cartoons of he whose image shall not be drawn. Of course I refer to Voldemort. Because many of us are interested in getting beyond prejudice by pulling it out of hate’s closet and giving it light and air into which to dissipate. Breathe deeply … and move on.

WHAT A WONDERFUL PRAYER. AND THAT’S WHAT IT IS A PRAYER. REV. LOWERY WAS NOT THERE TO SPUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OR INSULT ANY ONE PERSON OR GROUPS. HIS CLOSING SENTENCES WERE MEANT TO CELEBRATE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT CAME TO CELEBRATE THIS HISTORIC OCASSION. HIS PRAYER WAS FOR ALL OF US AND OUR NEW PRESIDENT. THE LAUGHTER AND TEARS FOLLOWING HIS WORDS JUSTIFY AND VALADATE HIS INTENTIONS. HE WAS A PART OF HISTORY, WHY NOT JOIN HIM AND CELEBRATE A NEW ERA IN OUR COUNTRY. SLAVE OR NOT A SLAVE, BLACK OR WHITE, RED OR YELLOW…BLAH BLAH BLAH. HOW SILLY WE MUST LOOK TO OUR LORD. I AM THANKFUL I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS GLORYOUS DAY AND TO HAVE SHED THE TEARS, LAUGHER AND EXPERIENCED THE INSPERATION FROM REV LOWERY’S WORDS. AMEN DAVE THOMAS QUEENSBURY, NY

Were Rev. Lowery’s last sentences needed?
Still embracing what is right
Les Ye B. Judged

I agree with the comments I have seen so far. My husband is a black man and I am a white woman, race and politics has been a subject many times, but he and I can talk about it like adults. the thing that angers me is everyone because of the Obama tidal wave is acting like black men and women jsut got their freedom, and that the civil war ended yesterday and that civil rights were yesterday’s news…and now all of a sudden black americans think they can do anything they want to do now becuase they have a black president?? Rember this a black man got the right to vote 50 years before women did, I found the end of his prayer very offensive, how can this man who says he is a child of god and a spiritual leader say such racists things, i am absolutely appalled. God does not see color he sees into people’s hearts. Dr. Martin Luther King’s teachings have been obscured and lost, he would not have said such a thing, and that man just slapped everyone who fought for his freedom and rights in the face.

Hey Jess,
I like your comments and appreciate them very much as a white male. Lets face it, a white man would have had a life changing experience if he ended a prayer that way. You are fooling yourself if you believe otherwise.

No, Mr Brit … I think we will move on when black anger subsides. I mean come on what else do we have to do?
government handouts
Free college scholarships
Hiring quotas
What next? reparations?!!!!!!!!!
Reparations already happened in the first three above.

Would pasture, priest, or any spiritual leader make these statements?
NO
Would Jesus say such things?
No
Was any part of the last sentences of Rev. Lowery’s benediction at all needed?
NO
I rest my case
Still trying to embrace what is Wright….I mean Right.
Les Ye B. Judged

Dear resident Brit: ~~~~ What??

Hey…To: Les Ye B. Judged:
Come on, okay, now you have totally made me not be able
to take anything you say seriously when you keep
saying pasture. It’s not pasture, its pastor.
A pasture is where horses & cows graze my friend.

I was taken aback and then offended when I considered the words spoken “when white will embrace what’s right.” What is that supposed to mean? What gets me all the more is that if the tables were turned, the others referred to at the end of that speech would have the speaker’s head by now! Our media is a bunch of uncritical, unthinking dopes!

Seriously, if a black muslim from Kenya can become president of the United States, then natural born blacks should stop with the victim excuse… get an education… get a job… be accountable for their actions. There are plenty of opportunities today for all. As for owing the black people, I’m tiring of hearing it. If it weren’t for the Tax Payers (majority are white)… There would be no Welfare/Medicaid recipients (majority black). Reparations are paid on a daily basis. Now, if we had the option of saying, “Okay, all blacks are entitled to $X dollar amount.. period.. and have to go off welfare and medicaid, I’m all for it.
As for Lowery, I was offended by his racist remarks. It is racist like him that fuel the flames of racism. He claims that White should embrace what’s right… If it weren’t for the whites Hussein Obama would not have been elected president. Is he saying whites got it wrong?

“Your Name” .. amen.. you got it right. harsh and direct, but right.

“Your Name” actually not harsh, excuse me, you are a realist. You are just right and direct to the point. We need more intelligent discourse like that

How about this approach…..
Would a man of the cloth of any religion say what Rev. Lowery said in a benediction?
NO
Would Jessus say those things?
NO
Was what he said needed at the end of his benediction?
NO
I rest my case.
Still embracing what is WRIGHT… I mean right.
Les Ye B. Judged

I believe that all the statements said here are completely ignorant and absurd! How on earth can you criticize this sweet old man? Perhaps you have no idea what he has done for our country.. maybe you should do your research!
He is spreading a message of equality he is in no way encouraging blacks to overpower white people.
I think his speech was excellent, it was intelligent and it meant so much to African Americans. Instead of being happy about this day because IT DOES mean so much to so many individuals.. you feel the need to rain on there parade.
If you dislike the way in which he spoke or the specific words he used i can understand that but these comments here are neither constructive nor appreciated.
Think about that for a second.. and next time you throw some bullsh** out there try not to sound like an ignorant a**hole..

Hi Pagansister,
Hope you enjoyed the day yesterday. I had my children (ages 9,8,5) watch from start to finish. It was a triumphal moment for the nation. All the Best!

“when white will embrace what is right”? And how in the hell did Obama get elected? It wasn’t w/just D.C. and harlem voting!

Victoria You are cursing and swearing. That is laughable, and a typical of a liberal that is defeated. Everyone else is giving the facts and the truth if the shoe was on the other foot.
That is all, by no means is anyone saying that this isn’t a historical or important thing. It is awesome. However, the facts are the facts, when Reverend Lowery said “…. and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.” He became a racist or an outright fool. I will let you choose. Finally, he will have to answer to his maker for making that divisive comment before countless millions.

Oh my! Some of these people who call themselves Christians should get back to the meaning of the religion: love, acceptance, redemption. Ignorance is NOT one of our precepts. Rev. Lowery’s benediction was beautiful and poignant and very of the moment. The man is NO fool. We are deluding ourselves if we pretend race is no longer an issue in our country. Barack Obama’s election was one of the many first steps America is taking on the road to equality and we have many, many more ahead. The TRUTH is that President Obama is exactly what we need now. “DC and Harlem” played their part and “white” America (oh how I hate these terms) agrees–the election was not won by “DC and Harlem” alone. Obama was elected because he is the best man for the job. All the “white” votes he received serve in part to redeem the generations of white Americans who sat by while “black” Americans were mistreated. (BTW, I am a “white girl”, too.) Racism is an unfortunate and embarrasing part of our history. What we do *now* will create our future. “Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.” Amen, Rev. Lowery, Amen!

