MD legislator: Wright “spoke the truth”
Posted by Jeff Quinton on March 24, 2008
The controversy over presidential candidate Barack Obama’s former pastor hit home in Baltimore County when Del. Emmett Burns Jr. told his congregation the Rev. Jeremiah Wright “spoke the truth.”
“His major infraction and infringement on the American ideals were the harsh words Jeremiah Wright used,” Burns, pastor at Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, told about 200 people from the pulpit Easter Sunday.
“Yet he spoke the truth.”
[…]
Burns, D-Baltimore County, invited the area’s news media to his church, saying he planned to address the controversy.
Burns said Wright’s comments, while profane, were “providential” because they gave America the opportunity to examine its race relations.
The lawmaker said many white churches have a “priestly” tradition — in which ministers deal with the everyday needs of their congregation — while black churches have a “prophetic” tradition, prompting preachers to speak out against racism and war.
“It is only the prophetic tradition that has brought about social, economic, political and educational change in our nation,” Burns said, as the church burst into applause.
In recent weeks, the explosive words of one minister - the Rev. Jeremiah Wright - have been used to bludgeon one of his church members, Sen. Barack Obama, creating a national debate on race and religion.
Yesterday, on the holiest day of the year for Christians, black ministers used more measured language to explain Wright’s incendiary sentiments while also appealing to their congregations to not be divided and distracted by political games.
“Forty years after Dr. King’s death, when we should be excited about electing the first African-American or first woman president of the United States, the politics of race and religion are being used to divide us again and destroy a great opportunity to rebuild America,” the Rev. Frank M. Reid III said yesterday morning at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Baltimore.
In a stirring sermon before a congregation gathered in its Easter finery, Reid said, “It’s not about Jeremiah Wright. It’s about taking our eyes off the prize. What is the prize? A better America for all of us. What is the prize? A nation in which no child has to go to bed hungry at night. What is the prize? A nation where every child can go to school and learn to read and write and be successful.”
The crowd, which included Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Comptroller Joan M. Pratt, was on its feet by then, applauding and offering “Amens” to Reid’s words. The pastor said that today he would send a letter to top elected officials in the city and state, as well as leaders of schools and universities, asking them to help him organize “a conversation on race that will make a difference.”
“It can’t only be held in the pews,” Reid said. “It needs to be held in the schools and colleges and public spaces.”
[…]
“Come now, let us elect a person who can bring us together,” said the Rev. Emmett C. Burns Jr., pastor of Rising Sun First Baptist Church and a state delegate. “We have been separated for too long.”
Congregants welcomed the message of unity from their pastors, saying they were not in a position to judge Wright and that they resented the use of words from a pulpit to tarnish someone in public life and to tarnish black churches in general.
“People need to gear toward the election and not what Jeremiah Wright says,” said Joyce Alton, 58, of Pikesville, after the service at Bethel AME. “Take your eyes off Jeremiah Wright and focus on the candidates running for president.”
The pews were packed yesterday with women in yellow and pink hats, boys in seersucker suits, girls in flowery dresses and men in top hats and fine overcoats. Dozens of Easter lilies filled the Bethel sanctuary, and the church’s members appeared ready for a rebirth.
Reid told his congregation: “On this Sunday morning, the relevant question facing our nation is, ‘Will America, and Americans of will, choose to rise above the denial and destruction of racial politics?’”
Not all ministers mentioned Obama yesterday. Some, in interviews last week, said they would stick to themes of the Resurrection. Others alluded to the senator without mentioning him directly.
At New Psalmist Baptist Church in Irvington, Bishop Walter S. Thomas Sr. titled his sermon, “The Arrogance of Power vs. the Audacity of Hope,” a reference to the title of Obama’s best-selling book on faith, values and restoring government. But Thomas did not refer to Obama in his sermon.
At Bethel AME, congregant Kevin Simmons, 44, said he thought Obama’s denunciation of Wright was made out of political calculation. He said he could not believe that Obama would have remained in Wright’s church for so long - nearly 20 years - if he didn’t find some truth in the pastor’s comments.
“I don’t think he could have served under a man for so long without pretty much agreeing with what he had to say,” said Simmons, a Baltimore resident.
But in their sermons yesterday, ministers said their congregations often disagree with them - but that doesn’t mean people leave the church. Indeed, Wright has preached at Bethel AME before.
“Reverend Wright is no stranger to this congregation,” Reid said. “I know him to be a man of honesty and prophetic power. While I may not agree with many of his insights, only God can judge what God’s prophet says.”
At Rising Sun, Burns defended Wright as part of the prophetic church tradition, which uses strong language to bring about social, economic and political change. Wright comes from a tradition that includes the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglass and others, Burns said, though adding that Wright’s language was rougher.
“Jeremiah Wright just cussed everybody out,” Burns said. “His major infraction and infringement on the American ideals were the harsh words Jeremiah Wright used. Yet he spoke the truth.”
The crowd murmured its assent before filing out into the bright sunshine.
