On Barack Obama's Church and its Senior Pastor
by Kim Pearson

The Senior Pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. has announced that he will bring "a word from Heaven" on the the recent negative press coverage of the church and the faith of its most prominent member, presidential candidate Barack Obama. You can watch its services online at 7:30 AM, 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM CST.

In the past, I've written about the need for cultural competence in reporting on Obama. Nowhere is the lack of cultural competence -- and its unfortunate consequences -- more apparent than in the widening rift between TUCC and the press. Incomplete reporting, uninformed blogging -- and most recently, the Church's reported imposition of a clumsy media relations policy provide a distorted picture of a widely-respected church, theological perspective and Christian leader. My intention in this post is to share my experience of TUCC, and, more importantly, to correct some of the misinterpretations of black liberation theology that have been reflected in the coverage of the church.

Full disclosure: I've watched TUCC church services online off and on for the last two years, and I have notes from most of the services I've watched. In the last six months, I've watched almost every week. I do not know Dr. Wright personally, but I have known of him for years. In the course of his 35-year tenure as a pastor, he has been in frequent demand as a guest preacher, has given workshops for aspiring pastors, and has often been quoted in the press on issues of the day. In 2004, when I was trying to put together an anthology on the homosexuality debate among black Christians, I e-mailed Dr. Wright and received permission to publish a chapter on the subject from one of his books. I also feel I know something of Dr. Wright as a man because I his mother, the late Dr. Mary H. Wright, was my vice-principal. I've also written about the the debates among black Christians about the contemporary application of black theological traditions.

All of that said, here are my thoughts:
1. The TUCC Black Value System, a statement of faith, is not separatist, but comes out of 400 years of African American Christian traditon. Theologians such as Dwight Hopkins have noted that African Americans countered their slavemasters' use of the Bible to justify slavery with a vision of God as liberator, latching on to heroes such as David, Moses and Jesus himself.

That tradition was further strengthened after slavery, in response to writers and politicians who pushed the murderous stereotype that black men were "brutes." It was a response to those who claimed that the Bible proscribed interracial marriage.

The African American theological tradition informed Dr. Martin Luther King's "Letter From a Birmingham Jail:"

Before the pilgrims landed at Plymouth, we were here. Before the pen of Jefferson etched the majestic words of the Declaration of Independence across the pages of history, we were here. For more than two centuries our forebears labored in this country without wages; they made cotton king; they built the homes of their masters while suffering gross injustice and shameful humiliation-and yet out of a bottomless vitality they continued to thrive and develop. If the inexpressible cruelties of slavery could not stop us, the opposition we now face will surely fail. We will win our freedom because the sacred heritage of our nation and the eternal will of God are embodied in our echoing demands...."

2. The church's battle against white supremacy is also a call for black self-respect and responsibility. We live, after all, in a time when there are black men who say slavery was good for us, and when corporate media glamorize self-destructive behavior, often overwhelming parents' best efforts. In sermons, TUCC's leaders call black parents to take responsibility for their children, extol education, offer Bible-based messages for combating the thug life, and decry cultural trends that destroy black people's self-esteem. If you have any question about why that's necessary, watch this.

3. TUCC's theology is not in conflict with the theology of Dr. Martin Luther King, as some have charged. Yes, Dr. King dreamed of a day when people of all races could join hands. However, he also reflected on the needs for black controlled-institutions within black communities, saying, I don't want to be integrated out of power." (For more on the context of that statement, see James Cone's Malcom & Martin & America: Dream or Nightmare. )

4. The Senior Pastor's perspective on political issues is partially derived from his belief about what belongs on the public vs. the private sphere. Here's an explanation from a recent interview Wright gave to der Spiegel:

Wright: Faith should be pulled into the public arena when it affects how we live. If it doesn't -- if it's so heavenly focused -- it does no earthly good. What does my faith say about 44 million people with no health care? What does my faith say about the fact that my girl can't be a nuclear physicist because she's black and from the inner city and because her schooling options are not what they are for George W. Bush's girls or for Bill and Hillary's daughter Chelsea? My faith says, no, that's not what God intended. It pulls it back into the public arena the idea that there's got to be something fair for all of us.

