The Atlantic - Latest Comments in Jeremiah Wright

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Jeanie — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:07:36 -0000

One minute of Jeremiah Wrights hate sermon agaisnt America and whites was all most people needed to convict Obama of hypocrisy, bad judgement and lying. No one in their right mind would believe Obama didn't know what his Minister was up to.

As for Richards endorsement of this horrible man, who can think much of Richards.

If either of them are Christians they have fooled Jesus Christ himself.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

roger williams — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:25:37 -0000

I'm am really getting sick of the whinning blacks. Number one the blacks in Africa were the first to sell and inslave their own race. Number two any blacks here should feel blessed that their axxxxxxxxx were bought by whites. If that hadn't happened guess where they would be? Still in Africa, still living in grass huts, still wearing skins for clothes. Now, if they take a civil service test they automaticaly get 20 points up front.They whine if the police come to their neighborhood to arrest a black then whine if one of them gets killed because the police were not around. Check the records, most of the violent crime is committed by blacks or Mexicans.

I'm so glad that I lived in the 50's when a person could walk down any street, at any hour and not be afraid of getting killed or even mugged. I hate LBJ for signing into law the civil rights law. To have seperate water fountains, bathrooms,eating is totally wrong.Butif the Blacks had taken this civil right law and not have abused it everthing would have been fine. It's just in there blood to steal, take advantage of anyone and whine.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

bill — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:07:55 -0000

To Maggie,

See Tyrone's post above; I rest my case.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Maggie — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:51:55 -0000

Bill,

It's easy to take words out of context. For example, the Bible says "there is no God." That's a cheap shot, of course, cause what it really says that the fool says in his heart that there's no God. But there are tons of cases that are more complex. Jesus says "I come not to bring peace, but a sword." Those are the words of hate, no? Should we renounce and deject? Of course not. The words sound different when we consider the big picture of what's going on in scripture.

So what's the big picture here? The big observation to be made is that we do not know. We got a clip that was clearly designed to provoke the reaction you are having. The guy's been preaching for 30 years. What else is he saying? Well, he's been talking about Jesus, and hope and faith, for starters. You can find sermons on such topics with a relatively quick google. He's been talking about social justice -- which is what Obama says attracted him to the Church -- and which by all accounts his church practices, by reaching out to the homeless and so on. It's easy to find quotes from sermons in which Wright talks about God loving us all, and that we ought not to be divisive.

None of this is to say he didn't say the words he said. But it's enough to say that at a minimum we need to recognize that it's hardly his whole message. Then the next question is how do the different themes get weighted in his discourse. Which is more predominant?

The next thing we'd want to know is what caused a guy who certainly has positive elements mixed into his preaching to say the words he said? Some of them, we can tell from what we've seen. He's talking about the frustrations of a community that is beset with a whole host of social ills. Some of them are due to internal problems (and he's apparently preached on the need for the black community to have stronger values). But some of them are external -- the legacy of a dark history, and some policies that are insensitive to the complexities faced by the community. Should God bless us when we tolerate a situation in which such a high percentage of young men go to jail? The Biblical God is strongly rejecting of social injustice, of those who would oppress. The Biblical God is also strongly rejecting of those who think that the ills experienced by others are not their problem. Wright's language is strong and is fueled by frustration. But he's not wrong when he says that he's taking up biblical themes. Prophets challenge the powers that be in the name of social justice. And their words make others uncomfortable. In this case, obviously, very uncomfortable.

Look, I wish the black community did not have such a strong thread of anger in it. I do think it's part of the racial divisions in our country. But it's not mysterious as to why they are angry. And the sort of intemperate responses that are spamming the blogosphere can only fuel that anger. It's a massive trap. They are angry. We get angry about the anger. They get angry abou the anger about the anger. Etc. etc. etc.

And the real tragedy here is that Obama clearly wants to move past the anger. And the temper of comments from people like you make me think that he's not going to be able to drive home the point that he's trying to offer a way out of this. He has not rejected the black community because it happens to harbor an anger he does not share. But he wants to be a leader who can show that blacks and whites can come together. And if he can show that, it has to help with the anger problem. So his candidacy will get shot down because white America is so self-righteously sure that it's on the side of the angels that it will not even offer their black brothers a chance to explain themselves. The overwhelming current on the blogosophere is about denuncation and rejection -- not about reaching out to others ina spirit of dialogue.