You know, it’s kind of funny that people would be bashing this benediction, of sorts.
I’m sure when they were planning out this inauguration they decided that they needed both a conservative and a liberal. The conservative was at the beginning, and the liberal at the end. I think Joe’s comments are laughable. I don’t think they were meant as being completely serious, hell even Obama laughed. Quite truthfully though, there becomes a conundrum when talking about race. We could say that by saying the comments that he did, he himself became racist. Or we could say that by his comments, he’s accepting a common truth that our country is racist. No matter who is in the presidency, no matter how many laws and legislature that is passed, there will always be a sense of one person believes they are better than the next. It may have everything or nothing to do with racism, but in the end, it will be percieved that way. Now, I think the whole half-breed thing is very racist myself, but I am not one to judge too much. Everyone is a person, if you can’t handle that, don’t talk, and you are most certainly welcome to leave the country.
I really wish people would follow through with their threats of “i’m going to leave the country if he’s elected president.” How many do think are leaving?…HAHA!
People like their sense of freedom too much. Canada may have a better healthcare system, but their taxes suck.

Rip -
By following up with “Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen,” Lowery was inviting ALL, everyone present, black, white, yellow, mellow, to proclaim themselves as people who already DO embrace what is right.

I have spoken publicly around the world and NEVER have I heard any speech (prayer) that could even come close to the racist comments made in this (so called) prayer. I cannot immagine what would have happened to me if I would ever have made such a statement.

I was at the inauguration and when those words were spoken, “when white will embrace what’s right” I stopped laughing at his little rhyming game and thought wait a second…? Is that not racism? And the cheering and praises that were followed by it made me sick. This country does not allow racism towards blacks and we should not allow it towards any other ethnicity or race either. Regardless of religion, color, education, political stance or economic status. I’m very disappointed and upset with such comments

Good for Lowery for challenging us not to get complacent with the improvements in race relations in our nation. Just because we have a black president doesn’t mean that things are okay — we still have a long way to go.
And we white folks may not have owned slaves or lynched blacks, but we still benefit from the profits of the systems that allowed these things to happen. The power and wealth we enjoy is inherited on the backs of the oppressed.
And by the way, if this really is an old blues song, then “yellow” is not referring to Asians but to Mulattoes…..

When Preacher Lowery said, “when yellow will be mellow,” he meant to say to the Asians, “Stop being smart and successful!” In general, blacks resent Asians for the following reasons:
1. Asians are more intelligent.
2. Asians work harder.
3. Asians value education more than blacks.
4. Asians are vastly more successful in the brainy professions.
5. Asians are more likely to be married with a father in the house.
6. Asians embrace values that are positive and life-affirming: therfore, they are more likely to fully participate in the American Dream.
7. Asians do not feel a sense of “entitlement.”

White in PA
I do believe in justice and in mercy. But How can one say amen after falsely and being accused of not being right with my fellow man.
“help us work for that day…. and when white will embrace what is right.”
What is white doing wrong? I know I embrace justice and fairness personally and I am white.

Again, when the song was written, “yellow” was used in reference to mulattoes — whether Lowery meant it that way, I don’t know, but that’s how it was historically. “Red and yellow, black and white” referred to the main groups of people in the USA: Indians, Mulattoes, Blacks and Anglos.
And by the way, your post relies on the “model minority” myth which, besides being inaccurate, is just as much a racist stereotype as that of the lazy, untrustworthy black.
It was Frank Chin who described the model minority stereotype as “racist love.”

Gerard Nadal at 21 Jan. 6:25 PM
I did indeed enjoy my day…and watched from start to finish. (One of many benefits of being retired!).
The Best to you also!
AJ at 4:40 PM 21 Jan:
Believe me when I tell you I am and was fully awake! The Reverend,IMO, wasn’t making racist remarks nor was he “white bashing.”

Its ironic in that on the day a black man is put it this great nation’s highest position, Rv. Lowery asks the Lord to “help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around, … when the red man can get ahead…”, and in that so called ‘prayer’ to the Lord make blatant statements of racism, suggest that asians are agressive and whites do not embrace what is right by asking for the day “when yellow will be mellow, … and when white will embrace what is right.”

White in PA
I do believe in justice and in mercy. But How can one say amen after falsely being accused of not being right with my fellow man.
“help us work for that day…. and when white will embrace what is right.”
What is white doing wrong? I know I embrace justice and fairness personally and I am white.

After such a joyous celebration I am sadden by the callous remarks by some of the respondents herein. I do not believe that Dr. Lowery comments were meant to slight anyone. I think the comments were made as a celebration to the fact that all Americans regardless of groupings now have a “equal seat at the table.”
Are we so narrow-minded that we have to criticize everything most, if not all the time. I am not criticizing the writers who feel “offended” by Dr. Lowery’s prayer. All voices need to be heard. It just saddens me, a Black man born and raised in the South, educated by experiences, many of them never lived by anyone other than a Black man, when people, especially those in this forum focus on the words of a speaker rather than the totality of the speaker’s message. In the UUA community we are taught to “assume good intentions.”

I agree with the earlier post inviting those who threatened to leave if Obama were elected, to actually leave. Please. Seriously. Your ignorance and anger have no place in the country that the rest of us would like to build now, in 2009.
I’m just glad there are more decent, calm, patient, tolerant people out there in the US than the posts on this board would indicate. And for all those who keep saying “only a black man could say this” and that they get away with saying anything – you’ve got to be kidding me – black people can say whatever they want and not be judged? If you really think that, you clearly don’t know anyone belonging to a minority group. Minorities are all judged all the time, and what they say tends to be held up to more criticism than the majority.

What is really sad is that we really have a lot of ignorant people in this world. For all of you who took offense to what Rev. Lowery said, you had to find something to complain about. After all yesterday was one of the most beautiful days this country has had in a very long time. President Obama is both White and Black (which does not make him gray for whatever fool made that comment). My point being why would Rev. Lowery want to offend him. Now…should he left out the last comment about white being right most of you would have thought the rest of what he said was funny and clever.
Unfortunately we have a lot of negative people in who will find fault with something ALL THE TIME!!!!!!! Relax, Relate, Release. I enjoyed the Inauguration from start to finish. How I wish we could stop focusing on color. What I love is that each generation that is born there is less racism. I hope you negative people that have written some of crazy comments are not polluting your children’s mind and hearts with your bitter selves… if you have them. Racism is taught.
I wish Rev. Lowery would have said that the last part of his benediction was from the 1936 song :Black Brown & White by Big Bill Broonzy…which in the lyrics says:
This little song that I’m singin’ about
People you know it’s true
If you’re black and gotta work for a living
This is what they will say to you
They says if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But as you’s black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I was in a place one night
They was all having fun
They was all byin’ beer and wine
But they would not sell me none
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, stick around
But if you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
Me and a man was workin’ side by side
This is what it meant
They was paying him a dollar an hour
And they was paying me fifty cent
They said if you was white, ‘t should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm boy, git back git back git back
I went to an employment
office
Got a number ‘n’ I got in line
They called everybody’s number
But they never did call mine
They said if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But as you black, m-mm brother, git back git back git back
I hope when sweet victory
With my plough and hoe
Now I want you to tell me brother
What you gonna do about the old Jim Crow?
Now if you was white, should be all right
If you was brown, could stick around
But if you black, whoa brother, git back git back git back

there will always be nay sayers but thank goodness, i think we actually can drown them out right about now.

