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Was Reverend Wright Grandstanding
Posted by M7levels • 18 days ago • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Tags: black america, grandstanding, news, relegion, reverend wright, right
I don't want to post my opinion on here since I am looking for your opinion. Thanks for participating
User Comments
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In the initial clips? No. Now that he is basically doing a press tour and doing more damage than good? Yes. -
indeed.. the initial clip didn't really give us the whole picture... Now well I am keeping my mouth shut. I am writing an article and would like as much feed back as possible thanks for your comment pointless (lolol love the nic)
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He was preaching. So yes. -
I think that the initial clips showed him for who he really is.
What we are seeing now is a prepared series of statements attempted for damage control.
(im guessing that there is a speech writer involved somewhere that is coming off the a very different payroll than the church)-
When you say who he really is.. can you expound on that? Who is he? Did you watch the press release including his speech last night? thanks for joining in the discussion.
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When i say who he really is, i am referring to the statements made that caused the uproar to begin with.
To me, that entails him being everything he later said he isn't
What was seen yesterday, was an attempt to recover. I simply don't think it holds as much credibility as a "candid" shot when he was simply being what he usually is.
my point is this
In this clip, we see him speaking without notes...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ38N8OUg3Q
At the NAACP speech, he is stumbling, reading, and does not seem to have close to the same fire...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=upNvLOjo-ew
I just think that the NAACP appearance was coached and trimmed, and the church clips are "of the real" Rev. Wright
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Preaching, sure, but I am sure a few people would argue that he was making some valid statements. Again I am trying to stay neutral therefore I may very well be playing the devils advocate, for that let me apologize now.
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I watched his responses to questions from the National Press Club. By the by, Fox News has a transcript. You ask, "Was he grandstanding?"
I really don't think so. I think the Rev. Wright is simply being himself, just as he did in the pulpit.
If I were an Obama strategist, however, I'd hope Rev. Wright would take a very low profile until this election is over. The controversy had left home base. It would have been better in my opinion, for Obama, had it been allowed to fade.
Personally speaking, I found Wright eloquent, passionate and very intriguing. I don't agree with everything he said, but this is the US. I didn't agree with Don Imus either. I question a lot of the hand-wringing over statements by both these men and by others who don't screen everything they say. Some speak for hyperbole and others make lame attempts at humor. Such individuals preach to their own choirs.
The Rev. Wright is a born grand-stander. The man is a gifted orator. To expect him to tone it down in a public forum is rather like expecting a duck to hop rather than waddle.-
Thanks for your input. I want to share my opinions with you on this subject but as a Journalist I am ethically not allowed. Therefore let me say I appreciate everyones opinion on this matter and I shall add everyones comment to this post once I have gathered enough opinions. Please let me know if you would rather not have your opinion published on my World News blog. BTW I love your last comment the duck hopping is funny. ;-)
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That youtube video above is nothing more than a compilation of sound bites from several sermons put together by Faux News. If you had actually listened to the whole sermon in context with those sound bites you might have a different opinion. What he was talking about and said is much closer to the truth than anything Faux News and Bill O'Reilly has ever said.
I suggest you watch the interview Bill Moyers did with him the other night.
www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch.html
His clips have a lot more of the sermons than the 2 second crap O'Reilly and Rush Limbaugh are spamming around. -
I don't think he's wrong about anything except that there's a god.
You're not gonna learn anything about him from a single sound byte that gets replayed 1000 times. I thought his speech last night was intelligent and I don't remember seeing him "stumble" over his words.
The only reason this could hurt Obama is if people have repressed racism that prevents them from hearing what he really said and instead hear what they want to hear.
Why don't we stop talking about this sh*t and start talking about a REALLY f***ed up preacher, John Hagee, that wants to bring about the end of the world... -
I've seen it, And to me, a man given a forum to defend himself doesn't make me believe that is the true person.
Just because you call it "Sound Bites" doesn't mean he didn't say it, and to me that is the real Rev. Wright, not a man given a platform by a member of his church affiliation to defend himself.
To me, the "sound bites" as you call them. represent who he is when he Doesn't have the light of the world shining in his face. And to me, that is a much more honest depiction of any man.
