The Politician & the Preacher
By Mumia Abu-Jamal
[col. writ. 3/15/08] (c) ‘08

The recent quasi-controversy over the comments made by the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, retired pastor of the United Church of Christ, to which Sen. Barack Obama (D.IL), both belongs and attends, has shown us how limited, and how narrow, is this new politics peddled by the freshman Senator from Chicago.

Although first popularized via the web, the Reverend’s comments caused Sen. Obama to say he was “appalled” by them, and he has repudiated such remarks as “offensive.”

Just what were these comments? As far as I’ve heard, they were that Sen. Hilary Clinton (D.NY) has had a political advantage because she’s white; that she was raised in a family of means (especially when contrasted with Obama’s upbringing); and she was never called a nigger.

Sounds objectively true to me.

Rev. Wright’s other remarks were that the country was built on racism, is run by rich white people, and that the events of 9/11 was a direct reaction to US foreign policy.

Again — true enough.

And while we can see how such truths  might cause discomfort to American nationalists, can we not also agree that they are truths?  Consider, would Sen. Clinton be where she is if she were born in a Black female body?  Or if she were born to a single mother in the projects? As for the nation, it may be too simplistic to say it was built on racism, but was surely built on racial slavery, from which its wealth was built.  And who runs America, if not the super rich white  elites?  Who doesn’t know that politicians are puppets of corporate and inherited wealth?

And while Blacks of wealth and means certainly are able to exercise unprecedented influence, we would be insane to believe that they ‘run’ this country.  Oprah, Bob Johnson and Bill Cosby are indeed wealthy; but they have influence, not power.  The limits of Cosby’s power was shown when he tried to purchase the TV network, NBC, years ago.  His offer received a corporate smirk.  And Oprah’s wealth, while remarkable, pales in comparison to the holdings of men like Bill Gates, or Warren Buffet.

Would George W. Bush be president today if he were named Jorje Guillermo Arbusto, and Mexican-American?  (Not unless Jorje, Sr. was a multimillionaire!)

In his ambition to become  America’s first Black president, Obama is in a race to prove how Black he isn’t; even to denouncing a man he has considered  his mentor.

As one who has experienced the Black church from the inside, politics and social commentary are rarely far from the pulpit.  The Rev. Dr. Martin L. King spoke of politics, war, racism, economics, and social justice all across America.  His fair-weather friends betrayed him, and the press condemned his remarks as “inappropriate”,  “unpatriotic”, and “controversial.”

Rev. Dr. King said the US was “the greatest  purveyor of violence” on earth, and that the Vietnam War was illegitimate and unjust.  Would Sen. Obama be denouncing these words, as the white press, and many civil rights figures did, in 1967?  Are they “inflammatory?”

Only to politics based on white, corporate comfort uber alles (above all)” only to a politics that ignores Black pain, and  distorts Black history; only to a politics pitched more to the status quo, than to real change.

Politics is ultimately about more than winning elections; it’s about principles; it’s about being true to one’s self, and honoring one’s ancestors; it’s about speaking truth to power.

It can’t just be about change, because every change ain’t for the better!

–(c) -08 maj

Gibson Sues Over Guitar Hero

Guitar maker Gibson is suing MTV Networks and Electronic Arts, stating that the company has not been paid for a patent it owns for virtual guitar playing. What do you think?

Cassie Binnis,
Systems Analyst
“Finally, the name Gibson will be synonymous with fake guitars.”

Tim Bradley,
Janitor
“Now that I think of it, Capcom never paid me a dime for the patent I hold for virtual street fighting.”

Bruce LaSaard,
Elevator Installer
“Excuse me, but after last week’s championship game at Ray’s Creekside Tavern, I believe it is I who owns Guitar Hero

Today’s photo of the day shows Angela Bassett, who recently was awarded with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Congratulations!!!

Question: What’s your favorite Angela Bassett role?

Today’s video of the day comes from The Verdict with Dan Abrams, where Leslie Sanchez and I discussed current issues on the campaign trail.

According to the New York Post, the Jackson Five is broker than the Ten Commandments. Here’s what they said:

Marlon Jackson, 51, an original Jackson Five member who stocks shelves at a Vons supermarket in San Diego, had to temporarily move into an extended-stay hotel.

Randy, 46, does odd jobs, including fixing cars in a Los Angeles garage owned by a family friend. He recently claimed Michael was going to give him $1.7 million – “a pipe dream,” said another brother last week.

Jackie, 56, the oldest and most debonair of the brothers, is struggling to manage his son Siggy’s aspiring rap career after an Internet clothing business startup and attempts to produce music failed.

Jermaine, 54, shuttles back and forth from his girlfriend’s home in Ventura County, Calif., to his parents’ mansion in Encino, where Jackie and Randy still bunk.

Tito, 55, is the only brother still making music, but it’s a meager living. The guitarist fronts a blues and jazz band that plays small venues and nets him $500 and $1,500 per occasional gig – a far cry from the days when the Jacksons could pull in 50,000 people at $30 a ticket.

Thoughts?