Open Letter to Jeremiah Wright

Dear Dr. Wright,

Sir, I am a fan of you, and I am angered by the way the media has misrepresented you and profoundly misunderstood black theology. Your ministry at Trinity has been phenomenal. You are truly a prophet and have given a powerful voice to concerns that have too long been silenced. You have spoken truth to power in a Christ-like way. I fully understand your desire and defend your right to speak for yourself in the court of public opinion. This weekend, you showed your intelligence and wisdom of speaking appropriately to different audiences.

With technology the way it is today however, there is no longer such thing as speaking to one particular audience. YouTube makes the world your audience all the time.

We have a chance right now, that may not come back for a long time. Barack Obama represents the hopes and dreams of millions of people. He has gone farther than any other African American in a presidential election, and has a real chance to win in November. Dr. Wright, you know, now more than anyone, the importance of context - and the fact is that from now on, when you speak your truth, you will be taken out of context and it will hurt Barack Obama. It will reduce his chances of winning the Presidency.

You seem to want to push the envelope of resolving racial issues in this country. While I support that goal, the methods you're using will undoubtedly prolong the time before that day comes. Frankly, I think an Obama presidency will do far more to bring some resolution to racial issues in this country than your passionate rhetoric, no matter how prophetic you might be. When the children of this world - of all colors - see him as president, it will alter their idea of what is real and what is possible. That is change that you cannot put a price on.

I was in a men's clothing store yesterday in downtown Chicago. I struck up a conversation with the African American man helping me, and we briefly touched onto politics. About an Obama presidency, he simply said, "America's not ready for that". He told me he was in his late 50's and was sure he'd never see it in his lifetime. I can hardly wait for the day when I can go back to my friend and tell him he was wrong. The look in his eye as I left the store told me he hoped for that day too.

Dr. Wright - good and faithful servant - you have spoken the truth, and we have heard you. You have passed the torch of Trinity to the very able Rev. Otis Moss III. I urge you to have faith that God can work - even through broken structures and systems - to bring about positive change, and God can work through the next generation.