It doesn't matter who put them together, no one forced him to say any of it.-
A sound bite is a very short clip taken from a much longer speech. If you don't know what he said before and after than then you have no idea what he really said.
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Please tell me what context would make the statement that the US govt invented HIV to kill blacks, or in the least is fully capable of doing so, remotely palatable or sane.
When asked for context, Wright simply reiterated that the US government is not above doing this. There is plenty of context in that statement.
Wright, while obviously intelligent, is either also delusional to some extent or has some agenda that involves marshaling those who are.
Either way these statements do no good service to Obama so long as he is unwilling to do more than "disagree with SOME of Wrights statements". And so long as he remains unwilling or unable to explain how he only now leared of his "mentor and spiritual advisor's" views on these several topics.
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No and neither do you.. but i do know WHAT he said!
And i know what a sound bite is.
But your reason for using that term here is to reduce the impact.
How about we call it a statement.... it was that too right? -
M7, if you plan to use the remarks, I'd like to know whether you're doing straight-up news or commentary. It's fine for a journalist to let the subjects of an interview or quote request know the format the quotes will be used in. Thanks. Kay
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It will be commentary Kaybday... But not Mine I am merely going to gather the information I have gathered in here and other website blogs and compile them into a pro and con style format. Without using name but referencing this post if people want to know more or join the topic. Thanks
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For me: Entertainment of the highest calibre! - Nards -
I do not know if he was Grandstanding. Obama's message is one based on Unity. I wish Wright would keep a low profile for a while. He is creating a distraction to Obama's campaign. Its more important to me.-
Wright is just doing the same thing he has always done. Do you know how many famous people go to his church? Tons. Before all of this happened, and any of you knew who he was, he had a packed church and you couldn't even get in on Sundays. So he doesn't need to distract anyone, because he's been a celebrity in the black community far longer than anyone knew who Barack Obama was. The only one keeping up distractions is the media with their continuing to coverage of this mess.
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Yes. -
M7, excellent. Post the link here and I'll point some readers to you. Should be interesting. And I'd prefer you actually use my name if you decide to use my remarks. I never post anything or offer quotes anonymously. best, Kay
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Yes he was. He's looking more like a kook everyday. -
The media is saying Obama needs to come out swinging and not lay low...? Could it possibly hurt him?
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Ok Ok Ok...... so it is good to see a open dialog on this point. Rev. Wright is not grand standing. He has been the same person for 40 years while he has been preaching. He is only new to the the majority group and most minority groups in America.
His speeches are not new to a lot of black people in America that attend black churches. His fire is not new to anyone that attends that style of church. It is funny to me how SHOCKED "America" is that there is a Pastor out there that is saying these things.
Being from San Antonio, Texas and attending CornerStone Church for about a year, I heard Pastor Hagee say things that were just as bad as what Rev. Wright said (if you think what he said was bad).
What I am confused about is that when a person of color speaks UP and OUT.... he is perceived to be a Racist, Angry, and Anti American.
Rev. Wright does not live in a bubble of Blackness, he has friends from all religious backgrounds, all racial backgrounds and has helped more people than most people in Washington could ever help!
Is he Wright (LOL) all the time.......... NO not at all, but at least he has balls to stand up and say something and speak a truth that the majority group may not understand or want to hear, but it is a truth for some people in this country.
This is not a issue of right or wrong, this is not a issue of politics, this is a issue of ONE man standing up and saying what he has been saying for 40 years...... and because Barack Obama is running for president the Majority Group of America cares.
He is not hurting Obama with me....... It is called freedom of speech and I know he does not speak for Obama..... please people look in the mirror, look at your friends, investigate your pastor, congressmen, senator and see that they are not perfect........
Come on people Rev. Wright is just another loud mouthed black man in America and he should just sit down and shut up WRIGHT?-
I'm with you up until your last statement. That was supposed to be sarcasm, Wright?
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In no way is he hurting Obama in my viewpoint. I would never associate Obama with Rev. Wright like so many are trying to do. Obama has no control over Rev. Wright and as Obama has clearly stated, Rev. Wright does not speak for Obama or the campaign. Wright is free to say and do whatever he wishes to do.