5. The Black Value System's condmenation of "middleclassness" is not a condemnation of academic or financial success. It's a condemnation of selfishness and materialism of putting self ahead of the welfare of the community. The implied critique in the statement is in the tradition of E. Franklin Frazier's Black Bourgeiosie or W.E.B. Du Bois's sober reflection in his 1948 speech, "The Talented Tenth: A Memorial Address." In that speech, Du Bois said that he had thought that an educated black middle class would automatically seek the good of the race:

"I assumed that with knowledge, sacrifice would automatically follow. In my youth and idealism, I did not realise that selfishness is even more natural than sacrifice..."

It is that selfishness that TUCC condemns.

Reportedly, the church has adopted a new media relations policy in response to what its leaders feel are deceptive reporting tactics by the press. It's a bad public relations move, to be sure. When I was in the corporate world, I knew executives that occasionally tried to tell reporters to send their articles to us for approval, and I had to jump in and explain that's not how the game works. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to have been a good PR counselor on the scene when this policy was developed.

And to be sure, there are those who vehemently disagree with the way TUCC and Barack Obama proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One group led by a black conservative clergyman,Christians for Social Justice condemns Obama's stances on abortion and homosexuality. Such disagreements are fair game. What's not fair, however, is the mischaracterization of the beliefs and traditions on which public figures stand.

cross-posted at Professor Kim's News Notes

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Submitted by Kim Pearson (view blog) on Sun, 03/25/2007 - 7:19am

Comments

 

It's not about us

It seems to me any church that has it's focus on anything other than our Lord and Savior is missing the whole point of Christianity. It's not about you and it's not about me, it's about Him. The Bible teaches us to give up our own lives (and/or opinions), and take up our cross and follow Him daily. We are not to be putting our energies into one race or another, but into bringing others into His kingdom. We are to be about the Father's business, not what WE think is important. I don't believe that Jesus looks at our skin color, and neither should we.

Blessings...

Submitted by amygotgrace on Sun, 02/03/2008 - 19:26
 

Thanks so much for this useful post!

Celeste

Kids for Obama: http://inprogress.typepad.com/kidsforobama

Submitted by Celeste W on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 20:55
 

Thanks for posting this.

A nice antidote to some of the misinformation being spread around.

celeste w
kids for obama, co-editor
http://inprogress.typepad.com/kidsforobama

Submitted by Celeste W on Tue, 02/19/2008 - 22:09
 

Thank you, Kim

I can't wait to post a link to this, Kim.

Now - this is going to sound totally flaky and I apologize, but I could have sworn that I read this morning - but I can't find it now!!! - that a Cleveland Rev. who I've read about many times (since I live here), Marvin McMickle, is being mentioned as replacing Rev. Wright??? I've tried to trace back my last couple of hours but I can't seem to figure out where I saw that.

Now - Rev. McMickle did just have a very successful rally - so maybe I read quickly and it was something like, people could see him take Rev. Wright's place?

Anyway - does this ring any bells?

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 05:49
 

Wow! Thanks So Much 4 This!

Hi Kim, I wish I could be one of your students! :-) I too have attended Rev. Dr. Wright's church and watched him online. I am not nor have I ever been an active member, but the caricature and demonization I've seen in the media/YouTube of Rev. Dr. Wright has been so difficult to watch. I'm so very encouraged by what you have written!!! Hopefully the true measure of this man will eventually drown out all the inaccuracies. I feel well-informed voices like yours can help to make this come to fruition.

Keep up the great work!

Joy

Submitted by joyfulnoyz on Mon, 03/24/2008 - 18:26
 

Actually, Dr. Jeremiah Wright said the same
thing

At a TUCC service a couple of weeks back, Dr. Wright said that the only thing people would find when they came to Trinity was people worshiping God and seeking to do His will. When they say they are "Unashamedly Black" they are responding to a history of worship practices in the US that has taught that black skin is something shameful.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Sun, 02/03/2008 - 20:21
 

The Pastor of TUCC is Rev. Otis Moss III

Hi Jill,
First, you're welcome. Rev. Dr. Wright actually retired as Pastor a year ago, which was why the Senior Pastor post was created for him. During that time, his designated successor,Rev. Otis Moss III, became pastor. Rev. Wright recently retired as Senior Pastor to spearhead fundraising for a new school that the church is building. Unfortunately, the website is not up to date, so Wright is still listed as the senior pastor.