I ought not be surprised, I suppose. Tribalism has shown that it goes very deep, and old animosities don't really go away. And participants are always dead-on sure that it's the other guys who are the source of all the problems. It's just that we aspire to be a better people. And this whole thing makes me very sad.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

verycold — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:35:04 -0000

In the beginning of Barack's campaign he frequently spoke about his relationship with his pastor. I certainly never looked to see what influence this pastor had on Barack assuming it was a good one. However as the campaign wore on there were a few signs of some of that influence. Early on Barack refused to wear the flag pin. I wrote to him asking him why and of course never heard any reply. Later Michelle would let us know twice that she was FINALLY proud of America now that her husband was a presidential candidate. Later she would state that America was a mean spirited country. That is when I decided to start looking to figure out where all this anger is coming from. You simply cannot sit in a pew and listen to any preacher spewing hate for another race, or gender or sexual preference without being negatively influenced. I just read that Oprah was a member also which is where Barack and Oprah met I have read. However it seems that Oprah did walk away. Why did Barack stay? Why even bring up religion at all during the campaign knowing the landmines were out there. I makes absolutely no sense.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

bill — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:45:21 -0000

Kind of hard to take his words "out of context", don't you think there Mags? It is what it is, as they say. Since you've put out the invitation, I would like to know what your genuinely thoughtful approach would be to this "string". How do you elaborate on this?; find some meaning in it other than what it is? I am willing to bet that had the shoe been on the other foot (it being a white pastor who made such racial remarks), your calm and reasonable response may have been very much different. The majority of the people's reactions to this video are correct and appropriate- not "shallow". Americans should be shocked, appalled, and troubled by comments such as this. I am so sick of people dancing around this guy's words with rhetoric that puts the blame for his actions on society in general and angry white males specifically. How about looking into HIM? What is HE about? What is Barak and Michelle Obama about? Who are they?

We had better find out soon; this man wants to be the leader of our country.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Maggie — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:44:53 -0000

What concerns me most in this whole story is that virtually everyone wants to judge Wright based on a string of words taken out of context. I'm not saying that the whole context would be something that white America would be comfortable with. But it would still be a picture a whole lot more complex than what that video implies, and the result would be a very different story from the one that is unfolding now. If we saw the inspiration along with the vitriol; if we saw the way that this is rooted in a community that is by all accounts deeply committed to social justice we'd have a context for understanding the frustration, etc. etc. There are two Americas with two different experiences. It'll be a challenge for us to understand each other in any case. But this video, with its highly provocative framing of the differences speaks terribly about us as a nation. Because it's only purpose is to make it nearly impossible for fruitful dialogue to take place. Somebody wanted to score some political hits and that somebody apparently has no concern at all for the fact that our racial divide is real and that we all need wisdom and patience if we want to begin to overcome it. If the reactions to the video stay on this shallow level we are setting back our chances to make real progress on the problems of race in this country. I'm looking for the first journalist that has the courage to tackle this issue in a genuinely thoughtful way. This is a moral test for our nation. And the first few days into the story are not promising.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Bill — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:48:03 -0000

Hey Tyrone,

Intent on clinging to the past? I think we have made great progress in terms of fighting racism in this country over the years. Some folks like to hang on to their hatred- black, white, whatever. . . To me, it was very telling to hear Michelle (sic?) Obama state that only now, is she proud of her country. That smacks of racism in itself; a racism that has been reinforced by none other than this ranting and raving bigot (Wright), who obviously believes that 911 was our fault, and the murdering of 3000 Americans was justified. If you think this is OK, then you have some serious issues.

