Our Uncommon next Social Worker in Chief

A More Perfect Union.  A speech by Barack Obama.  I haven’t followed this story closely, but I am curious and perplexed about how Obama’s pastor has become a big news story and how this story has lingered in the news as long as it has.

I’ve listened to a few of the sound bytes taken from sermons by Pastor Wright.  I see a man speaking from his heart and his perspective.  Fully informed by his world view and his study of the scripture this man is speaking of injustices in this world.  And in the process of expressing himself he chose language that would over-state his thoughts and ideas.  Language that would confront, offend and challenge the listener.  Language that would prod and pound our casual approach to injustice in this country.  This language is as indelicate and unsalted as some Old Testament prophets.  His words offend our shamelessness about treatment of the first nation of Native Americans, dropping the atom bombs, and much more.  Yeah, I think he crosses the line in his approach, but I don’t think the ideas themselves are as extreme as they appear in a 10 second sound byte on FOX news.  He makes the point that the events of September 11^th came as a result of reaping what American foreign policy has sown into the earth.  I dare say that there are plenty of Americans who would agree with that point to some degree.  It certainly is not a new idea, there are plenty who have made exactly this point for a long time.  It’s a point I find difficult to disagree with.  So why this reaction in the media?

Is it because this man is a preacher?  Uh… has anyone heard that old preacher that is a close friend of the Bush family, let’s see… what is his name?  You know the one, he suggested that Venezuela’s president be assassinated.  Now that is an interesting foreign policy!  That is just one excellent example out of many comments that are overstatements of things many believe.  And that came from Bush family friend Old whats-his-name Pat Robertson.  While many Americans may agree that Chavez is an inconvenience to American interests and a thorn in the side, certainly very few agreed with the overstated idea that the leader of a sovereign nation be killed by U.S. agents.  We’re used to these sorts of things from Pat Robertson, so why is it such a big deal when the same kind of overblown rhetoric shows up from a black preacher?  So he went a little “Malcolm X” in the pulpit and it was captured on tape.  Which is perfect for those who like to trade in the politics of fear.  Maybe it is all about race and fear of a (justifiably) angry black man.  Especially one who suggests that God (that Ultimate Super Power) ain’t that thrilled about how we’ve been treating the poor and the powerless down here on this little windy hot marble.  So which is it?  Communication?  Fear?  Race?  Religion? 

So I listened carefully to Obama’s speech on race in America.  At first I was distracted by the fact that the stage was draped in – count um – EIGHT American flags.  Come on!  Doesn’t THE American flag say enough?  Isn’t this the equivalent of stars and stripes shouting?  Then I saw a quick blurb from Hillary standing in front of THREE!  Apparently it’s all the rage these days.  Multiple flags just in case anyone was wondering exactly how American these candidates are.  (Obama is apparently ahead in this regard as well.)  I guess if one is good...

Once I got past the visual of the one lone figure draped in the stars and stripes... I gave some consideration to his speech.  It was long.  Too long.  But it wasn't about race.  Or at least not only.  It was about race and power, injustice, opportunity, religion, faith, pessimism, despair, fear and hope.  Yeah, we come back to that last one.  Hope. 

Obama provided a context for understanding Pastor Wright’s words.  It reminded me of my days in Social Work classes in college.  He recapped history for those of us who seem to forget – because we don’t live in the same world with the same kinds of privilege (or lack of.)  How could I with my blone hair and ultra pastel skin understand the privilege that is mine for reasons that have nothing to do with me?  I thought he did an excellent job of laying out a framework for working to improve life in America for those who are underprivileged, underemployed with sub standard health care.  For Americans of any race.  And I was impressed with him again. 

For me it’s about judgment.  In my opinion Obama showed good judgment in voting against the war in Iraq back when it was political suicide.  History continues to prove that he chose right.  This most recent bout of audacious hope for working toward “a more perfect union” is further evidence of Obama’s judgment.  There is a fine line between condemning and betraying a friend in the process of distancing yourself from a man’s political opinions while still honoring his friendship and personal and spiritual history with the Obama family.  No doubt it won't feel so kind to Pastor Wright, nevertheless I think Obama did a good job of handling that delicate balancing act.  As a matter of fact, it didn’t sound at all like a politician’s speech to me.  I’ve never heard a candidate speak that profoundly honestly about race in America.  Even Clinton who was our first black President.  LOL!  But then Senator Obama is no ordinary candidate. 

My hat is off to the tall thin guy in front of the eight flags.  He’d make an excellent Social Worker in Chief.  An uncommon man for an uncommon time in history.  Yes indeedy!