Monday, April 28, 2008

The Wright Stuff

CNN has finally done some journalism on behalf of the public good by showing Rev. Jeremiah Wright's speech in its entirety, with plenty of commercial interruptions, to the Detroit branch of the NAACP. I promptly re-upped my membership. I found, on the one hand, that Rev. Wright can be just as sanctimonious and pedantic as most ministers, (Father Farkin, Padre Patro, and Rabbi Greenstein excluded), but in the context of an entire speech, he can be fascinating as well. The general theme was, "A Change Is Gonna' Come." How can you dislike someone who quotes from one of Clarksdale, Mississippi's finest poet laureates, Sam Cooke? The speech, though fiery and uncompromising, went a long way toward shaving the devil horns from Wright's head. And if you listened through the bombastic, roof-raising, preachers' style of oration, what Rev. Wright said was entirely conciliatory.

The Reverend pointed out that change will come when we alter the way we think of one another and come to realize that, "different does not mean deficient." He pointed out many differences inherent in African and European cultures, including the European tendency to keep rhythm on the 1st and 3rd beat, while people of African heritage clap on the 2nd and the 4th, but it's merely different, not deficient. I disagree with the Rev. on this point. I believe white people who clap on the one and three are inherently inferior and hopelessly Caucasoid, while the two and four are the enlightened beats of life. Other examples using various regional speech sounds and studies showing differences in learning patterns between the races were enlightening, and Rev. Wright can be very funny while making his points. His theatrical comparisons of the Michigan State marching band with the band from Florida A&M were worthy of a Cosby routine. Some pertinent observations were that whites do not understand the nature between the Black church and the community, and that Arabic is not a religion, but a language, as he repeated the name Barack Hussein Obama again and again, as if to exorcise it of negative connotations.

The audience of 10,000 was appreciative of Wright's digs at the mainstream media's obsession with his viral remarks, but emphasized the change that's coming "when we are committed to changing the way we look at one another," and understand that "difference is not deficience in all children of God." Of specific interest to me was Wright's statement that "We should understand that we are people of faith who share this planet with people of other faiths," and "We should commit ourselves to change the way that Christians treat Jews." That's quite a distance from the Christian Supremist teachings of John Hagee and his homophobic extremism. I believe that Barack Obama, as a young community organizer on Chicago's south side, joined an activist church where the congregants were the people he worked with, and the charismatic minister appeared, much as he did tonight, like an intelligent and insightful man and someone who would be interesting to know.

Reverend Wright will address the National Press Club later today, where I'm sure the audience won't be nearly as friendly, but I am happy that he has begun to speak in public again. Although he was introduced to the NAACP audience as "the hottest brother in the country," the more he speaks, the more he begins to sound just like another television preacher, and unless he starts asking God to damn America again, the average viewer will grow bored as quickly as an atheist in church. Like Hillary says, you choose your pastor, so you may as well pick one that keeps you awake. Personally, I miss Doctor Gene Scott in his funny hats, chomping on a cigar and cussing into the camera. Now play "I Wanna' Know," and you people in Indianapolis better phone in your damned pledges or I'm going to pull the plug on the satellite. Now get out there and speak your mind my brother, and Wright on.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wright's rap was a mixed bag. Different is not 'necessarily' deficient would have been a more accurate statement to make. Look at the racial make up of professional sports and you would have to say that in this case different is deficient. Blacks are definitely better athletes. But, since no man has room to boast because God is the giver of all gifts and talents, then we should learn to treat each other better than we do, as Wright said. Just as there are individual differences with regard to strengths and weaknesses, there are also differences with regard to strengths and weaknesses between cultures and races. And everyone has deficiencies. This is not a racist statement. All you have to do is observe the empirical evidence. You can't equate an Einstein and a Picasso. Einstein was deficient as an artist and Picasso was deficient as a scientist, but each had a contribution to make. Wright painted with a broad brush in making his case, especially in regard to his statements with regard to education. Right-brained or left-brained, most elements of education are irreducible. Everyone can learn to read, spell, do math, and understand scientific principles. But, everyone certainly has their god given place in life and is worthy of respect for that reason alone. And another thing, Wright definitely has some forgiveness issues. He seethes with poorly disguised anger. And, as a Christian theologian he is certainly different and absolutely deficient.

Anonymous said...

Jeremiah Wright might be the craziest but most entertaining spiritual advisor since Billy Joe Shaver. Shaver was chosen by Kinky Friedman when he ran for governor of Texas last election. Talking about a poet laureate! Billy Joe wrote great songs like GEORGIA ON A FAST TRAIN, OLD CHUNK OF COAL, IF THE TRAILER'S ROCKEN' DON'T COME A KNOCKEN', and of course IF YOU DON'T LOVE JESUS---GO TO HELL! I believe Wright has him beat. I have to admit I have a heart for the outrageous. I love all the characters of cable TV and radio--People like Al Sharpton, Rush, O'Reily, Chris Mathews, Oberman, Imus. Al Franken and Buchanan crack me up with their left jabs and right upper cuts. It may not be the new black but its definitely the new wrestling. When Sputnik Monroe walked into the ring you might have booed, jeered or cheered him but deep down inside YOU LOVED IT!!! Same with Jeremiah & Media RAW. What would we do without these silly bastards? And Randy is right last night helped Wright--but it helped his entertainment value. This mornings Q&A made Ali in the 60s look humble in comparison. Jeremiah Wright has made a name for himself...& that's the problem. "When November comes & when January comes I'll still be a preacher!...No matter who is sworn in!" He just left a brilliant and inspiring candidate lying bleeding in the ring! Peace to all!
Father Farken

Anonymous said...