Let’s just face the facts. This was the inauguration of the first “half”
black president. The end of Mr Lowery’s benediction was TOTALLY inappropriate!! What makes it all that much sadder is that our new president laughed as well as had to have approved it prior to the inauguration. How does this;
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right
bridge the gap between races??

vw:
Was all of the benediction “TOTALLY” inappropriate or was it just the end? You know what I find amazing is that the crowd of 2 Million people were filled with all nationalities not just black people. And at the end of Rev. Lowery’s benediction and he said Amen….which means an affirmation of endorsement as a concluding pronouncement in connection with either praise or prayer. With that said, Rev. Lowery said Amen 3 different times that was repeated by the majority of the people there. And I don’t know if you noticed but there were a lot of non black people there. Had they took offense I don’t think they would have screamed Amen three times, nor do I think he would have gotten the cheers and applause that he received.
It is said that people don’t know how ignorant you are until you open your mouth….some of you are opening your mouths too much!

Like vw said, “the end” was totally inappropriate. It was like having a great meal and then having someone serve you ice cream with hot sauce on it for desert…..

These white people are of the mind set that they can not face the truth unless who looks upon them favorably. It’s so very sad. Most of them probably witness discrimination and/or racism every day in some form but have become accustomed to dismissing either as though either were not there. Have they forgot the way Barack was treated by Charlie Gibson during one of the debates? Have they forgotten that Barack had to bring his campaign to halt to make a speech to the nation on race? Why doe these white people think those thing happened. THEY DON’T WANT TO FACE THE TRUTH! Yes, the prayer of Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowry is till right on time and must still be prayed. Actually, Rev. Lowry put it quite nicely. Take it from a well educated educator who sees and addresses racism every day.

Lowery is a racists plain and simple. Look around the world at all the suffering right NOW!! Yet many blacks in America who were NEVER slaves keep their pity party going and many foolish white Americans buy it hook and sinker desperately defending the dividing racists comments of this preacher. Just take a look at the many countries in africa the horid living conditions, mass killings, disease and on and on yet I don’t see any of the rightous black preachers standing up for what is right!! These racists black preachers must keep the hate up or they won’t have a job. It’s time for the whitey hating blacks in america to stop holding themselves down and get with the program! I am so sick of hearing how terrible America is and all the bad things America has done. Look around the world fools and you will see all the horrible things you think only America does. Let’s see Iran just last week stoned two men to death for being gay, where was your disgust and outrage??? Where was your disgust and outrage when the now dead brutal dictator of Iraq was commiting mass murder on his own people. Where is your outrage for all those living under brutal dictators?? Oh that’s right you were busy hating America because they purchased the black slaves the black leaders sold!!! Like the rest of the world was doing! So tell me again white should embrace right?? Maybe blacks should embrace right also, let’s look at the stats black on black killings, drop out rate, the absence of a father figure in the majority of black households and on and on. Yep it’s time for BLACKS to embrace right instead of whinning for another century that whitey is holding him down.

As a white man, I was thrilled with the benediction that Rev. Lowery provided to the nation yesterday. It gave us food for thought and reason to dialog…as we are right here and now.
I spoke with a young man tonight as I bought a copy of today’s paper. He asked me if I’d watched the inauguration. I said I did and thought it was great. When I asked him what he thought, he commented that he thought that it was too black. He said he thought all the talk about race and slavery was over 10 years ago, but apparently “they don’t think so”. It was quite the teachable moment for me to share with him the realities of present day race relations and discrimination.

guess it is not cool to be white in today’s america. why do I say that well let’s see Obama’s mother was WHITE yet all we hear about is a black man. Well this half black man Obama was raised by WHITE people he went to Harvard not Harlem. Yet all I hear is how great America is because they elected a black man who just happens to have a white mother and grandmother that raised him and not in the hood either. Where was the black father?? He surely wasn’t embracing what is RIGHT now was he! Give me a break this preacher is a racists and to those defending his racists comments how sad you are. You surely would not defend any negative comment that had even a hint of racisism that is thrown at Black America. What is next Obama signs an executive order for the US taxs payers to pay black americans Reparations?? Oh wait that is what is called the welfare system.

Doctor Lowery spoke the words that was put in his heart by God himself. Anyone who wants to challenge it, I suggest go back through time and read your American history. It’s time we face our past, present and future. The future favors those who acknowledges the past. And this was the moment our country has been waiting since it’s long overdue and deliberate delay.
About the last paragraph, take a chill pill people. What’s to be offended? I am brown and I’m proud of it and accept the color God has bestowed upon my skin. If I’m not mistaken there’s even a children christian song that talks about the different colors of the world…….Jesus loves the little childrennnn all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white we are ………jesus loves the little children of the worldddddddd.
If you have a problem with the color of your skin, take it up with God.

How about:
Lord, help us work for that day when all humanity will not be so much concerned with any physical attributes as we are concerned with virtue and know that all humanity has some good virtues and not only the white needs to embrace right but also all humanity has room to grow in virtue.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy be careful how they generalize about their fellow man even if there are some of all types that have failed to do justice and love mercy.
Can we say amen to that instead of an amen without thinking what we are agreeing to?

I have heard the usual suspects (Rush, Sean, and Bill-O) ranting about Lowry and am not surprised to see their acolytes whipped up into a frenzy, but am disappointed to see the vitriol spewed here — I had hoped “beliefnet” meant we would be encouraged to think about faith and culture, rather than regurgitate the words of millionaires with more money than sense.
Rather than blindly repeating what your favorite media mogul may say (be they left or right) THINK, do some real research (don’t just visit fringe websites from either side), and process what you see and hear. Listen to what the “other side” says and think about that. Responsible discourse and thoughtful dialogue has become a thing of the past and we must work to reintegrate respectful disagreements into our culture or this nation will continue to splinter.

now if that ain’t a racist black man, I don’t know what is. When white will embrace what is right? Tell me, what is white man not embracing? Seems to me we are embracing every whim, every religion, every orientation, every belief and every sinful act imaginable and calling it… you guessed it… “RIGHT”! seems to me blacks are punishing me for something that I never believed in in the first place, nor ever did myself, nor anyone ever did to them personally – and stupid whites in the audience stand up and actually cheer for this hypocrite when he makes a racist comment like this.

