Obama/Wright controversy doesn’t turn many heads outside Beltway… yet
Dante Chinni
Posted: 03.21.2008 / 7:34 AM PDT
For the past week, the big political news in Washington has centered on Sen. Barack Obama and his response to the inflammatory remarks of his pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
By now most have heard about the more incendiary snippets of Mr. Wright’s sermons, which have become a big attraction on YouTube. You may have watched a few of them. The clips, which have been all over the airwaves, show Wright saying the United States is a country founded on bigotry and that the 9/11 terrorist attacks were the nation’s “chickens coming home to roost.
”Senator Obama, believing that the story was starting to bog down his campaign and curtail his ability to get out any message, gave a major speech on race in Philadelphia, hoping to put the controversy behind him.But outside the national media, people in some of Patchwork Nation’s communities say they are not paying that much attention.
“This is something we’ve chewed on internally around the newsroom, but I can’t say I see much buzz about it locally. It’s not the sort of thing that’s lit up talk shows or the local news, as far as I can see,” said one correspondent in Baton Rouge, La.
Ed Pratt, an assistant to the chancellor at Southern University in Baton Rouge, says “there hasn’t been a lot of buzz about it.” A local radio talk show was asking listeners to call in about it, he adds, and couldn’t drum up many.
In Los Alamos, part of our Monied ’Burbs group, a correspondent said the US government’s intercession of Bear Stearns generated more discussion – along with Iraq as America marked the five-year anniversary of the war.James Rickman, a Patchwork Nation blogger in Los Alamos, said he sensed a disconnect between what he’s been seeing on TV and what he’s hearing around town.
Meanwhile, in Nixa, Mo., our Evangelical Epicenter, there was little talk about anything besides the record rainfall that has caused major flooding in the area and nearly wiped out nearby Hootentown.“Haven’t heard anything on Obama except on national news. Everyone here is pretty enthralled with the flooding issues,” says Sharon Whitehill Gray, president of the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce.
Nixa’s situation points out how national news tends to take a backseat in a community when homes and life and limb are threatened there. Even so, the Obama/Wright story doesn’t appear to have had a dramatic effect on the day-to-day dialogue in the Patchwork Nation locales. For instance, Baton Rouge, with its large African-American population, would seem to be fertile ground for the story.
That doesn’t mean that no one is tuning in. At least one correspondent said the story made her less likely to vote for Obama – though she was not really considering him as an option. And on Wednesday, Kevin Boyle, a Patchwork Nation blogger in Philadelphia, wrote that Obama may have been hurt by the story in areas around Philadelphia, a city knee-deep in presidential politics now.
But as pundits and analysts debate if and how candidates survive various gaffes, scandals, and associations, much of America is busy going about its business.
It’s not that the Wright story will end up being meaningless in the 2008 campaign. It may turn off some on-the-fence voters, or it may sow seeds of doubt with some voters about Obama that will grow over the coming months.
It is, however, one story in a very long campaign. And the “earth-shaking” event of mid-March may be forgotten by mid-April or mid-June.
And November? That’s a million years away.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:14 am PDT
What I found interesting is that the 9/11 comment, about “the chickens coming home to roost”, was false?! I checked out the speech on youtube and Rev. Wright is not quoting anything about 9/11. He is actually qouting a quest that was on Fox News an ambassador(I believe), who was talking about America. Rev. Wright used the ambassador’s name and repeated his quote. It was interesting and sad that Fox News, took the sermon and twisted it.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am PDT
Know this. When put into context the reverend is right. You dont look at history because its context puts america in the list of reasons for the hatred coming from these groups.
america cant kill people around the world in the name of a fake *** copy and pasted book called he bible.
Reality, its what religous people fear more than the hot place they made up.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:17 am PDT
With his campaign taking such a drastic nose-dive, why doesn’t Obama have the judgment to fire some of his high-level campaign managers???