I've never heard of Marvin McMickle, but Trinity does bring in guest preachers fairly regularly (and its pastoral staff regularly preaches elsewhere.) Perhaps Rev. McMickle spoke at Trinity.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 06:24
 

Ah you are right! of course :)

Oy I'm so embarrassed - you are right! It was about Rev. Moss! laughing at myself - I have got to stop working at 6am to 9am - I get everything mixed up. lol

Rev. Moss's FATHER is the Cleveland connection. Thanks for straightening that out for me. Sigh of relief - I hate when I can't quite remember things correctly!

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Submitted by Jill Miller Zimon on Wed, 02/20/2008 - 06:50
 

Thanks, Joy

I could never have imagined when I wrote this a year ago that Rev. Wright would become such an issue in the election.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Wed, 03/26/2008 - 12:03
 

Thank you... I've been

Thank you... I've been dealing with a barrage of postings claiming Obama is the second coming of the devil, and it's nice to read a rational perspective!

nelle

Submitted by nelle2nelle on Sun, 03/25/2007 - 12:32
 

Glad to help

You're welcome, Nelle. Thanks for commenting.

BlogHer Contributing Editor
Law and Journalism/Media
Professor Kim

Contributing Writer
Online Journalism Review

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Sun, 03/25/2007 - 14:08
 

Land of the Spin

So sad to see how the people of your media manage to spin, twist, and distort teachings, which only strive for people to practise their religious beliefs with self-respect, honour, and love.

lia from luebeck, germany

Author of the media safe 101 page on the Red Tent Blog and the personal yum yum cafe

Submitted by Lia on Sun, 03/25/2007 - 23:07
 

With all due respect...

But if Obama were white, you'd be singing a different tune about the man. Or Link Textas Erik Rush puts it, "that candidate would be instantly branded a racist, among the most vile and frightening of white supremacists."

Based on your writing, both here and at your personal blog, it's pretty evident that you're always looking to portray black "victimhood." Two words: totally biased.

That's fine. It's free speech. But if you're really a professor, I hope your students know the difference.

Submitted by hipmomma on Mon, 03/26/2007 - 07:31
 

Let's compare apples and apples

Hi Big Momma,

Yes, I'm really a professor.

I think Mr. Rush engages in a bit of sophistry. First, he conflates race and ethnicity. Second, he oversimplifies Afrocentricism, conflates it with black nationalism (which is not the same thing), then calls that separatism (which, again, is not the same thing. CORE, for example, at one time espoused what it referred to as black nationalism, but what it really referred to was an effort to promote black business districts in urban areas.) Third, he does nothing to address the historical or cultural context of the text that he is criticizing.

Further, he offers no evidence to support his claim that TUCC's members are more loyal to "Africa" than the United States, and quotes from the church's leaders, as well as their actions, offer plenty of evidence to the contrary.

For what it's worth, I'm not an Africentrist, but I understand the distinction between Africentrism, cultural nationalism and claims of racial supremacy. I also understand that these may be difficult distinctions to grasp if you don't read much of the literature in this area, and I further understand that for some people, they are distinctions without a difference. But it is intellectually lazy and/or dishonest to pretend that these distinctions do not exist.

As for your charge that I'm "always" interested in portraying black "victimhood," (whatever that means)I have two responses. First, you have clearly not looked at the body of my work, especially here, because I don't even consistently write about race. Second, please provide specific evidence of inaccuracies in my reporting. I will happily correct demonstrable errors.

All of that said, I appreciate your taking the time to write, and I am happy to engage in conversation about the substance of my reporting.

BlogHer Contributing Editor
Law and Journalism/Media
Professor Kim

Contributing Writer, Online Journalism Review

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Mon, 03/26/2007 - 11:10
 

I'm not seeing what it is

I'm not seeing what it is you see. On a day where prejudice is heavy on my mind, when it has led me to resign as a board host because of continued posting of bigoted material about Muslims, I'm rather disheartened to read your comments.

Obama would be seen as racist?

