Rev. Wright in a different light

[wndycty]

Rev. Wright in a different light

By William A. Von Hoene Jr.
March 26, 2008

-snip-
I have been a member of Trinity, a church with an almost entirely African-American congregation, for more than 25 years. I am, however, a white male. From a decidedly different perspective than most Trinitarians, I have heard Wright preach about racial inequality many times, in unvarnished and passionate terms.
-snip-

I do have a bit of personal context. About 26 years ago, I became engaged to my wife, an African-American. She was at that time and remains a member of Trinity. Somewhere between the ring and the altar, my wife had second thoughts and broke off the engagement. Her decision was grounded in race: So committed to black causes, the daughter of parents subjected to unthinkable prejudice over the years, an "up-and-coming" leader in the young black community, how could she marry a white man?

Rev. Wright, whom I had met only in passing at the time and who was equally if not more outspoken about "black" issues than he is today, somehow found out about my wife's decision. He called and asked her to "drop everything" and meet with him at Trinity. He spent four hours explaining his reaction to her decision. Racial divisions were unacceptable, he said, no matter how great or prolonged the pain that caused them. God would not want us to assess or make decisions about people based on race. The world could make progress on issues of race only if people were prepared to break down barriers that were much easier to let stand.

Rev. Wright was pretty persuasive; he presided over our wedding a few months later. In the years since, I have watched in utter awe as Wright has overseen and constructed a support system for thousands in need on the South Side that is far more impressive and effective than any governmental program possibly could approach. And never in my life have I been welcomed more warmly and sincerely than at Trinity. Never.
-snip-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0326trinitymar26,0,2414760.story

[JerseygirlCT]

1. Terrific story!

Thanks!

[flpoljunkie]

2. Thanks for this post, wndycty. K&R.

[flor de jasmim]

3. Thanks for posting this (n/t)

[MethuenProgressive]

4. Big time Obama donor trotted out to rehabilitate Pastor "US of KKK-As" Wright image.

Don't you guys have Google?

[george_maniakes]

15. Its good your here though to remind us of wrights quotes like that...

makes hillary look great! It really does help put wrights words in context.

[Voice for Peace]

5. Thank you! Nice story.

[BenDavid]

6. Why all the anti Jew and anti Israel hate from this pastor?

[MethuenProgressive]

11. We can all agree that Pastor Wright has distorted views on Israel and the U.S.

On that, we can all agree.

[george_maniakes]

12. What exactly did he say that was anti-jewish? n/t

[The Night Owl]

16. I don't know that Pastor Wright has said anything bad about Jews, but the fact that...

...he doesn't consider Israel to be a state indicates to me that he is probably a raging antisemite. And, I would really like to know what he meant when he said that Israel is a dirty word. Of course, because Wright is dodging reporters, no one can get anything out of him.

[Hugabear]

20. Oh please...

There's a huge fucking difference between being anti-Israel and anti-Jew.

[The Night Owl]

26. Hatred of Israel is often the refuge of closeted antisemites. {EOM}

[Hugabear]

40. And it often has to do with their treatment of Palestinians

I'd say that rightly or wrongly, a lot of anti-Israeli sentiment has to do with their sudden imposition into the Middle East, and their subsequent treatment of Palestinians.

[george_maniakes]

42. accusing people who hate the policys of israel of being anti -semites...

is often the refuge of closeted anti-semites. Although the semites in question now would be the palestinians.

[The Night Owl]

52. True. {EOM}

[NJmaverick]

47. BULLSHIT!!!!

[oneofthepeople]

68. No, hatred is just ignorance

Disagreement with Israel's methods is just that disagreement.

Closeted antisemites? Back to ignorance in statement and deed.

[The Night Owl]

70. Hatred is sometimes the result of ignorance, but it is more often the result of...

irrationality and/or psychological problems. One can present an antisemite with as much truth and knowledge as can be mustered and that person will probably still cling to his or her hatred.

[george_maniakes]

21. maybe hes one of those people who thinks it sucks israeli independence and security...

from further genocide came at the cost of palestinians. Kinda sucks from the palestinian point of view, no?

Rest of the world to palestine, 1948: Ya, um, we cant seem to stop killing jewish people, and we sure as hell dont want too many of them in our countries, so, HERE YA GO! (rest of the world runs away...).

[iiibbb]

58. I thought that it was a sudden event as well...

... then I married a Jew.

