Black liberation theology and the candidate

This post was updated at 3:07 p.m.

The Washington Post carries a story today that looks a little closer at the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, at least closer than the short clips on TV and large-point headlines have allowed. The article also examines what's known as "black liberation theology."

Flooded with a tide of criticism, Trinity declines to condemn Wright's remarks, instead casting them as consistent with the traditions of the black church. He practices a "black liberation theology" that encourages a preacher to speak forcefully against the institutions of oppression, and occasional hyperbole is an occupational hazard, ministers said. "There's so much passion in what we do that it can overflow," said the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, senior pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas.

Black liberation theology is based on a book (Black Theology of Liberation) by James H. Cone, a professor at the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

"For me, the burning theological question was, how can I reconcile Christianity and Black Power, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s idea of nonviolence, and Malcolm X's 'by any means necessary philosophy?'" he wrote.

Today, Sen. Barack Obama, in perhaps the most important speech of his political career, did not shy from acknowledging the anger that exists where race is concerned in America (Read transcript). "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," he said.

Nor did he reject his long association with Rev. Wright. "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."

Now for the reviews. This from James Fallows of The Atlantic, watching from China:

This was as good a job as anyone could have done in these circumstances, and as impressive and intelligent a speech as I have heard in a very long time. People thought that Mitt Romney's speech would be the counterpart to John Kennedy's famous speech about his faith to the Houston ministers in 1960. No. This was.

Jeff Jarvis has a slightly different take:

I believe he is trying too hard to dodge making a decision about Jeremiah Wright and his divisive and racist speech. After having thrown Wright to the wolves in prior videos, he now backs up. He tries to explain Wright. He explains him more as a product of racism than a racist himself. He says he cannot leave Wright and his flock behind or we will not come together to solve our problems.

Meanwhile, a new poll from CBS says 30 percent have a less favorable view of Obama because of his pastor's remarks.

I think that what mr. Obama said about his former reverend - in regards to his being from a different generation/time - hit the nail on the head. The generation of Black Americans that grew up/lived through the civil rights movement did not have the ability to prosper in as their decendents do now and cannot be expected to see things the same. We must not throw mr. Obama into the generalization that all Black Americans hate America based on the statements made by prominent figures/leaders in the African American community, rather we should listen to what it is they are saying and try to understand where this seniment comes from. Only then can we come together as a people and move toward what it is that we all must acheive; I imagine it would be the same accross racial and social lines. Through this we must also learn that party lines and political candidates must not drive a wedge between us because we must pool our thoughts, no matter how counter intuitive it may seem, in order to find answers (because neither yours or my perception alone is reality).

"because neither yours or my perception alone is reality"

I really like this idea.

I am still pretty sure I'm not going to vote for him, but this speech at least gives me pause. Obama's willingness to make this speech about his relationship with the black community and their relationship with America gives us insight into the kind of president he could be.

It would be nice if we had a president who could stand up in front of the bloodthirsty mob America has proven itself capable of becoming and present a clear vision of an issue, rather then utilizing our need for a reaction to justify five year military campaigns.



If Obama had been our president during the 9/11 attack would we be in the same place as a country as we are now. I think the biggest difference would be instead of questioning our presidents motives we would be debating whether or not the right decisions were made. That would be refreshing.

Thanks Brian