Transcript excerpt
REV. JOSEPH LOWERY: Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in joy of a new beginning, we ask You to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy, say 'Amen'. Say 'Amen.' And 'Amen.'
This is really an embarrassment.
It is undignified. It is divisive.
There is no racial transcendence here. This is accusatory.
Although Obama smiled and laughed at Lowery's words, I don't think it's funny that Lowery didn't seem to understand that Obama had just been sworn in as the president of the United States. It's pathetic.
How does he think Obama got elected? Who voted for him? Any whites?
Today was certainly not about "black being asked to get in back." Hillary Clinton can attest to that.
I wonder if Obama's white relatives and Obama himself were offended by Lowery's accusation that white doesn't embrace what is right.
Thanks to Lowery's benediction, the inaugural ceremony ended with a mean-spirited swipe.
15 comments:
Because white has not been embracing what is right, apparently. I'm offended.
I completely disagree. I found it to be beautiful, stirring, and an altogether fitting conclusion to this historic day from someone who has been there from the start. To me, the words were beautiful and soaring, anything but divisive.
Mary, I think only people like you see it as a mean-spirited swipe. As a white person, I certainly see nothing of the sort. Lowery was born 87 years ago in Alabama. Considering what he has endured and witnessed in his own life, let alone what his parents and grandparents suffered simply because of the color of their skin, I'm more than willing to have him say those words. They were part of a larger speech and were delivered lightly. Sadly there is still racism in this country. How many times did you hear during the election that "America is not yet ready for a black President"? Well, turns out we are, but not everyone though it possible. Ask your self why not? Mary. And then listen to the Reverend again, with a softer heart.
I don't expect you'll post this. It's enough for me that I know you'll be reading it.
Your offense to Rev. Lowery's benediction reminds me when the president quoted Corinthians that we need to start setting aside childish things. The reason why you didn't see any frowns during the last part of Rev. Lowery's speech was simply because the man was making a well timed and well received attempt at levity. After all, this is a very good day. Also, let's not forget Rev. Lowery was waging a freedom fight with Martin Luther King, jr. in the sixties, so the language was a bit of a reference to those times, which is an era most Americans are thinking about right now. Both because of the civil rights movement and because the Obamas recall "Camelot". A Kennedy who was gunned down like King predicted we would have a black president by now. They were right. Anyway, I hope it helps to hear another perspective on this. I thought Lowery was wonderful.
Well! Surprise, surprise! Are you having a change of heart Mary? It is a day for new beginnings alright!
For myself I am tired of the double standard among people of color. I thought the remarks of Rev. Lowery were a slam against whites. Didn't "white do what was right" by helping to elect Obama, who is 1/2 white? I am also sick of hearing about racism in this country. I know it exists, but I believe in far lesser amounts than is always being touted. I don't think that minorities want to let it go, along with the entitlement it gives them. Most blacks voted for Obama because he was black, first, rather thank the substance of his politics. How racist is that?
I was offended by the "Prayer" of the Reverend Lowery and I believe many others were as well. Sometimes you can understand "Poor Losers" but how do you understand "Poor Winners". He showed the same lack of class that the crowd did when they booed President Bush.
I pray the President is a good President and leads the country in the right way. I pray that his policies are the best for the country. This does not mean that I will agree with whatever he does. I simply means that I hope for the best for our country and that I will respect the President.
Lowery was born 87 years ago in Alabama. Considering what he has endured and witnessed in his own life, let alone what his parents and grandparents suffered simply because of the color of their skin, I'm more than willing to have him say those words. - 2:29 PM, January 20, 2009
~~~
Also, let's not forget Rev. Lowery was waging a freedom fight with Martin Luther King, jr. in the sixties, so the language was a bit of a reference to those times, which is an era most Americans are thinking about right now. - Kelly 2:39 PM, January 20, 2009
These are fallacious arguments. Especially when one invokes the the memes of "Hope" and "Change" as the mainstays of one's platform and then allows divisive words such as Lowery's.
