Jeremiah Wright: Moving Beyond Crabs-In-A-Barrel Syndrome

A close relative of mine said Barack Obama wouldn't be president this term because black people wouldn't let it happen. I scoffed, but now, after seeing Jeremiah Wright's attack on Obama, I wonder if there isn't some truth in that. If Wright's actions weren't stereotypical crabs-in-barrel mentality, I don't know what is. I'm just so shocked because there is so much at stake. For example, I talked with a young black war bride the other day, 19 years old. Her 20 year old husband is a soldier in Iraq. We are sending babies over there to die, and for what? Since Wright is so fixated on race, you'd think he'd consider just how many black people are in the military, are in Iraq right now. He'd think long-range about who'd actually get them home. It won't be Hillary Clinton, and for sure it won't be John McCain. McCain in office just means more soldiers sent over as we dig in further in Iraq.

You'd think Rev. Wright could put aside his pride and think of the long-term goal of helping Obama get into office. But no, this man twigged out, wants to act destroyed over Obama rightly distancing from his wilder comments. He wants to ruin Obama's chances of becoming president. And why, his feelings got hurt? It is almost surreal to watch, his public unhinging. I am truly surprised that a man of God would be so ego-bound.

I even wondered, is Rev. Wright mentally ill? The way he performed, and it was a performance, was really crazy. I'm astonished at number of people still supporting him. Some of the explanations I've seen and heard for Wright's behavior from rational, educated people are just so wild. That it's about the black church, black interaction. Let me be clear: this is not about the black church or black traditions. I think Rev. Wright does not represent the black church. It's been some years since I've been in one, but don't recall them as crazy.

Others have said Rev. Wright is being attacked for criticizing America. I don't think he's crazy for that. Seems mentally off because attack on Obama was uncalled for and negatively affects Obama's chances to win. This man is an established preacher who has done great work and orated before in the manner of Dr. Martin Luther King jr. Now, can you imagine Dr. King acting the fool like Rev. Wright did???

I thought not.

Fool. Buffoon. Caricature of a black man. If this not temporary craziness, then it's a deliberate, calculated attempt to throw salt. It's incredibly mean-spirited.

Why is it so important that Barack Obama win? For one thing, Obama winning means less people dead, both short-term and long term. Including less black people. Rev. Wright, supposedly so pro-black, could give a damn. His huge ego won't let him see what Obama could accomplish. What Obama will accomplish. Well maybe, we'll see. Maybe it won't be this term, because I'm sure there will be yet another black 'leader' acting like a crab in a barrel.

Others have said Obama was wrong for distancing from Rev. Wright. They feel he only did so because white people, or 'massa' was afraid of Rev. Wright. It's not about 'massa' being scared of him. It's about this egomaniac refusing to set his pride aside. It's really tiring, the mental chains our people are in. There is no 'massa' we are not slaves, there is no 'them', there is only US. All of us, people, together.

A big reason black people are not considered equal players is overwhelmingly we don't consider ourselves equal. No one can make you feel equal. We're still fixated in believing in 'massa'. If you think like that, then you must think you are a slave. You are free, been free. There is very little stopping grown Americans who are black from pursuing American dream except deeply held views that trigger self-sabotage. People like Rev. wright make careers off of keeping these beliefs going. He's eating, right? He's making money, right? He's in position to show, to help, to lead. Instead he's showing his own people they are not in control of their lives; it's all about what white people do or don't do. But you can't make a living off of telling your people they are slaves, that they can't be equal, when you have Obama saying YES YOU CAN.

I've even had someone tell me that what Rev. Wright did actually helped Obama's campaign, because it gave Obama another opportunity to show he can 'transcend race'. Humph. Consider that 'transcending race' is just another way of saying 'jumping hoops' to prove your competence. Think about it, how come Clinton does not have to 'transcend' her race? Because when you're white, competence is assumed by other white people. Obama's been having to 'transcend race' or prove his competence this entire campaign. So Rev. Wright did not do Obama any favors by triggering yet another hoop-jumping event. It was a deliberate attempt to distract voters from the real issues in order to sabotage Obama's campaign. He showed out on purpose to hurt Obama. His pride was hurt by Obama seeking to distance from him. So he got revenge.

It's also so important for Obama to win because he can take the race struggle to the next level for Americans. Sure it sucks many of us feel we have to 'transcend' race. sure it sucks racism is still happening. But we can't let that define who we are. It's not about what white people think or don't think or what white people do or don't do. We can't wait till there's no more racist white people to claim our equality that's been here all along. America is a great country primarily cause of rapid social changes. Obama can trigger next great wave of social changes for all of us. In addition to race social changes, there's labor issues, health care issues, many many issues that divide and conquer Americans both individually and as a whole. Keep that in mind when hearing the rantings of Rev. Wright.

This blog entry written by Trula Breckenridge. Thanks for visiting Personal Growth for Black People!

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