March 21, 2008
The Austin American-Statesman’s religion writer, Eileen Flynn, talked to African-American pastors in Central Texas about the continuing controversy over comments made by Sen. Barack Obama’s longtime pastor.
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as everyone has heard and seen over and over by now, made racially charged statements that lashed out at the United States and suggested this country brought on the 9-11 terror attacks.
Obama rejected Wright’s harsh comments, but he didn’t reject Wright.
(Here is a take on the controversy by Time this week)
Pastors interviewed by Flynn said Wright’s comments need to be understood in a broader context including the totality of his preaching and the idea of speaking truth to power.
Here’s what the Rev. Jacquelyn Donald-Mims told Flynn:
“The only way (America) can become more livable is if we confront what we want to fix… There’s going to be ecstatic, excited speech that moves people to action.”
The story added:
Jesus, too, used harsh language at times, Donald-Mims said, but “prophetic speech is not hate speech.”