March 21st, 2008 at 10:28 am PDT
As i have siad a few times today, I think that this will surface again in the General, if Sen. Obama is the nominee and by then, Rev. Wright can defend his own remarks. I think the the Trinity Church is a large enough and diverse enough to speak for itself and if their are people who will stand up for Rev. Wright pro or con that we should hear more than a few sound bites that may or may not be representive of who this man is. Sen. Obama has been influence by his mother, his broad education, his other political constituents and it goes without saying his wife of whom he speaks highly. Lets bring this back to the issues and also, if the other two candidates are going to be world leaders, lets get them off the sidelines and back into this discussion, after all HRC has wanted the BLACK vote go get and Sen. McCain is going to be President of the all of the people in this country not just the Rep. If they can speak about the WAR and the economy let hear what they say about the ethinci diversity of this country, talk about SKIN HEADS and people who are white and disparage the Jewish people and their beliefs. There is certainly enough bigotry in this country to go around, let’s not just ask the BLack guy to be the only one caught up in this FIRESTORM.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:30 am PDT
Wow, what wishful thinking - newsflash, what media people think about is not what non-media people think about. We are influenced by Obama’s decision to be close to a racist hate-monger. If he is the democratic nominee, he will be stomped by McCain.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:36 am PDT
As I have said a few times today, I think that this will surface again in the General election, If Sen. Obama is the nomoninee, then, Rev. Wright can defend his own remarks. I think the the Trinity Church is a large enough and diverse enough to speak for itself. Let these people who will stand up for Rev. Wright whether it be pro or con. We should hear more than a few sound bites that may or may not be representive of who this man is. Sen. Obama has been influenced by his mother, his broad education, his other political constituents and it goes without saying his wife of whom he speaks highly. Let’s bring this back to the issues. The other two candidates want to be the leader of the free world, lets get them off the sidelines and back into this discussion, after all HRC has wanted the BLACK vote go out and get it and Sen. McCain is going to be President of the all of the people in this country not just the Rep. If they can speak about the WAR and the economy let hear what they say about the ethinic diversity of this country, talk about SKIN HEADS and people who are white and disparage the Jewish people and their beliefs. There is certainly enough bigotry in this country to go around, let’s not just ask the BLACK guy to be the only one caught up in this FIRESTORM.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:39 am PDT
Obama should drop out of the presidential race. His divisive, racially charged campaign is polarizing America, not bringing it together. African Americans are voting for him because he is black, not because he is qualified. Young whites weren’t around when we had great orators and are mesmerized by his style not his substance. Even Martin Luther King was chastised by African Americans when he went to Watts and Chicago.
Obama has no military experience, no business experience, he was never a governor of a state where he had a cabinet, submitted a budget, or neogtiated with a state legislature. He is the most unqualified major candidate that has run for president in my lifetime of 60 years.
Those of us over 60 remember the age of oration with Sam Rayburn, Jack Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Malcom X, the Chicago 9, Adalai Stevenson, Ronald Reagan. Obama just does not measure up.
March 21st, 2008 at 10:43 am PDT
Racism and immorality is not a “one way street.” You cannot excuse the racism and immoral lifestyles (high crime rate and number of abortions) by African Americans while condemning the racism and immorality of Caucasian Americans. To gain the respect they desire and the peace they seek, Black Americans must first look inward, rather than outward for answers, and renew their faith and trust in Almighty God.
Rather than attempting to place the blame on the current generation for things that happened in the past, Blacks must learn to accept personal responsibility for the negative attitudes others may have concerning their actions and lifestyles, and seek to continue to improve through education and expecially by a deepening of their faith.
— Vincent Bemowski - Webmaster/Editor
Catholic Messages USA
March 21st, 2008 at 10:59 am PDT
What did Wright say that was specifically racist? He was critical of the United States but I did not see anything specific to one particular race. Seems to me those that scream racism about Wright’s comments doth protest WAY too much. Can anybody cite a specific example?
March 21st, 2008 at 11:07 am PDT
a 30 second snippet taken out of a 2 hour sermon. even mike huckabee defended the reverend wright.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:14 am PDT
I have no problem with Wright. He is not my minister therefore he matters little to my life.