Let me guess, these "anonymous" posters (too thick to come up with a name and stick with it?) think that electing a black man to the most powerful office of the world (undeservedly mind you, though a topic for later) does not equate to levelling the playing field? Another few generations of handouts, unconstitutional favoritism and incessant bitching is in order? Right...
I was not offended by Lowery's comments today. I am a white woman by the way. I encourage those of you who were offended to do some research on where those words actually came from so you can understand them as the "symbolism" that they were. Do you really think Lowery's intention was to stand there and make "white people" mad? Do some research - this man has survived the KKK trying to kill him and dedicated his life (and risked his life) to achieve equality for all. Do you really honestly think he would say that in a racist way?? I see it as being reflective and to me a light-hearted way for us to really reflect on what happened today. I am proud to be one of the white people who is doing right so I wasn't offended at all. For those of you who were offended, I can see how you may feel that way at first. I encourage you to educate yourself further so you can understand the symbolism behind those words. Lowery's only mistake today was in assuming that ALL white people would be up on their history enough to understand why he chose those words.
What a pathetic way to end Obama's inauguration ceremony. But since the banking system is melting down and a world depression is immediately on the horizon maybe those now in charge will get down to business and leave the politics of race-baiting behind. Or not. Probably not.
The posturing and justifications offered in defense of Lowery's prayer for "white to do right" is more of the same politically correct c**p libs have been serving up for years. No class. An indefensible racial swipe, no matter your understanding of 'history.' But I'm not at all surprised. Obama has routinely surrounded himself with a cast of characters who, themselves, are transparently guilty of the very sins they accuse others of committing; i.e. Wright, Ahers, Flager, et. al. Now Lowery. So much for putting an end to what divides us as a country. A bitter end to a solemn ceremony already marred by a tortured speech. The emperor really has no clothes. I liked him better when he was just an empty suit.
Just like Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, etc. Professional victims are unwilling to lose their victimhood. Regardless of Rev. Lowry's age and what he's done. Saying what he said was totally inappropriate. Get past it all you Revs of victimhood. A new day has dawned!!
I'm a young white voter - HIGHLY offended. Enough thought should have been placed in the preparation of a PRAYER that some unification could come from it. I don't mind that black people feel pride at the occasion - it is a huge accomplishment and I am proud of our nation for making such a step. Pride is in order, however, insults are not......totally out of place, even if he was "joking." Tsk, tsk.
Rev. Lowery was referencing a bit of African American oral tradition (as I explained on my blog). I understand how white folks didn't understand it (I didn't either at first), but it wasn't a swipe at anybody.
Two days before the Inauguration, I heard The Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery deliver the keynote speech for the Martin Luther King, Jr., Celebration at Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC. Dr. Lowery kept his (primarily white) audience laughing for more than half an hour -- as he "spoke truth to power" (and a younger generation) in the best tradition of Biblical Prophecy.
For example, Lowery asked an incoming Obama administration, "When will we stop sending smart bombs on dumb missions?" Likewise, Lowery asked young women, "Why can you not say, 'Uhn't huh' until he says, 'I do.' " In each case, Lowery used colorful comic language to speak against war and premarital sex. (The practices threaten our social, economic fabric.)
I'm a middle-age white male, but I understand what Lowery (and Obama) seem to be telling the nation. Perhaps, old-fashioned values may be what this country needs, to find our way out of the depression that we're suffering. Before the last quarter of 2008, a high percentage of adults were already taking prescription anti-depressants, even as the stock market boomed.
Likewise, a high percentage of our youth were already taking street drugs, even as the job market grew. We have lost our way, due to greed, lust, envy, etc.; now, this economy just reflects a free fall toward a depression, which our earlier psychological, spiritual and ethical symptoms have been warning. (Our nation responded to a message of hope, as the cure!)
The trite answer to this misunderstanding, surrounding Dr. Lowery's benediction, would be, "It's a Black thing; you wouldn't understand." A much deeper understanding requires hard work -- to understand the Black Church including both Lowery and Rev. Jeremiah Wright -- with real empathy. We may learn why the Black community can sing, "We shall overcome."
They know about hard times, tight budgets and making do -- with hope for a better future.
Post a Comment