I think he is grandstanding to a point. I think he sees this as a clear way to get in the spotlight, sell some books, and future his "liberation" agenda as he calls it. I think he is now hurting the so-called "black church" more than he is helping it.-
How is Rev. Wright hurting the "black church"? When a white pastor speaks out on abortion of the fear of the Muslim faith or fear of gay people, then is found to be GAY, does that hurt the majority group church.
How is he grandstanding when this is who he is. He is just out front now. I know it is hard for a lot of people to understand, but he is a man with a viewpoint. No different from me or you. Just a little louder at times. -
If you really knew anything about the black church I think you might rethink that statement. As GMoney stated, he was just the one to say what he thinks. The "black church" that you spoke of, isn't hurting one bit over what Jeremiah Wright said.
He was just preaching in Dallas this past weekend at my old Church, Friendship West, and they had to turn people away! The church seats thousands. Doesn't sound "hurt" to me.
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gmoney,
I agree with you that he is a man with a viewpoint. But he continues to say that this whole scandal is an "attack on the black church", when even his own colleagues disagree with that statement. It is not an attack on the "black church".
Had this whole thing never been brought up, he would not be where is he right now, he would not be out on tour, and we would not be on live television promoting a book during his speeches. That is grandstanding my friend, like it or not.
I agree that he has a viewpoint, and I will always defend his right to preach that viewpoint. Also, just for the record, I agree with most of what Rev. Wright says. I think he makes some valid points on a lot of issues. What I don't agree with is linking Obama to him and his statements, when clearly Obama has denounced those statements.-
CNN is broadcasting him. The 2 functions were private functions that have not been broadcast before and now because he is a "media draw" they are on CNN and sound bites on any other channel.
The interview with PBS was very calm and subdued he was not grandstanding there. As someone said the other day........ people wanted to hear what he had to say about the heated comments and now that he is speaking out he is grandstanding. He is damned if he does and damned if he does not.
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I agree that the Moyers interview was not grandstanding.
It appeared to me that once he got into a more comfortable environment, his tone changed, his message changed, and his attitude changed.
Look at the speech he did for the Press Club, then look at the speech he did for the NAACP dinner. Two totally different attitudes and tones there. And that is understandable to a point. Everyone does that, not just him.
Like I said, I agree with a lot of Wright said and I also believe that this has been blown totally out of proportion for the most part. The media is making it a much bigger story than it needs to be, but they are doing that deliberately at the expense of Barack Obama, which I do not agree with.-
Well I am glad that there is a open forum where we can talk about issues that affect people of different backgrounds. I feel that sometimes people have to be FORCED to open their eyes. The "MEDIA" is doing a disservice to our country. We are a free country with a controlled Media. Also I feel that to many Americans are led like blind sheep sleep walking.
When someone can be influenced by a 10 to 30 second sound bite...... what does that say about their intelligence or lack there of.
LONG LIVE THE INTERNET!!!!!
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I didn't see the NAACP speech, but I watched the Press Club speech live and entire.
I found the speech to be that of an intelligent well spoken and thoughtful man with an academic passion for the topic. I found the answers to the questions to be completely incongruent with the preceding speech. The context is there, and with the exception of his assertion that he was quoting the Iraqi Ambassador when the said America's chickens had come home to roost, the context was confirmed as the worst one could have expected. One might wonder after he confirmed his belief that the US is a Terrorist State whether he was quoting the Iraqi Ambassador because he had already said it as best it could be said.
While it is entirely true that Obama does not control Wright, the simple fact is that he does choose his associations, and he has claimed some deep and abiding associations with this man. He has claimed association with this man that preclude his not knowing about the beliefs that Wright expressed in the Press Club question and answer session.
Now it is true too, lest you think otherwise that some of those McCain claims close association with have equally disturbing views, such as Gods who hate gays and would visit events like HIV and 911 on a nation for allowing gays to live among them. Fortunately for mcCain he is able to keep his loons quiet for the time.-
So the fact that Rev. Wright is a loud mouth "BLACK" face has nothing to do with it. I mean look Rev. Wright is about words and The Weather Underground dude was about action. Which one is worse and who is getting more play.