Senator Obama may become my President therefore I must study his actions and make my decision how to cast my vote. Senator Obama has stated he knew of Pastor Wrights controversial remarks and chose to do nothing.
As Martin Luther King, Jr said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
If the Senator chose silence over action in this case how can I trust him when a real problem arises?
March 21st, 2008 at 11:21 am PDT
I am no one,just a six generation southern white, middle aged woman who finds herself observing a ‘new form’ of the ‘old form’ of white against black racism. It is utterly sickening to witness the media exploiting the African Americans’ experience, history,and uniquely beautiful and righteous, Christian faith and form of worship. To twist the Reverend Wright’s life, theology and community service into a brief vulgar soundbite is, as someone has said somewhere: electronic lynching. I do believe Jesse Jackson said, after Katrina, something to the effect of: white America has a high tolerance for black suffering. As a woman, as a ‘white’, as a southerner and being in midlife, I know this is true. Do I believe if Katrina hit Boston the government would have responded differently? If those children had been blonde and blue-eyed? Absolutely. It is a national disgrace that we are not exploring this immorality within ourselves and without. As members of godbid the ‘human race’ why aren’t we as concerned about the children and elderly, the poor left behind in Iraq
their casualties and broken dissolved families? We must wake up; we cannot sit back and be ‘entertained’ by the ‘pundit’s agendas and insensitivy. This is life, not a TV show or dream. I don’t have the pleasure of meeting the Rev. Wright and coming to know him in the way that I would experience–pleasant or not—but I can promise you that this man that has been so brutally attacked by primarily white mainstream media does not exist–they have fabricated and scapegoated him and I am thoroughly disgusted and disappointed. PBS will be my primary television news source. May GOD BLESS this ENTIRE world.
March 21st, 2008 at 11:32 am PDT
NOTE TO SEN. OBAMA,
STAY OFF TALK SHOWS AND THE LIKE. YOU MADE YOUR SPEECH NOW LET IT DO THE TALKING FOR YOU. DO NOT ADDRESS THE WRIGHT ISSUE AGAIN NO MATTER WHO BAITS YOU WITH QUESTIONS. STAY ABOVE THE FRAY…THERES NO MORE TO SAY.
March 21st, 2008 at 1:27 pm PDT
As Martin Luther King, Jr said “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
Obama allowed the factual statement by Bill Clinton, “Jesse Jackson won SC too.” to be called racist by remaining silent. And worse with Ms Ferraro’s comment, that he would not be in this position if he were a white man or any color woman….he called her statement racist and compared her comment to those of Wright. Obama is not who his voters think he is. White , black, orange or green Obama is out for himself and not you. He is mostly using the blacks because if you look at the situation, it was the Clintons that have helped black communities for their entire lives while Michelle Obama received a college education because of things the Clintons and Ms Ferraro did. Exactly what has Obama done for the black communities voting for him….nothing…they just don’t know they are being used. If Obama is on the ticket at all, I will vote McCain and I have never voted republican before.
March 21st, 2008 at 1:46 pm PDT
[…] don?t have much to add to the Barack Obama-Rev. Wright kerfuffle. It?s in part due to my growing exhaustion with the day-to-day horse race, but it?s […]
March 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm PDT
TO QUOTE JODI:
“White, black, orange or green Obama is out for himself and not you.”
I believe that says it all! Both Barack and Michelle are conveniently present and vocal when it is in their OWN interest and opportunistically absent and silent when it is in their OWN interest.
At least Hilary (and Bill) Cliniton speak the truth as they see and experience it, and have worked hard THROUGHOUT their lives to bring about healing and understanding among all races. They both “stand up” when the going gets tough!
Barack Obama projects a “rock star” image and his young supporters think they are at another concert or pep rally, many with little or no understanding of history or the issues. How is this “rock star” going to interact with leaders of other countries when all he knows is how to vote (or not vote) in a way to ensure that he has been elected as senator from Illinois. How can he bolster America’s image around the world, among world leaders and people of ALL races when all he knows is how to deliver a speech? And, can he discriminate between what is morally right and what is politically expedient?
