Jeremiah Wright And The Irony Of Black Racism,Ira Heller

The irony doesn't get any better than this.

Barack Obama is supported by multitudes of Americans so eager to demonstrate their "liberal" benevolence that they gave him their votes on faith, before they had any substantial knowledge of who the man really is. Enter into the picture the images of Obama's beloved minister of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright, spewing his hateful venom to his delirious mass of followers.

The consummate racist, Wright last year accused America of being too bigoted to elect a black president. And now that a substantial segment of the American electorate has proved him wrong, the person who will bear most of the blame if Obama's campaign goes into a tailspin is Pastor Wright himself!

The eggs Wright's been hurling all these years at the country that gave him extraordinary opportunity and success have now landed right on the face of the first serious black presidential candidate, who just happens to be his disciple.

If this scenario were a Hollywood script highlighting the hypocrisy and self-destructiveness of black racism, it couldn't have been written any better.

Nobody can deny the horror of the criminal oppression foisted upon black Americans during the era of slavery and for far too long after abolition. But blacks who see the way forward in the hate-filled rhetoric of a Wright and his ilk do more to stymie the progress of the African American community than any white racist ever could.

Clearly, Barack Obama still has a lot of explaining to do, though it's questionable whether anything he can say will wipe away the realization of millions of Americans that beneath the well-spoken, cosmopolitan veneer lurks a misplaced loyalty to a demagogue who spews hate and racism in the guise of religion. One would think someone of Obama's intelligence and talent knew better.

The African American community does not lack for heroes and role models in every sector of society - men and women whose laudable accomplishments have been the fruits of their own efforts. How much more sensible would it be for Obama to follow the lead of someone like Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who decries the notion that skin color affords entitlement?

Obama's ears have been filled not with the forward, optimistic thinking of the likes of a Justice Thomas, who blesses America, but with the venom of the likes of a Pastor Wright, who despises and curses America.

America has shown itself to be quite ready for a black president. Not ready, apparently, is Obama himself, who despite his flowery but empty rhetoric seems not to have the slightest idea about what makes this country great - and therefore is not worthy to lead it.

If the first serious presidential candidate produced by the black community is a follower of the likes of Jeremiah Wright, then Wright is correct - America is not ready. But for a black leader boldly prepared to lead the black community out of the clutches of hate-filled demagogues like Wright, America has shown itself to be more than ready.

Ira Heller is a renowned Jewish performer and activist and is currently completing his studies at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law. He can be reached at singer721@aol.com or via his website, www.iraheller.com.

Read Comments (19)

Samie Morris
Date 04:03, 03-26, 08

You must be a Hillary fan. You can't be a Mccain fan.

Reverend John Hagee has called the Catholic Church the "Great Whore." He has said that the Anti-Christ will rise out of the European Union (of course, the Anti-Christ will also be Jewish). He has said all Muslims are trained to kill and will be part of the devil''s army when Armageddon comes (which he hopes is soon).

John McCain continues to say he is proud of Reverend Hagee''s endorsement.

Reverend Rod Parsley believes America was founded to destroy Islam. Since this is such an outlandish claim, I have to add for the record, that he is not kidding. Reverend Parsley says Islam is an "anti-Christ religion" brought down from a "demon spirit." Of course, we are in a war against all Muslims, including presumably Muslim-Americans. Buts since Parsley believes this is a Christian nation and that it should be run as a theocracy, he is not very concerned what Muslim-Americans think.

John McCain says Reverend Rod Parsley is his "spiritual guide."

Right on the money!
Date 04:03, 03-26, 08

Mr. Heller has eloquently gotten to the heart of the matter; Senator Obama should have made more positive choices regarding role models.

Peter M

Uncle Thomas
Date 01:03, 03-27, 08

Your asking Sen. Obama to follow the lead of Justice Thomas? Does that mean that Obama should harass one of his female subordinates as Clarence Thomas did?

PERFECT SOUND BYTE JOURNALISM
Date 06:03, 03-26, 08

"Judge not lest ye be judged" comes to mind here. To measure a man by so little known of him rather than his whole life is short sighted at best.

Was Obama even in the assembly when the comments were made? How much do you really know about the FORMER pastor or the church? This has more spin than a merry-go-round. I have heard similar claims about conspiracy from clergy of all ilk and dust them off as rhetoric. Get to the substance of the candidates and leave th spin cycle to the washing machine press.

For credibility let's check HRC's claim of 37 years experience leading. 4 as senator 8 as 1st lady (not elected office no leadership) 4 as governor's wife (what post?) that's 17 years total possible.
Stop the spin.

BIAS
Date 10:03, 03-26, 08

Greeting's. This story is very biased in the since that you've taken 35 years and boiled them down to a 30 second clip. Where was the outrage when the Jewish community was spreading smears that Obama was a Muslim. Where was the outrage when South Africans supported Apartied? Well I guess now that argument can't be made. You are the perfect example of why there's a broken relationship.

