Here's the last paragraph of the inaugural benediction:Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.
Open your eyes, you're standing in front of the first black President of the United States!
I take the bus to work from time to time, I've also ridden on trains and subways, and I've never seen anyone asked to sit in the back. The bus I ride picks up blacks and whites, Asians, Indians, and Hispanics, and it's first-come first-serve for seating, with no exceptions. (As a matter of fact, the bus is possibly the most egalitarian place I go.)
I am not saying that racism is gone; it is not, I'm not naive. But, "back of the bus" was a long time ago. While Rev. Lowery is dreaming of a world where blacks can be treated equally the rest of us are enjoying that world, in fact, a lot of white people just voted for a black guy. (Years ago, some other white people tried to get Colin Powell on the ticket.) The United States is a miraculous place where all people groups are excelling and we should be proud of it. Let's not waste our time pointing fingers at each other.
10 comments:
not to mention the fact that the whole rhyming end of the prayer was just plain silly
I didn't have a problem with it for this reason... Rev. Lowery is old enough to remember when he himself was not allowed to drink from the same water fountains, or ride in the front of the bus. I can only imagine how that would scar you. I don't think I would ever forget about it... no matter how good things got in my lifetime.
If it was someone my age, I would have a problem with it, because he has NEVER known that degree of racism. However, with Rev. Lowery, I cut him some slack.
Also, as much as I was proud to see an African American become president, I don't think I will ever know the relief that the black community felt on Tuesday. It was one day, and I'm fine with them having their day.
I am fine with the black community having their day, but this guy wasn't having his day. He wasn't celebrating the occasion or the breakthrough or the moment, he was speaking negatively about a social setting that no longer exists instead of celebrating the victory!
"Reverse" racism. I think you're too kind to Lowery.
Just because the black community is no longer relegated to separate lunch lines and seating arrangements doesn't mean that everything is fine and that racial inequality doesn't exist.
No one ever said racial inequality was gone Justin. Nor was it OK regardless of his age. Now let me start by agreeing with Adam. Rev. Lowery has seen prejudice and bigotry that I can only read about and never truly understand.
For there to ever truly be equality then it must come from both sides. His remarks in that forum were not celebration, they were spreading hate.
Being a reverend he should instead be contending for the Biblical fact that there is one race on this planet. The human one. Skin color is just another reason to praise the creator.
I am thrilled that America has gotten over the hate enough to elect a Black President. Although I am personally opposed to most everything President Obama seems to stand for politically I have no problem with his skin color. None whatsoever. In fact it isn't even a factor in my mind in any shape form or fashion.
Truthfully there are two facts that haven't been discussed. 1.) continuing to focus on his skin color does an injustice to his presidency. Equality sees no color, so let's move on folks... 2.) this is a bittersweet celebration. not because I don't like President Obama... not because of his skin color... but because it represents a victory over an injustice (racial prejudice) that should have never existed in the first place (especially in this country).
I'm proud to be an American and I will continue praying for the leadership of our country the same as I always have. That GOD lead them.
"For there to ever truly be equality then it must come from both sides. His remarks in that forum were not celebration, they were spreading hate."
"Spreading hate"? That's a pretty strong accusation. I can see how people would be offended by the comments, but I think your argument seems a bit naive.
Let me make an analogy (although imperfect): Let's say we have a married couple in which the husband commits adultery. Obviously, it's easy to suggest that both sides have to apply equal effort to reach a full reconciliation. However, I don't think it's fair to condemn the wife for holding on to some bitterness or skepticism. No, it's not the perfect picture of Biblical forgiveness, but I'm not going to condemn the wife for holding a little bit of a grudge either.
No, Rev. Lowery did not make any big strides in helping to put racism behind us as a country (at least in the benediction.) However, I'm not going to hold it against him for being a fallible human being, and having some bitterness.
If Rev. Lowery did not help put racism behind us as a country in his benediction for the first black President of the United States, it leads one to question whether or not his bitterness taints other services he performs in his community.
My views on racism have always, instinctually, been the same as Morgan Freeman's.
Andrew, I don't think it is naive at all. I never said we should condemn him. I am simply saying that as a teacher of God's word he is held to a higher standard. I understand that he may have some pent up bitterness. I even see why. But that doesn't give him the right to say what he said. We all are fallible and struggle with all sorts of sin. Sure we do. But we are to confess those things to GOD and plead with Him to change our heart. Regardless of what we've dealt with. He's intentionally sinning with his hate remarks and to label them anything but hate speech then my friend, with all due respect, you seem to be the naive one.
And Jared is right in saying that it stands to reason that that bitterness flows over into other things. Think about it, he had that prayer well thought out and well prepared.
All of this is to say nothing about the issue of letting his bitterness creep into this public prayer. I have things I struggle with and I plead with God to continue His sanctifying me and revealing my sin to me so that I will put those things away. But if my prayer becomes the mouthpiece for my struggling, in his case obvious bitterness, then aId 1:10-16 makes it clear that my bloody hands are tiresome to God because there is no desire got repentance in me. No broken heart and no contrite spirit
I'm just saying
Also, thanks for that Morgan Freeman video Jared, loved it and agree!
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