Jeremiah Wright to be honored

By Michelle Malkin  •  March 18, 2008 11:37 AM

Jeremiah Wright gets an amen from the Brite Divinity School:

Controversy surrounding the longtime minister of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is not deterring a Texas divinity school from honoring the Rev. Jeremiah Wright at a ceremony later this month.

But Texas Christian University, the campus where Brite Divinity School is located, issued a statement Monday opposing that decision in light of video that shows Wright delivering racially tinged sermons and him railing against the United States.

Wright is to be honored March 29 at the Black Church Summit and Awards Banquet, a $125-per-person banquet at the divinity school. Despite being on the TCU campus, Brite is a separate school with its own officers and board.

In a statement on its Web site, Brite said the school affirmed its decision after “understanding the sincere concern” in response to media coverage of Wright’s comments.

“Contrary to media claims that Wright preaches racial hatred, church leaders who have observed his ministry describe him as a faithful preacher of the gospel who has ministered in a context radically different from that of many middle class Americans,” the statement reads.

Obama has denounced the inflammatory remarks from his pastor, whose comments have included that blacks continue to be mistreated by whites and a suggestion that U.S. “terrorism” helped bring on the Sept. 11 attacks.

TCU chancellor Victor J. Boschini said that while the university supports the right of free speech even when the opinions are controversial, “giving an award is another matter.”

“In light of Reverend Wright’s recently discovered remarks, TCU would not give such an award,” he said.

Brite president Newell Williams said he spent part of last weekend reviewing texts and audio of Wright’s remarks after the controversy made national headlines. After that review, he and other administrators decided to stick with their plans.

BizzyBlog sifts through the church bulletins of Trinity Church. Maybe Brite Divinity School should do the same.

And they should watch this. And take this test.

Robert Spencer highlights Obama’s important admission: My pastor sounds like a jihadist.

Posted in: Barack Obama

See what others have said

Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.

Trackbacks

  1. It’s Because They Think You’re Stupid--Army of Dog
  2. The Armoury
  3. Barack Obama: “I can no more disown him, than I can the Black Community” This tells us more than his words! You do not join a football team, if you do not like football! | OpinionHead.com
  4. Jeremiah Wright To Be Honored : BigMouthFrog
  5. BizzyBlog » BlumerNetDaily
  6. BizzyBlog » Couldn’t Help But Comment (060508, Morning)

Trackback URL

Comments


  1. #268116
    On March 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am, almeehan said:

    Brite? Bright?

  2. #268124
    On March 18th, 2008 at 11:44 am, NeoConNews said:

    Well, after Obama’s speech and this, I guess we can all just quiet down. Apparently damning America is kosher now.

  3. #268134
    On March 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am, in_awe said:

    I think that folks sending their children to Texas Christian University, and especially the Brite Divinity School, should have some serious questions about what is being taught there.

    Once again, just reverse the circumstance and substitute a white racist for the black racist and tell me this honor would still be awarded. Regardless of how many good deeds the person has done, or how he has cloaked his racism in religious garb. Tell me exactly where in the Bible are the types of statements made by Wright encouraged or condoned? And a school of divinity thinks his actions are worthy of honoring – disgusting.

  4. #268154
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:05 pm, jungatheart said:

    To me, it’s becoming more and more obvious where real racism resides.

  5. #268165
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:12 pm, gayle said:

    Just how can those po’ folks afford the costs of this dinner???

  6. #268173
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pm, rooster said:

    Next stop for J Wright; guest host for the BET Hip Hop awards with members of the Jena 6.

  7. #268175
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, Brian72 said:

    Reverend Wrong will get more honors, because his sermons are couched in Marxist liberalism. Racial division, economic division, gender division, linguistic division. All things that liberals of all colors seem to believe in.

    Meanwhile, our intrepid host is being honored as well. The ad in the sidebar for the Claire Boothe Luce Policy Institute is offering a Michelle Malkin poster! How cool is that? I hope many young ladies will have that poster on their wall instead of the many Hollywood idiots that are out there.

    How does Michelle feel about that? Poster child of common sense.

  8. #268185
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm, letget said:

    It is apparent that the crud Wright’s view of white America seems to be in more black church’s than one might expect.
    L

  9. #268193
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:27 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    HMMMMMM, I want to take the test but the link does not seem to be working.

    Can I please take the test?

  10. #268199
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:30 pm, graysonret said:

    This isn’t a religious award; this is a political award, cloaked in religion. I guess there are some fooled, or agree with it, at $125 a plate. If people are so poor, why don’t they give the food away and use the money for something useful, besides earning interest in the school officials’ bank accounts…or even Quality Inn bills?

