Cheryl Sanders: Race, Obama, and Wright

Thank you. It was good to hear another reputable person who has high regard for Rev. Wright; it buttresses Obama's admiration for the man. However, presentation was repititious and, of course, not nearly as eloquant as Obama! But then, who is?

I would like to thank my pastor, Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders for her insightful commentary on the controversial issues surrounding Pastor Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama's affiliation with him. I have to disagree with Mr. Bill Powers on his comment that her presentation was "repetitous." However, I would suggest that he check his spelling before posting to a blog..."repetitious" and "eloquent". This spell check is done sincerely out of Christian love for my fellow blogger(s).

I thoroughly agree with Dr. Sander's perspectives. While we might not agree with 100% of what Dr. Wright "said", or how he phrased his opinions, this mighty man of valor fearlessly spoke the truth about racism in our beloved country.

While this frantic search for something by which to bring Obama down in the eyes of the world is going on, no one is saying much about the fact that our god-son, Rev. Joe Flores, a staunch community activitist for the Black community in Virginia Beach, VA, experienced having his radio tower destroyed recently. The newspapers didn't mention his name, only the names of the present owners (Rev. Flores had a pending contract for the station). Nor was it mentioned that this was a black radio gospel station.

Oddly enough, he had just led one of the largest marches on city hall against police atrocities in Virginia Beach...the killing of young black men by the police, most of the time without provocation! Where are the "super Christians" the white evangelicals in this bastion of the powerful Rev. Pat Roberson? Why hasn't he spoken out against these murders? Why aren't the white evangelicals leading the battle or at least standing with Rev. Flores to fight social injustice? Could there be a connection to the destruction of that tower that broadcasted gospel and "good news" 24/7 in this racially divided city? Was Rev. Flores too vocal about the injustices there?

The truth is that American is a racist society, and racism will continue to raise its ugly head until people of all colors bend the knees of their hearts and pray as Manasseh prayed as recorded in The Apocrypha in The Prayer of Nanasseh 1:10-13: "I am weighed down with many an iron fetter, so that I am rejected because of my sins, and I have no relief: for I have provoked thy wrath and have done evil in thy sight, setting up abominations and multiplying offenses. 11. And, now I bend the knee of my heart, beseeching thee for thy kindness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and know my transgressions! I earnestly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me! Do not destroy me with my trangressions!"

I thoroughly agree with Dr. Sander's perspectives. While we might not agree with 100% of what Dr. Wright "said", or how he phrased his opinions, this mighty man of valor fearlessly spoke the truth about racism in our beloved country.

While this frantic search for something by which to bring Obama down in the eyes of the world is going on, no one is saying much about the fact that our god-son, Rev. Joe Flores, a staunch community activist for the Black community in Virginia Beach, VA, experienced having his radio tower destroyed recently. The newspapers didn't mention his name, only the names of the present owners (Rev. Flores had a pending contract for the station). Nor was it mentioned that this was a black radio gospel station.

Oddly enough, he had just led one of the largest marches on city hall against police atrocities in Virginia Beach...the killing of young black men by the police, most of the time without provocation! Where are the "super Christians" the white evangelicals in this bastion of the powerful Rev. Pat Roberson? Why hasn't he spoken out against these murders? Why aren't the white evangelicals leading the battle or at least standing with Rev. Flores to fight social injustice? Could there be a connection to the destruction of that tower that broadcasted gospel and "good news" 24/7 in this racially divided city? Was Rev. Flores too vocal about the injustices there?

The truth is that American is a racist society, and racism will continue to raise its ugly head until people of all colors bend the knees of their hearts and pray as Manasseh prayed as recorded in The Apocrypha in The Prayer of Manasseh 1:10-13: "I am weighed down with many an iron fetter, so that I am rejected because of my sins, and I have no relief: for I have provoked thy wrath and have done evil in thy sight, setting up abominations and multiplying offenses. 11. And, now I bend the knee of my heart, beseeching thee for thy kindness. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and know my transgressions! I earnestly beseech thee, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me! Do not destroy me with my stransgressions!"

Let us not pretend any longer! Race has been and will continue to be an issue of great concern and controversy in America. I thank God that Senator Obama was courageous enough to speak eloquently and openly about race and its implications throughout the country.

The recent comments of Dr. Sanders are most appropriate, accurate and directional. She joins the ranks of many clergy, scholars and (genuine) politicians who are willing to speak aloud the importance, worthiness, prophetic witness and unique ministry of Black Churches like Trinity United Church of Christ and its prophets such as the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah Wright and Reverend Otis Moss III.

As a result of Obama’s brilliant speech, we are all witnesses of a New Day in which race and religion must no longer be barriers that lead to division and alienation.

Reverend Mark A. Dennis, Jr. (Senior Pastor, Second Baptist Church of Evanston, IL.)

I only wish these comments were on CNN, etc.

Personally I feel Rev Wright's comments were taken out of context. Pastors often say what they hear spiritually and may not tickle the ears of the hearer. Race should be discussed--it is appropriate. Obama should not be penalized because of what Rev. Wright has said. The Black CHurch has always had a prophetic word and will continue whether Obama is voted in or not

What he said was the truth and you know how people refer to the truth.Wish they would stay focus on the issues. Very concern about the economy!

