Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Obama acknowledges both black and white anger

On Tuesday, Presidential candidate Barak Obama spoke about race in America. He acknowledged the frustration and anger that has at times been felt on both sides by blacks and whites.

Again, whatever your politics, Obama scores points with voters by acknowledging these things.

The only thing that can really bring the races together, or any two groups that are warring with each other, is a person, Jesus Christ. Paul speaks of Christ having destroyed the wall of hostility that existed between Jews and Greeks (Eph. 2) by making the one in one body--his own. We need to remember that it is Christ, not laws or politics or summits that has the power to bring healing and reconciliation to different peoples.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

To steal a line from a show I watched last night...It's almost as if he were speaking to his audience like they were adults...how dare he! ;)

James Nored said...

Kyle, as you allude to, to pretend that people do not understand the issues is to treat them like children.

Mr. E said...

A book I read recently focused a lot on race issues between blacks & whites mainly, but all races were mentioned. The book is Dominion by Randy Alcorn. It is book # 2 in a series of 3.

Obama did score a few points with me with his recent comments. Let's see if the rest of the country thinks by November.

Anonymous said...

It seems to me the only thing worse than someone who would scream blasphemy from the pulpit and proclaim evil grand conspiracy theories is someone who would justify such behavior with moral equivalence.

I don't know anyone who talks like that.

I have never associated with anyone who could scream such things.

And i don't appreciate being lectured to, by someone who would defend such behavior by saying that that's just the way people from my generation behave. It's not.

And.. I can't imagine anyone who would defend such hateful behavior.

Alison said...

I think Obama is in an extremely unique position right now, regardless of how one feels about him politically. He is potentially the first African-American president, but at the same time his mother is white. Often times, situations in our world create extreme reactions from "the few" on both racial sides. These reactions create a media explosion on the issues and anger, frustration, etc. results for all involved. Obama seems to address the feelings of both sides in a rational and intelligent manner. I beleive this approach reaches the majority on both sides that are tired of the "extremes" of the few. It's not surprising to me that people are responsive to this.

I think people respond to Christians in the same way. They see the extremesists in the "Christian" community and can't understand why they would want to be a part of it. But if you approach them in an intelligent and loving manner, they will be most receptive.

Anonymous said...

I do not follow Obama politically because I am not a socialist. But his talk on race was profound.

One of the best disarming techniques is to acknowledge both sides of an issue with fairness. I believe he did that.

He helped both sides to admit that they have much work to do to solve this long standing problem.

The voter's dilemma: Can Obama keep an arm's length away from this extremism recently displayed by his friendly preacher when charting the course for the Executive Dept. of this great country?

Anonymous said...

socialist? you've got to be kidding.

Anonymous said...

Although I think Obama brings some good things to the table, the fact that he agrees with taking the life of an innocent child on a matter of choice shows me the values he holds dear. I can't follow someone with such values.

Anonymous said...

You are so very right...

James Nored said...

Alison,

You mention the world's negativbe reaction against exttremism amongst Christians. It is true that the world has this reaction, fueled in part by media coverage of extreme behavior.

In talkinga about our faith with non-Christians, we are at our best when we lead with Christ. It is not that doctrine is unimportant, it is that our most important doctrine is Christ.

We need to also talk with civility and avoid feeding into negative stereotypes (such as picketing with signs that say "God hates . . . ").