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Post by adhara on Mar 18, 2008 12:59:44 GMT -5
Obama's race speech brought me to tears. I am not African American, but I have been struggling with these issues for years now, and I never would have dreamt that it would be this soon in my lifetime that I will hear a speech like this. That someone will not just ignore the issue and pretend it's not there. That someone will not just blame blacks or blame whites but actually understand that American biases are deeply rooted in its history, but that history does NOT have to write our future. I can't believe it...I was nearly ready to give up fighting for social justice, thinking that it's hopeless. But it's not hopeless. He has so much hope for America -- he even stakes his presidential bid that Americans are decent and generous, that this speech will not backfire, and that Americans do want unity. I am glad I am living in America right now, that I get to be part of this movement that will ensure that no one else will grow up with the kind of anger that Reverend Wright grew up with. Full transcript: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23690567/Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWe7wTVbLUU |
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Post by gogonutz on Mar 18, 2008 16:35:55 GMT -5
I thought his speech was very moving. I don't think he could've said it any better. Of course it was also a smart speech politically, the way he addressed things and how he put some of his policy issues in there, but you could tell he was speaking from the heart.
As many of you know, I'm not a religious person, though I was raised as a catholic. I do believe in a lot of the values that the Christian faith (or other religions for that matter, as most of them speak of a lot of the same morals and virtues) though. And even if you do not agree with every single principle or opinion that someone in your faith, or someone you are close with (be it spiritual, religious, just friends, or even your spouse or co-worker, or whoever) stands for, you can still respect and be close to that person (or faith, or whatever). I have disagreements with my friends often, but I love them to death. So the "no substance" comment, I can't agree with. If that's the way you see it, that's fine, you can, but personally I think that's a rather narrow/naive view.
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Post by lhrulz2007 on Mar 18, 2008 20:23:28 GMT -5
It was a fantastic speech, but it was taylor-suited for Obama. If he couldn't knock this one out of the park he shouldn't be running for President. I hope the media will get off the Wright thing because of how good this speech was, but it'll still be a huge liability in the general no matter how many speeches he gives.
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Post by gogonutz on Mar 19, 2008 0:22:17 GMT -5
I wrote down my thoughts on the whole thing in my blog ( click) for those who are interested. I got side-tracked several times, and it got a bit long, just to warn you. |
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Post by jolene102 on Mar 19, 2008 12:15:38 GMT -5
can someone give me a bried synopsis of the whole obama-reverand wright thing. i only get bits and pieces from the radio since i haven't had time to watch the news. i keep hearing people talk, but i don't know what's really going on.
thanks!
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Post by savemeimdtba on Mar 19, 2008 12:36:48 GMT -5
I watched the speech on youtube last night and thought it was phenomenal of him to get up there and SAY all that stuff that needed to be said. Seriously, I never thought I'd hear someone in power say things like that. He made a great point - there are people in my life (my entire family) that say and do things I don't agree with but deep down they're still good people with messed up beliefs. I've seen the racism he speaks of from both sides and it just amazed me that he could get up there and talk about it that calmly and intelligently... even more than ever I think he IS what this country needs.
I'll let someone else explain what the reverend said / did - I just watched the videos of him that were on youtube..
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Post by gogonutz on Mar 19, 2008 15:27:44 GMT -5
I think the way he addressed the issue was absolutely perfect. But there are plenty of things for his critics to pin him on. But the thing that slightly disappointed me, is that he didn't really give the press a chance to ask questions, sorta like a press conference/question round after the speech. I mean, he'll probably (have to) do that along the way, but that would've made that event (by lack of a better word for the whole speech thing) complete, and it would have enabled him to get rid of some of the criticism on the spot.
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Post by lhrulz2007 on Mar 19, 2008 17:42:43 GMT -5
can someone give me a bried synopsis of the whole obama-reverand wright thing. i only get bits and pieces from the radio since i haven't had time to watch the news. i keep hearing people talk, but i don't know what's really going on. thanks! Basically in a cermon late last year he repeatdly said "God Damn America" giving racially charged reasons. |
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Post by gurlnlifemagazine on Mar 19, 2008 23:02:27 GMT -5
I must say that it would be tragic if this man doesn't become our next president. No other polictican has the balls or grace to do what Obama did. He did it the right way and I don't care who you are you have to respect that. I certainly loved it as a black person because we often try to not make it about race, but we just can't help it. I would write up more about this, but it's late and I'm tired. But it was the most importan speech of our times.
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Post by adhara on Mar 20, 2008 12:17:49 GMT -5
I must say that it would be tragic if this man doesn't become our next president. No other polictican has the balls or grace to do what Obama did. He did it the right way and I don't care who you are you have to respect that. I certainly loved it as a black person because we often try to not make it about race, but we just can't help it. I would write up more about this, but it's late and I'm tired. But it was the most importan speech of our times. Please do write more about it. I've been keeping up with the reviews from mainstream media and the political bloggers, but I'm really interested in reading about reactions from different personal perspectives. |
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Post by gogonutz on Mar 20, 2008 15:57:13 GMT -5
He's not his political mentor
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Post by lhrulz2007 on Mar 20, 2008 17:38:42 GMT -5
^He doesn't share the same political veiws as his minister, I don't see why people find that so hard to believe. Also I am certain all his sermons were not like the one that the media keeps playing over and over again.
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Post by adhara on Mar 20, 2008 20:38:25 GMT -5
^ I would hardly call obama's former reverend a wacko... I think he had very real experiences in the past, that while do not excuse his specific use of language, have shaped his world views in profound ways.
I am not surprised that Obama is so calm and quiet given his former reverend/spiritual mentor's personality. Yes, the reverend helped him find God and what not, but it would be unfair of us to discount everything/everyone else that have shaped Obama's life -- his family, living in Indonesia, his education, life experiences, his generation, etc.
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Post by adhara on Mar 20, 2008 21:29:48 GMT -5
I don't claim to know anything about liberation theology (besides just having wiki'ed it), but supposedly it has a lot to do with social justice, poverty, and human rights. If Obama was a community organizer and wanted to help empower his community and bring it out of poverty after the local steel plant closed down, I can see how he would be attracted to this church.
I don't think you have to share the same view to appreciate or learn from other people's views. Especially if this church/Wright has succeeded in empowering the community, there is a lot to learn from that. I think that's part of what's so great about Obama -- that he can listen to what other people have to say, understand where they're coming from, and still have his own thoughts.
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Post by gurlnlifemagazine on Mar 22, 2008 8:06:51 GMT -5
Damn, I had wrote a beautiful response to this, but closed my window before posting it.
Anyway, this issue isn't as big as the media wants it to be. Black leaders in the community have always made comments along those line in church and their has never been an up-rising in a negative way. You don't have to agree with everything your mentor says and does. Religion is based on belief and faith and Rev. Wright has been that guild for Obama since he came to Chicago. This is why politics and religion don't mix and I think the media and the candidates (all of them) are dead wrong for even bring it in to the picture.
I would actually prefer not to have a Christian president because if there ever was a religion that was corrupt it's that one. But I'm not judging any of them on there faith because it simply guilds them to do what they feel is right.
And Obama is a better man for not denouncing his church, mentor, and community just because the media wants to bitch about bullshit. This side tracking has completely messed up the presidential race and it's unfortunate because there is a much bigger issue with economy and I'm more worried about that than anything.
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. I'd also like to know if anybody has an HD copy of Lifehouse at Pinkpop 2003. BY far their best concert ever