To The Editor:
Shavana Abruzzo’s appraisal of Barack Obama’s “Minister Gate” concisely and eloquently reveals the true meaning that lies beneath the more salacious elements of this story (“Why couldn’t they just stick to the religious stuff?” Á Britisher’s View, 6-5 issue).
Aside from the fact that this chain of events has exposed some very disturbing flaws in Mr. Obama’s once-vaunted leadership acumen, it has cast a much-needed light on the true politics of race in this country.
Ms. Abruzzo rightly asserts that it is white apologists like Michael Pfleger who, although seemingly well-intentioned, would rather “stoop to cater to the lowest common desirables… than lead by sound principles of good citizenship.”
Talk about hitting the nail on the head!
Jeremiah Wright’s hateful tirades were no less repugnant. In fact, I would argue that Wright’s screeds are even more condemnable if only because he is inflicting harm into his own community. Regardless, like so many other “minority advocates,” both Wright and Pfleger are quite obviously driven by an ego that thrives on adoration of the flock, even while whipping them into an agitated lather. They knowingly promote a pattern of thought that only serves to keep minorities in a state of fear and paranoia; but it also obviously keeps them in the pews, and that’s the true payoff for all egomaniacal demagogues.
It is that kind of “leadership” style that should frighten us the most, particularly since it is one that the Democratic nominee seems to subscribe to as well. Beneath all the “hope” and “change” rhetoric, lurks a philosophy that relies on the same kind of divisive language purveyed by Mr. Obama’s long-time associates.
I suspect that part of the reason that Mr. Obama was reluctant to immediately condemn his former pastor is because he knows it would, by default, be a condemnation of himself. If Obama learned anything during his 20 years in the pews of Trinity Church, it was the apparent ability of a single man to mesmerize and influence with words reinforced by charisma.
At the end of the day, men like Wright and Pfleger are small examples of a warped theology that has pervaded America’s churches. However, much more disconcerting is the fact that they have had a profound impact on a man who could soon become the leader of the free world.
If he truly believes as the aforementioned “reverends” do, as 20 years of church attendance would attest to, then how indeed would he confront those forces who would demonize and harm America? This is possibly the most important question that could be asked of Barack Obama and his supporters.
And I am very grateful that Ms. Abruzzo has asked it!
Tom Evans
Park Slope