And, if he can discriminate, how does he choose? Look at his record, not at the content of his speeches written by slick speech writers. Read history, not YouTube!!!
March 21st, 2008 at 3:03 pm PDT
“Rather than attempting to place the blame on the current generation for things that happened in the past, Blacks must learn to accept personal responsibility for the negative attitudes others may have concerning their actions and lifestyles, and seek to continue to improve through education and expecially by a deepening of their faith.”
1) Both the past and the present are at play here.
2) Rather than attempting to place blame on only black people, whites such as yourself must learn to acknowledge and accept personal responsibility for your ignorant attitudes. If you’ve ever been urged to “accept responsibility” for changing the minds of people who hate Catholics by “improving” yourself and converting to Buddhism or Judaism or whatever other religion someone who knows nothing about Catholicism has decided is superior to yours, then MAYBE you can understand just how insulting and patronizing your comment is.
3) Try educating YOURSELF by reading a book on African American history or talking to someone who is not white. It is painfully obvious that these are two experiences missing from your perspective.
March 21st, 2008 at 5:58 pm PDT
NYC, I completely agree with you. I am a Catholic and am completely baffled by Mr. B’s post. It does not come close to my experience of what it is to practice the two commandments Christ left us. You are so right that the past/present is at play–this is a historic, social, educational, generational–and spiritual, reality. One cannot ‘intellectualize’ this reality away. It is I find a reality to accept, embrace and find the beauty in our diversity rather than division. I think that Barack’s profound speech on race is our challenge and our celebration; I don’t think ‘race’ is as much the true issue. For me it is that hatred of another is the easier, more primitive route–the need to scapegoat and blame and point fingers. In this way one would not be called to look within oneself, and begin there. Essentially no one truly ‘knows’ anything, we’re all guessing. In the meantime we, collectively speaking, could treat each other tenderly. All of us carry wounds, are hurting, if not now then later, sometime. I don’t believe a white man knows what is best for ‘black people’, nor Native Americans, or women. BTW Mr. B. I’m pro-choice.
March 21st, 2008 at 6:52 pm PDT
Why don’t you ask CNN and MSNBC and all the other channels if any Catholics have denounced their PREISTS for Homosexuality with little boys. I bet you’ve sat in Pews even while this was taking place….glass houses should not through stones…
March 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm PDT
This is the Internet age, everyone is in the Beltway now.
March 21st, 2008 at 7:58 pm PDT
Wow. I had no idea this fellow lived in a burrow in Middle Earth somewhere south of Mars. The Obama/Wright flap is all anyone can talk about in my little “outside the Beltway” burg. I think some Metro DC folk need to walk outside the much vaunted think tanks and realize that there is another America, a really informed America that exists. Y’all live a vacuum, not us.
March 21st, 2008 at 8:04 pm PDT
Ditto; The abuse of children was hidden by the church from the parrishoners on purpose. When the news came out it was the parrishoners who pushed the church to do something about it. Cardinal Law was banished, actually sent out of the country for condonning it. Many people stopped contributing to the church and many parishes had to close down. Obama sat there dumb as a stone and let all manner of racism and bigotry be paraded all around him and did nothing. He’s no leader, not eve of himself.
March 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm PDT
Here you have another ‘pastor’; one of hundreds if not thousands of trumped up little guys who, using good old fashioned revival tent oratory and showmanship, get so full of themselves over the years that -despite whatever good community work they may do, are nonetheless so ego driven and self righteous that they end up in the same spectrum that includes people like Jim Jones and any messainic leader in history -no self-awareness beyond a very limited illusion of what they think their purpose in life is -to get people to believe what they believe. Unconsciously or otherwise, Wright uses the very true history of black oppression (and perhaps his own experiences as a young man)to justify all the loony and inflammatory (and un-Christian) opinions he spews as he does an ‘everybody look at me! I’m filled with the Holy Spirit!’ dance around the pulpit.
To the uneducated, lost or disenfranchised, pastors such as these give listeners something to get fired up about; feel attracted to as entertainment
guised as wisdom. On a spiritual level it is just adding more layers of illusion, rather than offering healing or guidance. It does nothing in the name of Love; instead,it offers anger and even hate -which is nothing more or less than Fear.
