Comments on: Rev. Lowery’s “stemwinder”

By: Doug LeMoine

Doug LeMoine — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:51:17 +0000

Hi, James. What I meant to imply by pointing out that people are "taking it personally" is that I don't think Rev. Lowery's conclusion was intended as an indictment. Many people of various colors still find comfort and inspiration in hymns like "We Shall Overcome" (and other inspirational songs of the time, like the one referenced above), even if what is being overcome is not as clear and present as it was in the past. The fact that Barack Obama was elected doesn't mean that everything has changed. After all, 48% of the US didn't think he was the best person for the job, and I would wager that some percentage of those people voted against Obama on the basis of race more than they voted for McCain. Anyway, I think that Lowrey's jovial tone indicated that even he intended it to be an acknowledgment of how much things have changed along with a feeling that there is still progress to be made.

By: James

James — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 08:35:29 +0000

White people who were offended are not taking it any more personally than if a white man said “when black will embrace what is right.” The line wasn’t delivered clearly indicating that this was past tense. The implication seemed to be that whites have not done so. Considering that Obama could not have been elected without millions of white people voting for him, it seems a bit insulting. And yes, you assume correctly that “these people are themselves white.” I don’t expect people who aren’t to care one way or the other– especially when the only race being slighted is the one that is blamed for all evil in the world. Any way, as a white person I already knew that despite what Obama represents– proof that ANYONE can succeed in this great country– many blacks were not going to give up victimhood and the convenience of blaming their situation entirely on others.