Barack Obama's Speech
Obama’s recent speech was a brilliant piece of rhetoric and oratory. It was composed, not in the period of one or two weeks, but over many years of gestating the varied perspectives he’s witnessed and experienced.
Obama’s detractors will never be satisfied. They will continue to ask why he didn’t abandon Wright earlier. But Obama demonstrated that he is not easily buffeted by political winds the way Clinton was and the political climate demands. He does not abandon his friends. Obama learned Peter’s mistake.
Obama called the pundits to task. The conservative commentators are the high priests in the story, calling Wright a blasphemer against American pieties: of course God has blessed America! Of course America is the greatest country in the world! What have whites done in this country? By naming resentment for what it is, and its corrosive effect on politics, that is just one tool to manipulate voters, Obama revealed the tools of the conservative talk-show hosts that motivate much of the electorate. Obama would not let himself be judged by association and named the real issues.
Most politicians would have distanced themselves from Wright. They would have let other people place their worst fears upon this caricatured black pastor. Obama knew, however, that distancing himself would not end the attacks upon him, and it would embolden those who want to diminish the power of his candidacy.
Obama honored the aspirations of working white people. He challenged Wright on his thought without condemning the man. He honored the mistakes and humanity of others without judging them, urging people to do better. He recognized, as any Christian should, that our perfection happens over time, in history, and is not something hat happens with divine fiat.
The conservatives will try hard to diminish this speech. But all one needs to do is reread it or watch it, and the text will speak for itself. They will continue to flail.
But a couple notes about Wright.
Wright’s views are not much different than Hosea’s or Amos’ of Jonah’s. All called Israel to task for not caring for the poor. And for any strict monotheist, the henotheism implicit in statements like “God Bless America” smack of idolatry. Wright, even though his rhetoric is disconcerting to the ears of those in power, was simply echoing scripture itself.
As someone who went to Wright’s church a few times, I don’t recognize the church that is publicized in the media. To his credit, Obama relocated the conversation by taking it from a soundbite, and into the very real lives of our daily experience.