I commend my fellow Americans who have matured, evolved and fearlessly secure with their souls, minds, body’s and belief’s.For the duty falls upon us all to recognize opportunity, heartfelt-reflection and muster the spirit to renew our country’s capacity / calling as a revered nation. If I have been granted such an opportunity to develope my creator’s gifts for mere self indulgence, loathing or diminish my neighbor’s talents,alas I will surely answer for my inactions as well as actions. However, if I choose to humbly draw upon those same gifts to advance my neighbors and myself. We as a people will enhance our lineage to a future generation enlightened by successes rather than failures. I invite my fellow Americans to respectfully loosen the cynical/ disappointment shackles of the past and freely acknowledge our ” better side of angels” while relinguishing the beast within, for it requires little effort but grave outcomes. Now the 1960′s prophets messages have finally bore fruit via the boys & girls who are the wiser inspired Gentlemen & Ladies sheparding the flock. Let us make our ancestors proud and marvel the world once again. Missery is an option, I reject and fight for heaven’s struggle here on earth. AMEN

Of course the only people complaining here are white and the “brown” people are happy. This so-called Reverend only insulted Caucasians with his “prayer”. If he had reversed the colors, you know good and well that all h-e-double-hockey-sticks would break loose.

“African American” people hate “white” people so much that they don’t see anything wrong with this prayer. Yes, atrocious things were done in the past; much worse things were done 200 years ago. But it is up to black people to stop the hatred, now. Are there still white racists? absolutely. There always have been idiots, and always be idiots. That doesn’t excuse such a wretched comment such as “white will embrace what it right”
Stop the hate!

I’ll have America to know I do what is right, I was very upset by the comment as i sit beside a black co-worker thinking positive about President Obama and having faith that this country with him will go foward until the Reverend Joseph Lowery spoke I understand that back in the day that blacks were treated unfairly and I regret my ancestors if they had anything to do with it but it is 2009 and time to move on we have a biracial president now with black and white mixed blood he even called himself a “mut” so you should all be joyous but instead you still want to say racists things. I’ll have you to know I pay taxes in this country,dI’m a born-again christian, I educate black and white, yellow, red and brown students as a teacher, I obey the laws and protect my home, I volunteer at a boys home for abused kids and teens which are of all different race, volunteer to give CPR classes to all races at the American Red Cross and I am willing to foster any kids whatever race it doesn’t matter I was taught you treat people with respect no matter what race they are and Joseph I do that! I am very angry at the President for the poor choice in this bigot racist that has no clue of what white America is, I tried going back to school and was denied FAFSA but my black co-worker with the same wages received all the benefits and he has no children go figure Reverend Lowery. Again this shows the true bigot colors of Barack Obama a man I was looking foward to running our country in a positive way just like Reverend Wright they are all racist if they don’t like how America has been lately they need to go somewhere else. Now my hopes and respect for this new president are dashed and would hope now that he serve only one term i will not vote for him again!!!

It truly amazes the mind how easily the focus is shifted. We as a people black, brown, white, yellow, red, and any other color in which society may project us to be, went out in massive numbers to elect President Barrack Obama to lead our nation. Amongst many promises, he promised to fix this broken economy and to bring our love ones back home from this senseless war. Not one time did he say; I will bring home the blacks but leave the whites to fight, not one time did he say; I will fix the black economy and allow the whites to suffer poverty. That man stands for all people and now is the time we the people should all be as one and stand him, for this great nation in which we live. How do we veer from what Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 truly was about to entering into a black against white war by way of cyberspace in retaliation to a statement made by a man that suffered the indignities, racism, segregation, and over-bearing injustice as he did. I’m sure that the mass comments produced here are by those of us that were never touched or barely touched by those issues. You may be a white man/woman that never harmed a black in anyway shape form or fashion. You may be a black man/woman that never suffered a day of injustice at the hands of a dominate group of people. How can you truly no where Dr. Lowery was coming from in including his last remarks. If you did take part in those days as as the Dominate/submissive then for you his statement should have truly rolled off your backs for you know exactly where the man was coming from. Wake up people it’s a NEW DAY and a NEW PRESIDENT. Can we focus on what is truly important as oppose to an old mans last remarks.

Only white people…..
“Of course the only people complaining here are white and the “brown” people are happy.”
Not an accurate statement, Only, as I am very white, and I was so not insulted by Rev. Lowery’s. IMO, many who have commented in the positive here are white.

Wow- Really, this is beliefnet.com and not a political blog? Really, Christians? Let’s keep this up and then wonder why people look at us as hypocrites and hate mongers. Wow !!!!
My belief is Christ is stronger than the vitriolic tone I have read here today. May you all be blessed as you go about your day. Let the Holy Spirit penetrate your heart and that you act in a manner which will show someone that Christ is among them and He is the WAY…
Love you all…
Even though you act this way, I am still happy to be Born Again…

I happen to think that this was a very racist speech. Being white, teaching inner city children for thirty years, never looking at anyone according to their color but as a person, I want to know what I have to “get right”? He is a racist and this speech should have been looked at before it was given. I feel he put integration back years by saying these things against Orientals, American Indians and whites.

wtf is with when white do right that was uncalled for there are more black racest than white

Even though a person is born-again it doesn’t mean you can’t point out when a Reverend is wrong or a racist.
Show me in the bible where it says that. Actually, the bible is quite contrary, please see.
NIV Matthew 18: 15-17
15″If your brother sins against you,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
if you are a Christian and the Reverend claims he is, then this scripture applies. We Christian bloggers are collectively showing him his fault. This is slander, which God says is wrong, he has sinned in a massive way and his sin against millions must be acknowledged.

I’m white. I was raised in a black community where I was a minority so I am more comfortable around large groups of blacks than whites. That said, I was offended. Yes white people have done terrible things. Last time I checked, people of EVERY color have done terrible things. Have you seen the genocide in Africa? What about Asia? All of us are sinners and to single out one group by skin color is the very definition of bigotry and hate. I do not give “a pass” to people who denegrate my black friends so I have no intention of doing so for people who preach bigotry about my white friends. There is no room for hateful “satire” on such a serious occasion. Dr. King never spoke of hanging his ills around the neck of the white people and were there any justice in the world, Dr. King would have been the man giving the benediction this week. Mr. Lowery (I will not call him Reverend)is not fit to shine Dr. Kings shoes.

