Using Rev. Wright for political gain

Democratic Party

Written Michael Vass

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
- Sun Tzu, the Art of War

In yet another day of near panic, White Americans are freaking out. Now you might think I’m speaking of the stock market and economy issues highlighted by Bear Stearns. I am in fact speaking of the Presidential race, Senator Obama, and Rev. Wright. It is that which the above quote refers to.

The media and the nation, as presented by Fox News as a primary example, are dealing with race and the concept of racism is prominent. After months of attacks by Senator Clinton’s campaign, and darkening of images of Senator Obama, suddenly America is realizing he is Black. And fears I’ve long held are arising.

There has been massive scrutiny of 5 and 10 second soundbites of a mere handful of sermons by Rev. Wright. But virtually no regard is being made of the Reverends commitment to America as a Marine. 35 years as a pastor are being thrown out with the bathwater. The only thing that is being seen is that A Black man is at the pulpit and calling White America on a few of the things they have in fact done, and are doing.

I am reminded of something that I heard recently at a discussion held by Jeff Johnson at Ithaca College I attended. I believe the quote was

“If you don’t tell anyone you are Black, they might not notice.”

This Presidential race has been highlighted by the fact that one Democratic nominee has used every means possible to shout ‘That is a Black man you are voting for!’ Senator Obama never said yes, but neither did he back away from it. And now there is no question. The sting that a religious leader is standing at a pulpit, speaking not of a dream but of realities, gives many in America pause.

But I ask what has changed?

Has Senator Obama’s voting record changed? Has his liberal view altered? Has his campaign promises or differences with Senator Clinton altered in any way. Since the answer is no, then what is left is the fact that White Americans don’t want to be confronted with the real past and present of America.

I’m not saying I’m agreeing with every comment of Rev. Wright. Nor do I agree with every comment of President Bush, Senator McCain, Senator Clinton, preist’s I’ve known, the Pope, my mother, or any other human being. The same should be said of any human being; yet the current mood in the media is that Senator Obama is some type of automaton – similar in some ways to how President Kennedy was feared to be by the Pope.

If the entire life of anyone were looked at a couple of 10 second bits, what would you get? I’m sure that I could get Mahatma Ghandi or Mother Theresa to look bad. There is no doubt that Senator McCain, Senator Clinton, former-President Bill Clinton, and all there supporter would not be able to shine through unscathed. Yet, this is not what is happening here. Rev. Wright is being picked apart, and that is being used to destroy Senator Obama.

Think about that. 58% of Americans polled disapproved of Rev. Wright. I wonder where they called? Because before this weekend I doubt any of them knew who the Reverend was, and I sincerely doubt most have seen more than 10 seconds of the man. And sadly those 10 seconds were out of context if they resemble anything that I saw in my review of just 3 minutes of one of the sermons that is having it’s 10 seconds used.

The fact is that nothing has changed about Senator Obama except the way that Americans are looking at him. He is quickly becoming the Black candidate instead of the best Democratic choice. And the Black candidate can’t win in America.

admin @ March 18, 2008