29 April 2008

Who is Dick Morris, really?

I was watching Fox News tonight and witnessed something I just could not keep to myself. Many Americans have watched the proceedings of this years Democratic race and have been shocked by some of the proceedings. Rick Morris is apparently awestruck by Barack Obama's "pastor" Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Truth be told, he is no longer the pastor of Trinity UCC but pastor emeritus. Rev. Otis Moss III is now at the helm. Logistics aside, after Rev. Wright's speech with the National Press Club, many Americans are wondering whether or not Obama should be trusted.

Do we not see what's really going on here? Ever since the media realized that Barack Obama had gone a whole year in the national and international limelight without any negative press, they have consistently attempted to derail him from his quest for the "highest office in the land." I call it the typical media roundhouse kick. It is truly a shame that this country and many of its citizens are unable to think critically enough for themselves about issues that directly impact their very existence here in America.

During the show, after the Rev. Joseph Lowery harped on the fact that Rev. Wright's comments have no bearing on the Democratic race since Rev. Wright isn't running for any type of elected office--not even "dog catcher," Dick Morris comes on the scene and vehemently urges Obama to not only distance himself from the Rev. Wright but to denounce his "anti-American" statements. He moves on to say that if he were in Obama's position he wouldn't disagree with Wright's statements in the manner Obama has--with "velvet gloves." Rather, he would ensure to "silence this elephant" because his comments were reckless and damaging to America. the issue here, for Morris, is that the Rev. Wright actually said that America "was capable" of creating AIDS and other bio terrorist agents. Morris emphatically asserted that America would never do such a thing and that America is the world's largest peace-maker and disease curer. How could he say this?

America is certainly more than capable of producing AIDS and many other bio terrorist agents. America is certainly the modern hub of racism and racist acts of violence and protest. America is undoubtedly a country that prides itself on individualism as opposed to a united people in search for a common dream. America is also a place of fragmented people and one of the only countries without a "culture" to call their own. The problems seem to arise when one group determines that their acceptable cultural practices are the normative and only acceptable cultural practices.

You know what I think Dick Morris' real issue is? Dick Morris is scared! He is fearful that this country will vote in a president that is a member of the church formerly pastored by Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He is fearful because he doesn't understand what is really going on, not only at Trinity UCC but in, dare I say, the majority of historically black churches in America. Dick Morris is fearful because what he is seeing and hearing does not fit into his comfortable box of normativity. He is fearful that God is watching and that God is not pleased!

Dick Morris needs a healthy dose of faith! He needs faith in a God who delivered an entire people out of bondage. He needs faith in a God who has preserved and uplifted a church body in the midst of a country filled with racism and hate. He needs faith in a God who has allowed this country to progress to a point where there is the potential for either a female or black president. He needs faith in a God who created this whole world and each person in it, including America and her citizens. If he could but see and know the God that many in the black church traditions see, Jeremiah Wright included, he would realize the possibilities at hand. He would be able to have faith, not in America, but in God to deliver America from its sinful ways. Who is Dick Morris? He is a typical middle class, white, American male with "pilgrimatic" tendencies who refuses to be open enough to entertain, engage, and at times critique outside perspectives and viewpoints.

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