As a freelance missionary, a social critic, and (I should add) a self-professed moral failure; I watched Obama's speech this morning with great interest. I couldn't help but thinking to myself that I was witnessing a profound moment in history, something that would have been unthinkable 40, 30, or even 20 years ago. I've never publicly endorsed a political candidate and I don't plan on doing so here (to be quite frank, I have some serious disagreements with the Senator on a variety of issues), but what I heard in the Senator's speech this morning was a man who is both Caucasian and African-American (howbeit African-American in a non-traditional sense) pleading with members of both races to look past their prejudices, abandon the politics of discontentment, and unite under a common vision for the good of all.
As a white American evangelical, I've clearly grown up on one side of the discontentment divide. My politically conservative Christian background has taught met to emphasize personal responsibility in the political sphere, but eschew racism in the private sphere. The way this usually translates on the white side of the discontentment divide goes something like this: "I'm sick and tired of black people (and other minorities) getting special treatment just because of what my ancestors did. If there are racial inequalities in our country between black people and white people, then it's their own damn fault and-for the love of God-I'm sick and tired of being called a racist!"
Given my racial and socio-economic status, I can understand this sentiment very well and, ironically, Obama seems to understand it too, which is why he didn't condemn this type of thinking outright in his speech. Rather than pointing his finger at white discontentment as an example of systemic racism, Obama put the blame on special interest groups and corporate greed. While one can easily disagree with this analysis, depending on whatever side of the political divide you find yourself on, it's not so easy to dismiss the fact that, for the first time that I can think of, a formidable black candidate for the President of the United States has officially given voice to white discontentment-without using the wrath provoking word "racist."
To further drive home the point, Obama spoke of his white grandmother who loved him, cared for him, played a significant role in raising him, and occasionally gave voice to racially insensitive stereotypes. Obama's point, which was in no uncertain terms relevant to the current Jeremiah Wright debacle, is simply this: people are more complex than than the sum of their racial discontentment.
The hallmark of the speech for me was when Obama addressed the history behind the current economic and achievement divide between black people and white people in the U.S.A. I've known for a while that the violence in the ghettos, the breakdown of the black family, and whatever other deficiencies currently present in black culture aren't simply a matter of black inferiority verses white superiority, but there are historical factors that have produced the situation today. The problem has been that I've never been able to explain these historical factors to the average discontented white male (including myself). This is where the speech struck the deepest note in me:
"Understanding this reality requires a reminder of how we arrived at this point. As William Faulkner once wrote, 'the past isn't dead and buried. In fact, it isn't even past.' We do not need to recite here the history of racial injustices in this country, but we do need to remind ourelves that so many of the disparities that exist between the African American community and the larger American community today can be traced directly to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow.
Segregated schools were and are inferior schools. We still haven't fixed them 50 years after Brown Vs Board of Education and the inferior education they provided, then and now, helps explain the pervasive achievement gap between today's black and white students. Legalized discrimination, where blacks were prevented often through violence from owning property, where loans were not granted to African American business owners, where black home owners could not access FHA mortgages, where blacks were excluded from unions, or the police force, or the fire department, meant that black families could not amass any meaningful wealth to bequeath to future generations. That history helps to explain the wealth and income gap between blacks and whites and the concentrated pockets of poverty that persists in so many of today's urban and rural communities.
A lack of economic opportunity among black men and the shame and frustration that came from not being able to provide for one's family contributed to the erosion of black families, a problem that welfare policies for many years may have worsened. And the lack of basic service in so many urban black neighborhoods, parks for kids to play in, police walking the beat, regular garbage pick up, building code enforcement, all helped create a cycle of violence, blight, and neglect that continues to haunt us."
In sum, I didn't agree with everything that Obama had to say in his speech (especially when it came to his one- sided statement putting the blame solely on radical Islam and none on Israel for the current problems in the Middle East), but, on the whole, I think it was an important speech that everyone in our nation needs to hear. Rather than just playing to one side of the racial divide, Obama challenged white people to understand the roots of black anger and black people to get past their anger and take personal responsibility for their lives. Perhaps there really is something to this "removing the plank from your own eye" business a humble carpenter from Nazareth stated so beautifully 2,000 years ago.
--------
Aaron Taylor is the founder of Great Commission Society, a missionary organization dedicated to serving indigenous ministries working in the least evangelized areas of the world. Aaron Taylor
Aaron D. Taylor is an author, a speaker, and the founder of Great Commission Society, an organization dedicated to sharing the love of Christ and serving Christians living in countries hostile to the gospel. Aaron is the author of "Alone with a Jihadist" a book scheduled to be released in January 2009.
To contact Aaron, go to http://www.greatcommissionsociety.com
Aaron blogs at http://www.aarondtaylor.blogspot.com
» left by James P Krehbiel(1,141) James P Krehbiel (1 year 237 days ago.)
Aaron,
Excellent article. You captured the essence of Obama's speech. I think it was courageous to tackle the subject of racial divide although he had no choice. The question is, how many American really listened carefully and understood what he was trying to say? The other issue is whether from a political perspective it will make any difference for him. I felt he may have gone too far in tying historical context to the remarks of Reverand White, but maybe it was helpful to many to see the connection. Thanks again for an open-minded look at this historic speech. Be well. Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 237 days ago.)