  11. #268212
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, The Raging Republican said:

    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:15 pm, rooster said:

    Next stop for J Wright; guest host for the BET Hip Hop awards with members of the Jena 6.

    Then a guest appearance on Al Sharpton’s radio show, then he will be hosting the Essence Awards, and finally a quick stop off at the Black Panthers headquarters to receive a lifetime achievement award.

  12. #268215
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:46 pm, Brian72 said:

    Iowahawk has jumped in on the Reverend Wrong controversy:

    Obama Disavows Statements of Controversial Junkman
    redd
    Outspoken Obama
    Advisor Fred Sanford

    Chicago – After days of trying to distance himself from a growing hate speech controversy that threatens to envelop his presidential campaign, Senator Barack Obama issued a statement this morning condemning “in the strongest way I can” the controversial pronouncements of advisor and Los Angeles salvage yard owner Fred G. Sanford.

    “The central message of my campaign is about unity and hope, and I will not let that message be diminished by these kinds of mean spirited and hateful remarks,” said Obama. “I repudiate them and I apologize to anyone who was offended, including Senator Clinton, Lamont, Grady, Rollo, Julio, and particularly Aunt Esther.”

    Obama said that Sanford would no longer play an official role in his presidential campaign operation, but said he remained an admirer of the controversial figure.

    “Mr. Sanford has long been a valued mentor to me, and I will alway cherish his friendship if not his counsel,” said Obama.”I’m saddened that his cherry picked, out-of-context words have overshadowed the many good things he has done for the community and the junk industry.”

    Despite his track record of controversy, Obama appointed Sanford as a member of his Hope and Unity central advisory committee. He dismissed complaints about Sanford’s earlier statements, calling them “isolated comments of an elderly man with a heart condition who likes to speak his mind.”

    Harder to dismiss were Sanford’s increasingly controversial statements directed toward Hillary Clinton, Obama’s rival for the Democratic nomination, which were caught on video and spread throughout the internet. In one speech, Sanford says “I’m gonna push her face in some dough and make some gorilla cookies,” and later says “that woman look like a fish head sandwich.” In another, Sanford holds up a clear sheet of plastic and taunts Mrs. Clinton to “wear it fo a Godzilla mask.”

    At first Mrs.Clinton laughed off Sanford’s remarks, and even said she would “welcome Mr. Sanford’s help after I am nominated.” Mr. Sanford replied that “I’m a junkman, not a plastic surgeon.” As the campaign wore on and her lead disappeared, she began responding testily, issuing statements that “God’s gonna strike you down Fred Sanford,” and “shut up foo.”

    After the remarks became public, outraged feminists staged candlelight vigils across the country and demanded Mr. Sanford’s removal. Mr. Obama was forced into a defensive posture, a rare wobble in what was up to now an almost flawless primary campaign. Whether or not today’s announcement will put the campaign back on track remains to be seen.

    For his part, Mr. Sanford declined comment on the controversy, citing health problems. He was admitted to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles yesterday, complaining of heart palpitations.

    “I’m comin’ to see you, ‘Lizabeth!” he was heard shouting from his gurney.

    A little humor is sorely needed in these campaigns, especially this whole episode. That’s good stuff!

  13. #268226
    On March 18th, 2008 at 12:50 pm, geminicontender said:

    Well if they can’t spell Bright correctly it probably says something about their message.

  14. #268295
    On March 18th, 2008 at 1:57 pm, kbiel said:

    A little information on Brite: As a member of a Discples of Christ (Christian) church in North Texas, I am well aware of Brite Divinity School. Unfortunately, my denomination, and its seminaries such as Brite, has taken a strong leftward tilt. It is so bad that many of the more traditional congregations have either left the denomination or are considering it. As for Brite in particular, as member of my church’s personnel committee, I have some opportunities to interview graduates from Brite. Let’s just say that we have declined to hire any of the more recent graduates (from the past couple of decades) and we have stopped posting job openings at our church at Brite’s job board.

  15. #268299
    On March 18th, 2008 at 2:05 pm, BrianNY said:

    audacity: the bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints

  16. #268302
    On March 18th, 2008 at 2:10 pm, Jim M. said:

    Saying that Wright’s views should be excused because of the other good things he has done is like saying Hitler should get a pass because he had a great youth program.

  17. #268311
    On March 18th, 2008 at 2:20 pm, Brian72 said:

    Don’t forget, Jim M. that Adolph Hitler also started the Autobahn, and commissioned the Volkswagen Beetle. So we shouldn’t take out of context Hitler’s desire to eliminate Jews from Europe by any means necessary, or that whole conquering of nations by force, and raping them of resources and labor to be sent back to Germany. Hitler also gave us the modern ballistic missile, the jet fighter and the cruise missile, plus the pioneering concept of Blitzkrieg.

