Michael Pfleger and Chicago's Clergy Highlight Race During the Elections

One of the current hot topic campaign issues in the Chicago area which is being discussed across the country are the racially divisive remarks that have come from sermons at the Trinity United Church of Christ which was formerly the church of Democratic front-runner Sen. Barack Obama.

Recent remarks made by guest speaker Rev. Michael Pfleger of Chicago's St. Sabina Church rekindled the firestorm that had erupted over the remarks made by the church's Pastor Rev. Wright a few weeks ago. Wright caused controversy over what some felt were racially divisive remarks made over the past few years in several of his sermons. The controversy eventually led to O'Bama dropping Wright as his personal pastor.

In the recent scandal, the Chicago Sun Times quotes Pfleger as he characterized Hillary Clinton, ''I really believe that she just always thought, 'This is mine! I'm Bill's wife, I'm white, and this is mine! I just gotta get up and step into the plate.' And then out of nowhere came, 'Hey, I'm Barack Obama,' and she said, 'Oh, damn! Where did you come from? I'm white! I'm entitled! There's a black man stealing my show!' ''

Both Clinton and O'Bama have released statements declaring that these remarks are racially divisive and hurt their attempts at uniting the country through the Democratic party. Pfleger's attack on Clinton even provoked a comment from Chicago's Cardinal George who normally does not comment on political issues but felt compelled to convey his regrets over what he feels was a morally harmful speech by Pfleger.

Chicago has always been a racially divided city; politically, economically and socially. Remarks like Wright and Pfleger serve to highlight a feeling of racial divide that is felt not only in Chicago but across the nation. Although racial inequality is not as blatant in U.S. cities as it was decades ago, it is still felt by many citizens, both black and white.

It is interesting how religious leaders are the ones that feel compelled to speak out. Pfleger has always been an outspoken activist in Chicago regarding the underprivileged and disadvantaged citizens of this city. I believe that Pfleger used these remarks in his sermon at Trinity United Church as an attempt to highlight the undercurrent of racism he sees in this year's Democratic primary race.

Both Wright and Pfleger support O'Bama for the Democratic nomination and with the number of delegates that O'Bama already has, it looks like he has the nomination locked up. But the big question is, will their comments hurt O'Bama chances for winning the presidential election this November?

O'Bama has taken get care not to play the race card, probably in fear of alienating some white voters. Some black voters have felt alienated by this action; Wright and Pfleger are simply giving voice to the discontentment that they hear in their congregations and communities. Can O'Bamam continue to dodge the issue of race even as he makes history as the first black nominee in the Democratic Party and, perhaps, as the first black president of this country?

In recent years, religious men and women have been at the forefront of moral questions which have dogged this country; sometimes in defiance of church doctrine. These people are willing to fight for the moral inequality they see in our society, even if it means going against the leaders of their church and this nation. Only time will tell if Wright and Pfleger's sermons hurt O'Bama in his run for the White House or help bring to light the racial divide in this country that are leaders have been trying to sweep under the carpet for years.

Chicago Sun Times http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/978604,CST-NWS-sweet30.article