Posted on Mar 21, 2008 by Natasha
Obama & Rev. Wright: There’s Always More To The Story
Folks have been buzzing this week about Barack Obama’s long time Pastor (Rev. Jeremiah Wright) and the clip of his sermon about America. People say it was an anti America sermon and Barack has been thrown under the bus for even aligning with his Pastor throughout this campaign, even after he denounced the Pastor’s words. And now, the entire segment of the sermon in question has been released (not just the clip the media wanted you to see). Speak on it.
Also, a large group of Trinity United Church members have banded together to fight back at the media and their exaggerations of Rev. Wright and this situation. They have set up a Youtube channel with videos showing the type of person Rev. Wright really is, something the media clearly left out. Visit it here.
| | Categories: Political Fab
80 Comment(s)
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Obama’s speech regarding Rev. Wright put the focus where it needed to be: on the issues at hand.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
This is a mess!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
THAT’S STILL MY MAN ‘TIL THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
NOW THIS IS THE SHIT THAT SHOULD BE SHOWN ON ALL THE STATIONS HIS WHOLE SERMON!!! THIS MAN IS SPEAKING PURE TRUTH AND ITS A DAMN SHAME THAT OBAMA GETTING CRUCIFIED FOR IT!!! SHOW THE WHOLE SERMON ON THE NEWS THEN LETS SEE WHAT WHITE FOLKS SAY ABOUT THEMSELVES!!! !!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
If preachers would spend more time speaking THE WORD instead of their opinions, we wouldn’t have half the drama we have all over the U.S.
Let’s concentrate on JESUS, please.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Although I do disagree w/ Pastor Wright’s delivery, the message is pretty accurate. To sum it up, he ended that sermon w/ saying ” “Violence begets violence. Hatred begets hatred. And terrorism begets terrorism. A white ambassador said that y’all, not a black militant. Not a reverend who preaches about racism. An ambassador whose eyes are wide open and who is trying to get us to wake up and move away from this dangerous precipice upon which we are now poised. The ambassador said the people we have wounded don’t have the military capability we have. But they do have individuals who are willing to die and take thousands with them. And we need to come to grips with that.” That is so true! America will never be the nation we have the potential to be, until we look at the speck in our eyes. We must face our issues and take resposiblity for our actions against innocent civilians. We have to clean up our yard and understand that people have face 9/11 in other countries b/c of us! Obama 08!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
IVYgirl wrote:
I say “RIGHT ON!!” Everything you just said is soooo true!!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
America always wants someone to crucify and love when it when that person is black
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Of course the media did not allow the public to see the speech in it’s full context, that’s America. The powers that be in this country have always and will always fear an intelligent well spoken African-American, especially a man. To all unregistered voters in the state of PA, the deadline to register vote so that you can vote in the PA primary is March 24! Even if you are currently 17 years old you can register by 3/24/08 IF you will be 18 years old by the date of the primary which is April 22. Let’s make this happen people!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Catina wrote:
I have to cosign too…I couldn’t possibly say it any better.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
We need to stop making everything about race the first time somebody say something we don’t like(african americans and caucasian)we play the race card. You can’t find out where the candidates on the issues because of all this nonesense. Let’s focus on what’s important like the price of gas and how expensive grocery. That’s my concern. Truth be told no matter who gets in office we are still gonna struggle and they (Obama, Clinton, and McCain)won’t do one thing they said they would.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
—-They only want to play clips to make him look like a racist villan…I was upset when Pat Buchanan said that Reverend Wright was as bad as the leader of the KKK…I was like WTH…
—This situation really allowed me to see how racist America still is…very much so…
—From the video Pauly Shore did to the Ferrero comments about Barack…how is being Black in America easy for anything…its not they are trying to act like its so hard to be White and that we take everything…but that is so dumb…look at the company boards, look at corporate America…hell just look at the White House…what have we been given…and how do we have more power…ignorance at the highest level…
—-And I don’t think Barack threw his “white” grandmother on the bus by sharing true comments that she made to him and I am tired of the white media saying that mess as well…the truth is the truth and they don’t want it to come out that many of them feel that way still!!!!