Some say I don’t know what this man has suffered. I don’t. He does not know what I have suffered either. I was sexually abused at 11 years old. If I told a man that was innoncent of any wrong doing, that he was a rapist, because I had been raped in the past. I would be bearing false witness. I would be wrong. Yes, I would be judging upon my past experience, but still I would be wrong. Reverend Joe, was wrong to say he prays for the day “when white will embrace right” he lived to see that day, and discounted it. As well, discounting millions upon millions of innoncent people…who happen to be white. Why we the nation have not moved forward is simple. The injustice has not been acknowledged. The media has turned a blind eye. The newly elected President (who invited this benediction) laughed himself. Reverend Lowery where are you now? As a man of God I ask you to come explain yourself. The black populace says it wasn’t meant as whites took it. It was a ditty,a song, prayed in church, and sang at play, like that makes it right. Ok…I am going to try it your way. I have a ditty for you: eenie meenie minie mo, it makes it right because I chant it, yo? Don’t fret my generation substituted “tiger” long ago, we felt hurting others was wrong, but hey you know, whitey’s evil and where he’ll go.. doesn’t it feel good to hate someone so? eenie meenie mine mo

just cause I let my wrongness get the better of me sometimes:
Do you know what the black man said to a brown, red and yellow man?
2 wrongs make a white.
Please pray for me now…I am new to blogging

I think it is important to mention that these are letters in red. This means they are directly from Jesus. It makes it the ultimate say in the matter.
NIV Matthew 18: 15-17
15″If your brother sins against you,[b] go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’[c] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
So really there is no retort for those that are upset offended believers are venting through a blog which Reverend Lowery may never read.
Inevitably we will all answer to God. This includes Reverend Lowery. He is certainly not above the law.

He is 87 and senile, lets assume he meant to say, “…..and when Wright (not White) will embrace what is right”
Reverend Wright of course that is what he meant to say.

This article provides great detail on why Lowry’s prayer was so powerful and on the basis of his referents.

The retort is that you are all completely missing the point. And the hate and fear you are venting here is turning people away from God – the great achievement of the religious right as far as I can tell. Did you see the comment yesterday from the person who said he would never come back to this site because of your word? Do you think about the image of Christianity you project to the world? It is an image of ignorance and fear, of an inability to see yourselves in historical context, of an inability to feel compassion – to suffer with those who have suffered so much under the oppression of white people in America. We have greatly, greatly, sinned against God and man by dehumanizing whole races on the basis of their color, and we very much need God’s help to be right. I pray for you and for myself that we may find the humility that God asks us to have, to know our sin and to love one another in spite of theirs.

I’m sorry that a nice prayer had to be tainted with such racism ,you can’t honestly tell me if he was white and said that he would have gottens laughs. I’m sorry it was in poor taste,and should not have been said. exspecially since race has been thrown in our face this whole campaign. I don’t care what color the mans skin is ,I just hope and pray he can help get the job done.

It remains unfortunate that Beliefnet is still a haven for the most bigoted, hateful sorts of religious-right ideologues who just can’t stand the thought of having to give up their power, and that their ideal of sharia law in the name of Jesus just isn’t going to rule the day. Holly, I agree 100%.

Statements that villify ‘whites’ as a class of people do not promote diversity, and are NOT good PR.
Take out the ‘white=evil’ message created by the implication that ‘whites continue to embrace wrong’ resulting from the phrase “when white will embrace what is right” and you’ve got a totally different rhetoric.
The fact that it is poetic form, and not simply some off-the-cuff comment tossed in shows that, this speaker gave considerable thought to making this statement and to precisely how it was crafted. In short, the message that ‘white=evil’ is in my view not a coincidental one but a quite intentional one.
There are definitely racist people in America, and people who, whether they are conscious of it or not, suffer from a variety of biased or prejudicial thinking. I hypothesize that one’s so-called ‘racial identity’ exhibits virtually zero association with their degree of racism or other forms of social-identity bias.
Indeed, I am afraid to say that, because of the continuation of resentful, and vindictive if not hateful philosophies of racial conflict (e.g., Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan) and the insinuation, if not mainstreamization of ideas from these philosophies into everyday contemporary American culture (particularly African American pop cultures), the degree of association between ‘race’ and ‘racism’ seems to be as likely to be associated with ‘black’ identity as it is with ‘white’ identity.
A lot of us ‘whites’ already embraced what is ‘right’ in our view, and we are alienated, and indeed disappointed when African American rhetoric falses attributes us with bias, racism or ‘wrong’ simply because we are ‘white’ in their eyes.
Or perhaps some of these folks think they know our minds, our behavior, and our lifes better than we know our own, simply because they are ‘black’ and they got us ‘whites’ all figured out? Now if that is not a reversal of bias portraying itself as the correction/removal of bias, I don’t know what is.
I voted for the man, I have high hopes that he will do a lot of good, and I would LIKE to believe in him. But if this is the sort of thing that will be tolerated in Obamaland I cannot say I am impressed whatsoever. I guess I should not be surprised given his 20 years in Wright’s church.
Implying that all whities are racists is simply not implying something that is likely to be empirically true, much less socially progressive and useful.
In all honesty, it offends me when someone just calls me WHITE, much less that they infer that I am a racist based on their perception of my belonging in some particular social category that they erroneously and ignorantly think is validly labeled ‘race.’
I am of mixed ancestry, and I am from a disadvantaged background; I would say at least as disadvantaged as our ‘black’ President. But by virtue of labeling me white and him black, I am automatically placed stereotypically into a historically dominant, more powerful, oppressive social group, which I would tell is simply not the case.
I look down at my arm . . . I see no white here! Beige, tan, pink, even some greenish in the veins . . . “WHITE” is simply a useless term, just as is “BLACK” “YELLOW” “RED,” and all the other nonsensical terms to divide humanity into racial clumps.
We should be working to ELIMINATE these concepts from our minds, and from life on Earth. We are all HUMANS, PEOPLE, PERSONS, FRIENDS, COLLEAGUES, NEIGHBORS, etc. When we automatically think of one another, talk to one another, and refer to one another with these non-segmentary conceptions of joint membership instead of those tired and frankly evil racial typologies, THEN we will be making real progress toward the world that Dr. King and others dreamed about.
I have no doubt that Lowery was a hero in his day, and fought the good fight for Civil Rights. But the Civil Rights movement is over, we are in a new phase of the evolution of true liberty and equality in our society, and to burden ourselves with unnecessary references, and false attributions to past divisions among us is simply not helpful.
Very bad idea to have Lowery give your benediction Bama, or at least very bad idea not to have a look over his speech before you let him say it. But then, you did smile when he said it, so maybe you agree with the idea that you and I really are different because you are ‘black’ and I am ‘white’ and that those labels really do adequately describe our life experiences, our views, and our predispositions.
Given your membership in Wright’s church for so long, I really do fear that this is what you believe, and I fear for what this means for our nation and the world, not to mention for your safety and well-being.
Honestly, I think all the hoopla about Obama has made me just a tad bit depressed. No joke; while all you people have been having the time of your life cheering and shouting, and passing through waves of ideo-politic-ecstascy, I have been progressively cringing more tightly and worriedly with each CNN video and each blogosphere scan I endure.
It is so discouraging to be so poignantly reminded of how simple, emotive, and pliable people are. I’m not saying he is ‘the Anti-Christ,’ but I would like to point out that: the cult of personality which has steadily grown, and most recently erupted into Krakatoa proportions is disturbingly similar in some basic social psychological dimensions to those which surrounded some very sketchy past leaders. For example, Hitler and Mussolini . . . yes, yes I know, ‘good guys’ have also had massive cult followings too (JFK comes to mind, but beyond that . . . hmmmm, can’t actually think of any others) . . . but there is just something that is honestly [to me] rather creepy about how people feel about Obama.
He strikes me as a very smart, very capable, respectful and thoughtful man who will surround himself with people who are highly knowledgeable in their chosen disciplines. I also do not doubt that he really is a visionary with an inspired mission to ‘make the world better,’ who has an incredible charismatic ability to inspire people that whatever the specifics of that ‘mission,’ they believe in it, and are devoted to it.
With the exception of every single one of those descriptors except respectful and to a certain degree thoughtful, you could use the paragraph above to describe Adolf Hilter. He was very smart, very capable, ‘thoughtful’ depending on exactly how you want to deploy that word. He surrounded himself with people who are highly knowledgeable, and he clearly was a real visionary with an inspired mission to ‘make the world better,’ and who had an incredible charismatic ability to inspire people that whatever the specifics of that mission, they believed in it, and were devoted to it.
I am NOT saying that Barack Obama is the latest incarnation of a genocidal maniac despot who is going to usher in a period of massive bloodshed, suffering and catastrophe. I am simply pointing out that, many of the dynamics of a Great Leader with the capacity to inspire people are not mutually exclusive with megalomania, prejudice, vindictiveness, even callous inhumanity and hatred.
I guess if he had been in the Senate for 20 years, and we had more of a history of how he actually thinks and feels, how he tends to vote, and what he really believes in, I might feel differently.
But we don’t have that. What we have is a past that is hard to pin down with any particular term except ‘ambitious, tending to be liberal, populist, litigiously-competent and eloquent.’
How many times is it that he voted ‘Present’ during his legislative days?
Add to this the whole Rev Wright connection, some comments he has made during his campaign, his response to the Lowery benediction . . .
‘Uneasiness’ sincerely describes how I feel about this man at this point, and I am DEFINITELY not a ‘conservative.’ I am pro-Gay Marriage, I voted for Clinton, Gore, and Obama, and I tend to think that socialized medicine is a good thing.
Understand, I am not saying that I am dead-set against Obama; I am not firmly convinced that he is malignant force, and I am not [yet] opposed to him . . . but just uneasy, a bit wary, and very much skeptical.
This latest incident with Lowery’s Benediction is IMO, just the latest “blip” in a series of blips that indicate a kind of megalomaniacal elitism and vindictiveness as a person of color. Perhaps we are on blip #11 or 12, but we are not yet on blip #20.
Barack Obama still “IS MY PRESIDENT.” I voted for him. I hope for the best for him, and for us; and I very, VERY much _WANT_ to believe in him, and place my trust in him that he will always do what is right for the greater good of America and the world. After 8 years of Bushes general incomptence, bullheaded stubbornness and arrogance someone who really had the characteristics of diplomacy and skill which Obama seems to have would be a refreshing change.
But when I see repeated instances of his complicity if not agreement with what I consider to be racist views of Black-White relations in the U.S., I get very uneasy . . . VERY uneasy, and I am reminded of just how inspiring Adolf Hitler was to the German people.
In the present PC climate, in which reversal of bias is all too often portrayed as ‘leveling’ or ‘righting wrongs’ or as reforming bias, I am planning to keep my head down . . .
Stop and consider this: If McCain had won, and they got some aging born-again preacher from a holdout racially segregated white privilege district of the South. Say for example, a Jerry Falwell type of caricature.
What if, during his benediction, this joker gave some poetry something about like this . . .
Would you think that that was equally as ‘trivial?’
Or how about this, leave everything the same as in Lowery’s original transcript
[quote]
Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around … when yellow will be mellow … when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.[quote]
But just change “when white will embrace what is right” to “when non-whites will embrace what is right.”
Would THAT be trivial?
No it would NOT be trivial, and neither is implying that “whites embrace what is wrong!!”

