The part of the speech that I find most disturbing (only by comparison) for several reasons:

[Seabiscuit]

(Regarding 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.

These people are a part of me. And they are a part of America, this country that I love.

Some will see this as an attempt to justify or excuse comments that are simply inexcusable. I can assure you it is not. I suppose the politically safe thing would be to move on from this episode and just hope that it fades into the woodwork. We can dismiss Reverend Wright as a crank or a demagogue, just as some have dismissed Geraldine Ferraro, in the aftermath of her recent statements, as harboring some deep-seated racial bias."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-t_n_92077.html

I'll let others begin the commentary.

[jkshaw]

1. What are your reasons for it disturbing you?

It doesn't disturb me. It makes perfect sense.

[Seabiscuit]

35. As I said, I'll let others begin the commentary.

I'll be back later.

[blogslut]

39. nuh uh

You started this thread. You made the statement. You should pony up and tell us what you find disturbing.

[roguevalley]

71. so, you imply crap, say it bothers you but leave. sounds like a

disruptive thing to do. as for what bothers me, how about the hypocracy of shitting buckets over this and ignoring the real evil in Hagee and the Fellowship? Your outrage seems faux since you won't even outline it. don't be surprised if people call bullshit.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

2. you probably don't understand

[LakeSamish706]

3. And some will analyze to death and try to make something out of nothing at all! n/t

[plantwomyn]

18. "Words Matter"

nt

[dorkulon]

4. Why not let him finish his point?

"We can dismiss Reverend Wright as a crank or a demagogue, just as some have dismissed Geraldine Ferraro, in the aftermath of her recent statements, as harboring some deep-seated racial bias.

"But race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore right now. We would be making the same mistake that Reverend Wright made in his offending sermons about America - to simplify and stereotype and amplify the negative to the point that it distorts reality.

"The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we've never really worked through - a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American."

Clearly, those comments apply equally to Rev. Wright and Ferraro.

[Seabiscuit]

37. I wasn't stopping him.

Did you expect me to reproduce the text in its entirety in violation of DU's copyright rules?

You're entitled to cherry-pick any quotes you want from the speech, no matter how irrelevant to the ones I chose, but this is probably the best commentary you're going to get for your efforts.

When I return later on and give my reasons for why the quotes I cited are disturbing, maybe you'll get it.

[here_is_to_hope]

64. Yeah, I am going to hold my breath and wait for

you to comment on your post....
Ptthhh....:boring:

[Seabiscuit]

73. As Saint Augustine said: "Patience is the companion of wisdom".

On the flip side: impatience is the companion of foolishness.

[pnwmom]

5. I thought that was a particularly good part of his speech.

Both his grandmother and his minister helped him to grow into the man he is. They, like all Americans, are flawed -- but he loves them anyway.

I saw a blogger blaming him for the remarks about his grandmother. I myself was horrified at the idea of a little black boy having to hear his beloved grandmother express racist feelings. How painful that must have been -- but Obama didn't become bitter. He channeled that pain into trying to do something positive with his life.

[bicentennial_baby]

14. That was the most striking part of the speech for me...

:thumbsup:

[JuniperLea]

21. But what could he possibly hold against his grandmother...

In this context? I don't get how mentioning her in this context is relevant.


Never mind... I'm an idiot...

[Drachasor]

32. Did you not watch or read his speech?

He said his grandmother had said and done things that made him cringe (such as being scared of black men).

[JuniperLea]

33. sorry...

i'm an idiot... never mind... pardon me...

