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Mimi Speaks Truth on Rev. Wright & His Ilk

By SusanUnPC on May 6, 2008 at 9:07 AM in Barack Obama, Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

Preface: Mimi is a frequent AA commenter who is modest about her insightful, compelling writing. (She refers to a heartbreaking op-ed linked in my Rev. Wright “blowback” story: “Jeremiah Wright’s Wider Toll” in the WaPo by Gary MacDougal, chair of the Illinois governor’s Task Force on Human Services Reform. It spells out why Rev. Wright and his ilk do far more harm than good. WHICH BEGS the question: Why did Barack and Michelle Obama “cling” to Rev. Wright for so many years?)

Susan, you are absolutely right about the article link you posted. This is no way to help people lift themselves up. You can’t transform your life for the better if you focus on what’s wrong.

Organized religion is a business. That’s why I gave up on it. After the Black Nationalism of the 60s swept through the AA community, a lot of churches lost their memberships. then during the Reagan Years and also the whole ‘born again’ movement and the emergence of high profile white Christian ministers espousing political points of view from the pulpit with regard to abortion and ‘family values,’ younger black ministers started following suit, preaching black nationalist theology.

They are doing what’s necessary to fill the pews …

… thereby filling their coffers and retire to mansions behind a gated white community [AS IS REV. WRIGHT].

They are nothing but a bunch of self-righteous hypocrites exploiting the spiritually needy.

And it’s true, that the abandonment of poor urban areas by upwardly mobile blacks to the suburbs deprived the black underclass of sufficient role models and evidence of acquiring the American Dream. What’s sad is that in a society where people’s egos need to be massaged, no one speaks the hard truths. And this is true all across the board in all American communities. No one wants to be accountable for their own personal actions anymore. It’s always someone else’s fault. And sure government has failed us, but we are also failing ourselves.

Barack Obama has picked at a festering sore all the while campaigning as ‘the transcendant candidate.’ His own city of Chicago has been a blood bath of black on black murder in the last couple of weeks and he says nothing. Yet some Obamaton on this board had the audacity to lecture me about poverty and ghettos existing even in the Clinton era.

He offers no solutions but yet the veiled threat of violence and riots wafts in the air to intimidate the larger white society into voting for him and the SDs into giving him the nomination. I’m more convince now that Obama is the last person who could solve any of the problems that the AA community is facing. He’ll only make it worse, just as he’s doing now.

  • workingclass artist

    This is a good post…..Wright would have us believe that his is a MAINSTREAM
    African American Church….IT IS NOT….
    According to an interview of noted theological scholar and AA church historian Bishop Jackson there are roughly 25 % of AA churches who hold similar political views…..
    Wrights church is NON DENOMINATIONAL….This is important because of the Doctrine he espouses which is not SANCTIONED withi any Christian Denomination….IT IS A CHRISTIAN HERESY…..IT IS A FASCIST POLITICAL THEOLOGY…..MARXISM WRAPPED UP IN THE MILITANT BABY JESUS….
    WRIGHT IS OBAMAS’ AYATOLLAH…..

    • workingclass artist

      The interview I mentioned was on NPR : All Things Considered….Last week.

  • http://hyper-educated-uppity-woman.blogspot.com Uppity

    Mimi! That was so informative. I have copped more than one of your outstanding quotes myself! You really should be writing for NQ. If you want, I would be more than HAPPY to help you in ANY way you would like. Get going girl! You have so much to say — and so much to share. We need you!

    • mimi

      Thanks Susan for considering my words relevant.

      And Uppity, I have been pondering writing here. I mentioned to Larry and Susan that I had some personal commitments right now, but hopefully they will be resolved soon. I will take you all up on this and will be in touch. Thanks for the offer.

      Today is crazy personally and the 2 primaries have made me even more anxious. Looking forward to great things from the people of NC and IN.

      • Patrick Henry

        Mimi..

        I have also deeply appreciated your thoughful, articulate..and often beautifully expressed thoughts here…You are a Classy Lady, with
        really good Insight..

        Thanks for your ontributions..