From Del. Burns’ wikipedia entry:
He is currently serving in his 4th term in the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Maryland’s District 10 in Baltimore County. Burns is currently a member of the Economic Matters Committee.
Burns was born in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 1940. He attended Jackson State University for his undergraduate work before receiving a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University, a Master of Religious Education from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. After a brief stint in the United States Air Force, Burns became a Baptist minister in Baltimore.
Baltimore Sun - 2/26/2006 and The Notion
More than 100 churches in Maryland - including dozens in Baltimore - have made campaign contributions to political candidates in recent years, an act that is prohibited by federal tax law and blurs the line between politics and the pulpit.
Some have given repeatedly, such as the Southern Baptist Church in East Baltimore, which made a dozen campaign donations between 2000 and 2004 that add up to more than $3,000, according to a review by The Sun of candidate finance reports.
Statewide, at least 115 churches have given to about 40 candidates since 2000, according to the review, and while the donations are generally small and sporadic, they flout Internal Revenue Service regulations that prohibit churches from advocating for specific political candidates.
“They’re not supposed to do that,” said Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington group that has filed complaints against churches with the IRS for similar lapses.
Churches that give to candidates can face revocation of their tax-exempt status or a 10 percent excise tax on the contributions, according to the IRS.
[…]
Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat, for instance, has received about $16,000 from churches since 2000, according to the review, including $500 from Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, where he is pastor. Baltimore Democratic Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden, the Senate’s majority leader, took a dozen contributions, which add up to more than $2,000.
A variety of candidates from both parties - including many in top leadership positions - have taken money from churches in recent years. They include Baltimore City Council President Sheila Dixon; Baltimore State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Sen. Thomas M. Middleton, a Charles County Democrat and chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
Some who received a contribution from a church said they were not aware of the federal provisions barring them. Burns said he believes that the IRS should change its rules to allow churches to make donations, especially given the Bush administration’s emphasis on religion-based initiatives.
“We’re talking about faith-based this and faith-based that - why not? We’re moving in that direction,” Burns said. “It doesn’t mean that because a church buys a ticket that it supports a political position; they’re just going to be at an event.”
[…]
Burns, the Baltimore County delegate - whose district once included portions of the city - agreed.
“The black church was always the center of the civil rights movement. That was the only place they could be,” he said. “The black church is the only institution that black people owned.”
More than 100 churches in Maryland made unlawful contributions to political candidates in recent years, according to the Baltimore Sun (Feb. 26, 2006). The Southern Baptist Church in East Baltimore made a dozen campaign donations between 2000-2004, spending more than $3,000. At least 115 churches gave money to about 40 candidates since 2000, directly flouting IRS regulations.
Contributions ranged from $5 to $2,000. Del. Emmett C. Burns Jr., a Baltimore County Democrat, garnered nearly $16,000 from churches since 2000, including $500 from Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Woodlawn, where he is pastor. Unrepentant, Burns complained the IRS should change its rules. IRS rules read: Churches “are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign.”
Del. Adrienne A. Jones, speaker pro tem of the House of Delegates, announced in March she was returning more than $2,000 in campaign contributions from churches.
Burns’ sponsored bills in the current session in Annapolis include HB 294 (which appears to be a tax credit for incarcerated parents who owe child support - it was withdrawn), a bill (HB 418) to expand Black History Month into two months (January and February) which is still alive, a bill (HB 517)that appears to require serial numbers be put onto bullets when they’re fired, a bill requiring that utensils have their place of manufacture identified, and another bill that would look into the disparity in automobile dealer ownership by minorities.
Related:
Burns’ legislative biography
Bills sponsored by Burns
Previously:
A Defense of Obama’s Church and Minister
Other blogging:
Michele Malkin
Protein Wisdom
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Comment by Betsy
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Things take a slightly different perspective when viewed in the right context.
Whether one agrees with Reverend Wright or not, it seems to me that he has been unfairly demonized to make a media controversy.
Watch Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s 9-11 sermon in context on youtube and decide.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOdlnzkeoyQ
Jeremiah Wright’s God Damn America in context on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMbeVQj6Lw
Comment by LeeS Gliddon Jr
The misguided rantings of Jeremiah Wright werte just that, misguided ramblings! His claims respwecting the persecution of blacks pales in the face of the YEARS of slavery suffered by the Israelites who were led out of Egypt by Moses. It pales further to the evil wreaked on Christians for over 300 years by the Roman Empire! At one point Christians were crucified at the rate of 500 men and women daily! Both Wright and Obama should apologize to Anmerica for their voiced views and allow race relations to continue to heal is spite of continued attempts to have people see the slavery of blacks as the most horrendous act on earth! It was indeed horrible but by far, not the worst!
Comment by LeeS Gliddon Jr
Rev. Wright, Obama….GET A GRIP!
Published by Lee S. Gliddon, Jr. on Mar 24th, 2007 in Commentary, Dem Candadates, Obama with No Comments *
There has been so much said about ‘Slavery’ in America and with Jeremiah Wright condemning America for bringing Africans to this country and abusing them I thought I’d do a bit of research. To hear Wright tell it, slavery was not an issue until America was the country that first used blacks as property.