Obama is neither uneducated nor disenfranchised, so I believe his association with Wright for so many years can only be explained as irrational, but understandable -forged out of a long standing emotional bond with a man probably long regarded as a ‘big brother’ and mentor to a young Obama. On an emotional level he cannot abandon him; on an intellectual level he probably knows he should. And so a sort of paralysis has held him back, despite the political repercussions all around him…
March 21st, 2008 at 8:55 pm PDT
You’re dreaming. Obama is toast. He’s finished. He has as about as much chance of being POTUS as I do.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:01 pm PDT
I’m just a typical white person.
Now all of you stop and think what that means to you, because I don’t really know what it means.
What is SHOULD mean is that I can refer to Mr. Obama as a “typical black person”, but if I did I’m sure I would be immediately accused of being a racist.
Besides, I don’t know what a “typical black person” would be.
I have known many black people (I even married a black woman 30 years ago next month. Wasn’t my smartest move, but that’s because she was a druggie, not because she was black). Male, female, straight, gay, white-collar, blue-collar, religious, atheist. I couldn’t tell you what my “typical” blsck friend is.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Obama is a good man. I won’t vote for him for President because I believe him to be a far-left Socialist (although he’s not as close to being a Communist as Hillary is). I’m not even upset about his “typical white person” remark, although I could justifiably be upset. I’m more upset at the white people who think Wright’s “US of ***-A” remarks are not racist, that his rants are justified, and that his insults are something that we should just accept without being angered by them.
What a bunch of idiots.
March 21st, 2008 at 9:08 pm PDT
This guy needs to get out and talk to some real people. Just the Kool Aid rinkers are buying this stuff. In fact this guy Wright reminds me of Jim Jones or David Koresch.
March 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 am PDT
Someone that is suppose to transcend race and unite all the hues, would not bring thier two daughters to a church where the pastor/mentor preached racial hatred and division.
…and then to lie about it and say he never heard these types of statments one day, and the next to say he heard contraversial comments by Wright in the pews…
who is this guy trying to kid?
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:43 am PDT
Sean Hannity at Fox News and his right wingnuts are having opposition research done to find anything negative about Barack Obama. They are shopping around with wads of cash to anyone that can provide dirt, videos, etc, so I am not surprised that the state department that has outsourced its operation to a contractor with few controls on privacy is in the news. Condi Rice had to apologize to all the candidates. The right wing including Sean Hannity of Fox News hates liberals 1st and blacks second and will do anything to bring Obama down. Early on they were deriding his momentum, asking why is he such a rock star. Clearly, they don’t want a black man to have such a moment in history. They speak in glowing terms about Martin Luther King. Young people read your history. Martin Luther King had dogs unleashed at him and was always speaking out about the country and America. All white and black & Hispanic Americans that want a better America for your grandchildren, should write and call the sponsors of Fox News programs, Townhall.com and other right wing media and demand really fair and balanced news. Sean Hannity is not a journalist. He is a political operative with a cable news show. He aims and goals mirror that of Karl Rove, Ann Coulter and the RNC. Enough is enough.
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:17 am PDT
To answer the question about Catholics.. I am Catholic. And because of the Church’s scandals and because I am no longer in awe of some of the priests as I was as a child, I no longer attend Church regularly, although I love and believe in God, and would not change my faith. In the defense of the Catholics, they tried to cover up, as they tried to keep the Catholic Church from harm, but did not condone the sinners, they just tried to keep it in the family, and not make it public, and they did not stand up in the pulpit and spew hate, as did Pastor Wright. Catholic churches preach forgiveness of sinners. Jesus Christ died for our sins. Thats what churches are for. They don’t try to crucify another person, and use peoplea names in church as Clintons name was used. The Catholic church does not say God Damn America. It’s America’s fault that the priests sinned…The Catholic Church did not blame anyone else. There is no comparison. I have never been in a black church, but if Wrights speeches are an indication of what they preach I will pass. Furthermore, my children could sit in a Catholic Church and not be subjected to anything but an uplifting sermon. A forgiveness of sins, and a prayer to become a better person. I think the black churches need some of that , instead of blaming other people on their shortcomings.
