Because people are going to find every little microscopic thing to complain about when it comes to Obama or the people around him... They are that upset that he was elected. GET OVER IT.

 

(Obviously not directed at you HB. :thumb:)

Sound a little bit like the last 8 years? Many of you NEVER got over it, why preach what wasn't practiced?

 

That being said, as an American, I hope Obama does well and makes the right decisions to get us back on track. I, again, will say I hope he leaves guns alone and I also hope he doesn't make abortion easier.

My office is down the hallway from our waiting area. Three customers were in there upset by the closing minister's prayer. I did not here this, but they said in his prayers he stated, " ...and the white man do what's right."

 

They were all retired folks and were downright mad. What was the story?

 

Yes. He did say this. I commented to my husband about it and he thought I was joking. I think if this had been turned around the media would have made a bigger deal about it. However, I merely think he was trying to be all inclusive---it may just have come off a little bit awkward. I was in the room doing other things but I think this comment was the closure of his prayer which included other rhyming phrases such as .... brown man get aroun', yellow man be mellow, red man get ahead, and the white man do what's right. I am paraphrasing what I remembered not the exact phrases.

I'm not sure what you're saying. If one is quoting something, as apparently Rev. Lowery was, it's not editorializing. And, even in that thread you reference, I stated that I wasn't sure I was expressing what my feelings were adequately.

 

In a nutshell, I don't understand what you are saying by your comment.

 

Only that it certainly is editorializing. Whether or not he's quoting someone is irrelevant. He wasn't asked to give a sermon, only a prayer. I agree with what you said on Rick Warren. If someone is asked to give a prayer and they editorialize, it's inappropriate. If Warren did it he was wrong, as was this man.

Hatz wasn't reading minds. He was giving context. To understand someone's intent, wouldn't it be prudent to understand the man?

I wasn't reading minds either, I was giving my opinion, but I guess that equals mind reading to some.

Only that it certainly is editorializing. Whether or not he's quoting someone is irrelevant. He wasn't asked to give a sermon, only a prayer. I agree with what you said on Rick Warren. If someone is asked to give a prayer and they editorialize, it's inappropriate. If Warren did it he was wrong, as was this man.

:thumb:

What would happen on a Sunday afternoon in April at Martinsville Speedway if he gave that little prayer before the start of the race ? :ohbrother:

 

Most would be to drunk to notice.

 

I wasn't reading minds either, I was giving my opinion, but I guess that equals mind reading to some.

 

If I try to give an opinion on what is someone's motivation, I usually try to find out more about them and see the context in which they have lived life and are speaking from.

 

The reality is that much of the Benediction was Historical Black worship at its best. I think when we take it out of that context into our experience, and don't research and appreciate a preacher who saw the ugliest, worst of people at some point, then we loose the intent of his message.

I don't have a major problem with it but it was inappropriate.

I agree but I have to say I cringed when I watched "Papa Joe" say these things. The reason being I know what it would cause.

I must seriously be missing something here. All I heard was a mildly laughable rhyme that makes perfect sense. I guess I just didn't realize there was still so much racial tension that we (as AMERICANS) have to dissect a saying as meaningful and nice as that was.:idunno:

I believe that most people were not offended but more upset because of the double standard...

I don't see a problem with it. Just mentioning race doesn't make one a racist. I think people need to understand that.

 

It would have made a white person racist. You can't argue against that.

 

What would the Asian race think if a white person had said this?

I just heard the closing prayer on C-SPAN. If you listen to the entire prayer, you can see that it was about love, hope, peace and inclusion. It was beautiful.

It would have made a white person racist. You can't argue against that.

 

What would the Asian race think if a white person had said this?

 

A phrase cannot MAKE a person racist. Anyone that hears the entire speech, instead of one phrase that is questionable, and really looks at the words and their intent, does not come away with this gentleman being racist.

 

Of course, some will only see (and hear) what they want to.

His invocation included the following passage: "Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen". The line is part of a civil rights chant that Lowery has included in many speeches over the years

 

So, if instead a white president had said...

 

(ignore the lack of rhyme here, even though it is vital)

 

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when white will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man; and when black will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen".

 

Simply saying a prayer that includes "black will embrace what is right" would result in someone being called racist? Is that what is being said here?

A phrase cannot MAKE a person racist. Anyone that hears the entire speech, instead of one phrase that is questionable, and really looks at the words and their intent, does not come away with this gentleman being racist.

 

Of course, some will only see (and hear) what they want to.

 

Wish that worked both ways then.