—I applaud Barack for staying true no matter what…
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
tasha wrote:
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
People are trying desperately to find some faults with Obama. First it was his name, as in because it has remnants of a “Muslim” name, therefore he must have ties to terrorists. He has no control over his name being Barack Obama!! Now it has shifted towards the views expressed by his pastor. Of course the two men will share some beliefs and sentiments however this does not mean that Obama supports every bit of his pastor’s statements, especially the ways in which he chooses to convey his messages. I guess the fact that he may win is becoming too much of a reality for some people to handle. Oh yes, and where is the hard hitting news reporting regarding the pastors of the other candidates????? ya typical of an “unbiased” news media.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Anyone with common sense knows that there was more to that clip than what the media put out there. I for one 100% agree with what Rev Wright was preachin and wish everyone had access to this clip so they could hear the whole sermon (the truth and nothing but) instead of that one little snippit.
God damn America for her whacky portrayal of the news!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
tasha wrote:
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I am glad you put this up there!And I hope all these media people claiming to be so reputable stand up and do the same!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
lil mama wrote:
YES THE SERMON WAS NOT THAT SERIOUS AND SHIT IT WAS THE TRUTH!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Can a 75 year old white man have a word? I a proud of part of America and part of the Black World. As you see in Obama, he is really not from either but from both.
It is so easy to get worked up against whites as a whole or as blacks as a whole, depending upon where you stand.
I disagree with the Reverend for castigating Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Condi Rice and The World’s Greatest Golfer. Now why did he need to do that?
My experience is when you put someone else down you are really trying to elevate yourself. Reverend Wright is popular in his own right, but perhaps these others steal his lime light or perhaps he has some other bent reason, but he did not have to do what he did.
Let us all live in peace. Not everywhere in the world people can speak their own minds.
Don Jones
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’m glad that you posted this too, Natasha. Each one teach one! My grandmother marched with Dr. King in Washington, DC and she took all of her five children along with her. Obama’s movement is very much reminiscent of Dr. King’s movement and some people don’t like that. They are afraid. Dr. King made people wake up, and now Obama is here to do the same! I love that man, this country needs him. This world needs him!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
He’s no different than any other Baptist Preacher I’ve heard. All preachers speak on current issues and their biblical take on it. Ignorance is a beast. It looks like the media got it all wrong this time.
Looks like Clinton written all over it if you ask me…Mmhmm. Just like the whole passport thing with Obama…who else would want that information.
OBAMA UP!!! Clinton down..
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
This isn’t surprising. WP have been waiting to play the indignant victim role for a while. They’re going to milk this for all its worth to show they are not the only “bad” people out there.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Sick and Tired wrote:
—-No one is “playing” the race card…these are issues that we need to get out and deal with on both sides…and its a conversation that we need to have…
—-In America we make everything about race and each side has its “beliefs”
—-RACE is a main issue in the campaign…because we country full of people from all races and walks of life and we need to learn how to accept and live with each other without the hate and stereotypes…
—-And race affects the other issues that are important—the economy, the war, health care, education, environment, etc…
—-It is so heated now because we have a Black Man running for the highest seat in the US and it has touched some nerves within people that have long been ignored or shoved to the side…but I understand what you are trying to say…its just not that easy with the great candidates we have in front of us (except McCain and his 100 year war promise)…
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
MIACHIC wrote:
—-We know the media will not play or report the entire speech….its all political…
—-But they reported that Reverand Wright used to meet with President Clinton right before the Monica Lewinsky blow up…so when is that going to be reported into the ground…just wondering…
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
supachoklit wrote:
I have to agree with this as well!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
IVYgirl wrote:
- - - - - - - - -
Amen!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Obama ‘08!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I agrees w/Dani and Miss. Priss. Obama remains my candiate!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Thanks for posting this Natasha. And I’m so happy to hear how the church is fighting back. He didn’t say anything that wasn’t true, but its been taken out of context. I believe the people who support Obama will continue to support him and those who don’t will continue to try to make this an issue. But he has my UNWAVERING SUPPORT!
