Submitted by Jason, Mar 23, 2008 14:33

Tom- the Senator never referred to white persons who feared to walk through black neighborhoods as 'racists.' Rather he addressed the double standard which many white persons face, due in part to what you refer to as our being taught 'that basing discrimination on race is wrong.' In that sense, he addressed the 'race-card' rather than the 'white person.'

As for the Jesse Jackson side of the equation -a la your analogy- the fact that Mr. Obama even addressed, and upon such a large political platform, the discriminating factors of self-hate and loathing which envelops and destroys so much of the black community from within, is heroic. Not for myself or any other white person, but for the black community and those therein.

With regards to the general call for the complete disavowal by Mr. Obama of Rev. Wright, which I have seen in so many readers' responses to this speech -I find this very disconcerting. The fact that in so many cases readers have focused not upon what Mr. Obama has had to say but upon the Rev. himself is telling.

Does none of us have a personal relationship with someone with whom we don't agree? And if we do and should then rise in power and/or political position should we then throw that relationship out of the window because those disagreements appear in a bad light for ourselves?

My fear is that so many persons would simply answer yes to this question. And then defend their answer with cynicism, saying –that's just the way it is!

Regardless of certain other and even more prevalent political issues, here is one place wherein Mr. Obama certainly represents hope. For to grow large enough to carry the burdens of your past rather than simply shucking them is admirable.

And finally; Tom I think your response might be re-entitled –The Audacity of You. To write an 'FYI' to Senator Obama speaks in such a tone as to suggest that not only do you consider yourself on his level, but somehow above him.

It's audacious to say the least, and I won't say what else.

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