The comments of Professor Sanders were short,measured and to the point. I think that many white Americans, including many white Christians, somehow do not believe that the sentiments of Rev. Wright are as widespread among blacks as they actually are. Except for his comments on AIDs I am not certain just what it was that Wright said that was racist, hateful, etc. We know that today, anyone who calls America racist for any reason would generate condemnation from white Americans.

It is refreshing to hear someone speak the TRUTH about Rev. Wright, particularly when the media has taken, out of context, his message to African Americans. I am AME Zion and many of the oppressions faced by Senator Obama's church members are faced by our members.

This is what happens when we speak TRUTH to POWER!!!

Pastor Cheryl Sanders speaks for me in her clear response to the most recent unpleasantness with which we have been faced regarding the "race for the White House." Having followed Pastor Jeremiah Wright's ministry for some thirty years, I resonate with the profundity of his messages of hope, deliverance, truth-telling, and healing though I do shy far away from his choice of diction. Gosh geepers!!! Pastor Wright compels me as a Christian to embrace what James Cone, the celebrated African-American theologian and professor at Union Theological Seminary in New York City offered to the Princeton seminarians in about 1998..."Martin [MLK] keeps me Christian and Malcolm [X] keeps me black." Pastor Wright, Pastor Sanders and Professor Cone continue to inspire my theologically sound training, teaching and preaching for the oppressed, the underserved, the left behind and the left out of this great society. Teaching in an inner-city school in southeast Washington, DC reminds me to remain confident that Obama offers by far the most refreshing, reconciling and ethical voice that I have heard in a political candidate since Harold Washington, first black elected mayor of Chicago in the late '70's. Speak Pastor Wright, speak Senator Obama, speak Professor/Pastor Sanders, speak for me! We celebrate your voice...

Cherly Sanders, Ph.D, is my pastor at Third Street Church of God, Washington, DC. I say this in the interest of full disclosure.
I think it is great that you had Pastor Sanders give her views on Pastor Wright and Black liberation theology, of which Pastor Wright is a proponent. She is well qualified to speak on these matters. She is not hesitant in the least to speak truth to power.
Sean Hannity, the conservative talk show host, who is responsible for this brouhaha, is only interested in playing "got'cha" politics. He brings much heat but very little light on the subject.

We cannnot judge Pastor Wright by a few sound bites repeated countless times on cable TV talk shows. He has been preaching for over 30 years and has given thousands of sermons. Moreover, there is little evidence to suggest that church members are influenced by their pastors (present company excluded). If that were true, our country would not have all of these problems with poverty, homelessness, housing crisis, crime, divorce, poor schools, drug and substance abuse, job discrimination, driving/shopping while Black etc.

Rick Sanchez on his CNN talk show last night played the entire video of Pastor Wright's statements on "God damm America." In context he stated the our country committed genocide against the American Indians, enslaved African Americans, placed Japanese Americans in detention camps, infected Black men with syphillis, etc. All of the horrible things cited by Pastor Wright are true and for which God may very well damm America. It is also interesting that all of the focus has been centered on the comments made by Pastor Wright out of context. There has been very little discussion on the matters that he raised. And, today our gov't continues to engage in racist practices: For example, the sentencing disparity between crack cocaine and powder concaine, which is based on the race of the user. The disproportinate number of Black people in prison is not adventitious, it is a result of a criminal and juvenile justice system which uses race in its decisions about who is arrested and charged; who gets probation; who goes to prison and for what length of time;who gets parole; and who winds up on death row.
It is not unpatriotic to speak truth to power. Jefferson wrote that the tree of liberty must be watered with blood of patriots from time to time. And, our Declaration of Independence grants its citizens the right to abolish the government that is
oppressive and not representative.

It's really scary how many people are willing to look the other way and support Mr. Wright's racist remarks. Will somebody please explain in what possible "context" can anyone justify, "whites created aids to get rid of the black man"!

Mr Rivera
Does ANY know for a fact that AIDS was not created or experimented with for a "research" purpose using African or African American folks are reserach targets? Historically,we probably didn't think America (the white led government) would have injected Black men at Tuskegee Institute with the sphyllis virus - but guess what THEY DID. Along with other historical and current atrocities against people of color. Have yhou check the race of the most people left off of death row lately for "false charges" etc.
These are justthose SMALL chapters in history and current known fact that they (authors, media - folks with powere and money) forget to write about, speak about or teach about so we (Black folks) have to learn about it from Black clergy who are BOLD enough and BRAVE enough to speak truth to power. So for that "one" statement of "unproven" truth - what else to you contribute your doubts about??

History is something that noone can change.Beit history from a book called the "Bible" or "The History Of The United States".The sermon of the which the soundbits were harvested from are based on historical facts.Historical facts that climaxed with the parallel of that from the Bible.Soundbits can start wars.Those resposible should use the truth and the whole truth as a base and not a manufactured misrepresentaion of.