"I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother "

[Rosa Luxemburg]

Two areas of Obama's speech were most powerful and put the 'GOP and their Hillary's smear' to rest. There's no argument any more. Now move on.

"I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother – a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."

"The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright's sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour in American life occurs on Sunday morning. That anger is not always productive; indeed, all too often it distracts attention from solving real problems; it keeps us from squarely facing our own complicity in our condition, and prevents the African-American community from forging the alliances it needs to bring about real change. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races."

[OhioBlue]

1. He was incredible. such truth. such leadership

he freakin' rocked.

it's over - anyone that tries to spin and attack him over WRight is going to look like the petty, simple minded fool that they must be.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

4. yes the media and Obama's opponents will look petty now

in fact this morning Obama's opponents are licking their wounds!

[thereismore]

2. Don't worry. Hillbots won't wait one minute to start some new smear campaign. nt

[Rosa Luxemburg]

13. It is great that he made the speech in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia speech on race March 18, 2008 I think historians in future years will quote that speech.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

15. It is great that he's speech was made in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia speech on race March 18, 2008 I think historians in future years will quote that speech.

[thesubstanceofdreams]

3. Utterly brilliant paragraphs

Powerful.

[butterfly77]

5. K&R..

[Dbdmjs1022]

6. The line about his grandmother really struck me

To me, it was the most powerful part of the speech by far. A lot of people don't realize the ties between generations and racial beliefs. Both of my grandfathers (one of whom is still alive) are two of the greatest, most caring and patriotic men I've ever known. One served in the military, and both were strong parts of working class America. But I've heard both of them make racially offensive comments many times throughout my life. The "N" word has been thrown around my grandfather's house multiple times. While I don't agree with the comments, I understand where they come from, that being from another time. I certainly think it's wrong, but I'm not willing to disown my grandfather for it, nor would I expect to be blamed for those comments.

[npincus]

10. me too.

[Rainbowreflect]

21. So true! My grandmother, who was the kindest, gentlest,

most giving person I have ever known, would make racial comments that would make me cringe. I always knew that she had not idea how offensive what she was saying could be, but she was from a different time.

[npincus]

7. you've got THAT right- I still feel stunned by it all.

[alcibiades_mystery]

8. Both metaphorical, too

Wright as the anger (even to the point of craziness) of black America. His grandmother as residual white racism. These are both our legacies. When Obama says he can't disown them, he's telling us that we don't get to choose out of American history. We have to create our way into a different future.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

12. wish I could nominate your comments

for the Greatest Page.

[democrattotheend]

9. That was such a great line

Perfect way to respond to all of those who say he should have left the church or should throw Wright under the bus now.

[DangerDave921]

11. LOL

Doesn't anyone on this site have jobs??? LOL. I am stuck at work. I'll have to catch the highlights tonight.

Excellent excerpts. I look forward to hearing more.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

16. Yes we do!

I am lucky that I am part time and was able to see the speech first hand. I think he will do well in the PA primary.

[Scurrilous]

14. K & R

:thumbsup:

[Fredda Weinberg]

17. Sorry ... I couldn't pick my relatives, but could leave the bigots in

my community behind. You call this leadership? I say he's insulted his family.

[dionysus]

18. ah, dr laura, you're back!!

thank you for such valuable insights... :eyes:

[enid602]

19. "I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother "

Can't wait until he incorporates that line into his Rezko speech; it's a keeper.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

20. never mind

The GOP and their Hillary will try to drive the wedge but after this speech they have no argument.