posted March 21, 2008
Over the past exciting months of the political campaign for our next presidential nominees, there has been a refreshing spirit of democracy the world has been able to witness which remains to this day. As we encourage democracy around the world, at times, it has not been widely received nor have we always been exemplary of its precepts.
During this presidential campaign however, democracy is at its best. We’ve had admirable, dedicated and competent Americans running for office and the primaries have been exciting and surprising from one day to the next, and continue to be. Personally, I’ve been proud of the divergence of ideas and views, propositions for healing and strengthening our nation, and for the most part, without the ugliness that usually plagues election years.
Sure, there have certainly been controversies, but one controversy in particular, which I feel the need for clarification, is my reason for writing this letter. It’s been on my mind ever since we were witness to the shocking rhetoric of Rev. Jeremiah Wright last weekend. You see, Barack Obama had my vote, until I saw those videos. I was more than disappointed, my trust was lost. Why? One’s affiliation with their church for 20 years is important in a person’s life for all of the obvious reasons. One is part of a congregation of friends and relatives who share beliefs. The word is translated through the minister of the church. One tithes into the church in its support. The minister is at the helm. Parishioners can and should object if there are questions of impropriety; if not, the minister is empowered.
Of course, parishioners can also leave….seek another church and congregation more in keeping with their own attitudes, feelings and beliefs. These are very difficult personal decisions an individual has to make. When I heard the hateful rhetoric of Rev. Wright, like most Americans, I was appalled. Are these the words of Christ? Are these the words of healing and bringing people together?
I also learned that there are associations between Rev. Wright’s church and Louis Farrakhan, the head of the Nation of Islam in this country. I had even wondered some weeks ago why Barack Obama accepted the endorsement from Louis Farrakhan, I am still waiting for an explanation. Readers of this article can Google Louis Farrakhan and Nation of Islam and know what I’m talking about. I’m very concerned about these recent revelations because, being a Washington D.C. native, where politics and issues make for dinner table conversations as opposed to gossip of one type or another, Louis Farrakhan raised a lot of havoc in D.C in the 1970’s and 1980’s and I was appalled then, why wasn’t the guy deported? Laws protect, that’s why.
Rev. Farrakhan has been operating under the radar lately, until now. The expose of his funding the Obama campaign, and worse, of Sen. Obama accepting his endorsement, and yet worse, knowing that Rev. Wright follows the same radicalism and rhetoric in his church as Rev. Farrakhan makes me more than nervous. Perhaps it is also my belief in the separation of church and state which fuels my concerns.
In short, Sen. Obama has not only lost my vote, but my trust. Last weekend, when all of this all came to light, only then did Sen. Obama decide to disassociate himself from Rev. Wright’s rhetoric, but not from Rev. Wright. He claims if he had known about the sermons he would have done so right away. Now, he refers to him as “my former pastor.” This is all very convenient, but not believable.
To make matters worse, Mr. Obama turned the tables making the entire episode a matter of race. This is equally offensive because all you have to do is look at the number of citizens of all races and religions who have endorsed Mr. Obama, working hard in his campaign, so it’s really insulting to suggest that there is so much racial discrimination in this country that it may cost him his nomination. The only thing that will cost Mr. Obama his nomination is the deep concern that voters have with his affiliations, and I think now we need to address these very closely, as one would with any candidate under the circumstances.
Melinda Whiteman
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I voted for Obama in Florida. Enough said, or is it? I can't stop there.
I find any "civil rights" candidate who would win a nomination by disenfranchising voters too ironic. My grandfather, the son of an immigrant who was captured and thrown into a Siberian work camp, fought for voters' rights in the 40's and 50's. I heard stories growing up about how he escorted the black union members back to the polls, with baseball bats, when they were told they could not vote. As a child, I asked Grandpap, "What happened?" He said, "Those men voted."
My aunt, my great grandfather's sister, had a cross burned on her lawn while living in Tennessee in the 70's because she stood up for African Americans being able to move into the neighborhood.
Point is...
Some of us "typical white people" come from families who are proud of the work that they did for people of all colors. It's not about white or black. It's about your soul. It's about your values. I value inclusiveness. So did my family.
Obama seems to value Obama. He seems to value what's convenient for him at the moment. Can I vote for a man like that again? I don't think so.
Hillary is my only choice. If not her, I sit home. Sorry.
MK LaBrie
Clermont, Fl.
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Let's see, as a real Democrat who should I vote for? Hmmmm. One who is about bringing our country together or one who lied about their involvement in a foreign country? One who cannot disown a racist or one who just flat out lied? With all the issues at stake let's focus just on these two.
It amazing how a many people of non-color are abandoning Obama over his pastor's comments and are not looking in the mirror. How many of you have heard colored jokes and laughed, but that's not how you live your life or want you children to live. How many of you have not laughed and just walked away? Should you have said that is not right to the person? So what is the difference from Obama and you? The difference is he said something. You have heard, seen things off-colored or in your words racist and done nothing, not even condemnation to your friends (not relatives, friends).
As a bi-racial product if I wear my hair a certain way you would be amazed of how many non-coloreds still use the "N" word. They just open up when they think you are one of them. Yes I have been around those non-coloreds who project themselves to be with diversity and will not even think twice about it confronting those that are not. So should we really condemn Obama for publicly condemning his pastor? You have not disowned, stop talking to, condemned those of hatred even though those feeling are not yours.
I am for Obama but will vote for the Democrat nominee whether if it's Clinton or Obama. It really does not matter, we have the better candidate.
And yes I have spoken up to blacks and whites how those comments with keep the south....the south.
T. Washington
Ooltewah
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