By Jayar Jackson
The words and explanation from Senator Obama regarding his pastor's wildly unpopular and racist rant raised awareness for many, evoked conscious thought for others, but still turned some of his opponents away from him even more. How anyone could actually listen to the truth packed into this speech and conclude that his words were bogus was perplexing to me. Even after reaching out to the concerns of these very opponents, some still felt he was only telling them how much he was against them. I can understand that some don't agree with his policies, but I couldn't understand how they rejected the idea that race relations in need to be improved.
In an effort to practice what I preach, I've searched for a way to understand the reasons some still feel such resentment to the person that is thoughtfully looking for a route to move this country forward. I noticed that the most constant, blanket argument from the disagreeing mass was "Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a horrible racist." To that I thought, "I agree, good thing Wright isn't running for President. I'm glad Obama proved to us he doesn't think that way."
In attempting to put myself in the shoes of some White Americans, I've noticed that many are afraid of expressing everything they may think of minorities, particularly Black people. There have been instances where if they utter something that sounds like they're speaking negatively of a Black guy; the tag of "racist" is immediately slapped upon them. When they know they truly don't harbor racist or prejudiced feelings, and in fact dislike people that do, the worst thing in the world is to be considered just another racist White person. They've seen much of the dreadful history of truly hateful racist people in
When Reverend Wright opened his mouth in front of his congregation, he opened the door for the rare opportunity many White Americans took to call a racist a racist. No matter what explanations come, no matter how much Obama tried to take the discussion to a place of understanding and conclusion, Reverend Wright hasn't been lambasted enough by the man he taught, so the declaration of racist remains the only subject.
This feeling of making sure the other race experiences the pain felt by the other side of is nothing new. The country was fixated, racially divided, and somehow personally involved in OJ Simpson's "Trial of the Century." Upon hearing the verdict of not guilty, so many Black people celebrated as if we were the #16 seed of the NCAA Tournament that just took down the undefeated #1 powerhouse with a last second shot. Many Black Americans were overwhelmingly frustrated at the futility of the world's best judicial system to convict the many murderers in the past while obviously favoring White criminals over their Black victims.
The celebrating group didn't love the fact that OJ Simpson got away with killing two White people, they took delight in knowing so many people on the other side finally experienced what they had experienced so many times. Now they could say, "get over it, move on, and it wasn't your sister" the way they had been told so many times before.
Barack Obama's honest declaration that he cannot despise a pastor that brought him to his level of faith, married him to his wife, and baptized his kids kept this Reverend, an elephant-sized target in the crosshairs, right alongside him. The sooner we begin to understand each other, the sooner we will figure things out.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I for one grew up a bit sheltered from the race issue. I went to an all white school as a child. When I was around eight years old, we had our first black student move into our district. He rode my bus. He lived on the corner, down from my house in our rural community. One day, when I was getting off the bus, my grandparents and another couple were out in the yard talking. The man asked me if the little boy that got off the bus at the corner was black. I said, "I don't know." My grandparents had never said anything to me about anyone of another color before. You would think that the little boy might be shunned because of his color, but to the contrary, we fought over who he would play with and sit with at lunch. We lived in a small town, so he was the new kid, it was exciting. I don't remember any of the children ever saying an unkind word to him. He became one of us, it was like he had always been there.
My grandparents (whom I lived with) introduced themselves to his parents and offered to do anything to help them adjust to a new town. My grandparents never spoke of them as black or being any different than anyone else in our community. I am grateful to them for that.
As I entered high school, I moved from my small town to a larger, neighboring town. My new high school was predominately white, with a small percentage of kids of different ethnicities. Though
there were only a handful of black students in the whole school, they were seen more for what group they belonged to, than for what color they were.
My boyfriend at the time (now my husband) was very close friends with a boy named Kevin(who was black) that he played football with. At one point my husband, had a physical altercation with a family member over a racial comment made about Kevin. My husband is very loyal, he would fight to defend any of his friends, black, white or otherwise.