OBAMA 08!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I am unable to view the video at work, however, I am not surprised with the media’s response to the Pastor’s point of view. Individuals want to find some type of flaw, something negative, compare, assume, any and everything against Obama. Society knows how the system works, it irritates “other” races so much to hear the truth, then once they listen to what is true they are up in arms and begin to judge. They are basing another man’s opinion and remarks on another man’s actions. They are trying to insinuate that the association he keeps makes him to be the same type of man. SHUT UP! I loved it when Obama said he would not denounce his white grandmother nor the Rev. He did not agree when his grandmother made racial slurs nor did he agree with everything that the Rev. stated. Now that he said that, they feel as though that was inappropriate; why? because they do not want to hear anything negative about their race. Please this is old as american history, it is just another time. It should be a law that other races should have to take African American Studies 101 at the nearest university then they will understand a portion (not all because they are of another race, and will never completely understand), however, then they will not be so quick to pull the ” I am white and right card”
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
why are my comments not posted???
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’m white and I don’t care what his pastor says I will vote for him I don’t even care
as longs as he will lower gas prices end the war shut down the real evil =insurance companies and bring back jobs from overseas
i don’t care what his personal beliefs are
evils are trying to distract from the issue at hand record foreclosures, record high healthcare prices, record job losses it’s easy just to say oooh look he’s anti-white let’s all vote for mccain and be in misery for 4 more years
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I turly appreciate you posting this. I’m going to share this with my father…because I personally hadn’t seen the entire clip, only the 30 seconds that media has been playing over and over again, I want to make sure he has. To be honest, I would go to that church, because that man can preach!
I find it intresting that the media put Obama through hell, but failed to report that Rev. Wright also had ties to the Clinton’s after Bill’s whole Monica L. situation. Things that make you go Hmmmm? right. No wonder Hilary was mum about this whole thing so far. I’am so sick of the media spinning everything…sick of it.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
also why is reverend wright’s skin lighter than kate moss’s?
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
While listening to that sermon all I can say is Thank u Lord, because the righteous will prevail, and something I’ve learned at church by my pastor is dont be bamboozaled by the mess in the media. If want know the facts it is up to me to do the research.(facts check).
They dont want to feel the wrath that we are about to set forth! It is my prayer that we can get in line and stand with the barack obama’s and the Rev Wrights, move toward our change and accept our greatness. Bc the way people our standing up at this time is reminiscent of the courage we had 50yrs ago!
YES WE CAN!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
While listening to that sermon all I can say is Thank u Lord, because the righteous will prevail, and something I’ve learned at church by my pastor is dont be bamboozaled by the mess in the media. If I want know the facts it is up to me to do the research.(facts check).
They dont want to feel the wrath that we are about to set forth! It is my prayer that we can get in line and stand with the barack obama’s and the Rev Wrights, move toward our change and accept our greatness. Bc the way people our standing up at this time is reminiscent of the courage we had 50yrs ago!