Dear Corrie,
You do realize that Rev. Lawry’s elegant prayer ended with sayings that most older African-American people know from childhood. He was simply turning it on it’s head so to speak. He withdrew the negative taunting and teasing aspect of it–these sayings would have been said in school yards and playgrounds–and made it a public spectacle. I definitely remember it. His entire benediction in fact gave the story–the ending although funny was a very serious statement and observation of how far we’ve come.

Let’s not get all worked up about a few words…I’m a 46 yr old white woman, raised in an all white community in small town America, went to an all white college and married a white man and have 2 white sons. I eventually dated and was engaged to a fine black man and have friends of many colors, religious backgrounds and sexual orientation. I was not and am not offended by the Reverend’s prayer unless I want to ALLOW myself to be. Sure, would it have been even cooler had he said “when white keeps on doing right” well, hell yeah. But the spirit of it was charming and fun to me-lightened things up and obviously by the crowds’ reaction not many were bent out of shape. It’s wasted energy trying to change someone else–all we can change is ourselves and our response to others. Tolerance and love in all forms is what this country needs and to me that means allowing a sweet, ol’ school pastor to do his thing! amen, Amen and AMEN!! God bless all of us and especially President Obama!!
Let’s be positive people!

I am a little confused as too how a prayer like this will UNIFY and “bring together” a country. I am also a little confused as to why President Obama Would not comment negatively about this (and why he was seen laughing at it)
Then again it took a world of out cry for him to suddenly denounce Rev Wright.

Make no mistake, every word that was spoken during this inauguration was reviewed, scrutinized and approved before being allowed to be communicated, the benediction included. This was meant to create a divide, vilifying the white man that has been running this country and oppressing other races.
This country has made huge leaps in shrinking racism. That doesn’t mean that there are not ignorant racists in all races. We see issues like that all the time. But the fact that Obama is now president kind of nullifies the idea that the white man is still holding down other races.
Rather this “prayer” (along with several themes Obama has used in the presidential race) was meant to place the suggestion in peoples’ minds justifying or clearing the opposition for the changes that this new administration has in mind. This is meant to stage that any critisism that challenges the new savior, Obama, certainly is from the unenlightened, evil white man who is trying to prevent this black man from being successful.
The agenda that Obama has is clearly to create a true socialist nation. If we are divided as a people due to race, or whatever, we are more easily controlled as we will be concentrating on our differences as people rather than working together to preserve the freedom and capitalism we have enjoyed.
I am a white man with a black wife, and children that are a beutiful combination of color and culture. I have no opposition to having a black (or any other race) individual running our country if they are qualified, and my comments are not racially biased. We need to be intelligent in our analysis of these situations and not just simply accept the messages that are being sent.

