Serious in Detroit-Rev. Wright

In contrast to CNN commentator Soledad O'Brien's comments that his speech was not serious, Rev. Jeremiah Wright was serious in his address to the 2008 Detroit Freedom Fund dinner on Sunday, April 27th. Ms. O'Brien mistook Rev. Wright's use of humor--a tried and true technique employed to communicate and educate an audience--as the gist of his remarks.

In fact, Rev. Wright was deliberate in continually pointing out the very serious and significant perspective that Black American cultural styles of learning, expression and view points differ--but are not deficient--from that of White Americans.

Rev. Wright pointed out that the NAACP and the Black Church have historically worked in concert to address the white-dominated attitudes and the nation's laws that saw Blacks "treated as less than human or treated as second class citizens," he said.

The examples that drew humor--the difference between Africans and Europeans in rhythmic timing while clapping, singing, or stepping in college marching bands--helped to set up his more serious point, that is the distinctions between Black American religious tradition, our relationship to God as a liberator and deliverer, not only from this earthly life but a Saviour while we are in this earthly life. A deliverer from the physical bondage and social oppression Black suffered historically and that we contend with today.