YES WE CAN!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
lil mama wrote:
ditto. This just pissed me off to the umpteenth degree how the media only shows 1/2 of the story. I don’t feel like Obama needs to dis-associate himself from this man. This has been uterely ridiculous!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I THINK ITS A DAM SHAME HOW THE MEDIA AND OTHERS ARE PLAYING THE RACE CARD CANT STAND TO SEE A BLACK MAN AHEAD HELL I SIT IN CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY WITH ALONG WITH OTHERS MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERYTHING MY PASTOR SAYS BUT THE TRUTH I CAN SURELY RELATE TO…I THINK IT GREAT THAT HIS WHOLE MESSAGE GETS OUT THERE THE BEFORE AND AFTER NOT JUST ONE LITTLE CLIP…AND BLACK PEOPLE IN PHILLY WE KNOW YOURE THERE LETS MAKE THIS THING HAPPEN
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
The media is wrong and the Clinton campaign is even more wrong for even releasing SOME and not ALL of the video. It’s a shame how they continue to try to discredit Obama. But like this pastor said, God doesn’t fail and he doesn’t change. Obama is with God and when God is on your side, who cares about who is against you. NO WEAPONS FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER! OBAMA 2008!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
thanks natasha. i’m sure a majority of us knew there was ANOTHER side to the story - thanks for opening the eyes of those who fall so easily into propaganda and the thinking of mob mentality.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Personally I’m voteing for Obama, but it shocks me to see a large percentage of African Americans who still don’t think he’s black enough because of his name and heritage. I swear, sometimes black folks are the most backwards people I’ve ever met. We are voteing for the first black man into office, and we are so seperated that some of us decided his not even black enough to vote for. the pastor told it like it is! deal with it, and I love it. White people walk around like everything is fine, and that’s only because everything is fine for them. It never made any sense to me that Africans come from this country with nothing and they become something in this country in only a matter of a few years. Do you know what africans have that so many african americans don’t have, DRIVE! and the love of knowledge! so many of us pray to have a tall son so he can play sports or a petty daughter that can sing. We are more then just entertainers! other races would take us more seriousely if we held ourselves up in high regard. If you want to play with the big dogs( white people) you better come ready like Obama, because the white man doesn’t hate you because of the color of your skin, he hates you because he knows you can move up just like him, and that scares him. You only prove him right when you talk crazy and act aggressive! You know why other races move up faster, even mexicans who can’t speak a lick of english but own a store, because they are united! Unite with the Obama vote!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’m sorry but that reverund should have known better to preach that, and knowing that the other side is looking for any and every reason not to like Obama!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
thank you for posting this clip in its entirety….people really do need to stop taking what is being presented to them at face value…just because it’s tangible does not mean it’s truth….
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Lisana wrote:
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
MissPriss
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
If preachers would spend more time speaking THE WORD instead of their opinions, we wouldn’t have half the drama we have all over the U.S.
Let’s concentrate on JESUS, please.
MissPriss,
Lets go back 40+ yrs ago to the Civil Rights Movement. If MLK didn’t preach what he did about social injustices, where would we be now? At that time, African Americans didn’t have the freedoms that we have now to speak out like that, so the only place to congregate was the church. Secondly, based on what was recorded in the Bible, those that crucified Jesus believed that his message was radical. Did he not speak of injustice in his sermons? That is part of the WORD, is it not? (Please understand, I’m not comparing Rev. Wright to Jesus. I had to say that before someone eluded that I was trying to make that comparison) I truly don’t believe that a preacher should be silenced for speaking the truth. Most of the drama in this country would be reduced if people will accept each other for who they are, stop holding people to another set of standards, and accept that there is inequality no matter how you try and spin it.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
IT’S CALLED PROPAGANDA…only believe half of what you hear and see…
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Will the older rightfully bitter generation of African Americans hurt the younger more integrated generation?
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
GAPEACH wrote:
I wanna kno wutz a mess…
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I don’t think so. I think the younger generation has the capability of assessing an issue based upon all of the facts/background, instead of making opinions/judgements because of what someone has told them or how the MSM presents an issue. I have had my own struggles that I have encountered in Corporate America. Times have changed some, but I think what’s inside the box is the same, the wrapping is just different.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I think the media needs to report that this tape was right after September 11th. So they just found this clip from 2001 and they are posting it like the man said it yesterday!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
What?- I completely co-sign.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
LoateKim wrote:
Come again? Black people come in all shades. It started when the slave owners used to rape and impregnate the female African slaves.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
BMW wrote:
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
It does’nt matter if he said it 20 yrs ago. He said it and part of the video was just wrong and hurtful to some people.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
jenee wrote:
…damn skippy!!!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
MissPriss wrote:
…the ‘word’ has been translated by the people who crucified Jesus. You do know that, right
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Occasio wrote:
No, the younger more integrated generation is the most unfocused, ill prepared generation ever…sorry. Yes, this is our fault for not informing them of who they are and what is expected of them. Most Jews know their history and things that happened to them three thousand years ago are as impactful as if they happened yesterday. This generation feels that their history is a burden and will sacrifice their identity and the well being of their people to be accepted. Not that this has never happened before but not to the degree that I’m witnessing today.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
This week, Barack Obama gave one of the most honest and inspiring speeches on race in American history after weathering days of the media’s relentless, divisive, and racially charged attacks. But have you wondered where these attacks came from and why they dominated the news?