Thank you James. I actually think the historical context was the best part of the speech. If the speech represents his true feelings, I think that's great, but if he really is sympathetic to people like Louis Farrakhan, as a few right-wing talk show hosts say, I have to admit that does raise some concerns. Either way, I think Obama should be judged on his merits, not on his blackness or whiteness. Respond to this comment
» left by susan thom from nj (1 year 236 days ago.)
hi Aaron,
you write beautifully. very succinct and to the point. very wise, and intelligent.
very well written article with the purest of innocence (in a good way) only youth can possess. thanks for sharing, please keep writing,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Aaron from Missouri (1 year 236 days ago.)
Thank you Sue. I think I'll keep it up. Respond to this comment
» left by Timmy from Miltoy (1 year 236 days ago.)
I read your article and although the article was well written I could not disagree more with Obama. Take all of the fluff out of his article and what do you have?
You have a man who would not denounce the pastor who said the things that were racist. Obama said he never heard the pastor say those things and for that reason he could not condemn him. What happened to Don Imus then? Obama NEVER heard Don Imus say those racist things but he was right there on the scene denouncing Imus!
Obama is nothing more than another politician who wants power for the sake of power. He has no desire to unite anyone. I really can not stand Mcain either but he did not accept being freed from the POW camp unless his men were freed also. Now that is character.
For me to endorse Obama I would have to hear him say outright that he denounces Wright and cut off his relationship. After all he expected nothing less from Don Imas!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why can't we expect from Obama what Obama expected from Don Imus??????
» left by Sukuku (1 year 236 days ago.)
I agree with all the comments above. This is indeed a great article. I am not American but what bothers me with comments like Timmy and all the people calling for Obama to disown his spiritual advisor is the hypocrisy of the argument. Obama has said Rev. Wright is like a father to him and even more because this is the man who led him to his Christian faith.
Disowning Rev. Wright would be in my opinion disowning not just his “father” but disowning the significance of what Rev, Wright did -- lead him to Christ. If Obama has done this for political points and to please the people calling for him to disown the rev, he would have stooped to the level of his critics and become not just less than A MAN but less than a noble human being. You just DON’T disown your “father” even if he is a murder.
Obama by his actions proved that he indeed is a different kind of MAN. One who will not throw his own under the bus for political gain. If he loses the white vote because of it -- so be it. What does it profit him to gain the whole world (which to Americans is America) and lose his very soul???
I also believe that if Obama had disowned the Rev., those same people who have been calling him a secret Muslim would turn around and say “You see, we told you, he is a Muslim, he had no problems disowning his Church because his church means nothing to him”.
It’s so sad that some TV anchors and radio talk hosts who would otherwise be unknowns outside of America are taking advantage of Obama’s charisma and world popularity to get some sort of recognition of their own while at the same time trying to bring him down. The lows some people can stoop have no depth!
And to even think that the majority of these people call themselves Christians makes some of us wonder why we ever became Christians. If this is what Christians in America do to each other, and if this is the Western Democracy America is selling, the rest of us don’t need it.
For the first time ever in history the world's eyes are turned on American politics. THANKS TO BARACK OBAMA we get to see America up close and personal. So next time a missionary comes to my village and says "we're all children of God" we'll remember how Obama was treated. Next time an American diplomat says "you need fairness and transperancy in how you elect your governments', we'll remember how Obama was treated. And the next time a volunteer comes to my village and says "we need to work together as one people to get things done", again, we'll remember how Obama was treated.
» left by Anonymous (1 year 235 days ago.)
Hi Aaron, what a well written article, good job on highlighting issues. I never share my political views or ideas. But your article compells me to share one thought: I cannot be accountable for everything my pastor says, in fact there are some things that I disagree with. But on the other hand, I have grown closer to the Lord by His teaching. I have been sincerely prayed for and over by him for serious issues. As an un-known , out of the public eye, no one questions my reasoning. Why should Obama be held accountable for what another man says? I don't get it. In my humble opinion, if this is what many americans want him held accountable for what another says, then they better be ready to do the same with those in their circle. but as I said, this is just my opinion. God Bless you. Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Roger W. from Tenn. (1 year 234 days ago.)
What planet is everyone from???? The man is running for President of the United Stated of America! We have the RIGHT to know everything that there is to know about him. Period! I do not want any person in office that attends an organization that spews racist words. Period!
If Mcain attended a church that had a prominent KKK leader he would be done in the election.
As far as the Lord is concerned tell him to go help the people in Tibet, they need it more. What dibble the above comments are, other than Tim's!!!!! Respond to this comment
Excellent and well written. Although I can not, in good conscience, agree with some of the other comments, racism in America is a fact. We may not want to admit it, but it is a very real fact of life.
Unfortunately we have yet to put it behind us, perhaps Obama will give us the start we need. When we can see the person and not the race, then we really will have started down that pathway. But, there will always be some form of racism and/or slavery, all we have to do is to look at History. Rome was built by slaves, Egypt enslave the Hebrews, etc.
This is our chance to take a giant leap ahead, show the world we really are trying to end racism. Right now, we are the leading country. What we do, good or bad is seen by all. So even though we may not agree with what he said in his speech, the light to really end racism has begun. I only hope that as a nation, we can follow. Respond to this comment
» left by Roger Baldwin from St Louis, MO (1 year 231 days ago.)
Throw some cold water on these people! What the hell is wrong with you?
I hope that all the Barrack supporters are now seeking out Reverend Wright to have him indoctrinate their six year olds in the way of the "new world"
Remember have your six year olds chant with him "Goddamn America!!!!"
That will insure that they can relate to Barrack and all their new homeys! Respond to this comment
Was this article helpful to you? Leave a Public Comment or Question:
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
tweet this!