Later on, my husband went to a predominately black college, on a football scholarship. He was really looking forward to the move and to playing ball beyond high school. He never had any reservations about being the minority there, only hoping to be able to perform at a level high enough to see a lot of "play time". When he arrived at school, it was very clear that the majority was not going to be welcoming. I came for a visit just a few days after he had settled in. The other students (all black) would yell things at us from the balconies of there dorms, not nice things. They had spray painted the door to my husbands apartment. A week later, his apartment was broken into and his computer (that his mom had to sell her furniture to buy) and all his other valuables had been stolen. They also wrote derogatory remarks about him on the wall. He only lasted a year there, but luckily received a better offer from a college close to home.
To this day, we are loyal to our friends.
Their skin color doesn't define them any more than their hair or eye color. We hope that one day, the world will be a different place for our kids. In the meantime, all we can do is our part. I feel part of that responsibility lies in not tolerating racism from any one we associate with. How can we stop it if we tolerate it? I could not abide someone with racist views. Am I wrong to expect the same from someone that wants to be the leader of our country? How can things improve if our president is tolerant of racism?
Jayar, I respect your point of view, but in my case, it doesn't ring true. I wasn't relieved to hear Rev. Wright proclaim his racist views just for vindication. I was heartsick, because I thought Obama would have more character than to associate himself with someone so divisive and hateful.
dani at 1:37AM on Mar 21st 2008
2. Here's the REAL problem with Obama:
April 11th, 2007 -- "I understand MSNBC has suspended Mr. Imus," Obama told ABC News, "but I would also say that there's nobody on my staff who would still be working for me if they made a comment like that about anybody of any ethnic group. And I would hope that NBC ends up having that same attitude." --Barack Obama
Sure...Barack will call for the termination of a white guy who uses the same phrase Stevie Wonder used in his hit song "I Wish", but Obama just can't bring himself to leave a congregation where anti-American sentiment and black racism finds a receptive audience.
He's a hypocrite.
Paul at 12:41PM on Mar 22nd 2008
3. Here's how deep the problem of black racism runs:
"He opened the door for the rare opportunity many White Americans took to call a racist a racist." --Jayar Jackson
You're sitting here preaching your gospel of understanding and even YOU can't bring yourself to say "black racist"...you can say he opened the door for the rare opportunity for white Americans but you just can't bring yourself to even type the phrase "black racist".
What's more, the opportunity isn't all that rare. White America, until this point, just hasn't been all that concerned with black America's constant whining over imagined racism in the United States. For example, here's a joke from Chris Rock: "I was so bad as sports in school, even white kids got picked before me."
This is that sort of black racism that gets a pass in America because white people barely care what Chris Rock has to say.
And if you think it's not a bigoted joke against whites then you're in complete denial. But to prove to your African-American mind that it is in fact a racist joke, let's swap out a few of the words. "I was so dumb in school, even black kids got better grades than I did." Or how about, "I was so poor as a kids, even black kids ate better than I did." Or "I was so gay in school even the black kids wanted to screw me!"
None of those jokes (including Chris Rocks) are funny to the victims of such jokes.
The opportunity you mentioned above simply is not half as rare as you think it is.
And your continued state of denial regarding black racism IS the race problem in America. White Americans get a reminder every four to five months of their bigotry when black people jump all over some innocuous comment (like Imus's remark) to cry anew how they're oppressed by white people in the United States. African-Americans rarely receive such a reminder of their racism...not because they're not racists, but because white Americans haven't really cared...until now.
Paul at 12:59PM on Mar 22nd 2008
4. I usually just read the responses of others and keep my thoughts to myself, but today I feel compelled to share my opinion. I did not hear all of the comments of Obama's Pastor, but I am sure that they must have been very inflammatory to spark such a debate. I don't wish to get on either side of the debate because I am well aware of how difficult it is to try and prove a point to someone who holds an opposing view.