    He did some good things, so don’t take him out of context. /sarc off

  18. #268410
    On March 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm, Marshall Russ said:

    I hope Obama is there to present the award. Maybe even Calypso Louie will show up. Hillary can only hope.

  19. #268425
    On March 18th, 2008 at 4:22 pm, guspapa said:

    Even Greta Von Sustern looked shocked and bewildered last night. All this little episode has revealed is that no matter how we try to remove that racial hatred from our lives there are people out there who refuse to let this one die. Pretty revealing to all us naive’ little whities out here is that black religious leaders apparently don’t think much of us. That Jeremiah Wrong is considered to be relatively congenial and less controversial than some of his contemporaries scares the crap out of me. How widespread is this Madrassa type preached hatred? Trust Noone X-Files

  20. #268447
    On March 18th, 2008 at 4:43 pm, TexasPride said:

    Just when I thought TCU couldn’t get stray any further from the C in TCU. I know it’s a separate board/school, but TCU has had a movement in its midst to try and remove the word “Christian” from its title. Maybe “Dr” Wright’s church should move to do the same.

  21. #268451
    On March 18th, 2008 at 4:45 pm, groundhunter said:

    Toranto of the WSJ provides this quote form Rev. Wright’s mentor Proffessor Cones:
    Cone’s description of black liberation theology:

    Black theology refuses to accept a God who is not identified totally with the goals of the black community. If God is not for us and against white people, then he is a murderer, and we had better kill him. The task of black theology is to kill Gods who do not belong to the black community. . . . Black theology will accept only the love of God which participates in the destruction of the white enemy. What we need is the divine love as expressed in Black Power, which is the power of black people to destroy their oppressors here and now by any means at their disposal. Unless God is participating in this holy activity, we must reject his love.

  22. #268472
    On March 18th, 2008 at 5:02 pm, emjem24 said:

    Yes, let’s reward bigotry. It was in vogue to be a Black Panther, I guess it’s the in thing to hate your country, be a racist, and support Obama, huh, Rev. Wright?

  23. #268534
    On March 18th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, Tantor said:

    I’m hearing that the alumni of Texas Christian University and Brite Divinity School are aghast at honoring this loudmouth bonehead racist conspiracy nut. They’re attempting to get him un-invited. Protests are being organized. Donors are un-donoring.

    I can only hope that hundreds of Obamamaniacs show up to ’splain to us how exactly our government invented AIDS and why exactly America deserved the Sep 11 attacks. I’ll be popping some popcorn for that coverage.

    The irony here is that Democrats, who frequently hurl charges of racism at Republikkkans, have fielded two candidates for president who wallow in racism. Hillary was quick to resort to racist attacks via Bill and others when she fell too far behind Obama. And Obama has been embracing a pastor who revels in racism.

    If you read Obama’s speech very carefully, you’ll see that he has smoothly put Rev Wright’s racism through the blender, mixed it with cream & butter, and serves it as his main course. His speeches trace all black afflictions back to whites, with nary any responsibility laid at black doorsteps. Blacks are poorly educated because whites won’t fund their schools, not because academic success is rejected by black culture. Blacks are poor because they don’t inherit money like whites! And the beat goes on.

    Simply put, Obama is the Elvis of the black liberation theology he learned from Rev Wright, translating it from its raw form in the local black churches into something that would be attractive to white liberals on a national level.

  24. #268568
    On March 18th, 2008 at 7:28 pm, Helene said:

    I have a real problem with Obama. He must have been sleeping during the sermons and missed all the ruckus.

    I attended a local church for years and quit because one of the ministers started bringing politics into the sermons. If I wanted politics, I’d read the editorial page. I go to Church to take time out of my week to gain some peace, get centered, and listen to how the lessons in the Bible apply to me.

    What was Obama going to get from this church? Maybe he was going just to see and be seen.

    What a fake.

  25. #268635
    On March 18th, 2008 at 9:27 pm, Right is right said:

    Funny how this ‘condemned for racism’ thing is coming full circle isn’t it? What I heard most from J-Dubs sermons, was the audience in full hearted agreement. Is this what church going black folk truly believe when they are by themselves? Further stupidity – I keep reading how black people are suing other black people for racial discrimination….. uh yea.

  26. #268689
    On March 18th, 2008 at 11:32 pm, infidel4life said:

    If this hate monger is a “preacher of the Gospel” I’m an NBA susperstar.

  27. #268814
    On March 19th, 2008 at 9:14 am, Tantor said:

    Here is the website for the event.

    At 11:00 a.m. we have “With Liberty and Justice for All?: The Black Church’s Response to the Prison Industrial – Complex.” I’m guessing the black church’s response will not be to tell black men to stop committing crimes against black people that gets them tossed in jail. It sounds more like a criticism of the system for incarcerating black criminals.