The history of the Diaspora and their repatriation in Israel is a long one. 1948 was when the British gave up trying to control it, but Jews had been moving back to Israel since the 12th century and in earnest in 1881. Prior to WW2 Jews were 1/3rd of the population of Palistine.

Jews and Palestinians have been arguing/warring for almost since WW1.

[george_maniakes]

62. im not arguing jewish people wanted an israeli homeland for a long time...

im arguing in 1948 that homeland came at the expense of quite a few palestinians, and one of the undeniable reasons that state got the blessing of the rest of the world was because jewish people just went through a holocaust. So germans murdered millions of jews, and who lost their homes, palestinians? How is that fair in the eyes of a palestinian?

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

39. do you know what "Semite" means? through ignorance this has been twisted into a smear

Especially considering that we are all related.

Origin
The term Semite means a member of any of various ancient and modern peoples originating in southwestern Asia, including Akkadians, Canaanites, Phoenicians, Hebrews, Arabs, and Ethiopian Semites. It was proposed at first to refer to the languages related to Hebrew by Ludwig Schlözer, in Eichhorn's "Repertorium", vol. VIII (Leipzig, 1781), p. 161. Through Eichhorn the name then came into general usage (cf. his "Einleitung in das Alte Testament" (Leipzig, 1787), I, p. 45. In his "Gesch. der neuen Sprachenkunde", pt. I (Göttingen, 1807) it had already become a fixed technical term. (The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIII)

The word "Semitic" is an adjective derived from Shem, one of the three sons of Noah in the Bible (Genesis 5.32, 6.10, 10.21), or more precisely from the Greek derivative of that name, namely Σημ (Sēm); the noun form referring to a person is Semite. In modern English the negative form of the adjective, anti-Semitic, is almost always used to mean "anti-Jewish" specifically.

The concept of "Semitic" peoples is derived from Biblical accounts of the origins of the cultures known to the ancient Hebrews. Those closest to them in culture and language were generally deemed to be descended from their forefather Shem. Enemies were often said to be descendants of his cursed nephew, Canaan. In Genesis 10:21-31, Shem is described as the father of Aram, Asshur, and Arpachshad: the Biblical ancestors of the Arabs, Aramaeans, Assyrians, Babylonians, Chaldeans, Sabaeans, and Hebrews, etc., all of whose languages are closely related; the language family containing them was therefore named Semitic by linguists. However, the Canaanites and Amorites also spoke a language belonging to this family, and are therefore also termed Semitic in linguistics, despite being described in Genesis as sons of Ham (See Sons of Noah). Shem is also described in Genesis as the father of Elam and Lud, although the Elamites and Lydians usually thought to descend from these spoke languages that were not Semitic.

The hypothetical Proto-Semitic language, ancestral to historical Semitic languages in the Middle East, is thought to have been originally from either the Arabian Peninsula (particularly around Yemen) or the adjacent Ethiopian highlands, but its region of origin is still much debated and uncertain. The Semitic language family is also considered a component of the larger Afro-Asiatic macro-family of languages. Identification of the hypothetical proto-Semitic region of origin is therefore dependent on the larger geographic distributions of the other language families within Afro-Asiatic.

Ancient Semitic peoples
The following is a list of ancient Semitic peoples.

Akkadians — appear 4th millennium BC and amalgamate with non-Semitic Mesopotamian (Sumerian) populations into the Assyrians and Babylonians of the late Bronze Age.<1><2>
Assyrians (Aššūrāyu) — 27th century BC,<3> amalgamate with Babylonians and Aramaeans,<4> during Neo-Assyrian period, the remnants of which became the modern Assyrian people.<5>
Babylonians — 18th century BC
Chaldeans (Kaldu) — 8th to 6th c. BC.<6><7>
Eblaites — 23rd century BC
Akhlames 14th century<8>
Aramaeans — 16th to 8th century BC<9><10>
Ugarites, 14th to 12th centuries BC
Canaanite language speaking nations of the early Iron Age:
Amorites
Ammonites
Edomites
Hebrews — founded the kingdom of Israel and Judah, the remnants of which became the Jews
Moabites
Phoenicians — founded Mediterranean colonies including Carthage
Old South Arabian speaking peoples
Sabaeans of Yemen — 9th to 1st c. BC
Ethio-Semitic speaking peoples
Agazi (Ge'ez speaking people) — 9th c. BC to 7th c. AD
Aksumites — 4th c. BC to 7th c. AD
Arabs, Old North Arabian speaking Bedouins
Gindibu's Arabs 9th c. BC
Lihyanites — 6th to 1st c. BC
Thamud people — 2nd to 5th c. AD
Ghassanids — 3rd to 7th c. AD
Nabataeans — adopted Arabic in the 4th century AD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semitic