What I would like to do is somehow shed some light on a very important statement that was made many years ago by someone else that was very controversial. He said in essence that we should not judge one another or criticize each other harshly because the same things that we condemn others for we are guilty of the very same things. It's like trying to tell someone that they have a splinter in their eye and you have an entire branch in your own. My point is,... I think all of us can be a little racist, a little prejudice, or biased at times; especially when we feel threatend or ganged up on. It's only natural for a woman to clinch her purse if she suddenly feels threatend, rather that fear is real or imagined. I only wish that we as a Nation will finally see that there is no color line between us, no us and them; no need to fear. Somewhere down the line we have to get to a place where we are no longer digging for dirt in order to justify our own biased opinions. We have to get beyond hurtful remarks, opinions, and viewpoints that only express our side of the story. I'm not saying to overlook wrongs, but let's try to have a little more understanding, a little more compassion, and a lot more love for one another. I know it sounds corny, but what can I say,... "I'm an American!"
bruce at 2:55PM on Mar 22nd 2008
5. Sometimes, it can be very difficult for others to see the point of view from people who have been historically and consistently victimized and discriminated against.
Many people...the historically privileged and the truly advantaged minority believe that racism and racist bigotry is a thing of the past, but it's not!
The solution is not to continue to let it distract and divide! As a nation, we can not ignore it or act like it doesn't exist, but we don't have to be so eager to feed into it.
Unfortunately, that's what we do! America's business and media conglomerates, legal system, public policymakers, and education system still discriminates and systematically makes distinctions in very important life-chance decisions based on race and socioeconomics.
Let's be real to our own conscious and wake-up, people! It's time for a change in this country!
Regardless of what Pastor Wright preaches...he is not running for President. Pastor Wrigth is a seasoned African-American man living in the United States of America and being a 40-something African-American woman, who has experienced racism and discrimination, I can only imagine the things the pastor has seen, heard, and experienced.
Moreover, Pastor Wright has the right to speak HIS MIND and Conscious! Anyone who doesn't like it or understand his message doesn't have to recieve it!
Barack Obama's message has been consistent, and it does not resemble that of Pastor Wright's at all. Obama has a far reaching and broad message of unity, fairness, and equity. One that seeks to bring us together as a nation to work on domestic policy that represents the great diverse nation that we are!
It's time to more closer to inclusion and integration rather than exclusion and segregation. It's time to Move Beyond the Colored Line!
NEW BOOK: MOVE BYOND THE COLORED LINE Creating Big BUZZ! Author Jacquelyn Rochell speaks and writes to alter the mindset of a racist society.
“A Time for Change” are the words being echoed by leaders advocating for the end of racial discrimination. The sociopolitical progress within American culture gives us great hope!
With change and progress in the air, author Jacquelyn Rochell’s book takes flight to encourage readers to “Move beyond the Colored Line” and grow in spite of historical barriers of racial discrimination.
With an African-American man, and a women positioned President of the United States; one needs to embrace the idea they should no longer think or behave as if they can’t partake in the progress of change!
As African-Americans become aware of “who we are, we become aware of our culture, and the responsibility of service to ourselves and others”.
Rochell’s book neutralizes the racist stereotypical views and historical ignorance that has negatively labeled and stifled the African American growth process for nearly 140 years.
Rochell’s book does not ignore racial discrimination, but it encourages African Americans who are ready to move forward to embrace their purpose, to set their goals, and work to achieve them.
Rochell’s book helps foster an increased knowledge of the contemporary African American struggles while providing hope that through education, hard work and faith, one can overcome.
Rochell’s book will reunite, remember, refocus, and redirect our thoughts and efforts to become conscious… propelling us closer to our ancestor’s dream of equal opportunity and social justice.
While many of the historically privileged will always embrace racial discrimination as a means of blocking the progressive movement of the minority…it is the minority who must not be turned around or discouraged!
Rochell is prepared to take center stage to be apart of the solution rather than the other part of the problem.
# # #
Contact info.: To schedule an interview with Jacquelyn Rochell, e-mail jacquelynrochell@jacquelynrochell.com
Web site: www.jacquelynrochell.com
Jacquelyn at 3:46PM on Mar 22nd 2008
6. The most terrible thing that happened to this country in the last 50 years was not the assasination of JFK or RFK, but of MLK. King spoke of the time when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the quality of their character.