    At 2:30 p.m. we’ve got “Study War No More: The Black Church, Peace, and Patriotism.” Let me guess, patriotism means protesting America and condemning it as a war-monger.

    We end the day at 4:00 p.m. with “Prophets or Profits?: Defining God’s Favor.” This looks like an anti-capitalist screed where God is on the side of the socialists.

    It gives contact info for the event:
    Dr. Stacey Floyd-Thomas,
    Director, Black Church Studies Program,
    Brite Divinity School, TCU Box 298130,
    Fort Worth, TX 76129
    phone: 817-257-6996
    e-mail: bcs@tcu.edu
    http://www.brite.tcu.edu

    Maybe you can quiz Dr. Floyd-Thomas about why he is honoring a guy who wants God to damn America, claims the government invented AIDS, and says America deserved to be attacked by terrorist on Sep 11. Perhaps he can answer why those two hundred people who jumped from the World Trade Center deserved to die. Is that the position of the Brite Divinity School?

  28. #268881
    On March 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am, smfoushee said:

    As an alumni of TCU I’m both shocked and saddened by this news. However I will be quick to point out that the land of Horned Frogs is anything but a left-wing fairyland. Brite is honoring him based on his contributions to his faith, not his outlandish comments, although I wish the board would reject his award based on those comments. TCU is a great school with a great campus, and when I attended in the late nineties during the hight of Clinton arrogance (I was a liberal back then) I often bemoaned the fact that there were too many republicans on campus. Right-wing thought and groups are quite welcomed at TCU, so please don’t judge the university by the actions of Brite School.

  29. #269397
    On March 19th, 2008 at 6:12 pm, Straight_Talk_Luigi said:

    Contrary to media claims that Wright preaches racial hatred, church leaders who have observed his ministry describe him as a faithful preacher of [INTENTIONAL EDIT] who has ministered in a context radically different from that of many middle class Americans,” the statement reads.

    Media claims? All they did was take a recording of his EXACT words! I can’t believe I am saying, but they are right about this guy!

    Faithfully preach the Gospel? I edited that out because when he talks about whites like that, that’s not the Gospel according to Mathew, Mark, Luke or John. It’s according to Mr. Wright, who feels those awful whites oppress blacks.

    Plenty of African-Americans have money and power, its just when actually succeed at something, they are perceived as being too white by many of their own community.

    I’m multiracial and I find his remarks disgusting. I guess when you’re a liberal Protestant though, you can say things like that. We wouldn’t even allow a person like that in my Church to become a priest.

  30. #269442
    On March 19th, 2008 at 7:11 pm, mlog said:

    I wonder when TCU is going to honor the Ku Klux Klan. Rev. Wright might as well be a member of the KKK.

  31. #269479
    On March 19th, 2008 at 9:04 pm, davidcaskey said:

    I have heard David Duke talk, not by choice. Yet he is very careful about not using language as the Reverend did. Instead, he points out the common short comings of blacks that people ignore or cover over as being secondary to the white mans hate. As such, he is branded a racist. I know that he is and acknowledge it. Why can’t our future president do the same?

  32. #269808
    On March 20th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, ThackerAgency said:

    The worst part about this whole ordeal is that at the end of the news cycle, the press will be asking everyone to understand that we must elect Obama to ease the kind of suffering that brings on this preacher’s hate speech.

    They’ll tell us to understand that this multimillionaire has been oppressed by whitey so long that whitey better straighten up and fly right – or else.

    Wright’s services are not the typical black Baptist service. It is Christianity gangsta Chicago style. Wright is not how most black Christians are. . . even though that’s how the media will portray it.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

All the president’s hacks

November 5, 2009 10:37 AM by Michelle Malkin

23 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

Mmm, mmm, mmm

November 4, 2009 09:00 AM by Michelle Malkin

71 Comments | 1 Trackback

“Damn it feels good to be a victim”

October 27, 2009 01:22 PM by Michelle Malkin

47 Comments | 0 Trackbacks

About the “new” federal medical marijuana policy

October 19, 2009 11:16 AM by Michelle Malkin

43 Comments | 3 Trackbacks

Blowing smoke.

Best Nobel Peace Prize Rap Ever

October 16, 2009 09:40 AM by Michelle Malkin

65 Comments | 1 Trackback

“Doing my laundry. That’s a Peace Prize.”

Magazine industry rewards Obama cult worship

October 15, 2009 09:42 AM by Michelle Malkin

79 Comments | 0 Trackbacks


Categories: Barack Obama



Legal Insurrection

» NY Times Names Names

Pundit & Pundette

» Not a huge victory

HotAir GreenRoom