[femrap]

63. And Patriarchy doesn't teach that?

Women are taught to fear men...all men! Probably for good reason. Since they're the ones who do the raping and beating. You guys need to monitor your own ilk. 'Never go out alone.' 'Always lock your doors.' 'Don't go out after dark.' 'Carry mace.' 'Put your keys between your fingers.' 'Always look in the backseat of your car before getting in.' "Make sure you look under your car before approaching it.' 'Walk in the street if necessary...never close to the buildings.' 'Never answer your door.' 'Never get out of your car even if someone hits your car...drive to a gas station.' 'Learn karate.' 'Take a self-defense class.' 'Get a gun.' 'Always be on alert...especially in daytime when most rapes occur.' 'Carry an umbrella at all times...rapists don't like them.' 'Lift weights.' 'Build upper and lower body strength.' 'Kicking is a good defense...your strongest muscles are in your legs.' 'Don't wear heels when walking alone...you can't run.' 'Never allow anyone to push you into a car...they'll kill you.' 'Get a carry permit.'

Just stay home and lock all the windows and doors...pretend you are in prison. How do you think Patriarchy keeps women so obedient...FEAR. Powerful weapon.

I'm more afraid of rich white guys....they cause all the havoc. And no...no one on DU is that rich!!!

And btw, I think BO has issues with mom and possibly all white women...does he think that if his own grandmother is scared of black men, that all white women are? Do we all make him cringe?

flame on...I'm going to go pray for peace on the 5th Anniversary of this fucked war that men willingly enter into. But some are stopping it!!!

[pnwmom]

48. Are you serious? Did you hear his speech, or just a sound bite?

He was saying that his grandmother, when he was growing up, would say and do racist things -- such as express her fear of seeing black men on the street. And express other racist sentiments? Can you imagine what that must have been like for a little black boy to grow up hearing?

So his grandmother, whom he loved, said things that he didn't agree with -- just like the minister, to whom he was also attached.

And he didn't reject either of these people as people -- just the things they SAID.

[NOLALady]

62. It was painful for him, I'm certain.

I know adults with grandchildren who become choked when they talk about their racists grandparents. Their Grandparents said awful things about black people and openly showed a preference for their white skinned grandchildren.

[Blue_Roses]

6. what part scares you?

the part where he refuses to dismiss his black heritage or the fear he will "cater to the blacks" ...:eyes:

[Pirate Smile]

7. The "disturbing" part to you is the part that most people can relate to on a human level.

[Seabiscuit]

36. Oh, look!

We've got a psychic in our midst!

Sorry, no cigar.

[frylock]

41. why not just post your fucking thoughts rather than engage in this 20 guesses bullshit?

[Seabiscuit]

72. As Saint Augustine said: "Patience is the companion of wisdom".

On the flip side: impatience is the companion of foolishness.

[NRaleighLiberal]

8. Doesn't disturb me - I thought it to be a profound way to make the point. nt

[Straight Shooter]

9. Let me condense his speech into three words: "Just trust me." n/t

[SammyWinstonJack]

24. That's his whole campaign in a nutshell.

:eyes: Sorry but I don't trust you, Mr. "Hope and Change".

[Jamastiene]

74. When they say that,

it usually means they are getting ready to screw you royally. I don't trust him either. I think he's a paid GOP disruptor placed in the party to split it apart. Even if he is not, he is certainly doing just that. In my lifetime, I have never seen anything like this and so many people falling for it. If only they knew that anything that seems too good to be true, usually is, they'd be running the other way.

[journalist3072]

10. First of all, Obama, no one has asked you to disown your white grandmother

That part of the speech was such crock b/c no one has asked him, or expects him to, disown his White grandmother.

[JuniperLea]

26. Yeah, what was that all about?

Why on Earth would he be asked to disown her? Why was she mentioned in this context?



Edited to say... duh... I'm an idiot this afternoon... never mind:)

[pnwmom]

49. That part of the speech was one of the best parts, in my opinion.

What his grandmother did -- repeatedly expressing racist views in the presence of her little black grandson -- was HORRIBLE. Who would blame a young man for feeling bitterness about growing up with that?

But he didn't let bitterness take over. And he learned to hold his tongue and listen and try to understand when people said stupid things that he disagreed with. That's why he didn't reject his grandmother, and that's why he didn't reject Wright. He put the negative comments in the whole context of the good things he knew about the person.