    • Nellie

      Well said Uppity. Yes Mimi – I too use and enjoy your comments and insights immensely. In your case – more is better!

  • Talktruth

    Didn’t you guys get the memo? We’re not supposed to talk about Wright anymore! While I paint the house, I listen to the radio, and yesterday, on the Diane Rehm Show, Diane said everyone should just stop talking about him.

    Why do even the smartest people not get the connection between 20-year “spiritual mentor” and character?

    The black candidate that they think is there is an illusion, and some illusions are hard to give up.

    Hillary is the real thing.

    • workingclass artist

      I have stopped listening to Diane as I used to every day…..I just listen on Fridays now…..I prefer Terry Gross…..Been a big fan since I lived in Philadelphia….I think she is the best interviewer aside from Jim Leherer…

      • Talktruth

        I’m kind of a captive audience, since I’m outside painting, and there’s nothing else to listen to.

        One time, when she was interviewing Doug Feith, and just letting every lie (which was practically every word) go by without a challenge, I had to stop painting and email her: “This man is a disgusting liar! You need to call him on…” and then give detail on at least one monstrous whopper that had just passed. It was, “Once we knew that Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, we stopped saying he did.” Then I had to run out and paint, or the brush would dry up :-J.

        • workingclass artist

          Al Gore is on NPR : Fresh Air discussing his book The Assault On Reason…..Excellent program…..

    • rwc

      The problem is that the liberal elite is morally and intellectually bankrupt. Because of this they no longer can see a wolf in sheep’s clothing or distinguish between good and bad.

      This makes them easy prey for a glib and vacuous talker like Barry that they can project their fantasies onto.

  • requiemforadancer

    And sure government has failed us, but we are also failing ourselves.

    We the people ARE the government, this point is correct.

    If government has failed us, it’s because we have failed.

    So, how do we make it better?

    The white christian preachers, and the AA nationalists can’t do the job, and why would anyone want to be like them, anyway?

    • workingclass artist

      Nemo Liber Est Qui Theologica Servit…..
      ( No One Is Free Who Is A Slave To His Theology )
      This is why we have Separation between Church and State…..

      • Talktruth

        Love that, WCA. BTW, did you see that FL is considering a Christian license plate? I think, oftentimes, the more one has to trumpet something, the more insecure one is about it.

        • workingclass artist

          Thanks Truth….As a student of history in particular the Bloody History of my own church and it’s Dominance in Europe it is clear How Important this Separation is. The Roman Catholic Church has denounced Liberation Theology because it recognizes the delicate balance between the Political and the Theological….Currently the Pope wishes France were not quite so Anti-Religious….But it is a criticism
          urging for cooperation between the two philosophies and not a return to dominance of Religion over the secular….
          Like everyone else…..Even the Pope can offer an opinion…..
          And that is all it is……an opinion…..chuckle…..
          ** I find it ridiculous the claims of evangelicals that this is a ” Christian Nation “….Many of the founding fathers ( Jefferson ) were deists which means they were sceptical of christian doctrine….Why Jefferson put this in…..To avoid a tyranny of THEOCRATS…..

        • requiemforadancer

          Love that, WCA. BTW, did you see that FL is considering a Christian license plate?

          And honestly, how does that help the country, AstroTurf faith based on cowardice?

          It doesn’t.

          This is the same reason patriotism is rejected, because of the goofs and boofs appropriating it.

          Tater, in his essay the other day, pointed to the three men who courageously, at GUN POINT, stopped the Mi Lai massacre.

          Those are American men, btw, and they’re still here.

          THAT is patriotism, and Americans will respond to it — the men have courage, and were willing to DIE for the right thing, American soldiers willing to DIE for the HUMAN RIGHTS OF OTHERS.

          In a nutshell, it’s the difference between the Bush Cheney Ayers Obama crowd, and the real heroes.

          And it’s the difference between the winners and the losers.

          The losers are afraid of death, notice they’re always sending others to do the dirty work, lest they be “harmed?”

          Whether it’s Cheney, and the military, or some Hezbollah cretin, sending out a “soldier” on a suicide mission.

