Urban Thought Collective

Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama’s former Pastor of Trinity United Church, has chosen to come forward to speak in defense of what he perceives as an attack on the black church. Who decided that he would be “The Representative for Black Churches?” He doesn’t represent my church.

I am aware of the fact that Pastor Wright is a “good” pastor. I understand that he has done wonderful things in his 41 years as a preacher, and his church continues to do great things in the community. I also appreciate his ability to say what is on his mind, speak his truth to get people talking and thinking critically.

However, I have issues with the abrasive delivery, negative semantics, and outrageous methods in which he chooses to do this. I can see that he wants to defend his beliefs, statements and values in the face of unfair media sound bites that paint him as an unpatriotic, anti-American, bombastic black pastor. I do not understand his very poor timing. It is immediately before the upcoming primaries in Indiana and North Carolina, where Obama has a chance to win the Democratic nomination.

My perception of the hatred that he is displaying toward Barack Obama does not make him a “bad” person. It is my belief that the effects of internalized racism (a deep seeded hatred for other black people) are mostly unconscious, out-of-awareness behaviors. Some black people have long had a problem with other black people making it, doing better, and succeeding. It was prevalent when there were “house Negroes” and “field Negroes” during slavery, and the mentality remains today.

If he loves Barack Obama so much (a man who he married and whose children he baptized), why would he be doing more than any other person to destroy his campaign?

Why, when there is the first viable black candidate fighting for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States (the presidency … a black man … in my lifetime … and it is not the apocalypse), is the #1 person negatively affecting the chances of Barack Obama becoming president, even more then Clinton, another black man?

I initially thought, maybe he just has a massive ego. Maybe he really doesn’t understand that he is hurting Barack Obama’s campaign, or maybe he is trying to get a bigger book deal. But, he was asked why he is coming forward now. He referenced something in the black community called “playing the dozens.”

I say wow. He is referencing an immature practice where you defend and talk about “yo’ momma,” as a way to explain the attempted sabotage of the Obama campaign. His comment, “I am not running for president, but I am open to being vice president,” is comedic. The only problem is this is not a joke. This is the future of America.

Truth Be Told … Reverend Wright appears to be the biggest example of crabs in a barrel that I have ever seen.

These are just my opinions. Opinions that you do not have to agree with, but that I hope make you think critically about the things you see, hear, read and perceive. My only intention is to create dialogue that will facilitate spiritual growth and change. If I have said anything to offend, that was not my intention. However, if me being offensive makes you think about things differently, then good.

ReNina Minter is a former elementary school teacher who followed her passion to make a difference on a larger scale. With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology, Minter is a certified “life coach.” Her editorials are exclusive to UTC.