[The Night Owl]

48. What makes you think I don't know what a Semite is?

[NJmaverick]

18. Your accusations are vile and disgusting

This man has been smeared in the most morally reprehensible ways imaginable. When one set of vile lies and slander have been disproved you start up with a new set. I can't help but feel that you may have some racial motives behind your attack.l

[NJmaverick]

22. Ben David, are you loyalties with the USA or with Israel?

[george_maniakes]

27. is that really a fair question?

obama could have a soft spot for kenya but still be a patriotic american.

[NJmaverick]

33. It's a hell of a lot more fair that judging an AMERICAN's

attitude to another Country. As an American I find it repugnant that ANY candidate would be judged on how it would help another Country.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

41. but the US sends Billions each year to Israel for military purpose

and then it gets recycled into the pockets of the wealthy
military contractor pockes.

Many countries do not allow foreign countries to lobby their
government like we allow in our country.

Why do you think we're so screwed up?

[NJmaverick]

45. Yeah that's pretty much it

Don't forget they are number one in foreign aid, as well. So they take our own money to lobby for yet more money. If you combine the military and direct money aid, it wouldn't shock me to see we spend more per capita on Israeli citizens than we do US citizens.

[The Night Owl]

30. LOL! I love how some DUers magically transform into Lee Greenwood when anyone expresses...

...love or support for Israel.

[NJmaverick]

34. Another poster who puts Israel ahead of the US

It's disgraceful to see Americans willing to sacrifice our nation for the good of another.

[The Night Owl]

56. You don't think I can love the US and other countries equally and at the same time?

[NJmaverick]

57. It's impossible to EQUALLY love two different Countries

Eventually their self interests differ and one is forced to pick one or the other. The question is, which one would that be????

[NJmaverick]

35. Another poster who puts Israel ahead of the US

It's disgraceful to see Americans willing to sacrifice our nation for the good of another.

[george_maniakes]

43. come on, i dont want to google lee greenwood. Just tell me what you mean. n/t

[MethuenProgressive]

38. Obama: Pastor has 'distorted' views on U.S., Israel

http://jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/2008031820080318obamawrightfoxman.html

[george_maniakes]

46. newsflash: obama's viewpoint is not neccessarily everyone elses.

is that how the hillary campaign works? She believes something so by default you believe that too?

[MethuenProgressive]

51. I make the point to illustate how easily DUbamas can be led to argue against their leader.

It's not really such a dificult trick, since so few DUbamas know where Obama stands on any issue.

[george_maniakes]

54. Thats hillarious! you think your leading me into disagreeing with obama?

you really are full of yourself arent you?

1. newsflash: not marching lockstep with your candidate is a GOOD thing.

2. for Gods sake tell me you dont agree with hilary on everything, otherwise you really are a nut.

3. the only trick your pulling is showing how you think disagreeing with your candidate on an issue is a BAD thing. What does that say about you?

[The Night Owl]

7. Some of the most hateful churches in America are welcoming.

Churches usually want new members because new members means money.

[Hugabear]

8. Another post from someone who has probably never set foot in that church

It's easy to label a church as "hateful" when your only knowledge of that church is what is portrayed about it in the media, isn't it?

Nevermind all of the first-hand accounts that have been pouring out from people who actually attend the church. Instead, keep paying attention to what the media tells you. Keep letting talk-show hosts form your opinion for you.

[MethuenProgressive]

10. So, by your logic: You can't hate the Klan unless you've been to a rally?

So, you must not hate the Klan, eh?

[Hugabear]

14. That's bullshit logic

Last time I heard, Rev. Wright's church had never been connected with any acts of violence or intimidation.

You also completely dismiss any and all of the reports coming out from church members who portray Rev. Wright in a different manner. Since these reports don't fit the small handful of clips that you've seen on YouTube, you simply cast them aside.

Sorry, your response holds no merit whatsoever.

[MethuenProgressive]

29. You can call your bullshit logic by any name you choose to.

Except "logic" really. Your thinking on this bears no resemblance to logic.

[Hugabear]

44. It is bullshit logic, and anyone here can plainly see that - except for you

You're trying to compare Rev. Wright's church to the KKK? Nice try.

One has a proven history of murder, torture, rape, vandalism, racial intimidation, and voter suppression.