FUCK rev. Wright. Asshole threw our boy under the bus.I thought he was retired? Sombody needs to shoot the bastard.

Anonymous said...

It use to be in these Anointed States of America...the place you could bet on humility was in a Black Church and now the one thing worse for Obama is discovering he is having an affair with Ann Coulter. Wait a minute! That might be just the distraction we need.
Shecky Keirkegaard McGirk

Anonymous said...

Jeremiah Wright is a fool and a charlatan. He is no more Christian than Bin Laden. He is an arrogant side show freak, more politician than a man of God. He is going to take Obama down. In fact, there is some speculation that he may be working on behalf of the Clintons and I wouldn't doubt it. The more he opens his mouth, the more freaked out I am that he is Obama's spiritual advisor. I don't care what antbody says, that fact speaks volumes about Obama and what it says is not good. Can any of you imagine claiming that bombastic ego-freak as your spiritual advisor? He has the humility of Attila the Hun and radiates about as much of the love of God as Charles Manson.

Anonymous said...

SIREEN SEZ, Listen up America to the words of Frederick Douglas!!!
"BETWEEN THE CHRISTANITY OF THE LAND AND THE CHRISTIANITY OF CHRIST ,I RECOGNIZE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE DIFFERENCE---SO WIDE, THAT TO RECEIVE THE ONE AS GOOD, PURE AND HOLY IS OF NECESSITY TO REJECT THE OTHER AS BAD, CORRUPT AND WICKED. I LOVE THE PURE, PEACABLE AND IMPARTIAL CHRISTIANITY OF CHRIST; I THEREFORE HATE THE CORRUPT, SLAVEHOLDING, WOMEN WHIPPING, CRADLE-PLUNDERING PARTIAL HYPOCRITICAL CHRISTIANITY OF THIS LAND. INDEED, I CAN SEE NO REASON, BUT THE MOST DECEITFUL ONE, FOR CALLING THE RELIGION OF THIS LAND CHRISTIANITY." 1845
Hey! This land has come a long way! I ain't advocating...hating. I believe in seperation of church and hate. Love one another but let's don't get the church mixed up with the American way.SIREEN

Anonymous said...

I be Jerry Wright, "Work'in for McCain mak'in pocket change!"

Randy Haspel said...

I wrote this post before Rev. Wright's appearance before the National Press Club. I must say that I have not seen such arrogance in the face of criticism from a man of God since Jerry Falwell took on Tinky Winky. Wright did Barack no favors, only stoked the flames.

Anonymous said...

AMEN! SPUTNIK! AMEN! FR.FARKEN

Anonymous said...

Sireen, you must know that the Christian churches in America have always been a mixture of the real and the bogus. There have always been so-called Christian churches that are not worthy of the Name. Frederick Douglas was obviously referring to the nominal, bogus element that passes itself off as Christian. No true Christian would support slavery or wife-beating. Many, if not most of the abolitionists were Christian. You painted the situation with too broad of a brush. There have always been authentic representatives of Christ in this country and throughout the world. Using your argument one could say that blacks are all bad, because of the high crime rate in the black community. Everyone with a grain of sense knows that there are good blacks as well as bad ones and the same can be said for all groups of people. Sorry to rain on your parade, but I don't think that you thought your statement through before you wrote it. I know that you were quoting Douglas, but you come across as though he were speaking for you.

Anonymous said...

Like Judge Ito said, "You can't unring a bell".
Wright's G D. Amreica and Hillary's Sniper stories are all statements of no character.
For me they ring true and these jokers can't explain them away.

Anonymous said...

Some of you folks may be really bummed to find that GOD BLESS AMERICA does not appear in the Bible. NAH! NAH! NAH! The word 'bless' in Hebrew is the word BARAK! Coincidence? I don't think so! Barach (as in Obama) is a derivative of the verb barak. It means "to kneel" as before a king. In the Psalms we are exhorted to "bless the Lord". So Rev. Wright had it half right! IT IS NOT GOD BLESS AMERICA! NAH! NAH! NAH! IT IS AMERICA BLESS GOD! We are to busy asking God to bless our actions and come alongside our plans. Its not me but Jesus who sez God's blessing will inevitably follow if we are with the poor, the merciful, the hungry, the persecuted, the peacemakers. Instead we'd rather have a God who conforms to our bullshit than conform our bullshit to God whose wisdom is a stumbling block to the world of smart bombs and military intelligence. GOD BLESS AMERICA! NAH! NAH! NAH! AMERICA BLESS THE LORD! FATHER FARKEN! EAT YOUR HEART OUT! Watcher! The parade is never canceled on account of rain. I accept my country the way it is!
I love it enough that we may truly do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Yours truly, SIREEN

Anonymous said...