Reporters like NBC’s Tim Russert focused on the “Reverend Wright controversy” only after FOX and other right-wing media did. It happens over and over: FOX airs a right-wing smear and the mass media repeat it. Film director Robert Greenwald just released a short video called FOX Attacks Obama: Part 2 which shows how it happens.
We are launching a petition demanding the big networks stop parroting FOX and distracting Americans from real issues. We’ll hand-deliver your signatures to major media outlets next week. Watch the video, and sign the petition, here:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=3495&id=12363-9096198-jYQvMa&t=454
The petition, which we’re launching with Greenwald’s Brave New Films, says: “FOX is a Republican mouthpiece, not a legitimate news organization. Real news organizations must reject FOX’s smears of Barack Obama, not parrot them and distract Americans from the pressing issues of the day.” The more signatures we deliver, the bigger the impact—so please tell your friends
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Foxy wrote:
Foxy,
I understand the history of the black church, and back then, church was the only public place black folks could congregrate in that type of forum to speak on/hear about those issues. But we have come considerably far from that in terms of freedoms of speech & expression. Martin Luther King was an eloquent speaker & political advocate AS WELL AS a preacher, and his message was timely & far-reaching. NOT THE CASE with this particular pastor, who used his platform & access to an audience to preach his FEELINGS/OPINIONS on the subject of race relations in our society. Now, we all know that there are those who can “SHOW OUT” in the pulpit for amens & hallelujahs- and I think alot of that is the case in this situation. This is 2008, and people in church come there because they need JESUS. Where race is concerned, we as blacks KNOW the deal. His statements & sentiments were nothing new, and I just think that when I go to church, I wanna hear the word, not some more stuff that’s gonna get me fired up to do WHAT?? I was already voting for Obama– I can make up my own mind. Like I said before, let’s get him into office & work from the INSIDE OUT, since the other way hasn’t worked so well for us in the past.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
Rev. Wright reminds me of my pastor here in Mississippi. There are times when people only know what’s going on in the world when they go to church. It’s a place of fellowship and yes, a time to get angry and talk about it. That’s when the pastor takes all of that anger and applies it to the world. Ya’ll know sometimes you don’t know how you’re going to pay your rent, get that job, pass that class, etc. and the preacher restates those doubts and then gives you a word to live on for faith. The problem is that non-blacks or those who have never attended a black church, don’t understand.
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I’m a member of Trinity so I’m very happy to see this video. So many people had so many uneducated and baseless opinions and had never stepped foot into the church. I’m so glad this was posted…so glad…God Bless you all
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
This man of GOD was simply quoting what someone else (a white man at that) said! And every word of it was true. That’s what hurts! The media really know how to take something and turn it into something totally different, in their favor! I have heard this pastor many times. He has visited my church in Memphis on numerous occasions and he is such an awesome man of GOD. Not an evil bone in his body. And for the media to dig up something six years ago and use it to tear someone else down, as well as ruining the reputation of such an awesome Pastor is just a down right disgrace! As the infamous Flavor Flav ! would say, DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE!
On Mar 21, 2008 | Reply | Quote
I hate to say that even though folks like to pretend stuff isn’t about race- it is. It’s sad but true, so many minorities suffer because of racism on large scales as well as the smallest of scales. Media has always been apart of the intellectual warfare launched on minorities and minorities don’t have power because if we did, the media wouldn’t have shown half of a clip, black/hispanic men wouldn’t overflowing prisons, Jena 6 wouldn’t have happened, and folks wouldn’t have to count blacks/other minorities in single digits as the 1st black this and 2nd black that when they get “power” positions. People are afraid of the truth and as aggressive as this truth was, it is the truth.
On Mar 22, 2008 | Reply | Quote
BMW wrote:
this is the realist comment ive read in years. thank you.