My grandparents bought a house in West Philadelphia,PA in 1920. They reared 4 boys there. Those boys grew up, married and moved away, but my grandparents stayed. In the late 50's and early 60's they saw changes to the once all-white neighborhood. It was called "white flight." My grandparents stayed. Then in the late 60's there were riots and a decline in neighborhood stores and services. My grandparents stayed.
My grandparents were Catholics who attended daily Mass at their parish, St Rose of Lima, which was within walking distance of their home. Their black, non-Catholic neighbors got up each morning and walked my elderly grandparents to church and home again. When it snowed, their walks were shoveled and in the spring, their windows were washed by these wonderful neighbors. My grandfather was 89 when he died in 1979 and my grandmother stayed. She didn't understand her children or her grandchildren who had moved numerous times. She didn't leave her neighborhood until she was 91 in 1989, not because her neighbors treated her badly, but because senility was overtaking her and my parents moved her to Maryland with them.
My grandparents were not saints. I had heard them utter racial and ethnic slurs when I visited them in my childhood. Both my mother (who grew up in the DEEP South) and my father, however, would have washed our mouths out with soap (literally)if we ever used language that disparaged someone's race, ethnicity, or religion.
Before I ever heard of Martin Luther King, Jr., my parents were teaching the ideals that King had preached.
Shame on Barack Obama for his well-crafted, but weak defense and shame on Rev. Wright for spewing hate. I will not , however, judge a group of people by the actions of a few. I will judge an individual by the quality of his character.
Mary Barbera at 8:35PM on Mar 23rd 2008
7. "Many people...the historically privileged and the truly advantaged minority believe that racism and racist bigotry is a thing of the past..." --Jacquelyn
________________
While the rest of the people think that bigotry is a one-way street! Black racism, however, insisted that Don Imus lose his job simply for using the VERY SAME PHRASE that Stevie Wonder used in his hit song of 30 years ago (I Wish) where he described himself as a "nappy-headed boy".
Whenever African-Americans parade their bigotry, the cry goes out for compassion, understanding, and a concerted effort to move forward.
Whenever a Caucasian even breathes too close to bigotry, the African-Americans call for his public humiliation and ruination!
When Jeremiah Wright expresses his bigotry, America is told to "tolerate" it as part of his right to free speech. However, whenever a white person uses the word nigger they are dressed down publicly and immediately ruined in their career.
It's time to recognize the double standard!
Obama told ABC news in April of 2007 that someone like Imus would never find employment on his staff. Yet Obama couldn't even bring himself to find another congregation whenever his pastor expressed his bigotry.
I smell a lying hypocrite and a bigot.
In reality, it's the black community that needs to acknowledge its own racial prejudice and decide to become part of the solution. White Americans have tolerated the black hypocrisy, bigotry, and deceit for far too long.
Paul at 5:50PM on Mar 22nd 2008
8. IN 63 YEARS I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY SEEN RACISM PROMOTED OR TOLERATED IN ANY CHURCH OR ORGANIZATION.
IF I HAD SEEN IT, I WOULD HAVE STOPPED IT.
OR, I WOULD HAVE RESIGNED.
I NEVER HAD TO DO EITHER.
OBAMA IS SUPPORTING A MAN WHO HATES BOTH WHITES AND AMERICA.
OBAMA SAW HATRED IN WRIGHT.
OBAMA CHOSE WRIGHT AS HIS SPIRITUAL GUIDE.
OBAMA CHOSE WRIGHT AS HIS MENTOR.
OBAMA SUPPORTED HIM FINANCIALLY FOR 20 YEARS.
I WANT TO TELL OBAMA WHAT I WOULD TELL ANY WHITE PERSON WHO SUPPORTED RACIAL HATRED.
GET OUT OF THIS ELECTION NOW.
YOU, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO SUPPORTED RACIAL HATRED, CANNOT BE PRESIDENT OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
CK at 12:42PM on Mar 24th 2008
9. Isn't that uninspiring.
Obama wants US to move beyond the "color line".
He supported that "color line" for 20 years.
I believe that even Harvard graduates understand the generally accepted maxim:
"Dont p-- on me and then tell me it's raining".
Obama wants your vote.
Will you fall for that?
CK at 12:56PM on Mar 24th 2008