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March 21, 2008
Give Me the Presidency and I Will Make America Post-Racial
Barack Obama gave a speech about race. It was a great speech and a greatly delivered one. But Obama's gift as a skilled orator is already well-known. So did we learn anything new about the mysterious front-runner?
First, and most importantly, Obama is just another politician -- typical and banal. He stretches the truth and lies when controversy arises, when momentum is lost, and when victory no longer seems to be simple and definite. "Did I ever hear [Reverend Jeremiah Wright] make remarks that could be controversial while I sat in church? Yes." Well, I've seen Obama being interviewed by everyone from CNN to Fox News. Each and every journalist asks him the same question: Did he ever hear any controversial remarks from his pastor? Each time Obama looked into the interviewer's eyes and said firmly "No, never." "But did anyone tell you about any such remarks?" insisted Anderson Cooper. "No, never," was the answer.
So what made Obama change this answer in just a few days? The answer is simple: Politics. We all knew way too well that Obama was lying when every television station was playing the numerous, nasty tirades by his pastor. Of course, how could he not know? Even if I were to imagine that he missed church every time Rev. Wright would blast against Whites, Jews and gays; praise his friend Louis Farrakhan (no stranger to blasting against Jews and gays); or speak about a trip to see Libyan dictator Qadaffi (whom both "Reverends" visited)... Even if I believed that no one were to say to Obama, "What a great speech you missed last week," I will still never believe that Obama didn't know the basic beliefs of a friend of twenty years.
Obama should never have tried to explain his relationship with Rev. Wright. He should have just denounced it, again and again and again. He also should have never defended the Trinity Church, which is so "full of righteous laughter, and sometimes bawdy humor." Your church is ugly, homophobic, and anti-Semitic, Mr. Obama, just like most other black churches and numerous white churches. Your relationship with Rev. Wright is nothing but an embarrassment and in my opinion, highly suspicious.
"Rev. Wright helped introduce me to my Christian faith," said Obama. I know this should sound like music for Christian Fundamentalists. And like every other politician, this is what Obama is going for. But I just don't think that in order to be introduced to convert from Islam to Christianity, one should turn himself to a fascist like Rev. Wright (and you don't even know how difficult it is for me to say "Reverend" when I speak about Jesse Jackson or Louis Farrakhan or Wright. In this country it's so easy to be respected... just shove the word "Reverend" before your name).
To say that we do not talk about race enough is just like hearing Paris Hilton say that we're not talking enough about dumb celebrities whose status has no substance. America talks more about race than John McCain talked about his time in Vietnamese captivity, John Edwards about his son, and John Kerry about his war record. So what kind of post-racial candidate are you if you think we need to talk about race more? If you really believe that we need to talk about race, then stop calling yourself post-racial.
I am post-racial. Or rather, I was never racial. The subject of race has always been foreign to me: I'm not interested in excusing Rev. Wright's crazed racism. I'm also not interested in treating minorities like retarded people. I'm not interested in degrading them by putting them on affirmative action programs. I also think that it's quite low to compare Wright's racism to Obama's white grandmother who apparently confessed to a fear of black men in the streets. Wright accused white people of inventing AIDS to kill black men, and you are comparing this man to your grandmother? A person like that can only be compared to Rosie O'Donnell, who believed that 9-11 is an inside job, something orchestrated by the U.S. government. In other words, to someone who hates America, and who wants others to hate it as well.
Obama is not looking for an excuse for his grandmother. His grandmother is guilty, full stop. It's Rev. Wright who is being excused throughout the whole speech. So what's Obama's way out? What is his solution? He gives it you throughout the whole speech: give him the presidency, and only then maybe, just maybe, all talks about race will be over.
Posted by Michael at March 21, 2008 12:21 PM
Comments
Michael, you're right on the point! You're awesome, I knew this the first time I met you in Orlando a few years ago, at Matt Summers place, we spoke a bit and had some fun at the bar-b-que there. Love your stuff and your work!
