Obama Cannot Win the Race Debate

Let's discuss religion and Obama and the Reverend Wright and his indignation.

The uproar over the words of Reverend Wright and its effect on Obama's candidacy makes me wonder why do Christians or believers of God go to church. I am listening to Meet The Press as I write this and the debate is ongoing right now.

As a Catholic, I can relate to having listened to many pastors preach about issues that they felt passionately about. Many people were so upset about things that a particular pastor preached about, that they felt they could no longer attend that church. I thought Christian people went to church to worship their God. I can understand people feeling uncomfortable with a certain pastor of whatever religion or denominational belief and I have no problem with those people making the decision to go to some other church. I have made that decision myself in my lifetime. I cannot condemn others or assume that they agree with every thing their pastor preaches about even if he preaches the sane theme repeatedly. They certainly are not responsible and I think Obama's way o dealing with the issue of race and his pastor is fine.

I cannot blame Obama for what Reverend Wright strongly believes nor can I blame him for continuing to be a member of that church.

The issue of what Reverend Wright spoke about raises the question of do these people who complain really understand the anger that lies behind his words. I doubt if most of them do understand where the anger comes form. This little article cannot begin to explore the debts of that anger nor the issue of whether that anger is justified. He certainly has the right to express that anger in America. I was born in New Orleans in 1947 and I grew up in New Orleans. I was not allowed to go places because of the color of my skin and that probably made me angry in ways some people could not begin to understand unless they lived that life. I was fortunate in the fact that my family raised me to understand that when life gives you lemons make lemonade.

I have no doubt there are many people in my city and state and this country and this world who don't like me because I am black, but I cannot spend my life worrying about those people. I am a physician and a retired USAF Lt. Colonel and I have been successful in my career and my life and I understand Reverend Wright's anger because many times I have been rejected and denied the simple courtesy and privileges that Americans should expect according to our constitution. Those rejections make you angry and believe me it is real and justified and I don't have a problem with anybody expressing that anger. Reverend Wright didn't commit a crime or kill anybody as a result of that anger, he merely expressed it several times and it probably helps him to deal with it appropriately.

Obama is of mixed race and so am I but I am black also. In tracing my roots back to 1836, my great-great grandfather was a "free man of color" in New Orleans. I guarantee you his freedom was severely limited even though he was a "free man" but nevertheless he worked hard, and I have records of his voting as early as 1860 many times and he served in the Union Army in 1863 in the Civil War and worked as a cooper and raised a family. I don't know how angry he was, but he raised children who which each generation worked hard and allowed my father to became a pharmacist and a dentist and allowed me to become a physician. I have heard friends and relatives say things which were very racist to my ears and they did not even realize they were racist statements. Even after I told them how I perceived their statements they still often did not agree with me that the statements were racist. I did not however declare they were no longer my friends because of their views.

I would not run for public office, but I can understand Obama and how lucky he is to have family who taught him to continue to believe in himself and gave him the opportunity to accomplish what he has accomplished. I can understand Reverend Wright and his anger and I cannot condemn him for voicing that anger. I can understand Obama not being willing to throw Reverend Wright under the bus.

There are people who will never believe Obama cannot be a great President simply because he is black or that Hilary Clinton cannot be a great president simply because she is a woman. Well those people are narrow minded and ignorant if that is the only reason they vote against either candidate.

Growing up in New Orleans was tough at times but it did not deter me form succeeding. I think that thanks to my family and the values they instilled in me, it actually made me more determined to succeed.

I haven't decided who I will vote for in this election, but the decision will not be based on whether Obama changes churches or denounces Reverend Wright. One of the commentators on Meet The Press said some people realize now that if Obama tried to walk across Lake Michigan, he wouldn't make it. That made me chuckle because I often tell patients who praise me for a job well done and say I am great that the last time I tried to walk on water, I almost drowned.

There will always be racial issues long after I am gone and long after Obama and our grandchildren are gone. There will always be people who will never vote for a candidate fro president or even go to a doctor because they are black or because they are a woman. Then there are people who will say Obama is ok even though he is black because he is different in a good way. I have heard that one also from people who hate black people but choose to rationalize how to deal with me who happens to be a black person.

Race, religion, and politics, gender, and sexual orientation will always be a controversial mix and anyone who thinks Obama or Clinton, or McCain for that matter should or should not be President based solely on that mix is delusional.

The news media loves it and will keep the discussion going and politicians will spin it a thousand ways to suit their own agenda.