I know we don't want this to be about Race. I for one can't stand it, but it is very obvious that this has become a racial issue. -
@Dane: I don't think it's just been luck that McCain has been "able to keep his loons quiet for the time." The press has also shown much less interest in them. The public imagination too. -
I'd like to see a lot more coverage of Ayers. People need to know this guy is still out there and still has influence.
But I submit that the media can drop the Ayers issue and dog the Wright issue without needing race to explain it. Obama's relationship with Wright is close, public and lasting. His relationship to Ayers is really unknown. Are they "friends". Ayers certainly isn't a "mentor". He is someone with whom Obama has been associated, but he's also some one without whom people don't get elected to office in Chicago, as distasteful as that is.
I'm much more interested in Wright than Ayers as they pertain to Obama simply because of the scope of the connection. It has nothing to do with his race. -
I don't think it's luck either, Mark. But McCain has more to do with their quietness than the press does.
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Well many people that I am speaking to, mostly white and hispanic seem to think that a majority of the time Wright is speaking a truth that is unspoken in main stream America...... and NO American did not give HIV to the African American community
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None of which has anything to do with what we were discussing. I'm really not sure what my response is expected to be. I presented a valid reason for Wright being newsworthy while Ayers was not in the current context and you switched gears to say that Wright is speaking the truth except for the bit about killing Americans of African descent with HIV.
So does this mean that your real position is that Americans are so racist that when a black man speaks the truth they refuse it and when a white man speaks a falsehood they embrace it?
Are you a US citizen or resident? I only ask because I'm curious whether this bleak outlook is cast on your own country men or on the affairs of a foreign nation.
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Gmoney
Do you think that Obama is getting any votes from the Black community simply because he is black?-
Yes.......... He is and Hillary is getting votes because she is white and McCain is getting votes because he is white.
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ok then, so i guess we can agree that all sides are equally messed up.
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not to sure....... a vote for OBAMA because he is black is not a vote against a white candidate. Over time we have only had white candidates to vote for. I think that rightly so black America is happy to see a decent, intelligent person of color that tries to rise above the BS run for president.
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I don't get it,
A vote FOR Obama is not against a white candidate, but a vote FOR a while candidate is against a Black one?-
I wonder..... that is it. It is hard to put this thought into words.
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Please try
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Ok here it goes.
People will vote for Obama because he is black. People are also more likely to vote against Obama because he is black.
yes he has carried the White vote in some states, but in other states I feel as if it is not that they don't agree with his politics, it is a fear of having someone that does not "look" like them in leading them. In blue color America it appears to be a disconnect. Obama is more like a blue color worker than the Clinton's could ever be.
But because of the fear of the unknown someone would vote for a white person before they vote for a black person.
This is not a bad thing, yet something that is based on ignorance. The same way that a black person voting for Obama because he is black, or a woman voting for Clinton because she is a woman. These things happen, but they happen out of ignorance.
Agree or not, black people in this country for a long time have been looked at as second class citizens and to be HONEST we at times view ourselves as second class citizens because of legacy in America.
That is why when you see someone like Tiger Woods, the Williams Sisters of Tennis...... Now Barack Obama, black people rally around them. They are saying look America, look at what we can have have and can accomplished.
Do you know that a Minority face is like 60% more likely to wind up on a evening news cast committing a crime. When the word welfare if mentioned it is assumed that people are talking about minorities.
White people are more likely to be attacked or harmed by another white person...... white people are the majority of people that are on welfare. White people commit more crimes in America....... Hispanic Americans make up about 17% of the population, Blacks make up about 17% also.
Yet what is told by the MEDIA is that be scared of Minorities.
So when a black man is running for President, the subconscious mind thinks be aware, be scared. This is not bad it is just a reality. The same way that blue collar workers thing that Affirmative action has taken their jobs, they link affirmative action to black people.
I know you might be thinking that this is a stretch but it is a reality that I see. Just my perception. -
Wow...
Now i have to call BS. This is the worst case of misleading use of statistics i have ever seen. You are talking numbers, since whites make up 60# of the population, they will naturally do most things in larger numbers.