Absolutely it’s a racist comment. And everyone that thinks these kind of comments are harmless little ditty’s has racist tendency’s as well. Obviously a lot of white people moved past the color issue because they voted a (half) black man into office. Sure there are racist out there. And at the moment the most vocal of them are black. Condemning asians and whites in the inaugural benediction is hands down the most racist thing I’ve ever witnessed. There are some racists out there who think they can say anything they feel like it against white people and it’s ok. Well, just because the media is silent (the scariest thing of all) doesn’t mean that it’s ok. And it doesn’t mean that people are ok with it. A LOT of people are offended. They’re thinking, gee thanks a lot. I voted Obama into office and this is the thanks I get. And it was white people who won him the election folks. White woman in states like Ohio and West Virginia to be exact. How do you think they feel when they are told they have been doing the wrong thing? They’ll start thinking that next time around, say in two years, they’ll do “the right thing” and vote republicans into office. Will you racists of color please get over your anger, and start to see people as people instead of endlessly breaking them into racial groups.

SLAVERY has been over for a CENTURY AND A HALF.
GET OVER IT.

“When yellow will be mellow?”
Mellow (lazy)? Never!
Thank God for Asians! May we all emulate their work ethic, their intelligence, their cohesive family units, their cultural values, their business success, their mathematical brilliance and on and on and on.
May all you Asians keep up the good work! And may you stand as a model for those minorities who continue to point the finger of blame at “whitey”.

Here we are picking apart what a minister says and looking at it as negative. Listen to the whole thing and it was not a prayer of divide, but bringing together. The other thing about brown, black, and yellow comes from the shades of color of the blacks and it was an old joke if you will amongst people of color.
We are all beautiful people created by God and for us to put another down or up because of the color of their skin is acting against God’s creation! We are all the same, just come in different shades.
There is no other country that I would rather be in, other than my country. On the whole we have many great people, but those few that start trouble are always going to be there and I say to the masses do not let the bigots whether black, white, or any other color stop you from believing in our great nation!
I voted for President Obama because I beleive he has what it takes to lead our country and not because he is black. When I vote, I do not vote for the party, I vote for the individual I think will do the right thing no matter what party he or she may be in.

So Nate, you feel that the white man needs to embrace what is right? What exactly would that be? Most white people have long dropped racist attitudes, and even when they did exist, it was in an isolated part of the nation. It would be nice if our new black leader would hold himself up to the same standards he seems to expect of everyone else, or wait, I mean every white person. The obviously racist comment is barley being touched on by the major media as they are afraid of being labeled as racists themselves, but had a white leader made a comment with less than half of the impact as this one, you would have Jesse Jackson marching down main street. If Obama truly wants change, he will eliminate this racist double standard.

What did Lowery really say? He said, “we ask you [God]to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get back, when brown can stick around (this is still happening — blacks, both light skinned and dark skinned blacks, are being discriminated against), when yellow will be mellow (“mellow,” meaning “ripe or matured;” matured as being seen as an equal partner in the eyes of mainstream America, particularly after all the contributions Asian Americans have made to the development of this country), when the red man can get ahead man, (the plight of Native Americans has been such that they have not yet been fully embraced as equals in our American society) and when white will embrace what is right (true, many white Americans voted for Barack [that's how he won! – there’s no doubt about that], but there are still those white Americans who have yet to do the right thing as it relates to race relations in America, particularly regarding African Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans). Lowery did not play the race card in his benediction, nor were his comments racist. We are all aware of how racially and ethnically polarizing our beloved USA can be. He simply thanked God for bringing us this far and asked God to help us, as a nation, to take the next step.

1. Am an Asian.
2. I loved the Benediction. It did not offend me.
3. I do not get what the big deal is and why few people are crying afoul.
4. Let us work towards a better future instead of arguing about our differences and alleged insults.
-j

“Wh . . .Why can’t we all get along?” Rodney King
(currenently serving jail time for assaulting wife)

“Wh . . .Why can’t we all get along?” Rodney King
(currently serving time in jail for assaulting wife)

Anna and Joe are very naughty to bring up the soppy Rodney King quote, but I must admit I laughed out loud. Since Rodney made his famous statement of “getting along,” he has tried to run down a prostitute with his car; been arrested for drunken driving; spent time in jail for drug possession; got shot while riding a bycicle, etc.
I think the Rodney King quote should bring this running commentary on Lowery’s benediction to an end.

Dr. Lowery simply spoke what has been known as true throughout the years of this nation’s history. THe election of Presidetn Obama does nothing to silence the sounds of blatant racism that oozes from every mountian side of America. What puzzles me most is that those who pretend that Dr. Lowery was somehow racist and seperatist himself!
To be honest had the former President done a slightly better job of leaving the nation,and indeed theworld in shambles. This topic would be moot! I will give you a hint! President Obama has not margin for error and not becuase he is a democrat, but simply because his is Black, Democrat and the President.
George W. Bush did whatever he wanted to do in anyway that he deemed appropriate. It took eight years of the worse economic, political and military strategies in recent history to finally convince some citizens that the former President was and remains an idiot!
If I were President Obama I would return to his former Pastor and Church to recieve the true council and support that is vital to his success as President.

I let tears of Joy run down my face as I watched the First Black Presdient take the oath of Office and more tears of Joy to hear Rev. Lowery speak the words so many of us try or want to speak that would fall on deaf ears. With the world watching Rev. Lowery spoke them and they were heard.

l

Gosh, I am impressed by Dr. Young’s academic titles. But the number of punctuation, spelling errors, and improperly employed words in his text undermine his authority and makes me doubt his ability to think analytically. Dr.(?) Young, you need to correct the following errors: Correct the spelling of president; separatist (two a’s, one e); place a comma after the word honest; First sentence of paragraph 2 is a fragment; the two exclamation points in paragraph two are typical of juvenile writing; change worse to worst; Comma should follow Obama in last paragraph; change his to my; received is misspelled (ei, not ie). Your literacy skills are rather weak. Did affirmative Action, by chance, help get you your college degrees?

Dr. Kevin L. Young Ph.D could benefit from a developmental English course at his local community college. But the above comment about Affirmative Action went too far. Please . . . let’s try to be kinder, more sensitive in our posts.

I am a christian and white. The two are not mutually exclusive. I was following the Rev in prayer myself as he was
speaking. It was inspiring to me. That is until he makes the statement that the “white will embrace right”
thereby lumping all whites into the same racially discrimatory category. Not all whites try to keep black people down. When he made that statement he
became guilty of the same hypocrisy (lumping all members of the same race into
one category) that at least in my understanding, MLK
was opposed to.
While the remark offended me, I believe the real tragedy of Rev Lowery’s
prayer is that he lost a great opportunity to bring “forgiveness and healing”
to the nations on the world stage.

