Author: Ed Bagley
Few people who have been watching any presidential election
coverage on television in recent weeks have been able to
escape the so-called "out of context" messages Rev.
Jeremiah Wright has delivered at Trinity United Church of
Christ in Chicago.
Rev. Wright, now officially retired as pastor of the church
he built from apparently about 90 active members when he
started in 1972 to 10,000+ members today, was passionate,
righteous and full of conviction in his remarks. Many
charismatic leaders deliver strong and controversial
messages to their followers.
Rev. Wright, who earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree from
the United Theological Seminary, has been a professor at
theological seminaries, has been a member of the Board of
Trustees at educational institutions, and is recognized as
a biblical scholar in the religious community.
He apparently has spent much of his ministry staying
focused on the bible, the word of God and his son Jesus
Christ, and preaching "black liberation theology" to his
congregation, and to all who would listen and accept his
message.
Rev. Wright has sought, in his own beliefs and methods, to
minister to the needs of his congregation, exhibiting a
perfectly normal and natural sense about what a minister
should be doing. His unexpected exposure on national
television has caused umbrage with some viewers, who found
his remarks to be unpatriotic, inflammatory and offensive.
One remark, in particular, may have been a lightening rod
for the white community. Rev. Wright blamed "rich, white
people" today for controlling and apparently suppressing
the black community, and being responsible for any and all
sins against the black community since they (the members of
the rich, white community) have benefited most from the
actions of their ancestors.
This and similar remarks have been linked by many to the
"black liberation theology" Rev. Wright has studied, wrote
about and preached.
It is apparent—from the televised sound
bites—that the African American members of Trinity
United Church of Christ are very enthusiastic in accepting
Rev. Wright's message of hope for their goodwill, happiness
and prosperity in America.
I take very little comfort in the fact that although I am
white I am not rich. I am apparently guilty of heinous
crimes and injustices committed by someone I do not even
know, while there are numerous examples of extremely
successful and rich black Americans who are getting on
better in society than myself.
Oprah Winfrey, for example, makes more than 3,000 times the
annual income that millions of African Americans do and I
do. The sports and entertainment industries have thousands
of examples of successful and rich blacks that have
overcome whatever disadvantages and discrimination they
might have encountered.
Anyone who thinks that life is fair is not paying
attention. I personally have been discriminated against
many times by white members of my community. I recognize
that in Mexico there are Mexican factories with 100%
Mexican workers who are routinely discriminated against by
members of their Hispanic community.
History is full of examples of people and cultures that
have been enslaved by other people and cultures. Records
show us that slavery existed in Africa before the Europeans
arrived. Records show us that powerful African leaders sold
enslaved people for goods such as alcohol, beads and cloth.
Records show us that Britain became the world's leading
slave-trading country, that approximately 12 million
Africans were enslaved in the course of the transatlantic
slave trade, and that between 1640 and 1807, British ships
transported approximately 3.4 million Africans across the
Atlantic.
None of these records or actions excuse the reprehensible
events that occurred at this time in history. All of them
are reminders of how far we have come since then. As
with most things in life, I suspect that the media's
characterization of Rev. Wright as a minister and man of
God is hardly as unflattering as it has been portrayed. I
suspect that many white Americans who treat minorities and
their ethnic cultures with respect and dignity, and accept
them as equals in our mutual society, are hardly as
discriminatory and sinful as some would have us believe.
All of which causes me to wonder: Is "black liberation
theology" really helping African Americans? Maybe it makes
people feel good that they can blame others for their
situation in life. I do not know or practice black
liberation theology, and so I cannot speak to its
effectiveness in promoting goodwill and prosperity among
all peoples and cultures.
Are there other lessons to be learned in addition to "black
liberation theology"?
Although I am white and not rich, I am successful, and
there is one thing that I do know: when we blame others, we
give up our ability to change. I also understand that if we
lack the will for change, there is no one who can show us
the way, not even Jesus Christ.
About the Author:
Read some of my outrageous Social Commentary on other hot
topics, including:
"Facts About the Second Most Controversial Topic in America
- The First Is Abortion"
"So Why Should I Subsidize Any Banks Because of Their Greed
and Incompetence?"
"A Disturbing Trend in Our Society - The Lack of Trust in
Our Institutions"
Find my Blog at:
http://www.edbagleyblog.com
http://www.edbagleyblog.com/