More whites buy milk than blacks, more whites wear glasses than blacks.
I am willing to contribute that more whites in america are currently awake than blacks....
According to the Census, blacks made up about 13% of the population.
For arguments sake, lets split the difference and call it 15.
The REAL use of this number would be to question how many occurences of any of the statistics you are talking about in PROPORTION to the number of represented.
We should all be ashamed of ourselves according to you.. Because humans commit 100% of the crimes, Represent 100% of the welfare.
No dogs are currently on welfare or commiting crimes in the US..
Snoopy for president.
If MORE whites proportionally to their percentage of the population is on welfare, wouldn't that suggest that whites are the truly disenfranchised?-
Actually, San Francisco has a Doggie court....
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So then why do people fear black people?
Minorities commit less crimes than the Majority Group.... Yes as a percentage the rate is higher...... but those crimes are committed on other blacks not whites.
so why is the Majority Group so scared?
I never said be ashamed but ask the question where does the fear come from.
It is not a reality that you are likely to have a crime committed against you by a Minority if you are part of the Majority group
so why is the Majority Group so scared?
People are not dogs, so that statement is absurd. I will leave it at that.
What does being on welfare have to do with being disenfranchised?
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I am glad to see we have some intelligent conversation on here finally. Rather than just opinions.
I want to thank everyone for participating. I am glad to see Bloggers on here finally speak without bashing. As far as opinions go it seems there are 3 sides to every story. Yours, theirs and the truth.
So what is the truth? Should we just not listen to this man? Yes this is America and that is why we all love our freedom of speech. But again I want to reflect on the "black church" topic or the argument that Reverend Wright made about the left side of the brain and the right side...If you watched his speech on the NAACP Detroit chapter. Any opinions on that would be appreciated.-
Ahhh... I saw a clip of the right brain left brain thing... I have to say this is the first time I have ever seen the concept applied as a racial divide. I kind of felt like I was watching a pre-technicolor newsreel of a train wreck as I understood the argument he was making. I think the Rev would do well to stick to theology and leave biology to the biologists.
As to the "attack on the black church". I don't find it difficult in the least to imagine that one could oppose the kinds of statements that Wright has made and still fully embrace the "black church". I'd also find it hard to believe that the "black church was any less divers in thought and belief then the, well, I guess we'd have to call it "white church". -
The left and right brain are studies that are published. There is a difference around the world between different ethnic groups. Different as he said does not mean deficient. We have a complex in America that we are better, we can kill in the name of our GOD, cause GOD blesses our country, we can invade because we are right and THEY are wrong, but at what point does America have to answer for its backroom deals, atrociousnesses and lies.
I love my country, but I also know we are dirty.
Until someone has been to a "black church" how can anyone comment on it. I have been to black churches, Hispanic churches and a bunch of white churches. All churches in some way do a good job...... but when I went to Hagee's church Cornerstone and he states that the church is 18million in debt, so give your 10th to help out I laugh......
To many people are led by a sound bite, that is a part of a reality...... the reality of a corporate controlled media that has to make money by instilling ignorance. -
Supply one legitimate source that supports this view.
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Wait. You love a country described by atrociousnesses and lies? How?
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Where did Iraq get chemical weapons?
www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0908-08.htm
America atrocities against blacks
The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment
www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762136.html
Left and Right Brain
eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfp...
To be honest I am going to have to do more research on the right and left brain thing. I am sure in a few more weeks it will be easier to find the theories that he spoke about...... all I am saying is that cultures learn different and the studies he quoted backed this up. If you don't agree that is one thing...... but there are studies. -
Any one can say "there are studies". There is a periodical still today devoted to the "fact" that the earth is flat and they do publish "studies". You will find in your research that in the first place right and left brainedness are not traits light right and left handedness. You will also find that subjective and objective thought occurs in both hemispheres, you will further find that relational and logical functions occur in both.
I further doubt that you will find any study that shows a statistically significant difference in R/L b between the races.