Sireen, if you knew what you reveal about your spirit when you post on this blog you would be more careful with regard to what you say and how you say it. You remind me of the child who sticks out her tongue and says 'nanny, nanny, boo-boo', when she is displeased with others. I'm sorry to have to be the one who reveals yourself to yourself. And why would you address Father Farken in such a way? He is the most neutral person who posts on this blog. The Watcher obviously thinks that it's all over and merely watches the water swirl down the drain. You need to pick on the ones who are still in the fight.

Anonymous said...

Let's be easy on Sireen. Rumor has it that her mother in the 60s was a lady wrestler named Black Pantheress and that her unknown daddy was a member of the Radiants. Hey! wouldn't that piss you off too! I'm kidding! Seriously Sireen! You are a very gifted person but remember also the words of Jesus "You are the light of the world!" So lighten up!
Speaking of the Radiants! I've got my copy of the Memphis Beat and it is timeless. Great! Fantastic! It is classic and I recommend it to everyone. This blog offers it. Buy one today! (Hey hippies have to eat too!) Randy! That was to make up for the dirty little daddy joke!
Weii...as of a few hours ago Barack Obama just picked himself up and threw Jeremiah Wright over his head and dropped him right on his poor little ADHD noggen! Man! I love this game! Got to go!
As my friend Father Farken would say,"Bless yah' heart!" Shecky keirkegaard McGirk
PS Spell check the word FatherFarken and see what you get!

Anonymous said...

fmrqtwnMy dear Hearts! Shecky K. McGirk has been my friend for years. I performed his wedding...baptize his children. Laughed with him! Cried with him. Raised our pints together...but I must say I found his remarks about Miss Sireen's parentage distasteful and that he owes her & Sputnik an an apology. And when he told all to spellcheck what's left of my name I was appalled. I know that he can be a prankster but I now feel that I must distance myself from his shenanigans.PEACE TO ALL! FatherFarken

Anonymous said...

Bless me Father for I have Sinned...and Sireen, Sputnik and all I am sorry. S.K McGirk
PS: Fr. Farken, thanks for sharing your word verification.

Anonymous said...

S.K.McGirk! All is forgiven... atleast from my side. I can no longer distance myself from you than the Saints in Heaven (though the Saints may see things differently). PEACE ON EARTH! FATHER FARKEN

Anonymous said...

Now that a priest and a clown have kissed and made nice and Rev. Jeremiah Wright has thrown his own butt-ugly self under the bus, can we please get back to that which is important---ELECTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Now Obama didn't throw the outrageous Rev. under the bus, Obama was driving the bus and BAM!plowed right into Jeremiah's 15 minutes of fame---splattering it all over the lost highway. Not only did Barack run over that sorry preacher he put it in reverse & ran over him again & again & again while honking his horn & shouting OUT FOWL SPIRIT! OUT! He just liberated himself from the Rev's theology and all Caucasians can breathe a sigh of relief.
Now we have two polarizing figures Hillary & O'Reily putting on quite a show which made me politically horny but enough about that. I must say that there have been a few complaints that I myself have been polarizing to the Sputnik community. For this I am sorry! Now that McCain is distancing himself from Bush! Obama has distanced himself from Wright and that Hillary has distanced herself from the sniper fire of her hormonal husband and has taken a liken to Mr. Bill O'Reily please forgive me for my tone and if I have alienated anyone---please don't throw me under the bus. Though I may be tone death I will try to tone it down. I do learn a lot from Sputnik & from many of you! You are like family.
Yours Truly! SIREEN

Anonymous said...

Sireen, you are absolved of all past error,real or imagined...probably imagined.

Anonymous said...

I would like to know if anyone else watched the entire Million Man March on C-Span back when it happened. I was aghast at Farrakan's war-like spiel against the white race. It was like a Klan rally only the participants were black. I couldn't wait to get up the next morning to read how the media would excoriate Farrakan, but there was not one single word about his rabid anti-white, anti-American rant. All the articles were about how he encouraged blacks to adopt better life-styles and to become more responsible. This was true, but only took up about half the time. The rest was a veritable declaration of war against white America. It spoke volumes about how the liberal media selectively white-washes those elements to which it gives a pass. I was floored, but learned a lot about the media. Did anyone else see the C-Span coverage in its entirety? As an (important) aside Obama was present at this rally. Why didn't he stand up to Farrakan's outrageous diatribe? He apparently went along with his church naming him 'the Man of the Year' in some sort of context. 'Hater and Bigot of the Year' would have been more appropriate. If the conservatives get hold of some sound bites of Farrakan's vitriol at the March and show Obama in attendance, all hell will break loose.

Anonymous said...

When was this march? There have been a few! I haven't heard of one lately. Curious Mellow

Anonymous said...

It was the first Million Man March. I forgot the date, but it shouldn't be hard to find and I'll bet there is a video record of it somewhere.

Anonymous said...

Sireen! When you said tone death-did you mean tone deaf or tonedeff?
SHECKY