But to put it mildly, if you don’t like what the pastor says or if you do not respect your churchs views. Don’t attend. Walk out . Its called good sound judgement. I would not sit quiet in church if my pastor was not praying for my redemption and his. I would not sit quiet in church if my pastor vilified anyone , and particularly our country, or another person, or group of people. (Such as whites, blacks, Chinese etc. etc.) It’s unheard of. There’s a limit to what should be said in church, in front of our children and how it is said, if ones chooses to confront a problem. Wrights way of confronting his perceived problem,with young impressionable children sitting in church, has the effect of ingraining the racial problem instead of making it better.He stokes the fire. I have never heard a political speech in my church. Ever. And if there was one, it would be done in good taste. It would not rise to the level of Pastor Wright. Shame on him and on Obama.
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:59 am PDT
I am genuinely surprised by “white” America’s response to Obama’s church. I was exposed to the “black” church culture in my childhood. The deep seeded struggles of any minority group mirror, in a lesser extent, the daily struggles of life regardless of color. One’s level of struggle is often reflected in the level or passion of prayer. As a young girl I often listened to the “black” church, several blocks away, and felt my soul stir with the passion of their music and praising. I admired the ability of those attending to so freely express what I never saw in public. It was a private, albeit loud, expression of what I experience in my own Christian church. To this day I look back on my exposure to the “black” church as a powerful and beautiful expression of calling on God. I even find myself giving a strong “amen” from time to time often surprising my fellow church members and Sunday school students. History can not be eased by the changing of a law. The struggles of generations must be faced and discussed to be healed. The aggressive prayer style of Obama’s preacher is not surprising nor is it a call to rebellion. It is a call to God to heal the hearts and souls and history that have not be faced or healed. I through my own quiet Christian prayer pray with those seeking this healing. We have one thing in common we pray for a better nation, a better people, a better world.
These comments were also sent to the editor.
March 22nd, 2008 at 11:27 am PDT
Dante Chinna, must be getting his news by way of short wave radio, If he thinks this story is going to go away. I totally disagree with his claim that, most people are not paying attention to this story. I happen to live in the Boston area, and I can tell you — the airwaves are filled with people talking about this story. Dante and his liberal friends in the media, and elsewhere, are in denial that this story doesn’t have legs. Barack’s ability to stick his foot in his mouth is obviously a quirk of “his” nature. For him to say that, many white people didn’t get stung by his “typical whitey remark,” is astonishing. Just the opposite is true; just check out Obama’s falling polling numbers in Pennsylvania.
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm PDT
The right wing media appears to be smearing a legitimate, intelligent, influential, “prophetic” preacher. Rev. Wright’s career and leadership should not be judged by the few comments that appear again and again in the media. He has built a loving, not hateful congregation, that is welcoming of all people, with a special focus on African-Americans, because that is their heritage and their majority. The “black church” is American, not un-American, it is patriotic, it is loving, it seeks justice and equality, it seeks righteousness, and it believes in a loving and omnipotent God. Obama is not wrong to love and respect Rev. Wright. We can not let a leader of people, such as Rev. Wright be smeared as some kind of “terrorist” because of a few statements that are controversial (and I don’t agree with them either). The right wing media is intentially trying to portray this man as a “hatemonger” or divisive character, when he is standing up for what is right and good–uplifting the black community, speaking out against racism, and yes, converting people to Christianity. Rev. Wright was the pastor of a large, thriving church in the denomination of United Church of Christ. The UCC church is a very large, mostly white, denomination, that is made up, in part, from the former Congregationalists–that’s right, the pilgrims. Why would a “hateful” or “unpatriotic” church stay in such a denomination? Why not form a “separatist” “black only” denomination? Because the church is not hateful, it is inclusive, it is loving, and it is “mainline” Christianity. Jesus said “blessed are the poor”–that is what this church is about–blessing the poor, African-American people who are its members–and also have a “commitment to Africa”–yes, a lot of poor people over there. They are doing exactly as Jesus would have done.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm PDT
I live in the ‘Monied Burbs’ and the media has been talking about Obama’s speech.