I'm not even going to argue with your whether or not this nation is accurately described by atrociousnesses and lies. I simply ask how you can love a country that is so described for you. -
We love parents that beat us, we love family members that are drunks and drug addicts. America has done atrociousness things and has lied to its people. From military experiments to the way we treat veterans as they come back from war. Being black, I grew up with stories that my parents and grandparents have told me. So I see America different than a lot. I don't stick my head in the sand and say if we ignore something then think it will go away......
I love and understand and forgive because I can...... because my parents taught me to love everyone no matter there race, creed or color. It is my duty to have a open mind and accept people and situations.
I can speak out against my country and LOVE it at the same time. -
There is a HUGE difference between aknowledging an atrocious act and defining something by atrociousness. AtrociousNESS is a state of BEing atroucious.
If this country were defined by atrociousness, you as a person of African descent would be a slave. The fact is that a person (and a country for that matter) can do many things at one time or another without those things defining that person (or country).
At the time that we reached the concensus that continuing slavery was inheirantly evil and destructive of the very things we held as dear, we WOULD have BEen atrocious if we had not started smugling slaves to freedom and ultimately made the issue a part of a war, that being neccessary to end the practice. We did not fail to correct it though. Thus we are not defined by the atrociousness of it. It is a part of our past, but so to is our correction of it.
Civil rights have not moved as quickly as would have been much better, but, indeed they have moved. And remember that the second president of this republic of (once sovereign) states was vehemently opposed to slavery from the first. So it becomes even less simple.
The other day my daughter told me her first lie. I think i shall choose not to define her as a liar. I will not be happy that she has learned the skill, but I will not label her by her new found ability either. There in lies the difference between reality and Reverend Wright's philosophy and you perception as I understand you to have expressed yourself.
You love family members who have done terrible things because you do not define them by those terrible things. It is tempered by all the other things you know about them. Were Charlie Manso my brother I would absolutely withdraw my love for him. Fortunately, my brother is somewhat less flawed, though he is indeed flawed (though perhaps not s much as is HIS brother).
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Right brained / Left brained...
The man is saying that learning style and capabilities are based on race. How's that for racist and divisive?-
He is saying that people from across the globe learn different. I want to figure out how Asians learn...... we would agree that they seem to be smarter right? yeah so like there are no dumb Asians. Cultures, races and ethic groups are different but that does not mean that pointing that out is wrong.
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Who ever said there were no dumb Asians?
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GMONEY
This is an excerpt from the article that you cited to support His claims.
"The findings suggested that students are unsuccessful at school not because they lack the mental ability to perform the tasks, but because they lack responsible behavior. Fine arts require higher order thinking skills, individual and group efforts, and an atmosphere of controlled freedom which teaches responsibility."
According to your source, Its not that African Americans are Right brain dominant, it is that they lack responsible behavior, and high order thinking skills, which were provided by these programs. In fact, this article claims that African Americans are largely Right-Brain deficient if anything.
You should be more careful in picking your sources.-
It was done quickly, possible mistake.... I am human but with that said...... I will not shy away from the problems and issues Black people have in their own community. Thanks for pointing out me being wrong
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It would have been just fine ... except for the ego and pride he displays when "one upping you," which I find unbecoming in a man of his stature. A little humility goes quite a ways with me. I was never one for enjoying grand standing from the pulpit. (The Reverend)
It is written that Christ was quiet, unassuming and humble. So from that, I believe that when He spoke people wanted to listen.
Peace out. -
Obama attempts to be quite yet...... well he is viewed as weak.
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Yes, he is quiet. I do not get the impression he is weak. But I do see that he will be a finer President after he gets more experience. I'll vote for Obama next go round. Cheers!
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McCain has more experience, but Hillary does not...... NcCain is a republican so no from me.
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I do not trust McCain. And I can throw pretty far.
McCain's greater experience falls under the heading of war and a push-over. -
If I listen to the Media enough I wont trust my own parents........
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I hope you would always trust your heart.
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Well Obama has been put in a damned if you do / don't position.
He can't denounce him, because hes already supported him, so that would be seen as flip flopping and turning his coat. And the opposition is just waiting for that opportunity.
He can't support it because Rev. Wright has his foot altogether too far shoved in his mouth, so supporting him would be dangerous since he seems hell-bent on getting the other one in there too.