Don't want to hear about the black man not getting a fair shake in today's world. EEOC has gone overboard to ensure equality to the point of saying to the black man: We feel that you're not good enough on your own merit to enter XYZ institution (college, work, etc. . .), so, we are going to just create a double-standard for you. There are many black movers and shakers out there who don't need this kind of condescension at all; and they are just as successful as any man/woman. I see it in all fields of employment. So if you want to subscribe to the Jackson/Sharpton school of helplessness, that is your business, and you were given that right to do so by the same military that Mr. Jeremiah has such disdain for.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Christina — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 05:33:02 -0000

I think, just logically speaking, that there is some incongruence in some of these shocked former supporter's revised views of Barack Obama.

If Barack Obama was such a cunning, power-hungry, con-man (as some of you are suggesting), then wouldn't he have been cunning enough to have disassociated himself with Reverend Wright a long

time ago? If he is just a calculating politician, than surely he would have done the politically obvious thing and never sought out Reverend Wright in the first place!

His transparency about the situation suggests to me that he is being honest. If he was someone who only said things that were politically expedient, he would never even have made the mention of having been married and baptized by this pastor. There was no need for him to even go there.

That he didn't just say what was politically convenient, makes me think he is more natural and has more integrity than I realized before.

Sometimes you just have to read in between the lines.

Perhaps there's more to Reverend Wright than that 3 minute clip will allow, that he's a complex, colorful, if controversial character (as many spiritual leaders can be). I'm sure some of you can name people in your life who are very passionate but misunderstood. Maybe there are other sides to Wright that we don't know about.

I am not going to jump to conclusions.

I don't see how this really discredits Obama's 20 years of public service, record, and words. It's easy for us to make assumptions without knowing more, so I suggest to all of you to do more research, to consider all the angles. We are lazy sometimes, being persuaded by soundbites and too easily convinced by things taken out of context. Let's look at the whole picture.

Here's a suggestion: if you are really curious and confused, or downright scared about Senator Obama, read his books, Dreams of my Father, and the Audacity of Hope. They are very enjoyable compelling reads; I am starting the Audacity of Hope right now. It will give you valuable insight into who he is, and what his sees for America's future.

I think, if you love our country, and what to make sure we pick the best possible candidate, then do your homework. For his books, he did not use a ghostwriter - a rarity for a politican. He has a very clear, eloquent, engaging writing style.

Obama is, I think, being lazily mischaracterized by much of the media. And senator Clinton's aggressive attempts to define him are working. Nevermind that she has told, on record, some flat-out lies about him.

Does anyone in the mainstream media ever note that he is a pragmatist, that his policies are actually very pragmatic? I think most of America thinks he's this naive idealist, and that is very far from the truth. They are eager to pigeonhole him, and the sinister suspicion they have of him is not backed up by good logic.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Padraig Pearse — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:59:08 -0000

I didn't find Wright's outrage over America at all troubling. (His name is Jeremiah, after all).

The two things that bothered me most vis a vis Obama was the Rev Wright's seeming assumption that all the misery and injustice of the world was rooted at the feet of the white race. That is pure Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam - it's the White Devil theology, isn't it?

For those who find that proof of Obama's crypto-Islamicism, remember that the Muslim church rejects the Nation of Islam for it's racism. (That was partly what led to Malcolm X breaking with Elijah Muhammad and to his assassination by agents of the NOI.)

That is not a Christian theology (just as the Rev Hagee's isn't either)

But to my mind, the Rev Wright compounds that mistake by his comment that "Hillary ain't never known was it's like to be called a nigger"

While factually true, the delivery and pleasure he takes in saying it are despicable. After all you could say it about Obama's mother, too, so how could Obama have ever found such rhetoric acceptable.

Frankly, I'd been annoyed with Obama always throwing his Jesus in our faces. I hate it when Republicans pull all that sanctimonious crap and really didn't want to have to hear it all from Democrats as well.

Perhaps there's a lesson somewhere in all this of the dangerous road we've gone down in insisting that politicians wear their religious faith on their sleeves. Had Obama spent less time pandering to get Christian votes, these revelations might have less weight but as it is they cut right to the heart of the public persona he's so carefully created and leave it all looking rather hollow.

