Sounding Off on Trumpet Magazine
Thursday, May 15, 2008
By Pastor Ted Weis, Congregational Church, Little River, KSIt may not be the way the United Church of Christ wants a sacred conversation on race, but Stanley Kurtz rummaged through several issues of Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Trumpet magazine to better comprehend Wright's world view:
I obtained the 2006 run of Trumpet, from the first nationally distributed issue in March to the November/December double issue. To read it is to come away impressed by Wright's thoroughgoing political radicalism. There are plenty of arresting sound bites, of course, but the larger context is more illuminating-- and more disturbing-- than any single shock-quotation. Trumpet provides a rounded picture of Wright's views, and what it shows unmistakably is that the now-infamous YouTube snippets from Wright's sermons are authentic reflections of his core political and theological beliefs. It leaves no doubt that his religion is political, his attitude toward America is bitterly hostile, and he has fundamental problems with capitalism, white people, and "assimilationist" blacks. Even some of Wright's famed "good works," and his moving "Audacity to Hope" sermon, are placed in a disturbing new light by a reading of Trumpet.After you finish reading Kurtz's article, you get the sense that for Rev. Wright, everything is black and white-- an "us" verses "them" race mentality where liberation for blacks is available only through religiously baptized left-wing politics.
Kurtz goes on to ask:
Is Wright an anti-white racist? He would certainly deny it... Wright, however, rejects the notion that "black racism" is even possible. That is why he prefers the term "white supremacy" to "racism." "Racism," says Wright, is a "slippery" and "nebulous" term, precisely because it seems potentially applicable to blacks and whites alike. The term "white supremacy" solves this problem, and Wright deploys it at every opportunity.While Kurtz doesn't buy Barack Obama's plea of ignorance about Rev. Wright's extreme political views, Kurtz's review confirms what Obama said about his now famous pastor in his Pennsylvania race speech:
The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s [is]... that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country... is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past.Since Wright is the only reason the UCC is calling for a "sacred conversation" this Sunday, it's appropriate we ask questions not just of ourselves, but also about him:
Does Wright yearn for true reconciliation between the races? Or, the defeat of one race and triumph of another? What, if any, progress does he see in America's race relations?
That's what I'll be asking Sunday.
6 Comments:
commented by 
Unknown, 8:15 PM
Unknown, 8:15 PM
David Duke says that he is not a racist. He is just proud of his race...
From David Duke's website:
“Do I think of myself as a racist? Absolutely not. It is because the connotation of the word means racial hatred or endorsing racial supremacy, neither of which is my view.
I am however a racial realist. I understand that there are intrinsic differences between peoples and that those differences have profound effects on society. I also believe all people have a basic human right to preserve their own heritage.
I also want to preserve my own people, but that does not make me a supremacist or a “hater” or a racist, otherwise you can accuse every leader of movements for particular ethnic groups of “racism”. But, of course, the media does not do that.”
Rev. Wright said that, “The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, Black Power and Black Theology.” Cone sounds like an uneducated racist compared to David Duke…
“Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy.”
David Duke goes to Muslim countries to promote his anti-Semitic dogma. The founder of the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell, went to a Nation of Islam rally dressed in a Nazi uniform to promote anti-Semitism. Racists are not afraid to work with other races to advance their agenda. Whether that agenda is anti-Semitism or militant Socialism there is always common ground for those who are ruled by hatred.
When I lived in a predominately black neighborhood in my younger years, I was victimized by black racists simply because of my skin color. In the spirit of true reconciliation I forgave the ignorance of those who hated me, even though I had been physically attacked by a racist and faced regular acts of racism. I never had the opportunities that Rev. Wright had, but my heart is not bitter like his.
From David Duke's website:
“Do I think of myself as a racist? Absolutely not. It is because the connotation of the word means racial hatred or endorsing racial supremacy, neither of which is my view.
I am however a racial realist. I understand that there are intrinsic differences between peoples and that those differences have profound effects on society. I also believe all people have a basic human right to preserve their own heritage.
I also want to preserve my own people, but that does not make me a supremacist or a “hater” or a racist, otherwise you can accuse every leader of movements for particular ethnic groups of “racism”. But, of course, the media does not do that.”
Rev. Wright said that, “The vision statement of Trinity United Church of Christ is based upon the systematized liberation theology that started in 1969 with the publication of Dr. James Cone’s book, Black Power and Black Theology.” Cone sounds like an uneducated racist compared to David Duke…
“Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy.”
David Duke goes to Muslim countries to promote his anti-Semitic dogma. The founder of the American Nazi Party, George Lincoln Rockwell, went to a Nation of Islam rally dressed in a Nazi uniform to promote anti-Semitism. Racists are not afraid to work with other races to advance their agenda. Whether that agenda is anti-Semitism or militant Socialism there is always common ground for those who are ruled by hatred.