[arikara]

67. It was not a crock at all

I understand exactly what he was saying, I feel the same about some of my family members. I loved them dearly but totally hated the way they generalized about other people who were different than us. Its no longer an issue with us, but its something that stays with you. And I felt that way being the same skin colour as my family, not a little black boy having to live it.

[GoldieAZ49]

11. Wright's words are in no way similar to his grandmothers

and his grandmother was not teaching and preaching divisiveness and anti American rhetoric to thousands for years, if Obama wanted to work for unity, he would have given this speech to Wright long ago

[pnwmom]

50. You're right -- what the grandmother said and did was much worse.

The effect on a little black child of hearing his beloved grandmother making racist statements must have been horrible -- much worse than hearing things he disagreed with in a sermon.

His grandmother's racism must have touched him to his very soul.

[GoldieAZ49]

56. how do you know he was little when she said it? Maybe it was when Barack was

doing his identity search in his early adulthood.


Obama says he wants to work for unity after supporting a preacher of hate, fear, anti-semitism, anti-american rhetoric for over 20 years and you paint him as a victim, pathetic.

he is a politician that cares about nothing but getting elected and has been exploiting the members of that church to do so.

[NOLALady]

66. Many are not aware of their racist attitudes,

but children will pick it up.

If she said those things when he was an adult, I'm certain she said other things when he was young. Racism can be picked up by words as well as actions.

[JoFerret]

12. It's all about ME

ME.

I AM America.
how can you question ME?

[BenDavid]

13. This is a giant, "F-U, America." Please take note of it. and obama

was critical of his white grandmother but did not use any racist comments the preacher man used.

Obigot 08

[geek tragedy]

17. Seriously, how does rightwing slime like you

slither in here?

[Little Star]

19. He cringed when his white grandmother made racist comments.

OK, That is reasonable. How ever, he did not cringe when he heard Wright or when his own wife makes comments about how she is proud of this country for the first time. Why throw your white grandmother under the bus as a bigot? Why attend a church that clearly preaches separatism. Why allow your own children to hear those messages from the pulpit when you profess to be the imperfect vessel of change, the new generation? 2+2=0

[JuniperLea]

27. Where did he say his grandmother made racist comments?

I read that thing twice... am I just too tired this afternoon?

[Warren Stupidity]

30. Maybe the third time will be a charm.

It is right there in black and white. His point, by the way, was that Pastor Wright is like family to him, so he cannot disown him even if he disowns his words from that sermon, anymore than he can disown his grandmother for her words.

[JuniperLea]

31. duh... never mind me...

I'm an idiot this afternoon... please pardon...

[pnwmom]

53. Why condemn a whole church on the basis of a handful of sound bites?

Have you ever read a complete sermon by Jeremiah White?

Obama didn't throw his grandmother under the bus. He explained that he had grown up hearing racist statements that were painful to him and that he disagreed with. So he followed the same pattern when his pastor expressed himself in racist ways. He loved the man, but not his words.

[haymakeragain]

42. Did Obama dis Isreal or something, or just not get on bended knee?

why all the hate?

[dionysus]

60. oh shit!

:popcorn:

[Megahurtz]

69. Lol!

How funny.

[faithfulcitizen]

46. Are you sure you are not the bigot? perhaps because his name is of muslim origin?

just curious.:shrug:

[pnwmom]

51. Why should he repeat the negative statements of his pastor? They've been

all over the airwaves for weeks.

The partisanship around here lately is amazing -- and disgusting.

[dionysus]

59. i can't believe they still let your pathetic right-wing ass post here.

though i am taking great pleasure in the suffering you feel knowing that hillary was a total bust and now has to beg the DNC to get her fake primary votes counted... :)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

15. Oprah left Rev Wrights church years ago after attending for only 2 years because

she had the good judgement to get as far away from this man racist and bigoted sermons before it ruined her.

to bad Obama didn't have the same good judgement.

[woolldog]

45. You have no idea why Oprah no longer attends

or are you Gayle?