I thought you were smarter than Sean Hannity. Oh well.
Date 12:03, 03-27, 08

Mr. Heller,

Do you know what racism is? Apparently not, if you call Rev. Wright a racist. In case you didn't know, racism is the subjugation of one race by another based on the notion that one race is superior to the other. Hitler was a racist. Slavery was a racist policy. Jim Crow was a racist policy. Rev. Wright has never claimed superiority of the Black Race, and has never advocated the subjugation of whites or any other race. He does advocate for blacks to be proud of who they are, and not to sit back and do nothing about the racism in America that still exists today. He does criticize America for slavery, Jim Crow, and the Iraq War. If criticizing America for these atrocities makes him a racist, then call me one too. I guess you also think the Abolitionist movement was racist. How disappointing. Well Mr. Heller, I should go, and let you get back to watching Fox News.

J. Ravenell

I Beg Your Pardon
Date 06:03, 03-27, 08

Good morning,

Before you judge Reverend Wright again, I would humbly suggest that you and America listen to the whole sermon and not just the sound bites being played over and over again. You do yourself a disserivce when you pass judgement on someone without hearing or reading the full text of what they said leading up to and after the selected soundbites offered though the media outlets. I can see you now going before the courts to argue a case and not investigating all of the facts before you open your mouth without having a clue, because you forgot about the rules of discovery. Shame on you, what are you learning in Law School. Pay attention, investigate, look at the whole picture analyze it with a blind eye and come to your own conclusion, do not let the media lead you astray.

Tyrone A. Jones

So What?
Date 12:03, 03-27, 08

We're talking about Rev. Wrong here. Not Hagee. Go to the news stories about Hagee and post there.

Dufus.

Silly comparison
Date 01:03, 03-27, 08

Your asking Sen. Obama to follow the lead of Justice Thomas? Clarence Thomas is a walking example of a self hating African-American. The only people who consider him a role model are white conservatives. To everyone else, he's just another reactionary.

Thank you.
Date 01:03, 03-27, 08

You have pointed out in a very respectful manner the obvious here; if Wright can say and have it replayed and replayed by the media such an awful thing as God _ _ _ _ America then I think he should go back to Africa or whereever he thinks is a better place. I wouldn't have been as kind, so thank you for your commentary. SM from ND

You are wrong about Clarence Thomas
Date 01:03, 03-27, 08

You say that Justice Clarence Thomas decries the notion that skin color affords entitlement. I seem to recall that when the going got tough at his confirmation hearing, he was the one who told the committee that he was the being made the victim of "a high tech lynching". I guess when it's to his advantage, Thomas thinks it's OK to play the race card.

roots of slavery
Date 08:03, 03-27, 08

Why is slavery always pinned on white America only. Wasn't it the Europeans who brought the slaves to the America that some left from to be free of England's rule. The Northern part of America was against and fought slavery. Many lives were lost in the Civil War to free the slaves. African's captured and sold their own people and I am talking about the black skin Africans did this. in the Middle East slavery existed up until recently. Even now in Africa today the natives are being exploited and killed by their own brothers or the Muslims that are taking over. Is it possible there is more to it than what I keep hearing over and over again. The Jews were slaves and who else, why not expand the discussion. do we all have a history in persecution.

IN DEFENSE OF HAGEE AND PARSLEY MY BROTHERS
Date 08:03, 03-27, 08

TO GET RIGHT TO IT, THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT RELIGIONS AND STAYING IN THEIR EXPERTISE. THEY WILL STRAY WHEN THEY SEE SIN LIKE PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION OR HOMOSEXUALITY WHICH IN THE BIBLE IS CONSIDERED SINFUL. ANYTHING YOU HEAR IS WHAT THEY READ FROM THE BIBLE. PICK UP A BIBLE AND READ REVELATIONS OR JUST READ IT ALL. IT IS NOT EASY TO UNDERSTAND. THESE MEN TAKE TIME TO READ IT AND HELP US UNDERSTAND. THEY ARE NOT PRACTICING BIGOTRY. THEY ARE NOT POKING AT THE JEWS, AFRICAN AMERICANS, ITLIANS,GERMANS, AMERICANS ETC. YES ISLAM IS ANTI-CHRIST. IT IS VERY SIMPLE, ANTI MEANS AGAINST OR NO. CHRIST IS THE SON OF GOD AND THEY DO NOT BELIEVE HE IS. THAT IS WHAT THE BIBLE TALKS OF. ITS NOT SOMETHING THESE PREACHERS MADE UP. THERE IS NO COMPARISON OF THESE PREACHERS TO MR. WRIGHT ONLY THAT THEY ALL CLAIM TO BELIEVE IN JESUS THE SON OF GOD. BY THE WAY THE CATHOLIC RELIGION TOOK THE PAGAN IDEAS AND INTERTWINED THEM IN THE RELIGION TO MAKE IT A EASIER SWITCH FOR MANY OF THE PAGANS THAT CONVERTED. THIS IS WHY THEY GET PICKED ON A LOT BY THE PROTESTANTS. THANK YOU JEWISH PRESS.

