Mar 31, 2008

Jeremiah Wright and the American Dilemma: He is not America’s Problem

This writer is appalled at all the negative attention and criticism Reverend Jeremiah Wright has received from the mass media both electronic and print due to his relationship with Senator Barack Obama who is running for the office of president of the United States of America. This writer must admit right off the back to his readers that he admires Reverend Wright; although he has never met the man and has never attended his Chicago based church. I guess the premises of this statement would suggest to the readers that this article will be subjective and lack objectivity and scholarly balance; just too the contrary this author went to great lengths to offer an empirical argument. However Reverend Wright would be the type of pastor and shepherd that this writer could embrace and follow, thus, I am far beyond being led by black charismatic leaders and cult type religions and organizations that are steeped in ministries of exploitation and of no substance to its followers.

Thus, this writer is equally appalled at how some Christian clergy and fellow church goers have gone too great lengths to distance themselves publicly from Reverend Wright. Wright’s sermons are directly rooted in the black experience and it is within that socio-political and culture context his ideological analysis and theological interpretations has been formulated. The evaluation of America’s system of oppression and racism can perhaps be heard in most black churches pulpits subtly and/or radically on any giving Sunday. The historical experience of 310 years of subjugation from time to time created voices of rebellion and protest that evolved simultaneously alongside a system of injustice and oppression.

Kwame Ture Stated in his book titled, Black Power: The Politics of Liberation stated,
“One of the strategies of racism is to confuse the victims into believing all their victories should be awarded to the oppressor. In the U.S.A., when Africans verbally attack capitalism they are told that they must be thankful to the U.S. capitalist system, which gives them the right to free speech. In this one sentence, Centuries of African struggle are obliterated. When Africans came To the U.S.A. speaking only African languages, their tongues would be cut out and held as an example to others. Did the system Change on its own or did Africans force the change, thru consistent, uncompromising struggle?”

On a MySpace meme, one of the questions caught my attention. It was “If you could be any person in history, who would you be?”. I confidently decided I would choose Eve.

*I* with my supreme insight and wisdom would NOT have been tempted by some smooth talking, handsome tree-dweller. *I* would surely listen to my husband’s wishes, either direct “don’t mess with that tree” or the more subtle “honey, you can have anything you want, but don’t eat from that one, if you don’t mind, sweetie ” (well, we don’t know for SURE!). *I* would care nothing about being really smart with knowledge or having my eyes opened. Nope, *I* would refuse, walk away and go to the chocolate flowers for lunch. The world would be free from sin. The Bible would consist of the Book of Genesis and Kim’s Wisdom. “The Life and Times of Kim” would be on all the religious channels. Naked would be an appropriate fashion statement.

If it is so obvious for us to second guess Eve, why don’t we do that in our own lives? My church says it simply “Love God, Love People”.

I love God.

I love People…”if” Two small, but significant letters. if. IF. If they are like me, if they do this, if they don’t that. Satan hides between that i and f. Bob says we can change the world. I know Christ can. I’m not confident of my part. I’m struggling just changing me. I’d make a crappy Eve.

I’ve often wondered the point of prayer - since God has a plan and I’m not sure my asking affects the outcome. Isn’t that how it works? You ask God and He answers? Or not?

I’ve recently come to the realization that prayer is my primary connection to God. That may seem fairly obvious, but I have a little of Eve’s short-sightedness. By strengthening my relationship with God, I find my path a little less intimidating. I still stumble, but not always to the bottom of the hill. Like Eve, I choose to ignore some things, preferring my own imagined outcome to be a better deal. I eat that same apple over and over only to find myself exposed and hurt.

Every day is a fresh start. I ask “God’s will be done” and that I hear Him clearly . I ask Him to make me strong and willing. I thank Him for my blessings. Amen