Writing re Wright
I attempted to write a thoughtful reflection on Rev. Wright’s recent speeches, but I need some space. Instead, here’s the best commentary from Tuesday, which I’ll add to in the coming days.
Diana Butler Bass writes an altogether too kind portrait of Wright over the last few days here.
In the NY Times, Bob Herbert writes a much more damning, and much more accurate piece here.
Finally, Eugene Robinson accurately predicts Obama’s bus-throwing earlier today here.
My quick take: not good for Obama, not good for the black church, not good for American Christianity, not good for America.
Update:
Jim Izrael has a fair post on the UCC here (thanks Barbara).
Pam writes an interesting post here
This Wright-related article on Black Patriotism is well done (thanks Catherine).
Joe Klein, solid but not revolutionary here.
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I think Diana Butler Bass was commenting, as did I, based on Wright’s interview with Moyers. His National Press Club speech didn’t occur until Monday, which is the catalyst for Bob Herbert’s comments (and my later ones). You are right — this is NOT GOOD for anyone.
here were some comments I posted elsewhere…
I’ve been thinking about this for a while now. I defended Wright publicly at first, but now I’ve got to say a far better man would have kept his hubris in check and would have just kept quiet.
What on earth is Wright thinking? Here’s the first legitimate chance ever for a black man to become president, to potentially change the course of this nation’s history, and because of his hubris the whole thing is about the implode.
@ Mary’s comment:
I thought the same thing about Diana Butler Bass’s comments, especially because she is usually so good. But this paragraph in her Sojo piece points to her piece reflecting NAACP and Press Club speeches:
“On Friday, Bill Moyers interviewed Wright in an hour-long conversation. (Watch it here.) On Sunday, Wright preached at an NAACP fundraiser in Detroit that attracted 10,000 people. (Watch parts 1 [intro], 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.) Finally, on Monday morning, Wright addressed a packed National Press Club in Washington, D.C. However different the venues, a surprisingly common thread wound through all three speeches — that a realistic understanding of history forms the spiritual basis of hope and healing.” -Diana Butler Bass from http://sojo.net
I thought Obama was appropriately firm yesterday, and hope Indianans can see through the hype to the real issues. Grief, though, is indeed appropriate.
@ Jim’s comment:
Yep, he’s lost it in my book. I know much of what he says and does may be more acceptable in the black church, so I want to cut him slack, but then again he knows the world of politics and public discourse very well.
might want to check in at this blog and the discussion:
http://www.reverendmother.org/
It’s a LOT to try to sort thru/digest/reflect upon, indeed.
Sarah