          As a kid, my sister told me about a theology teacher she had in high school, religion, at that time, was uncool, not hip.

          And the teacher said “I want you to learn to defend Catholicism, for the right reasons, the good things about your faith.”

          In the 70′s and 80′s, at least where I grew up, in Chicago, Catholicism was about public service, selfless public service, striving to be a better human, without pretense, or acclaim.

          But I’d never impose my faith on another, I would never wear it on my sleeve. That was his point, too, the teachers, respect the rights and religions of others.

          • requiemforadancer

            Taters, I’m sorry, I’m thikning lunch, already…

            Baked potato…

            • workingclass artist

              Agree….Most of my references have to do with clarification….
              I had good Jesuit Professors in College who encouraged me to study All Theologies as a discipline…..
              I Believe Strongly that THEOCRACY IS THE ENEMY OF DEMOCRACY……
              I also recognize that actions speak louder than words…..
              ** Faith without works is dead **

              • requiemforadancer

                Theocracy is simply another form of totalitarianism, of fascism, of government, it has nothing to do with faith.

                For instance, I would say the mullahs of Iran are far less interested in an actual theocracy, than they are in control, they are motivated the same way Cheney is.

                Meaning Cheney and Iran have almost everything in common, they’re the same in terms of behavioral disorders, distorted thinking, fuzzy logic, their thoughts distorted by their overwhelming fears.

                Cheney wears oil, though, a neocon costume to hide his (fears), and the mullahs wear religion.

                • Talktruth

                  Fake faith. Fake patriotism. Same beast, different face.

                  • workingclass artist

                    I agree with you Truth….Orwell rolls in his grave….

                    VOX POPULI VOX DEI
                    ( The Voice Of The People Is The Voice Of God )
                    Democracy in Principle trumps Theocracy…..No ?

  • Nag

    “Organized religion is a business. That’s why I gave up on it.”

    Oh so true, give give give to the treasury of God. My experience is with Catholic hypocrisy, and it permanently turned me off to all organized religion. I find that hypocrisy knows all denominations.

    Wright strikes me as a spiritual bully. Instead of lifting people up with real hope, he turns them into victims, hopelessly downtrodden. Only by listening to his rants and giving generously can you find happiness? I just don’t get the draw of Liberation Theology.

    Mimi, your remarks are really spot on, as usual. I always enjoy reading your comments and am glad that you and Susan have put this together. Keep it up!

    • workingclass artist

      Marxism is always a draw for the oppressed….Liberation Theology replaces
      Marxisms atheism with A MILITANT JESUS…..

  • mostest

    Mimi you have it exactly right. If you read Michelle’s thesis and understand Obama’s hatred for “typical (not radical white people who believe what wright believes about the oppressive white people who rule everything and everybody) white people, you will understand why Obama should not be our nominee or our president!
    Obama has been “picking” at that sore for quite awhile.

  • militarytracy

    Only by caring about each other will be come to care about each other. It can not be a one way street where anyone cares more for these or those than they do them. Living on victimization is no living at all. That is why the Reverend Wright’s of this world are divisive and breed fighting instead of peace and decency for all mankind. The only way we will come to care for each other is to care for each other today. When I was a child and MLK was being remembered and his speeches being shown, this white childs yet uncorrupted heart and soul heard MLK’s bottom line and that was we must care for each other and do it NOW……all of us, and she knew from the depth of her being like all children do that he was 100% correct.

  • Untilthelastdogdies

    Mimi,

    I’m a big fan of your postings on this board and these latest comments are yet another example why!

    We are in total agreement regarding “the organized religion as big business theory”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking anyone who regularly attends church/synagogue/mosque/wicca or whatever, this is America and we all worship as we see fit, including Senator Obama and his family.

    Churches are somewhat like Unions, many are more concerned with lining their coffers with incoming funds than with the principles of Unionism/Spiritualism. The original message has been lost in the effort to become the biggest and/ or the most influential. It is always the rank-and-file members that suffer when the beast gets too big!

