I had the privilege of being on AIR this morning with POTUS08 Morning Briefing Anchor Scott Walterman as we listened to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright deliver his 3rd major public appearance in the same number of days.
I have to admit I am perplexed as to what Rev. Wright is up to, but one thing is clear to me, this man sees himself as a prophet, anointed and called by God to “set the record straight” on all that ails America with regard to race, and racism. Good luck with that Herculean task! What I can tell you for sure Rev. is that what you are doing is NOT good for the Obama campaign. Peroid.
I was and am supportive of the interview Rev. Wright did with Bill Moyers on Saturday. It was dignified, thoughtful, thought provoking, and honest. I also felt that many more white Americans were likely to actually hear his point of view because of the academic and high minded manner in which he presented himself. Yet, for all the good the Moyer’s interview did, Wright undid it all in yesterday’s NAACP speech (which was carried live in its entirety by CNN) and today’s address before the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.
As I listened to the Reverand on his 3rd day of major media appearances, I wrote down some key words from his speeches and I would like to comment briefly on what I heard:
1. Black Religious traditions
2. Black expression
3. Invisible Institutions
4. Attack on the black church
5. Honest Dialogue about race
6. Invisible to Invaluable
7. Different does not mean Deficient
8. Eurocentric culture
9. White Racists
10. Oppressor, oppressed, slavery, hatred, bigotry, and a new day in America
To be blunt, these words strike terror in the hearts of white Americans. At least those who qualify as “working class–Reagan Democrats” or “Joe six-pack”. For those of us who live in the DC, Northeastern news obsessed, Ivy-league, six-figure job bubble, we find this to be great political theatre and we love it! It makes for great discussion over Martinis, cigars, and coffee. Not so for most of America.
While I understand what Rev. Wright is attempting to do;He does not understand that this new generation of Americans simply does not speak this way anymore. We speak truth to power in much more subtle ways, simply because racism is much more subtle now.
I think that at this moment in time, Hillary Clinton actually has a chance of wresting this nomination away from Senator Obama with the Super Delegates. I also think that if things continue down this path, John McCain will be the 44th President of the United States come November 2008.