Before I am criticized for being non-sensitive to slavery allow mwe to say, I am from Alabama and moved from that state as I detested the way blacks were treated. But, the issue here is slavery and I will say more on inequality later.
A brief history of slavery reveals that the very first writings related to Greece, 5th Century B.C. mentions slavery. It was so prevalent that the city of Athens had more slaves than free citizens.
Rome: History first reveals slavery as beginning in Rome at about the 2nd Century B.C. . Rome brought back hundreds of thousands of slaves in the 3rd Century B.C. from Carthage, Macedonia and Greece after war. They numbered so many so as to account for anywhere from 25 to 40 percent of the entire population of Italy. It was not until after the death of Spartacus that slavery ceased to exist in that country.
In even earlier times we read that slavery was known of since the very beginning iof history in Egypt. From Biblical days slavery of Israelites is known. The pyramids were built with slave labor and these historical monuments are 10s of thousands years old. These slaves came from Caanan, Etheopia and many Middle East and African countries.
In the 5th and 6th Century slaves were called Welshmen by Anglo Saxons. Many such slaves were sold to them by Germany who had taken these people as prisoners in wars with the Slavic regions. This is where we get the word ’slave,’ as they were Slav in origin.
As far back as the 7th Century B.C. slavery was rampant in India, Persia, the Arabian Peninsula, Rumania and Greece.
We now get to America. Slavery in America was initially initiated at the end of the 14th Century and lasted until the 18th Century. The total duration is an estimated 300 years. This was so shocking to me that I had to recheck all that I had read. Why? Let me tell you why.
To hear people like Jeremiah Wright rant about slavery as he did you’d think slavery was started by America! The were no slaves until the ‘bad white men’ of the United States began to trade in humanity purchasing! This is so very wrong to voice as slavery has been around for about 15,000 YEARS! To say that America was the evil is to say no-one else is in his mind!
The have been so many positive developments within my lifetime respecting the inequality brough on by slavery in America that to hear anyone deny them is not only outrageous but damnable! Segregation, not only in schools but at lunch counters (initially) but now in every walk of life. Equal Rights. Education grants. I could think of so many things but that would be saying things you already know.
In my lifetime I have seen the KKK. I have also seen the Black Panthers! I agree with NEITHER and sincerely hope you, the reader, does not as well.
I heard Barak Obama speak and his words were empty and meaningless as he continues to befriend a man who apparently hates America, hates white men, and makes accusations of anyone not black that are atrocious. Obama continues to attend a church that believes that there is a ‘black’ Jesus. If Obama is the Christian he claims to be then he knows God’s Word. Jesus was of the House of David. Jesus was a Jew. Plain and simple and as a true Christian I accept that as fact! God said it and I believe God.
I too regret the treatments that were wrought upon blacks in the days gone by. There is nothing I can say that will change them. But, and there is a BIG condition here. My family came to the United States of America three generations before the Civil War. You might ask ‘What’s that got to do with matters?’ Well, I’ll tell you.
My family came from Wales! I an the descendant of a Welchman! Now you tell me, as such am I entitled to complain about Anglo Saxons (Englishmen) and am I supposed to ask for REPARATIONS from them as the American blacks seem to want from me?
I think not!
Comment by Dean
Glidden is telling on himself. His ignorance as to the plight of African-Americans, male and female, in the U.S. TODAY is appalling. In addition, the premise of his arguments are logically flawed. Example: “To hear people like Jeremiah Wright rant about slavery as he did you’d think slavery was started by America! The were no slaves until the ‘bad white men’ of the United States began to trade in humanity purchasing! This is so very wrong to voice as slavery has been around for about 15,000 YEARS! To say that America was the evil is to say no-one else is in his mind!”-Glidden. Actually, chattel slavery WAS started by the U.S. It’s a particularly insidious type of slavery. NOWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, AT THAT TIME, WAS THE CHILD OF A SLAVE BY LAW AUTOMATICALLY A SLAVE. NOT IN AFRICA, NOT IN THE EAST. The first two sentences and the last sentence of that passage are a clear example of someone projecting HIS OWN thoughts into what “people like Jeremiah Wright are saying”. Nobody is saying that except you, Glidden. So, you disagree with what YOU are saying, not Jeremiah Wright. Besides just because terrible things happened to people hundreds of years ago doesn’t mean we should ignore what is happening NOW to people, or what recently happened to them in the U.S. If Glidden can count, and can understand the basics of arithmetic, then it could be demonstrated to him that, for example, the disparities in access to quality education is so markedly divided along racial lines in the U.S. TODAY. All he has to do is count. Count the number of schools which educate their students poorly, count the number of schools that educate their students well, count the population of each racial group in those schools, then count how much money REACHES each student in each school. The facts are beyond opinion, in this particular case. The effects of this situation are beyond devastating. In effect, Glidden is lying to us, and maybe himself.
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