There is such a big deal made in the news about the ‘race issue’ finally being brought up.
Is this discussion really about race? Or are we talking about how white people treated black people in the past?
If we are talking about race then we need to focus on the future. In the area of the country where I live we have a huge immigrant population that does not yet vote. They aren’t American citizens and may never choose to be. None the less, they are going to have a huge impact on policy and culture in the US.
My son’s soccer team is multicultural. Over half of the players have a parent that emigrated from another country: Persia, India, England, France, Viet Nam, China, and Germany. In all cases, making sure that their children work hard at school is a high priority with these parents.
In the future, part of the racial strife that will go on in this country will be between the educated and the undereducated. As a country we need to find a way to change our educational system so that areas in this country that have large Black and Hispanic populations have access to a quality education equal to that received by Asian and Indian immigrants in areas of the US that have a concentration of high tech industries. Cultural changes need to take place as well. A parent has to push their child to make the most of every educational opportunity that comes their way. That is one of the distinguishing characteristics of immigrant families that come from Asian countries as well as those from India. Education is a step in the process of overcoming any racial divide. These are issues the presidential candidates need to focus on. There is a financial investment to improving education for all children whether it is at the preschool level or the college level. The cost to our society if we don’t make this financial sacrifice is overwhelming in its magnitude.
There have been and still are many wrongs done in this country due to inequality and racial prejudice. We can’t always perform restitution for these wrongs. What can we do to make sure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated? That is the question I would like the candidates to answer.
In history we see examples of individuals who overcame racial oppression. For example: Japanese Americans interned during WWII came back to their homes and communities with their children and built new lives. Chinese slaves that were brought to America as sex workers and railroad laborers overcame great hardship to eventually own their own businesses and give their children a future in America.
We have the capacity in this nation to heal old wounds and make a better life for our children and our neighbor’s children no matter their race, culture or disability. Yes, it will take a president to make a commitment to lead us in this direction, but even more so it will take all of us working to make it happen.
Whether you believe Clinton, Obama, or McCain is the one to lead us in this direction is up to you. Don’t leave it up to the news media to make the decision for you.
I think Hillary has the best track record in helping improve education and health care for children.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:51 pm PDT
Everyone here,
I’m very pleased you are posting and are so interested in this topic. I hope you come back often and look at the posts by myself and others on Patchwork Nation.
I’m also glad most aren’t just throwing bombs here. It’s fine to express outrage, but does insulting others as you do that really help?
One quick point, perhaps the airwaves are filled with the Wright in some places, maybe even where you live, but obviously not in others. The reports we have gathered here are from real people (liberal and conservative) in real places scattered around the country. That’s one of the big points of this project, to get beyond what you are seeing or hearing in your one place to get the experience of others.
If you wish not to believe it, that is, of course, your right. But it is possible that even though people and/or the radio are talking about Wright where you live, they are not in other places — and that doesn’t make those places, liberal or conservative or anything, simply different.
As for Pennsylvania, as I noted in my post, people are paying some attention there. I would expect them to be. Their vote is coming up and politics is thick in the air.
Anyway, thanks for your interest and keep posting.
Cheers…
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 am PDT
I am was for Obama and between the Wright controversy and him throwing his grandma under the bus and then calling her a “typical white person” I’ve been turned off completely by him. The media doesn’t hold him to the same standard that the white public figures are and that bothers me enormously. Obama lied so many times about if he heard Wright or not. Then he called for MSNBC to fire Imus and now he thinks that the Wright situation is different. Its not. Two people that have done good in their life said some stupid stuff and the way Obama reacted to both bothers me as well. I think Obama is telling us one thing and actually believes another. Remember George Bush ran on “uniting” the country two. Look where that got us. I think I’ll look at the mans actions and not his words from now on. Hillary picked up my vote this week
March 24th, 2008 at 12:30 am PDT