As I believe that it was Obama's supporters who started this race-baiting game, and did their best to get African American voters on their side by falsely accusing the Clintons of being racists, it is, as the Rev Wright would say (echoing Malcom X) "the chickens coming home to roost".

Or as the Bible puts, "Those who sow the wind, reap the whirlwind."

Re: Jeremiah Wright

dmh — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:54:45 -0000

The things that people who decry Wright seem to blindly step over:

- A prison population over 1 million people now. 1 in 11 black males age 20-29 are in the prison system.

As of 2008, there are more black males in prison than there are in college.

This is NOT a crime issue, this is a systematic separation of a whole segment of society.

Who is stopping to ask why this is happening??

- Wright's comments on radiation poisoning and drug running may sound like paranoid fantasy, but they are not without roots in reality. The Tuskegee experiments, the FBI's continued surveillance of activists, are all in living memory.

Who cares if someone got pissed off at America??? Why isn't what he said being considered? It is the truth! Maybe most americans don't have direct involvement, but you can't keep closing your eyes to it.

Wright didn't even say anything remotely racist. He was pointing out his perceived injustices in society.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

gene — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:47:27 -0000

i'll bet evey blogger will start feeling sorry for obama,and mr.wright,they didnt do an imus or a duke case,it was merely a slip of his knowlage,and wrights tougn!remember,only white people are racists!only white people indanger others by words and deeds!we are the unforgivable entity!by the wat,was it somthing rev. wright said??

Re: Jeremiah Wright

alison — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 18:31:24 -0000

http://blog.beliefnet.com/jwalking/

Above is a link to David Kuo blog Beliefnet.

He offers some very good insight - and praise - for Sen. Obama's ability to separate the "sin" from the "sinner"

Anyone who bothers to research Sen. Obama's writings, read any of his books understands that when he went to Chicago as a community organizer at 27 years of age - not a as a child -- he was advised to join the Church to understand the plight of the black man. That this would help him do a better job in the community.

Obama came to Chicago with a black face but as a white man.

The multiple culture and as Obama says "little bits of America" in him are what makes him truly unique. He stayed at the Church for the good works they did for the community. This is not in dispute.

That over the course of 20 years Rev Wright said some deplorable things is also not in dispute.

What is most upsetting about this whole episode is that if thinking people are willing to abandon a cause and a movement based on a few minutes of targeted, isolated video - how commited were they in the first place?

Obama is the same man he was before FOX and co started incessantly replaying the same clips over and over again.

Was what Wright said about 9/11 vile? Yes but I hate to tell you what my Rabbi said at the service after 9/11 and am glad for his sake no one videotaped it

Obama is to be commended not deridedn for being able to separate the messenger from the message --

Maybe if we had people in government who could do this we would not be having the fifth anniversary of a pointless war this week

If we allow ourselves to be manipulated by YOU TUBE then shame on us all

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Laurie Grooman — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:57:15 -0000

I was and continue to be horrified over Jeremiah Wrong's statements, and the fact that Obama has been a member of Wrong's congregation for 20+ years.

While I don't hold Obama responsible for the comments Wrong made, I do hold him responsible for continuing a close relationship with a man whom he knew spewed forth such venomous vitriol on a regular basis.

Nearly a year ago, these two men were interviewed together, and the interviewer brought up the subject of Wrong's preaching the Sunday after 9/11. Though Obama claims he was not at the church for that horrifying and scandalous message, OBAMA KNEW FULL WELL THE COMMENTS HIS PASTOR AND MENTOR AND CLOSE FRIEND HAD MADE THAT SUNDAY.

Wrong even advised Obama at that time that he would probably need to distance himself from Mr. Wrong, should Wong's comments come out in the open.

All those years have passed by, and now, because it is damage control time and it is politically expedient to do so, Obama has finally "denounced" those remarks.

This REEKS of hypocrisy to me.

The democratic party is imploding on itself.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

TNAC08 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:57:32 -0000

Do you really think Obama had no idea his pastor espoused these beliefs and/or that such sermons had no effect on who he is? People of faith choose a church with which they can most identify. A pastor helps shape his/her flock by teaching them.