What have I been missing? Is this the Bizarro World, and I've taken a wrong turn at Saturn?

nelle

Submitted by nelle2nelle on Mon, 03/26/2007 - 18:12
 

Great job on this, Kim

As soon as I saw this post two days ago, I went over and blogged it. You did a great job with this, Kim. Thorough as usual and you make excellent points about the need for cultural competency in reporting. I haven't decided for whom I'll vote, but I recognize fair coverage and cogent exposition when I see it.

BTW, I found Debra Dickerson's appearance on The Colbert Report at YouTube and had to blog that too. The segment's a riot. I got all that she was saying and understand it (actually nothing new about it), but the segment still seemed more like a Saturday Night Live skit than a pundit discussing her actual point. She has Stephen Colbert's antics to thank for that.

"Love is liquid. Brew and be drunkards!" ~~Nordette And here's a link to the blog.

Submitted by Nordette on Mon, 03/26/2007 - 23:09
 

Thanks, Nordette

I agree, the Debra Dickerson segment on Colbert is mad funny, as the kids would say. That aside, she isn't the only person who feels that Obama is not really a brotha, but I don't know of any evidence that that will influence African American votes.

I think too, that there is a line between ethnic pride and ethnic chauvinism. Part of the reason that I'm not convinced that the leadership at TUCC has crossed that line is because I've read and listened to Dr. Wright speak with admiration and humanity about people of all sorts of nationalities and backgrounds. And even such people who profoundly disagree with their social gospel have said they were made to feel welcome at the church.

W.E.B. Du Bois' "Credo" exemplifies the tradition of ethnic pride within which the black liberation theologians I've read generally stand. In 1904, he wrote:

Originally published in Independent 57 (Oct. 6, 1904): 787

I BELIEVE in God who made of one blood all races that dwell on earth. I believe that all men, black and brown and white, are brothers, varying, through Time and Opportunity, in form and gift and feature, but differing in no essential particular, and alike in soul and in the possibility of infinite development.

Especially do I believe in the Negro Race; in the beauty of its genius, the sweetness of its soul, and its strength in that meekness which shall yet inherit this turbulent earth.

I believe in pride of race and lineage and self; in pride of self so deep as to scorn injustice to other selves; in pride of lineage so great as to despise no man's father; in pride of race so chivalrous as neither to offer bastardy to the weak nor beg wedlock of the strong, knowing that men may be brothers in Christ, even tho they be not brothers-in-law.

I believe in Service -- humble reverent service, from the blackening of boots to the whitening of souls; for Work is Heaven, Idleness Hell, and Wage is the "Well done!" of the Master who summoned all them that labor and are heavy laden, making no distinction between the black sweating cotton-hands of Georgia and the First Families of Virginia, since all distinction not based on deed is devilish and not divine.

I believe in the Devil and his angels, who wantonly work to narrow the opportunity of struggling human beings, especially if they be black; who spit in the faces of the fallen, strike them that cannot strike again, believe the worst and work to prove it, hating the image which their Maker stamped on a brother's soul.

I believe in the Prince of Peace. I believe that War is Murder. I believe that armies and navies are at bottom the tinsel and braggadocio of oppression and wrong; and I believe that the wicked conquest of weaker and darker nations by nations whiter and stronger but foreshadows the death of that strength.

I believe in Liberty for all men; the space to stretch their arms and their souls; the right to breathe and the right to vote, the freedom to choose their friends, enjoy the sunshine and ride on the railroads, uncursed by color; thinking, dreaming, working as they will in a kingdom of God and love.

I believe in the training of children black even as white; the leading out of little souls into the green pastures and beside the still waters, not for pelf or peace, but for Life lit by some large vision of beauty and goodness and truth; lest we forget, and the sons of the fathers, like Esau, for mere meat barter their birthright in a mighty nation.

Finally, I believe in Patience -- patience with the weakness of the Weak and the strength of the Strong, the prejudice of the Ignorant and the ignorance of the Blind; patience with the tardy triumph of Joy and the mad chastening of Sorrow -- patience with God.

Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA.

http://www.library.umass.edu/spcoll/digital/digitaldubois.htm#

BlogHer Contributing Editor
Law and Journalism/Media
Professor Kim

Contributing Writer, Online Journalism Review

Submitted by Kim Pearson on Tue, 03/27/2007 - 06:04