May 8, 2008
He’s the wrong color
Posted by Jamelle under america, extremists, hypocrisy, religious right | Tags: jeremiah wright, john hagee |Elizabeth Schmitz (who has recently returned to the blogosphere) seems a bit perturbed by the media’s “crazy preacher*” double-standard:
With all of this coverage of Rev. Wright, why is it we never hear about John McCain’s fraternization with the radical preachers John Hagee
and Rod Parsley? Hagee made headlines in 2005 for saying that Hurricane
Katrina was God’s punishment for hosting a gay pride parade. And now Mother Jones
has published footage from one of Parsley’s sermons where he claims
that “America was founded in part with the intention of seeing this
false religion [Islam] destroyed.” Unlike Obama, who has tried to distance himself from Wright, McCain
actively sought out the endorsements of Hagee and Parsley. He has not
repudiated their bigoted remarks, and continues to make public
appearances with them. And yet, not a word from the mainstream media.
There’s basically two parts to it; the first just has to do with the political landscape. Even in its weakened form, the Religious Right still has quite a bit of clout and power, and for awhile now, as far as the media is concerned, “religiosity” roughly means right-wing evangelical Christianity. The unfortunate effect being that right-wing preachers have a bit more legitimacy than anyone on the left side of the religious divide (even the progressive Jim Wallace).
More than that though, is cloud of suspicion which surrounds African-American’s patriotism. For one reason or another, blacks are on the whole viewed as less patriotic than white Americans (perhaps because “American” is normatively attached to “white”). It’s part of what is driving the “is he patriotic attacks” against Barack Obama, and is certainly part of what has inspired the visceral reaction to Rev. Wright. The fact of the matter is that even when right-wing preachers say horrible things, by virtue of being white conservatives, their patriotism isn’t doubted for a second. Jeremiah Wright (who had the advantage of saying somethings which were demonstrably true) is denigrated in the public discourse because of both his left-wing views, and his blackness, which for many is (unfortunately) indicative of a latent anti-Americanism.
*I don’t think Wright is crazy.
May 8, 2008 at 4:25 pm
I agree that Wright’s race is probably a key element to this whole affair. White Christians who enjoy majority status seem to have no problem when their preachers bash gays and Muslims. I think it’s quite amusing to see the same folks flipping out when a black preacher criticizes America over the continued persecution of minorities.
May 9, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I should also add that anti-Muslim bigotry isn’t yet frowned upon by the mainstream media. Case in point, Hillary Clinton can threaten to obliterate Iran - which would amount to millions of innocent dead Iranians - and few people in the media so much as batted an eye.
May 16, 2008 at 10:42 pm
‘his blackness’ (now there’s a term that goes well with English tea and biscuits!) is now close to the Democratic nomination; maybe it is indicative of a ‘latent’ opposition to free trade with developing nations, which in turn, is indicative of a ‘latent’ xenophobia and an aversion to reducing poverty globally - this time from the left-wing! No one doubts his patriotism, at least no reasonable person does, but they are uncomfortable with his association with the fiery brand of ‘blackness’ that Wright symbolizes. and while Wright said things which were demonstrably ‘true’, he also said things which were demonstrably untrue!
As for anti-Muslim bigotry, let us not forget that when Obama was asked about the rumors floating on the internet about him being a Muslim, he took the opportunity to declare his Christianity, rather than proclaim that it really doesn’t matter which religion he belongs to. Not the most ‘liberal’ thing to do, but Obama said exactly what most Americans wanted to hear. Indeed, it was Wright, who in his typical fieriness, chose to educate people during his NAACP address by repeating Obama’s middle name ‘Husein’ with gusto and saying that there is no reason for Americans to be afraid of an Arabic name. In that context, Wright was clearly quite demonstrably true!