Bigotry is not genetic
Date 09:03, 03-28, 08

Bigotry and prejudice are learned behaviors, they are carefully taught by family, community and now we find by clergy.

There is nothing that a person can do about the bigotry of their family except to educate and try to change it. The church that a person attends is a completely different matter -- it is a choice, and it has been the Obama family choice for 20 years, supported by many thousands of dollars and a close personal relationship with this pastor. A choice to raise their children in this church and to perpetuate this bigotry.

I consider this very poor judgment and everything BUT a message of "Unity". It was deliberate and can only be because the family holds the same views as their pastor. Nothing else makes any sense.

No child is born with the feelings of bigotry, prejudice or hate. They are taught these evil and destructive things.

Anne Robbins

clinton and abortion
Date 05:03, 03-28, 08

just to refresh the minds of some of your liberal readers, clinton sexual harassed many more woman than judge thomas. i would not put it past the liberals in our congress if this wasn't phony claims against judge thomas. they will do anything to protect their rule of America and the hearts of weak minded people who listen to the media. they think that they are the only ones capable of running this country and need to control history with half truths. the judges that president bush put through to the supreme court were put through a lot of demeaning questions that i am sure if it was the other foot they would whine so much one would have to give up just to shut them up. it all comes down to who has the power and the right of women to kill their unborn child. if repubs get too many of their judges in then the libs will lose the right to abort more children. what is it 50 million babies killed since roe v wade or is it 60 million. we have around 300 million people in this country, no wonder social security won't be around much longer , all those millons of human life would have been working and contributing to the government. i guess we will have to let the mexicans become citizens to make up for it. think about it.

Nothing wrong with Jereniah Wright
Date 05:03, 03-28, 08

He has said things that are real and many people in America and the world know by now.
There are many reasons for americans to be ashamed of our
country and he just mentioned some of them.
We have supported and still support some of the most brutal governments in the world (Saddam Hussein, Pinochet, Israel,
Saudi Arabia, Shah of Iran and many others) and we are permanentely selling weapons to different countries so they kill each other. We have became a malevolent and negative power. THE WORLD HATE US for real reasons and is stupid not to recognize the truth.
I sugest to every American to read "The ISRAEL LOBBY" by
John Mearsheimerand Stephen Walt.

George Henderson

Who is Wright
Date 11:03, 03-29, 08

Reverend Wright's sermons may not be the topic of choice for many Americans, but in the whole they are based on factual truth and scripture (including the old Testament). While wrong at times and incendiary in language, his sermons are not particularly radical.

This whole issue divides our country, but not in the way you think. It divides our country into those who are spoonfed their opinion and conclusions from soundbytes and the opinions of others, and those who draw their own conclusions based on their observation of facts. Your article, failing to discuss the entirety of Wright's sermons or his life's work, suggests that you are in the first group.

The president has the power to sign and veto legislation, nominate supreme court judges, appoint heads of administrative agencies, and deal with foreign governments. We need to vote based on the anticipated executive actions of a candidate. If you fear that Obama harbors some secret agenda, or is not a friend of Israel or is a friend of Hamas, you must explore these things. Look at Senator Obama's record, not Mr. Wright's. Call him before you and question him. Vote for the candidate, not his minister.

There may well be precedent at stake here. Imagine in the future a Jewish candidate (maybe just a child today), with a biograpy like Senator Obama's. This person's rabbi, while mostly teaching typical Hebrew lessons and values, ocassionally goes off the deep end making radical statements about Zionism or Islam or whatever. How would you judge this hypothetical person? What kind of precedent for tolerance and understanding should we set?

James Strom

THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM...THEY''RE WORSE!!!!!
Date 08:04, 04-2, 08

I only hope that those racked with White Liberal guilt will have the courage NOT to vote for this imposter. Funny how you are allowed to be OVER sensitive to perceived racism while being outwardly hateful and bigoted, if you happen to be black. --especially when you're really pushing MARXISM!!!

K Kataline
Denver, CO

what has obama done since being in office?
Date 09:04, 04-2, 08

if this was a republican going through this the dems would insist that he step down. obama is being judged using the democrats method. how does that feel? so we know nothing about obama except his mentor wright is a bigot and a conspiracy nut. yes some of his rantings had some truth but he couldn't stick to the truth kind of like hillary and her being shot at while visiting bosnia. i can't wait till i hear a sermon from wright on Jesus and his teachings of love and forgiveness. then maybe i will give him credit for being a true man of God.