:rofl:

[rodeodance]

70. she has been public about it.

[jackson_dem]

58. Yup

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

16. I Wanna Hit Pause For A Sec And Ask You A Serious And Sincere Question I Really Want Ya To Answer:

Tell me what my question is first though...

[JuniperLea]

22. Why is his grandmother mentioned in this context?

duh... never mind... i'm an idiot this afternoon... pardon me...

[JuniperLea]

20. Seriously! What reason would he have to disown his white grandmother...

duh... never mind... i'm an idiot this afternoon...

[LisaL]

23. You can't pick your grandmother, but you can pick your pastor.

And by the way if he is bringing his kids to the church, then he has to think it's good for them to be in that environment, no?

[Drachasor]

34. He made clear that the comments on the news by Wright are not represenative

And I think he believes it is good for everyone to learn about others.

[plantwomyn]

25. This is tone of the parts I found disturbing

"Given my background, my politics, and my PROFESSED values and ideals, there will no doubt be those for whom my statements of condemnation are not enough."

When I heard this I said out loud........ WHAT?
I have always heard the word PROFESS used to mean - to lay claim to, often insincerely; pretend to!
I realize it has other meanings BUT in IMHO this speech has been in the works for a while. So why use PROFESSED? Why not just leave it out? As Obama says "Words Matter", so what does he mean and why use a word that CAN be interpreted in such a negative way?

[JuniperLea]

28. duh... never mind me...

I must need sleep...

[anigbrowl]

29. Pure flamebait. You say it's disturbing, but offer no reasons for that characterization. /nt

[VotesForWomen]

38. if a white southerner said that about his local grand dragon of the KKK, would O groupies be so unde

understanding? of course not, but O can do no wrong.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

43. stick to democratic issues

please. Health care, the Iraq war, etc. No more racial escalation.

[frylock]

44. don't hurt yourself on that stretch..

when obama's pastor engages in lynchings and cross burnings then you can make that comparison. until then, you can put your opinion back up your ass where you found it.

[pnwmom]

55. I'm not in the Obama camp, but I think your comparison is outrageous.

Wright is not equivalent to the KKK. He's a pastor who's done a lot of good, but who's lived through the worst of segregation. So at times he has expressed bitterness. And he hasn't recognized all the positive changes. (And why would he -- much of his flock comes from the worst neighborhoods of Chicago.)

He's not some grand dragon on a racist power trip.

[boppers]

57. Well, if it's *his* grand dragon..

That makes both of them racists, because the KKK is fundamentally racist. UCC, and TUCC, are not. TUCC winds up speaking more on Black themes, and to issues faced by minorities, but they don't put anybody in the back of the bus.

[NOLALady]

68. They don't advocate genocide either.

[theNotoriousP.I.G.]

40. What is the point of your post?

"I'll let others begin the commentary" explains nothing.

[faithfulcitizen]

47. most annoying DUer ever.

[anamandujano]

52. He uses his white grandmother and Ferraro to excuse Wright.

Wright spewed this crap for 20 years, Ferraro made one true observation. He is trying to equate the two in order to write off his political problem.

He is also trying to make the white woman who helped raise him into the equal but opposite of Wright. BTW, I think he's lying about his grandmother.

[pnwmom]

54. The white woman who helped raise him also caused him tremendous pain.

Hearing racist sentiments form a beloved grandmother must have been awful.

But instead of arguing with her, or rejecting her, he held his tongue, listened, and tried to understand what made her the way she was.

And that helped make him the kind of man he is. Someone who wants to reconcile the opposites.

It all makes complete sense. (And I reject your assumption that he's lying about his grandmother. Racism was prevalent among her generation. It would be extremely unlikely that she would have escaped it, with or without a black grandson.)

[Recursion]

61. What on earth is disturbing about that?

It was a very good point. A lot of people in America hold racist views. Pretending that isn't so doesn't make them go away.

[GeorgeGist]

65. Hillary dismissed Geraldine ...

no comment.