    As for your statements regarding Black on Black crime, I have observed the several visits that Senator Obama has made to the Bay Area and I have been waiting to hear him take on this sometimes controversial subject… to no avail.
    (Unless he has done so in private, perhaps during his visit to the Getty mansion?).

    As a long-time Chicago resident and AA politician, the senator should certainly be qualified to speak to this issue, whether he sees it in his own city, or in places such as Oakland and Richmond. It certainly is not for people such as myself to address it, I’m a white person. However, that doesn’t mean that I’m not interested on what he might have to say on the subject. In fact, I would consider it a mark of his character if he were to tackle this issue head-on in a major policy speech. I was waiting for him to use the Philadelphia speech as an opportunity to do so, but it did not happen.

    I look forward to more of your posts. As my Arkansas Daddy used to say:

    God ‘willin and the crick don’t rise.

  • Patrick Henry

    My Compliments to Everyone..You had a good Thread going here..intweresting Discussion..

  • blobert

    Wright never actually pissed me off until he did that mime of Kennedy.
    Why Kennedy? Why a president who was huge civil rights advocate and who was assassinated?
    I wonder if Teddy has thought twice about what he brought about.

    • workingclass artist

      Kennedy belongs to the WHORE OF BABYLON CULT…..Didn’t you know ?

    • requiemforadancer

      Clinton, you mean?

      BTW, from what I read, Kennedy wasn’t a huge civil rights advocate, but he was open to it, when he was assassinated.

      Kennedy was empathetic, a learner, unlike this current crop of opportunistic moron we have.

      Johnson was a civil rights advocate, for the right reasons, as was Clinton.

      Without fail, it’s the men, and women who are willing to fight the good moral fight, who are willing to DIE for the human rights of others, who win.

      Look at WW2.

      Why did this country succeed the way it did?

      The losers abuse, without fail, and are too stunted intellectually and psychologically to understand why…

      Hence, the perpetual cycle of failure, until their system collapses.

      • workingclass artist

        Clinton is a Methodist….Pragmatic….
        Kennedy ( all of them ) are Roman Catholics….
        THE CULT OF THE WHORE OF BABYLON = Evangelical code for the Roman Catholic Church…..
        JFK and MLK are of Iconic status to both AA’s and Catholics ( of which there is a significant population in the RCC….Newly ordained African Cardinals….)
        It was a dig at both Kennedy’s influence on OBAMA and an attempt to knock the ICONIC STATUS OF JFK for AA’s in general and AA Catholics in particular….IMHO….

        • requiemforadancer

          How?

          Obama has appropriated JFK’s image, not his example.

          And it was never my impression Obama was influenced by anyone more insipid and weak than Dick Cheney, since they both exhibit the same pretentious mediocrity, and corruption, the same lack of insight, lack of intellectual insight.

          Both are dumber than a brick.

          BTW, given it is those who fight for human rights, DIE for human rights, given they are the ones who succeed, I mean, all I see out of Cheney is FAILURE, why would it be wrong to emulate Kennedy, and King?

          I mean, shouldn’t we model ourselves after winners, or is that a Republican thing, borne out of cowardice, and stupidity, to idolize big losers?

          But then it explains a lot, I suppose.

  • requiemforadancer

    We are in total agreement regarding “the organized religion as big business theory”.

    And, for me, anyway, reflecting further, this whole group, whether it be the mullahs, say, or Cheney, like children, they always have this expectation that someone else will rescue them if things go awry, they can screw up all they want, because Mom and Dad will take care of it, just like they did for both Bush and Ayers.

    Both had fathers that ALWAYS bailed them out, no matter what. SO then they go into politics, fuck with the candy store, no moral hazard, because there in no expectation of consequence, they never grew up taking responsibility, their fathers always rescued them, bailing them out. Neil Bush was part of a scheme that resulted in the Savings and Loans being bankrupted, for all practical purposes, and his Dad, and the American taxpayer, bailed him out. Bush rapes the taxpayer, and he’s sprung, just like any other spoiled rich child.

    Why did we let that happen? Why is he special, he’s not.

