McWorther got it all wrong! - Reader comments at The New York Sun

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Reader comment on:
Ready for Obama ...

Submitted by Mabel, Mar 20, 2008 10:23

I am really disappointed with Mr. McWorther's column. I would think he would be more objective on this issue. I don't know if race trumps class but he is proving that for many African Americans, race trumps reason. Michelle Obama's "hesitant patriotism" (as he puts it, which is a gross oversimplification) has raise eyebrows not because of her race but because she is applying for the job of first lady (you know, the one that goes to foreign countries on diplomatic missions???). Stupid comments by a candidate's spouse are fair game (Theresa Heinz for example) and more so when they seem to reflect anti-American sentiments.

The words of reverend Wright are not only hateful and divisive but they are first and foremost IRRESPONSIBLE!!! To tell African Americans that the problems in their communities (AIDS, drugs and criminality) are not their fault but the result of a sinister and orchestrated plan by white America is reckless and hurts that community. A homeless woman I once bought breakfast for told me the same thing. I though she was crazy and disregarded it. Now I know where she got it from. These preachers are brainwashing the newer generations into thinking that no matter what they do, the system is rigged against them. Maybe an educated and privileged guy like Barack knows better that to take Wright seriously. But what about those who aren't educated like that woman? By lending his name and support, Obama has been sponsoring the same message and that makes him irresponsible too (Wright actually used Obama's name to support his ideas in one of the hateful speeches). The junior senator needs to do much more to regain our confidence in his so called judgment.

And the analogy to Reagan and Bush going to Bob Jones University is completely flawed. It would be similar if Obama had made a speech or schedule a rally at Wright's church for campaign purposes. But that's not what happened. He went to that church for 20 years and lent his name and support to this hateful, divisive and irresponsible rhetoric.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment	By	Date
Does Obama have the political guts to stand up to tough black American leaders when their demands try to hog... [MORE]	Arvind	Mar 23, 2008 22:15
John McWhorter is brilliant and insightful. In a recent column, "Ready for Obama," his assertion that "race trumps class" enlightened... [MORE]	Chip Drury	Mar 22, 2008 16:30
Those of you saying McWhorter is wrong should just come out and admit it. You looked at the images of... [MORE]	Carl Stronzo	Mar 21, 2008 23:49
I'm ready for a president who listens to us, who is getting his money in small doses directly from individual... [MORE]	Stillman	Mar 21, 2008 19:39
I am sure Senator Clinton and the former President have been in company where the "n" word was used. Provoked... [MORE]	Pamela Rios	Mar 21, 2008 03:05
Thanks in part to writers like McWhorter, I've understood for a while that black churches engage in a certain amount... [MORE]	John Hadjisky	Mar 21, 2008 01:19
I am really disappointed with Mr. McWorther's column. I would think he would be more objective on this issue. I...	Mabel	Mar 20, 2008 10:23
I don't think it follows that America must accept demagoguery to have a black President. Clarence Thomas shows us another... [MORE]	Tom	Mar 19, 2008 22:47
Actually, Rev. Wright was quoting a white man when he said that... http://youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQWatch the clip in the beginning of the video... [MORE]	Matt D	Mar 22, 2008 01:06
The Clintons subjected the public to scandalous sex, not to mention the intern in the White House while Hillary was... [MORE]	broadcast	Mar 19, 2008 22:47
John McWhorter wrote, "I, for one, am still ready for a black president. I wonder if the rest of America... [MORE]	John Rich	Mar 19, 2008 21:54
How can we make progress if such negativity comes from the pulpit? If American Black churches are in this state,... [MORE]	Murielle	Mar 19, 2008 21:07
As I understand it the Rev.'s sermons were on DVD's on sale at the church. Wouldn't you as a long... [MORE]	josephine	Mar 19, 2008 18:09
I usually find Mr. McWhorter quite sound on the issue of race realtions, but I found this column defending the... [MORE]	Donald haverstrom	Mar 19, 2008 15:42
Despite the excuses Mr. McWhorter makes for Mr. Obama, the responsibility of a leader is to lead not to follow,... [MORE]	mhr	Mar 19, 2008 14:49
Obama made a very good speech yesterday in Philadelphia. But I don't believe he has put the issue to rest.... [MORE]	Robert	Mar 19, 2008 14:42
American is righfully not ready for this black president. The horrific underbelly of black racism has been exposed. Obama makes... [MORE]	V Racer	Mar 19, 2008 13:56
None of the present candidates offers everything that I want to see. But I think all of them could do... [MORE]	Arthur Dieli	Mar 19, 2008 13:34
I don't appreciate Mr. McWhorter's coddling of the racists who blame others for their own failures to achieve! Women (... [MORE]	h brando	Mar 19, 2008 12:23
It is not enough to say that Obama and his wife are really patriots and this sentiment is felt all... [MORE]	ethel scher	Mar 19, 2008 11:30
I understand that Obama stated that he was not present on July 22, 2007 when 'reverend' Wright gave yet another... [MORE]	Kate	Mar 19, 2008 18:17
Obama is an opportunist. He landed in Chicago and took up with the most powerful man in the Black community.... [MORE]	Dorothy Wachsstock	Mar 19, 2008 11:11
John McWhorter actually wants readers to take him seriously when he says that Obama's solidarity with Wright and the Trinity... [MORE]	Amy De Rosa	Mar 19, 2008 11:07
I like what you say. I take it that Pastor Wright was working hard, perspiring at performing for an audience... [MORE]	Leon Hyman	Mar 19, 2008 09:49
Senator Obama has not been my choice for President since his entry into the field. Not because of his color,... [MORE]	Al Quartararo	Mar 19, 2008 09:11
Dear Mr. Mcwhorter, Did Senator Obama lie when he first denied being present at the "controversial" speeches he now admits hearing?... [MORE]	samuel	Mar 19, 2008 08:17
The battle against racism has to be fought with the proper tools. In order to fulfill the "dream," every racist,... [MORE]	Lesley	Mar 19, 2008 02:00

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