If one attends church and doesn't in some way relate to or make relative the sermons and views of the church to his or her own life, what is the purpose of attending or being a member, other than maybe for personal or political gain?

I don't pretend to know what the motivations are here, nor do I wish to judge anyone. It is however, very interesting that the Obama's have attended this church for 20 years and according to Obama never heard anything but "Jesus preached." I understand the concept of "social gospel" however, Jeremiah Wright's use of a pulpit for this type of unfortunate commentary destroy's any positive impact or attempt for this church to present it's "social gospel" and is indicative of much greater problems.

This issue is not going away and I'm afraid Obama can no longer carry the banner of unity legitimately through this election process. Well he can carry it, but it won't get him any closer to the presidency. His credibility and commitment to the ideals he espouses is no doubt permanently damaged.

In addition, Michelle Obama's comments regarding America can now be better dissected and understood considering the views her Pastor and she herself have regarding our great country.

America may have some skeletons in our past, but at the end of the day, we all still live in the best country on the planet. I hope we can continue to elect leadership that loves her as much as the rest of us do.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

TNAC08 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:57:07 -0000

In addition, Michelle Obama's comments regarding America can now be better dissected and understood considering the views her Pastor and she herself have regarding our great country.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

RML — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:56:41 -0000

I believe it is patently unfair to judge Senator Obama or anyone based on the crazy things their pastor, friends or family members may say or do for all of us would be condemned based on that flimsy standard. Senator Obama repudiated and denounced Reverend Wright's statements and that is good enough for me. He took responsibility which is a rarity with our politicians today.

Also it is patently unfair to examine only Senator Obama's pastor without examining Senator Clinton's and McCain's pastors/religious right evangelical friends. In the case of Senator McCain, who sought and received the endorsement of some hateful religious right evangelical groups and pastors, with him even calling them his spiritual advisors. Those groups and pastors statements should be examined. I assure you it will not be pretty.

Finally, the Republican Party has supported racists and bigots within its ranks for many years i.e. Strom Thurmond, Jesse Helms and David Duke, racist institutions such as the CCC (cousin to the KKK)and Bob Jones University, and racists media institutions/pundits i.e. Fox news, Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Mike Savage etc. and no one has questioned the character of Republican leaders like Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush and John McCain on this factor eventhough they have spent considerable time with these individuals and institutions. If you apply the same standard to them that you're applying to Senator Obama. Then you should condemn Bush, Reagan and McCain as well.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Who are you kidding? — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:49:09 -0000

I remember when the Frito bandito was "offensive" and "racist" and hearing our black brothers and sisters trying to gloss over the hate of Rev. Wright makes me sick! I have worked with and know many african americans. I bought a laptop computer from one friend who is black and he forgot to delete all his files. I was appalled to find racists jokes and commentary on his computer that was vile and similar to Rev Wright's diatribes. Racism is rampant in the african american community and it is one of politcal correctness' dirty secrets. I have attended "white" fundametalists churches for over 50 years of my life and never once have I heard anything racist from the pulpit. I did hear a lot about the good samaritan and the love of Christ to all. Many of the lessons were about the sins of stealing, murder and adultry. Here is my point. African americans have many reasons to feel like they have been used and abused. If you feel that way fine! Don't try to tell me you love everybody and want to unify the country if you hate me, a white person. Don't tell me you love America and sit and listen to the venom Rev Wright spews out.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

roberto — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:45:28 -0000

The media loves this story because it is sensational. I suspect most of the commentors here who are trying to promote darkest side of the issue are not the hateful paranoiacs they appear to be. They are simply trying to fan a small ember into a gigantic flame so that they can promote Hillary and trash Obama.

It wouldn't matter if Wright were Barack's pastor, his uncle or his postman. It is an absurd stretch of guilt by association. Those who continue to instigate and heighten the controversy are the very divisive fear mongers that must be marginalized in order to move this country ahead.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Jonathan Leavitt — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:26:11 -0000

At best, it sounds like Obama's admiration for Wright parallels Trent Lott's admiration for his old segregationist mentor Strom Thurmond. In the case of Lott, he lost his Congressional leadership position because of it.