    So, now, when the archetypal “big john” fails, they expect the fairy (!) queen to walk in, and solve all their problems, making the war go away, the failed economy, better, so they can come back, and do it all over again, and no, other’s take advantage of your selfish narcissism, and hurt real defense, and security.

    That’s a fantasy of the mediocre rich boy, Santa doesn’t exist, most of us know this, and take pride in preventing and solving real world problems.

    Men like Ayers, Bush, Cheney, Obama, and god help us, the mullahs, don’t understnd this very basic tenet of cause and effect. They simply are not smart enough to govern in this world, they can’t even recognize their enemies.

    • requiemforadancer

      It’s as if they unknowingly project their own weaknesses on each other, and then fight themselves, you know?

      We only see what we know, and if the President, or the mullah is thick cowardly moron, well, we get this world, as of late…

  • http://vbonnaire.wordpress.com vbonnaire

    I agree with you completely about organized religion, especially on TV. (Weren’t the first ones the Bakers?)
    Tremendous hypocrisy in Wright et al.

    This writer I know over at Savage Politics has the whole deep story. It’s shocking. There must be so much graft post the Dems of the 70′s. I thought post Civil Rights $$$ had gone to help people in ghettos.

    Now, global warmings effects will cause more Katrinas and tornadoes…will people help each other anymore?

    I don’t think Obama cared about his own city when you read the Rezko stuff. Like Wright, he is only for himself. Here is that article by Lin. Scary. It’s much larger than you think. The big press won’t print her, I think she writes for HuffP, and others. She is a real journalist. She even wrote a piece on the Weatherman era over there.

    http://www.savagepolitics.com

    An Unholy Trinity of Hate

    May 5th, 2008 Lin Farley Posted in Political Analysis |

  • Chris

    In the CBS/NYT conducted between April 25-29, only 29% of Americans think that Senator Obama is very patriotic (compared with 40% for Clinton and 70 for McCain).

    This is the easiest test that a presidential candidate must pass. When only about 30 of Americans thinks that a candidate is very patriotic, that candidate is in trouble. We might not see it because we are still in midst of the Democratic primaries, but this could be serious troubles in the general.

    I am a democrat and have been for decades now, but i don’t think that Senator Obama can win with these numbers.

    In another CBS/NYT poll (the most recent), the pollsters asked about the political influence of Reverend Wright on Obama. Well, 11% say that he has lot of influence and 32% say that he has some political influence on Obama. That is about 44% of Americans think that he has some political influence on Obama. These numbers don’t get better when the question is asked only to the democratic primary voters; Actually the numbers worsen and 45% of democratic primary voters think that Reverend Wright has political influence on Obama.

    That means that 45% of democrats and 44% of Americans think that the person who says all those horrible things–God damn America; United States KKK of America; AIDS was manufactured by the US government and then the US government knowingly infected Africans and African-Americans; Farrakhan is a great guy; made fun of the way JFK spoke; made fun of how white college bands play music and march; made fun of how Bostonians (actually Irish Bostonians like me) talk; and said that 3000 Americans deserved to die on 9/11–has POLITICAL influence of Senator Obama.

    I don’t know about you, but i don’t see a winner in Senator Obama. No candidate can win the presidency if the American people think that s/he is not patriotic.

    I think the Democratic party is making a serious mistake by nominating Senator Obama. He is struggling (he is actually behind by as many as 15 points in some polls) in battle ground states and must win states such as in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Missouri and Florida against one of the weakest Republican candidate in the last 50 years (except for Bob Dole), John McCain. Senator Obama is even behind John McCain in states like New Jersey. These are troublesome numbers and stats in a time of serious economic downturn, a republican president with an approval rating in the low 30s, and a very unpopular war. We need to look in a mirror and ask ourselves a simple question: Can senator Obama win in the fall? My most honest answer is that he cannot. Not with these numbers and not with his associations. You can accuse Senator Clinton of everything, but being unpatriotic or weak. And in order to beat the republicans our candidate cannot look like wimpy and unpatriotic.

  • Patrick Henry

    Thanks Chris…Good Comments..I agree

  • Jeremy Noble

    What is AA?

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