I Condemn the Anger (and I Understand Its Roots)

"The anger is real. It is powerful, and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races."  - Barack Obama

I'm still getting calls and e-mails about the Obama race speech. I've taken my time on this one. It's important. I mean, it might just define me for the rest of my career right? That's deep.

Yeah right.

Here is my official response: Barack Obama doesn't give a hot damn about the "audacity of hope." Let’s talk about the audacity of anger. Let’s legitimize anger. Let’s make excuses for it. Is that where true hope comes from? Does it come from elevating the emotion of anger? I don’t think so…

With his race speech, Obama became the latest in a long line of race peddlers who specialize in angst, resentment and despair. (And of course, anger.) He is just far more polished and smooth than the previous versions we’ve witnessed. Obama's speech failed to tell the truth in love, ala Martin Luther King Jr. What Obama did was justify anger by explaining, blaming and claiming it – instead of absorbing, resolving and absolving it. (There's a little Jesse Jackson lingo for ya.)

In effect, what Barack Obama was saying was this: Black people have a right to be angry. We have suffered so many injustices over time that we are entitled to do, say and feel anything in return. We’ve earned it. Deal with it, America.

Huh? Is that the Gospel according to Jeremiah Wright?! – ‘cause it’s sure not the Gospel of Christianity.

I’ll tell you where hope comes from: Forgiveness. There is a Love so wide and deep and high that you can’t help but be overcome by gratitude that transforms individuals and entire communities. I’m talking about a profound kindness that leads people to repentance. Anger only leads to more anger. But forgiveness, love and Christ-centered kindness lead to hope. True hope. And true transformation.

My grandmother used to hate white people – and with good reason. When I say hate, I mean HATE. She told me stories that would curl your toes. She told me that I had better NEVER bring a white girl into her house. A few years later, my cousin married a white man (an Italian), and we were all invited to a big family feast.

I didn't want to go.  What was my cousin thinking?

When I asked my grandma about how she felt about the interracial marriage, she looked up at me with a perplexed expression; "What's the matter with you?" she asked. I reminded her of what she had told me a few years back. Her response was: "James, people change. That was a long time ago.” She was in her late 80's.

Now that's the audacity of hope.

Comments

[reinhold]

Check out the lyrics to "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night: Jeremiah was a bullfrog, he was a friend of mine, I never understood a word he said.... A campaign song for Obama, maybe?

[dad29]

I’ll tell you where hope comes from: Forgiveness

REALLY good, James, especially on Good Friday.

[Billiam]

I carried the Anger of being molested until I was in my mid-30's. Thanks to Christ, I was finally able to forgive. I still deal with some lingering anger, as well as wanting all child molesters dead, but, with the Lords help, I'll work through these as well. Thanks James. You wrote truth.

[Terry F.]

James T. "So God so loved the world...". Outstanding piece. God is asking us to love one another and to live by the fruits of the Spirit. Now are all able to forgive even the slightest injustices against each of us, including those at home, the workplace, and the community as a whole? How consistent do Christians want to be?

[A. Maurice]

Rev. JTH,

Boy it's easier than I thought to make a point even if it is totally false. You are gifted in the area of misinforming your loyal readers. Your skill continues to keep people ignorant of the truth.

Christianity does speak to forgiveness, but it is a lot more than that. Such as being truthful, just and loving others as you'd have them love you.

I guess your ears were stuffed full of cotton during the parts of Sen. Obama's speech last week for the majority of it. He touched on much more than the reason why the pastor was angry.

He touched on Affirmative Action, busing and the effect crime has on the perception of white america.

Truly you cannot believe that the senator (white/black parentage) is a racist and hates white people. Your comments come across that way or are very close to that summary.

It is rare that someone would hate themselves as much as Sen. Obama does if you believe he hates white people.

I would have thought you'd be more favorable of his personal story (sit aside his politics). He worked hard, got a great education, didn't beg anyone for help, hasn't blamed white people for holding him back... he even challenges black people to parent their kids and to turn off the TV and read to them.

Wow... sounds as conservative as you or most black people... just happens to be that he is a democrat.

I believe you may want to insert that "crabs-in-the-barrel" line that you like to toss out when black people point things out about you. Maybe you can eat a little crab, I mean crow as it relates to your continuous finger pointing at Sen. Obama.

[James T]

Maurice,

You said:

"Truly you cannot believe that the senator (white/black parentage) is a racist and hates white people. Your comments come across that way or are very close to that summary."

But I didn't say that, did I? Don't put words in my mouth then slap me around.

You continue,

"I would have thought you'd be more favorable of his personal story (sit aside his politics). He worked hard, got a great education, didn't beg anyone for help, hasn't blamed white people for holding him back... he even challenges black people to parent their kids and to turn off the TV and read to them."

I am in favor of his personal story, it is the prescription for success in America. I've said as much on air and on this blog. I think the problem Maurice is that you have joined the conversation mid-sentence.

I like Barack Obama but I despise his politics. I love the fact that a black man has smashed through the Democrat machine, I just wish that he wasn't an inexperienced left wing liberal.

I wish he were conservative!

Does that make me crabby?

[A. Maurice]

JTH,

Someone gifted with such insightful prose as you could never be slapped around.

Now, I asked a question regarding you position regarding Obama's stance on race based upon you writing the following.

"With his race speech, Obama became the latest in a long line of race peddlers... He is just far more polished and smooth than the previous versions we’ve witnessed."

Buzz words like race peddlers (I believe) leave the reader to interpret your position. That is why I asked for clarity.

Why do conservatives always drop a reference to Jesse Jackson during these situations? Is it in the conservative playbook to do so when it involves a "prominent Black person" who isn't conservative? Just asking...

And can Jesse get a little forgiveness for that "hymie-town" comment of a couple decades ago?

I am coming in mid-sentence... that is a positive revelation. It means your audience is growing as will the (our) dialogue.

But I REALLY want to know your opinion of a conservative race peddler by the name of Patrick Buchanan.

Here's a taste of what he wrote recently...

"First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known."

I don't know where to start disecting Buchanan's ill syntax. Just this however, far more Africans were brought to American. Millions were lost in the Middle Passage alone and were spread throughout the Americas.

JTH, you better send PB a thank you note for bringing your ancestors to America and letting them endure the awful experience of slavery and Jim Crow. You better thank him for welfare, McD's and Starbucks.

Read his entire column entitled "Brief For Whitey" and let us know what you think about his race peddling.

http://www.creators.com/opinion/pat-buchanan/a-brief-for-whitey.html

[A. Maurice]

I had to say one more thing about Pat Buchanan.

Tell him that whenever he believes White people are ready to bring more free people (of any race) to America to work as slaves... they should at least ask them first and not steal, kidnap or murder them for protesting.

He wants Black people to thank him for being forced to America, yet he doesn't want Mexicans to come to America. What? Mexicans (and other immigrants) are seeking the same things he outlined as benefits that Blacks should be happy to have been given.

Pat is a twisted man... but I won't hold him out as the typical conservative.