Rev. Lowry’s benediction was the high point of the entire inauguration for me. He was not saying anything derogatory about anyone, only adding some humor along with the inspiration. Christian and white, but can’t imagine where or how you found something negative in this inspirational and moving benediction. Folks we need to relax and enjoy the beauty of life–this old civil rights leader and minister has the umph and cool to add those closing remarks–wow, this is great!

I sincerely hope that Kevin L. Young, Th.M,Ph.D’s semi-illiterate drivel is not typical of today’s academia, but I am afraid education is not what it used to be. Professor Young, please seek help in remedial English before exibiting a sample of your writing for the whole world see.

I liked Joseph Lowery’s prayer. I, too, am white, but I took no offense to the admonition that white seek right. The only troubling aspect of his prayer for me was the admonition against intolerance. Certainly we should be tolerant of many things, but given preacher Lowery’s published biography, I wonder if he is speaking of tolerance of sin? For me, sin isn’t a life style, but lawlessness. Hopefully that isn’t what he was referring to.
Join my 100 day prayer challenge for President Barack Obama at bibleweb.com.

As a Christian, I am offended that a prayer to God turned into a soap box for a political statement. When the “Rev” made those statements- he wasn’t talking to God…which is prayer….he was using the opportunity to make a political statement. Better he should have gone into a closet and prayed instead of “grandstanding” for the crowds.

I offer my resounding “Amen” to the remarks of Anonymous above. Just when is show-biz humor appropriate in a prayer? Rev. Lowery’s was tacky. T A C K Y!

I think he was being offensive. The white will embrace what is right?!?! And The Black community is still carrying a chip on their shoulder! Don’t get me wrong my Best friend is Black and my husband is Asian. And I am not altogether white. But I have heard from so many “Black” family’s that they voted only because he was black. He is not even 50% black.
I don’t like our president but I pray only for the best. I will support him but ONLY if what he is doing is right.
“Lord help this man make moral decisions that please You! Let him seek WISE counsel.” IN JESUS NAME!!
Amen

For those who are angry about the Inaugural prayer Rev. Lowery prayed, please forgive him. He’s an old warrior, and it may be quite difficult for him to let go of the hurt from the past. One must understand the struggles of a people from so long ago. I would like to thank; whites, reds, yellows and browns, who have stood by us as African Americans to finally make it to some point in history were we can finally say maybe, just maybe we have almost arrived at the “mountain top”. It’s been a long hard struggle!. I don’t want to say only if you’re “black” you understood what he prayed the HURT and the HUMOR. I do believe others who aren’t African American understood as well. I do believe he didn’t mean any harm.
If I may share some of my family’s history to help some understand why some of our elders speak the way they do. My father and mother were married for almost 60 years, raised 10 children in the ghetto and helped 7 of those children through college. My father fought in 3 wars: WWII, Korean, and the beginning of Vietnam. He was always trying to prove himself as an American. While on leave he would go home to visit his mother in Mississippi and some would spit on him in his uniform, shouting at him to take off that uniform you black (n word). Yet he jumped ships when being bombed, watched his buddies killed in war, hide in fox holes fighting the enemy, kicked by some white officers and called the (n word)when he thought he had found a quiet place to kneel and pray on ship(only 17, he said he was scared the first time they were attacked by the Japanese and all had to jump ship)….. and being left to walk alone on a dark rode after a car drives up and pick up all the soldiers, he reaches for the door to get in and the car drive off. He heard the driver say, “ I don’t drive no ( n word) “, so he continued walking alone. He told me that hurt, and that driver didn’t see me as an American! With tears at times he would tell us this is “OUR COUNTRY” treat others with respect and “IT DIDN’T MATTER THE COLOR.”
He never wanted us to deal with what he had gone through. He was always trying to prove himself as an American always! All my life because of my father it’s been God, family and county. My country, my America. When Rev. Lowery gave the prayer, when he said “Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest.”, I thought of my father, who would have loved to see this day. I shared my father’s history not to lay blame or point fingers.. But to say thank you America ( whites, reds, yellows, browns, and yes African Americans) for coming together this day and saying we are ONE COUNTRY, and we can stand together as ONE RACE OF PEOPLE.. As the Apostle John would say, “let us love one another little children.” My father taught all of his children and grandchildren to “LOVE ALL PEOPLE”.. He never past on the hate to us that others pushed at him for years!! He would only cry his pain to my mother the hurt he suffered… She finally let us know this intimate moment between the two of them after his death. In memory of my beloved father (I miss you daddy) he died Veterans Day 2005.

I’m doing this speach for black history month

I was touched and humbled when reading your history. I am sorry for the ignorant, ill treatment, that your father (and so many more) experienced. That it came at the hands of “Whites” my skin color, is abominable. I don’t say race, as I, and most Americans, are of mixed heritage. I have been following this board, and was one that was offended by the ending of the Reverend’s Benediction. Your’s is the first post that actually softened my stance and opened my heart. Dialogue, although sometimes hurtful, can be the very balm that soothes our souls, and heals the divide between people of our Nation.
Thank you, MC.
CW

Hey MC, if you are an American, stop using the phrase African American. I don’t care what color somebody is or where their ANCESTORS are from, if you were born in the United States, then you are an American. Simple as that. I don’t call myself and Irish American or German American. I know I’m not the only person that feels this way. I’m sick of the phrase African American.
MC this isn’t aimed towards you, it is something I have heard many black people say. If a black person is proud of having an African heritage, tell me what African country you are from. I imagine if they found out what African country they are from, they wouldn’t be to proud. Also, if you find out, let me know and I’ll buy you an airplan ticket back there so you can really feel the heritage.

The overwhelming majority of criticisms regarding Rev. Dr. Lowry’s prayer fail to recognise that particular part of the prayer was requesting God’s help to enable Americans, together, to make an effective effort to bring about a time in the future when no Americans will be negatively treated because another person dislikes their skin colour. It is a fact that Americans of colour have been and still are, in varying degrees, subjected to such negative treatment. It is also a fact that many whites are still perpetrators of this negative treatment. Why wouldn’t an American, white or otherwise, not want discrimination to end? Why wouldn’t an American, white or otherwise recognise that some, arguably many, white Americans still treat other people negatively based on their skin colour. If such negative, destructive treatment exists in a nation with a history marred by such treatment, why shouldn’t this be a legitimate topic to submit in prayer during a historic national socio-political cultural event? Surely we do actually want God’s help in working together for a better day!?

A very powerful prayer. Truth speaks well and to those who don’t like it: you can’t control other people prayers and thoughts and experiences. There is only One who is Mightier than anyone. Amen to that.

If President Obama is as exclusionary as some her think, then why did he invite Rick Warren after Rev. Warren ambushed him at that joint event with Senator McCaine? Rick Warren has made no secret of his criticisms of Barack Obama.
I have to vote with those who found the Benediction good. I thought I understood the historic references fairly well until I read some references that go back before I was born.
Since this is Belief Net, I have to agree with the person who said that such a place should have a more civil tone. Less anger would be nice.

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