Posted by
Pete Zimmerman on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:06:11 PM
One of the defining statements of today's message by Barack Obama in explaining his feelings on the subject of race and his former pastor, the Rev. Wright, Obama made an incredible statement that stuck out in my mind: "Race is an issue America cannot afford to ignore right now."
That one statement signifies everything that is WRONG in America today. That one statement defines the problem of race in America today. Instead of focusing on each other as human beings, the democrats want to continue focusing on people according to their race.
What is wrong with saying “race is an issue America must set aside right now?” “Race is an issue America must IGNORE right now.” Dr. Martin Luther King had it right when he dreamed of a “color blind” society. One that judges people “not on the color of their skin, but on the content of their character.”
In that point of view, Rev. Wright’s character must be closely scrutinized. His words should be examined not as a “black preacher” but as a preacher – swiveling his hips on stage as he makes a plug for the political candidate of his choice.
We pick our pastors and spiritual leaders. They are not our family. They must earn our respect and expect to be chastised when they err from the faith.
Obama’s attempt to navigate himself out of trouble today just opened the wounds of bigotry our country is trying so desperately to close. He missed a golden opportunity to rise above race; instead he jumped into the fray headfirst.