Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Doing what is right...

Everyone has heard by now of the benediction at Obama 's inauguration. Rev. Joseph Lowery prayed: '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 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. Say Amen'...

Did everyone forget that Obama is biracial? Good for us, we're colorblind enough to elect a man of color. I grant him that many people see "black" when they see a biracial person, and we will have to prepare our boys for this reality. But, also remember that Obama grew up in two cultures, and let's reflect on which side of his family did "what was right". Hint: it was not his black Muslim father who abandoned him as an infant, left the continent, and took up new wives...

To his credit, I have not heard Obama himself dwelling on these racial issues. He seems perfectly comfortable with both cultures and willing to "move on" (ahem) with his life. But he has associated with people that seem to still be really hung up on it. Was this really the best they could get for the big historical inuaguration day?

1 comment:

Bob's Blog said...

Thanks for saying what needs to be said!