I have hesitated to post a lot about the political race - the previous article on goings-on at Trinity Church was the first time I allowed it here at ASKEW. But the more I think about it, the future of our country is going to depend upon how we face the war with radical Islam, and the person we elect is going to have to deal with that above any other issue. That in a nutshell is why I would support Barrack Obama with a loaded gun to my head: he is inexperienced, and his comments show that he would be incompetent.

And so it is with great admiration that I watched the YouTube video that took the net by storm over the weekend: that of one Harriet Christian, former staunch Democrat, exploding into a tirade at the meeting of the Democratic Party Saturday to decide the fate of delegates in Michigan and Florida.



I am astounded by the courage of this woman - who took on the increasingly loud radical left voice of a nation, to denounce her party and tell the truth. As is predictable, because she dared to say Obama is unqualified, she is now being called "racist". Her argument is that such an attitude has allowed the male side of the Democratic party - not to mention the black community - to act with blatant sexism, as party chairman Howard Dean was forced to admit publicly on Saturday. Harriet stated it beautifully: her party would rather rally round an incompetent black man because he is black, than support an experienced woman. Even as someone who won't be voting Democratic, I have to say that if any woman is qualified and strong enough of heart to run the country, it is Hillary Clinton. And frankly, I am still trying to figure out what remotely qualifies Senator Obama in the first place - what, one term in Congress? Some community work on the south side of Chicago (many American citizens have done more in the way of community volunteer work). Membership for over twenty years in a "church" that has consistently preached hate and division is enough for me to run from this man.

The most fascinating part of the Harriet saga is that she - along with Geraldine Ferraro - is launching an overdue national discussion on race (and on sexism). For too long, the cry of "racisim" has involved in Harriet's words a double standard. Black America can rant, insult, insist upon injustice, divide, and blame Whitey for the whole thing. But if anyone speaks up against it they are - Horrors!! - "RACIST".

It is inevitable given the frustration level in America that we have a new discussion and that "racism" is addressed squarely and redefined. Harriet, in response to the name-calling thrown her way insists that she "worked for civil rights" for blacks, but that she believes "in equality for everyone". I am near half a century old, and when I was growing up, children were being taught the meaning of racism, not only the meaning of the word but the meaning of its societal repercussions. It was, afterall the middle of the civil rights era, and we were trying hard to learn a new way of relating to one another; we sincerely believed in justice for all.

But in the years after, the meaning of "racism" changed. It became something defined exclusively by the black community for the black community. Whites were told they didn't get to have a say because they would forever be in debt to the black community for the injustices of the past. "Racism" then was something that only happened to blacks, by only whites. But when blacks attacked Hipanics or Asian Americans it wasn't "racism". When "progressive" hiring practices ensured that many a white worker lost a job to a less qualified person of color, that wasn't "racism"(just payback).

When a woman crossed the street at night to avoid a confrontation with a male stranger, she had better hope the male didn't happen to be black, or she would be called "racist" for taking precaution to protect herself (as if a white woman had no right to fear a male if he was black, only white!) And over the years many a black leader has called for monetary reparations from the US government for slavery (even though virtually all of the black community by then never knew slavery themselves). What never dared creep into that discussion was the amount of blood white Americans spilled to free the slaves, the number of white abolitionists and civil rights workers who risked families, homes and their lives to free the slaves. Perhaps a white life isn't as valuable in the eyes of the Jeremiah Wrights of the world as is a black one? The truth is - blacks played a large part in the capture and sale of slaves, and the institution was abolished because whites abolished it.

The discussion on Islam in America has become racially charged. Black youth becomes "muslim" because it is cool, without any deep understanding of its real history and its demands upon its real followers. Those who question Islam's practices are deemed "racist". And now, those who question churches like Trinity are racist. The number of black pundits on cable news who have justified in any twisted way possible the hatred coming out of that pulpit has been a surprise that is still rippling through America. And more - these pundits condescendingly explain to the ignorant white viewers that this is the way black churches "worship", that grandstanding and exaggeration is their way of bringing to light social injustices. But too many Americans suspect that the members of such churches understand very very little of Christ's message of love for all people. With so much anger and hate flying around there is no room for Christ's presence at a worship service.

The black idea of working for "social justice" has become one of condescension: if you don't agree with me, well you just don't get it. It has become an atmosphere where the color of one's skin means he can do no wrong. Or where the color of one's skin means it is acceptable to hate. Only now, the colors are reversed. How did this happen? Did years of trying hard to do the right thing and end real racial discrimination create a generation that has allowed the pendulum to swing so far in the other direction that we have added to inter-racial frustration in the end?

Truth be told, America is not ready for a black president - even a qualified one. Until the black community is interested in ending all racist ideology - including that most beneficial to the black community - white America won't trust enough to be led by a black candidate to victory. Barrack Obama has ridden far on the coattails of pretty, meaningless words. He doesn't have either the depth of intelligence, or perhaps the courage, to confront the real issues about race in America today. His associations - long-term close associations - are proof of that.

Real racism is the hatred of a race of people by virtue of their skin color. Real racism allows one to justify hatred and abuse of another race by virtue of skin color. Its the kind of words spewed from the pulpit of Trinity. Harriet Christian's emotional words "I can be called 'white' but you can't be called 'black' - That's not my America!" is resonating across America with a truth rarely heard in public. So often in the course of social history, it has been a small 'nobody' who has unintentionally rocked the national boat in such a way that a new conversation - painful but too long avoided - had to occur. And this conversation is long overdue, and inevitable.