Posted by: patrick at March 22, 2008 01:08 AM
Wow, I read an article about your, ahem, *political* conservatism by James Kirchick. I never imagined you would go off the rails with posts like these.
Is Senator Obama a politician? Yes, he is a politician. Is he a breath of fresh air? Yes, he is a breath of fresh air. Is his church homophobic or anti-semitic? No, not remotely. Is there a racial divide in this country? Yes, absolutely.
I am really quite shocked that you, as a gay man, and one who works in pornography and attempts to be socially responsible, would fault Senator Obama's church. The United Church of Christ is the largest denomination to advocate gay marriage. And while I am fully aware that as a church with a large African-American congregation Trinity is unique, it is still UCC in this area. Your criticism is baseless; the church promotes social gatherings for same-gender loving members, as they deem them. If I had any complaint it would be that they are politically correct to a fault.
Irony follows irony. Just as Senator Obama is only possible in the West, you yourself are only possible in the West. And truly, you more so than Senator Obama.
You yourself are a questionable representative of the gay community. While I admire your contributions, they would be explosive and counterproductive outside of the coasts, solely because of your source of income.
Even that, though, cannot explain my frustration. Reading your interviews and media quotes, you appear to assume that those of us opposed to strident US nationalism, particularly in the gay and progressive communities, are somehow ignoring the obvious or giving comfort to the enemy. You dress it in cosmopolitan clothing, but the result is largely the same that one would encounter on freerepublic.com, minus overt homophobic insults.
We want change. Both in attitude and policy. We will have it, with or without your participation.
Posted by: Alec at March 22, 2008 02:38 AM
Michael,
I like your adult work, but your American History and politics leave much to be desired. Just a couple of quick comments, allowing people who have been historically discriminated against and marginalized in society an opportunity to "get a foot in the door" is in no way degrading them. Also, Rev. Wright has been one of the more progressive pastors in reaching out to HIV/AIDS patients in Chicago. He not only does outreach ministry, but he also preaches against homophobia in the African-American community.
If individuals would only allow themselves the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones and interact with people who are different, they would probably realize that they have more commonalities than previously thought, and the desensitizing the media does to perpetuate stereotypes is nothing more than a ratings-based scam.
Thank you for your time.
Posted by: K. at March 22, 2008 03:29 AM
Excellent post; your best is fact!!! Clearly Obama cannot win the presidency.
Posted by: Matthew at March 23, 2008 06:55 AM
You are misinformed about Wright's stance on gays. For years he has spoken out against churches and ministers who misuse the bible for homophobic purposes and used his church to educate about HIV/AIDS and offered compassion to those who suffer from it.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5189224&mesg_id=5189224
Posted by: Mike at March 24, 2008 09:12 AM
Nope. Not really. You've misread Obama's speech and "crazy liberals" like Peggy Noonan, Charles Murray, and Christopher Caldwell disagree with you.
Posted by: James at March 24, 2008 09:25 AM
I'm back to comment again. Please recant your thoughts on Rev. Wright's policy on homosexuals. I do not agree with the comments he made about America, but he has done a lot of great works for people suffering from HIV/AIDS in the Chicago area. If you would like specifics I can provide them. I'm not taking up for him but you're worng on that one subject and a real man admits when he errors.
Posted by: Rod at March 26, 2008 03:25 AM
Where can I purchase a God Damn Jeremiah Wright T-shirt?
Posted by: Tight Hole at March 26, 2008 10:21 PM
oooh.... michael... i'm a italian guy... i'm.... emh... 16 years old..... but.. i love your body! ^^ so..... kiss from my italyyyy!
Posted by: Luke at April 3, 2008 09:17 AM
I agree with Michael, Obama is a liar and he can go to any extend, that's his nature. Hillary is the best candidate for American and the best President. Like your comments. keep it up
Posted by: Akivaah at April 8, 2008 04:59 AM