Some googling led me to the discovery that Obama was a student while at Harvard of Derrick Bell, a law professor whose "Critical Race Theory" is ideological parallel to Wright's. To what extent Bell influenced Obama, I'm not certain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrick_Bell

Obama's homage to Wright'c commitment to "Social Justice," found in Obama's Huffington Post statement, suggest that Obama's view of social justice is based on a "class struggle" and "white privilege" analysis of power in America. (Or should I say Amerikkka?)

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Margaret Taylor — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:24:56 -0000

If this had been a (white) preacher that had made these same remarks about America and Senator Obama, the rest of America/world would not have heard too much about it, but seeing that it was a (black) preacher that made these remarks, all hell broke loose on Senator Obama because of his association with the church. There was an enemy in the camp/church just waiting to pounce on Senator Obama and discredit him for all the work he has accomplished.As one should know, there was also an enemy in the camp when Jesus went to a place called Gethsemane to pray, Matthew 26:36. What I am trying to say is, this will not stop the people from supporting Senator Obama, and this will not stop him from becoming the next President of the United States. All this has done is strengthen Obamas'cause to bring the people of America closer together for a better democracy.

Re: Jeremiah Wright

alma ludivina — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:16:17 -0000

I do not belong to any denomination, I do believe my home is my sanctuary and here is the place to do my prayers. I am Latin american woman I pay almost 40% os my annual income in taxes. I am part of 40% minorities population in USA, and I realized we are ill represented in politics. This country is well known to import brain power in all arenas ie. medicine, technology, physics, the only niche that remain vergin to newcomers is politics. Older generations are whizzing with the last gap to remain in power. The economy of this country is based in productivity, the power horse population of the economy needs a progressive President a good role model for younger generations of all colors and geneders.

If Senator Obama loose the nomination by the connstant entitlement and prejudice and infusion of alarm and fear in voters by Senator Clinton the words of pastor Wright will be a like a prophecy "that the american goverment is leaded by Ku Klux Klan mentality" just like the one that came from the mouth of Mrs. Ferraro

Re: Jeremiah Wright

truth boy.... — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:06:53 -0000

The most amazing thing to me is that Obama named his autobiography after a sermon by Jeremiah Wright and also called Jeremiah Wright his SPIRITUAL ADVISOR & MORAL COMPASS.... You got to be kidding me!

Obama went to Jeremiah Wright's sermons many times for many years. It's a bit revealing that only now Obama is speaking out against this racist and anti-semite... Obama has lost my vote because character counts....

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Truth Boy.... — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:59:11 -0000

Decide for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Jeremiah+Wright+&search_type

you better hope that they don't find any video of Obama in the church audience listening to this racist hate monger...

Re: Jeremiah Wright

Mugged and burgled — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 15:56:44 -0000

Interesting also to see the other material on the church's website: a distinguished service award for Farrakhan, and another one for the corrupt mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilkpatrick, about to be indicted for perjury for lying under oath about an affair with a staffer. What a corrupt, unloving, ungrateful group of people at this church.

In my experience, people with views like Jeremiah Wright and his congregation are VERY REPRESENTATIVE of how blacks think and talk amongst themselves when there are few or no whites present. Deep abiding hatred of whitey are among the most powerful and overriding emotions these people have.

BTW, its off topic, but since I'm likely to get tarred as a racist for my above comment, I'd like to note I started as a typical white liberal growing up in rural America, the sort of person who goes to the Wyoming caucuses to support Barack Obama. Now after several years in a big city, working and living and riding the bus each day with inner city blacks, I'm the kind of person who comes home from work and reads the American Renaissance website! Well, Matt Bai has an interesting post in today NYTimes Sunday Magazine about the "real racial divide" that leads me to believe I'm not that unique of a person:

"Maybe it shouldn’t surprise us that while white Democrats in rural states are apparently willing to accept the notion of a racially transcendent candidate, those living in the shadow of postindustrial atrophy seem to have a harder time detaching from enduring stereotypes."

That's right. Particularly when those stereotypes get reinforced by concrete reality over and over and over agains.

An American dilemma, indeed.