When I lived in a predominately black neighborhood in my younger years, I was victimized by black racists simply because of my skin color. In the spirit of true reconciliation I forgave the ignorance of those who hated me, even though I had been physically attacked by a racist and faced regular acts of racism. I never had the opportunities that Rev. Wright had, but my heart is not bitter like his.
I don't see rage I see analysis. Farrakhan is featured in ebony and in jet.... Even PA govenour ed rendell (a hillary supporter) spoke from the same pulpit as farrakhan PRAISING him and even Joe Lieberman.. this footage is on YOUTUBE.....
Now I think that in the current climate, that picture could have easily been replace with Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson and the same things would have been said.
The fact is, white supremacy is very much an issue for blacks and whites.. and so is the idea of black inferiority. The masses really don't care though. If they did, they wouldn't be as easily manipulated by pictures.
Find a quote of him arguing against integration, or mixed marriages, or find an incident where there haven't been whites at the church welcomed with open arms... find and incident of him saying you can't trust white people. Then you might convince me that he see's things solely in black and white
Now I think that in the current climate, that picture could have easily been replace with Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson and the same things would have been said.
The fact is, white supremacy is very much an issue for blacks and whites.. and so is the idea of black inferiority. The masses really don't care though. If they did, they wouldn't be as easily manipulated by pictures.
Find a quote of him arguing against integration, or mixed marriages, or find an incident where there haven't been whites at the church welcomed with open arms... find and incident of him saying you can't trust white people. Then you might convince me that he see's things solely in black and white
Deb:
The only reason for the Sacred Farce... er... Conversation on Race is ONLY because of Jeremiah Wright. The joke is on you and any other minister that preaches on race because of Wright instead of an honest dialog on race for the right reasons.
The only reason for the Sacred Farce... er... Conversation on Race is ONLY because of Jeremiah Wright. The joke is on you and any other minister that preaches on race because of Wright instead of an honest dialog on race for the right reasons.
FreedomNow... in 1969 when James Cones book was written the majority of whites were very much 'the enemy'. Have you forgotten the history.. the near riots when segregation was struck down and integration became the goal...
And david duke has called for legalized racial segregation..
And david duke has called for legalized racial segregation..
Truth to Power,
Are you trying to imply that Farrakhan is a mainstream figure and is not a bigot?
You say that, “white supremacy is very much an issue for blacks and whites… and so is the idea of black inferiority.”
Is that what Rev. Wright was addressing when he said;
“The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied.”
- ??? -
Rev. White is not contributing to racial reconciliation. He is hurling false accusations to inflame racial tension.
I have never said Rev. Wright sees things only in black and white. Instead he is ruled by hatred, but it doesn’t mean that he isn’t pragmatic.
Even Obama agrees that Rev. Wright has a problem. He said…
“I have said before and I will repeat again that some of the comments that Reverend Wright has made offend me and I understand why they’ve offended the American people.”
Obama also said that if Rev. Wright didn’t retire then he would have left his church.
When I see people defend hate-mongers like Farrakhan and Wright I see the same tactics used by David Duke and his supporters.
Its time to bury the hatred on both sides of the race war…
Are you trying to imply that Farrakhan is a mainstream figure and is not a bigot?
You say that, “white supremacy is very much an issue for blacks and whites… and so is the idea of black inferiority.”
Is that what Rev. Wright was addressing when he said;
“The government lied about inventing the HIV virus as a means of genocide against people of color. The government lied.”
- ??? -
Rev. White is not contributing to racial reconciliation. He is hurling false accusations to inflame racial tension.
I have never said Rev. Wright sees things only in black and white. Instead he is ruled by hatred, but it doesn’t mean that he isn’t pragmatic.
Even Obama agrees that Rev. Wright has a problem. He said…
“I have said before and I will repeat again that some of the comments that Reverend Wright has made offend me and I understand why they’ve offended the American people.”
Obama also said that if Rev. Wright didn’t retire then he would have left his church.
When I see people defend hate-mongers like Farrakhan and Wright I see the same tactics used by David Duke and his supporters.
Its time to bury the hatred on both sides of the race war…
And if what you'll be asking is whether Wright desires true reconcilliation or domination, then you've missed the point. Rev. Wright is not the problem here- if anything he is a symptom of the problem. Perhaps it would be better to ask what leads to someone who has obviosly worked long and fruitfully with many of multiple races to better their lives to have such rage and to make such remarks...and then ask if we are complicit in it at all? After all, I believe Jesus said to take the plank out of our own eye before taking the speck out of anothers.