With friends like him.. Obama doesn't need enemies.-
Now, I find that it is fine to have any friends you want to have. This is a free country. Just because someone is your friend, does not mean you agree on their beliefs. I have a brother and two sisters who upon many occasions I do not agree with, but we are relatives and friends.
Judge your candidate on his or her ability to lead and how much that candidate will, in fact stand up for you and your family, when push comes to shove ... and believe me the lobbyists push very hard in Washington, DC.
* Going to go to lunch.
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I'm not sure how many of you are regular attendees of any black church in America or how many of you have grown up in the black church or how many of you have actually attended a black church service in your lives. But nothing this man is talking about is new topic matter for blacks in this country who actually attend church. Only now, that Obama, a member of this man's church, is trying to make his way toward the White House is anyone concerned with what Jeremiah is saying in his church. Was he grandstanding? Not anymore than any other black preacher out there, or preacher, period. It's simply his style of preaching. Anyone who says anything else, I believe, is just ignorant to the style of black preachers or this man's style of communicating with his congregation. The statements many are making are truly out of ingorance, because they are simply unfamiliar to the life that breathes within the African American church and community.
I've seen this man preach on numerous occassions and he is a great preacher. He's preaching the same way now as he always has. The media just needs something to focus on, and it's sad. Because this is nothing newsworthy.
Obama just happens to attend this church and I'm sure he's gotten a lot out of it and the wisdom that Jeremiah Wright has to offer. He's an older black man in America so his perspective is different than those who are younger than him. But it doesn't mean what he says is completely unfounded. People are just uncomfortable with the subject matter. I don't always agree with everything my pastor says, but it doesn't mean I have to completely disassociate myself with the church.
But to answer the question. No. He's not grandstanding. He's just doing church like black folks have been doing it for years. No big deal. Not worth discussion.-
Except that a whole lot of Americans don't understand this context.
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Are you saying that black churches are normally divisive and racist?
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No, but I guess you are.
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No Csiunatc, I'm not saying any such thing. And I won't be provoked into making such an ingorant statement. I can not, in writing, explain to you the history and importance of the black church in the black community. But perhaps this will help you pause, before passing judgement on an institution within the African American community that is not just a building of four walls, but a refuge and meeting place and extended family in the African American community that has more meaning than you can possibly understand. With the very devisive and racist chain of events that have taken place in American history, directly affecting blacks, of course, the topic or racism comes up in the black church. And in 2008, I live and breathe being black EVERY single day and most of those days, someone subtly reminds me that I am black (even in L.A.). So if my experience is that, and mostly every other black American has a similar experience, of course racism still comes up in our churches. If the black church is an extension of our homes, where we can go to feel comforted and relaxed and at ease with others who understand what it feels like to deal with all of those SUBTLE reminders we are given on a daily basis, give us that.
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I would like to post this comment from a reader I have on another blog I run and I have asked permission to post it on here.
"I think there are many legitimate race issues that need to be addressed in this country. Having said this, I feel Reverend Wright ruined what could have been a wonderful opportunity to promote constructive dialogue by eloquently addressing not only the national press, but also his presentation at NAACP Detroit chapter and what he stated at the Washington press club concerning the matter. He instead came across as a bitter and vengeful man who was grandstanding during his fifteen minutes of fame.
Undoubtedly there has been much injustice directed towards minorities in this country that warrant outrage and demand change, but what rev. Wright did, was to further insight hate and ignorance. Not only does a scientist know, everyone should know that HIV doesn’t discriminate. I take offense to his claim as a human being that races as a whole use different sides of the brain. Just as pretty much everything it varies from individual to individual.
In conclusion as a man of the cloth God would want humility, grace, and integrity not stand up comedy on a subject of such serious matters." -
He needs to go back and read the script of The Last Supper -
Well, I just dropped a link to my thoughts on this on another thread, but I suppose they belong here too. Sorry for the duplication. Just trying to catch both threads. My post is called "Barack Obama, Jeremiah Wright, and Generational Differences", and you can read it at markstoneman.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/barack-obama-jeremiah-wright-and-gene...
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