The other occasionally has occasional sermons that YOU find hateful, although by many accounts, even these sermons make up only a tiny percentage.

I'll let you try and figure out which one is the KKK, and which one is Rev. Wright's church.

[Kittycat]

66. All I see of whom you're responding to is ignored.

I have a very limited ignored list... This one I'm sure is well deserving ;)

[wndycty]

67. Same here, I wish I could see what was going on. . .

:kick:

[ashrob123]

9. Churches usually want

loyal tithing members because they are the backbone of a strong congregation. New members rarely give enough offerings to hold the church together. Is it painful to be this hateful?

[george_maniakes]

23. so are you calling this church one of the most hateful in america? n/t

[The Night Owl]

28. I think that most of the people who attend TUCC are probably good and decent people, but...

...I am convinced that Pastor Wright is a hateful individual.

[george_maniakes]

32. Can i ask what your basing your conviction that wright is a hateful individual?

I mean i could tell hitler was a hateful individual and i never met the man, but what words did wright speak that convinces you he is a man who regularly spread hate?

[The Night Owl]

36. Pastor Wright's comments about Israel and 9/11. {EOM}

[george_maniakes]

49. As in what, american forein policy is partly responsible for anti-american extremism...

in the world? Those comments? And what did he say about israel, you'll have to enlighten men.

[Hugabear]

50. Most of what Rev. Wright has said about 9/11 has been echoed here on DU for years

Funny how before, such attitudes were accepted here on DU, but now that a Hillary opponent says it, it's suddenly hateful.

[UALRBSofL]

13. What happened today with Wright????

MSNBC is talking about Wright wrote an article in Trumpet Magazine, ran by TUCC, something about white people running the country and italians, not sure what he said about italians. I missed that. I wasn't paying close attention.

[george_maniakes]

17. he said italians ( as in roman empire) didnt like jesus once upon a time...

and they had garlic noses...i dont even know what that means. Is that an insult?

[DemVet]

24. Insult? Garlic Noses? What if he said something similar about Asians or...

...a white pastor said something similar about African-Americans?

[george_maniakes]

25. I dont know, is calling a roman occupying force in the holy land from 2000 years ago...

"garlic noses" an insult? Maybe 2000 years from now, iraqi's will be talking about those americans "looking down there (insert condiment or herb here) noses"

[Hugabear]

53. I know! We'll be known as the latte-drinkers!

And if someone refers to us as latte-drinkers, then we can label them RACIST

[george_maniakes]

55. So the quote would be " the americans for the most part looked down their coffee drinking noses"

...doesnt have the same punch.

[Hugabear]

60. The correct quote is "latte-drinking, Prius-driving, Birkenstock-wearing, trust fund babies"

You see, making sweeping statements like that is okay when Hillary supporters do it.

[NJmaverick]

19. This is a great story and needs to be spread

This why it's a bad idea to believe anything that comes from the right wing lie machine.

[UALRBSofL]

31. nomad, I have no idea what the right wing has to do with it.

MSNBC said it was in Trumpet Magazine, a newsletter ran by Wright and TUCC. That said, italians have garlic noses, well, that is kinda true, LOL They do have pudgy noses. I think it's just a trait in the genes. Nothing personal to any italian on GD-P. However, if Wright said that, it is funny. :rofl:

[NJmaverick]

37. The right wing smear machine

grabbed hold of the Wright "story" like a pit bull on a T-Bone. With out it, the story had no legs.

[Apollo11]

59. So it's OK to marry a white person, but if you vote for Hillary Clinton you are betraying your race

because "Hillary ain't never been called a n****r" whereas "Barack knows what it means living in a country and a culture that is controlled by rich white people."

Got hope? :eyes:

[Hugabear]

61. Yes, that's exactly what it means

You forgot the part about where we're all sexist pigs if we don't vote for Hillary.

:sarcasm:

[graycem]

63. Wright is still the story because

they have nothing else. If they had anything, and I mean any other substantial "dirt" about Obama, we all know they'd be using it. All this hype over NOTHING gives me confidence that I am indeed supporting a candidate with integrity. It's so exciting because so few politicians ever display this quality. :)

[mopinko]

64. nice try, wndy. don't you wish we could bus these guys to chgo?

let them see what it is like here. imperfect, sure, but miles and miles down the road of racial tolerance and equality.
sigh, but these people are nuts. i suspect they wouldn't recognize it on their doorsteps.
it's gonna be a long haul to PA.

[wndycty]

65. Yes it is

:kick:

[baldguy]

69. k