Obama's Denunciathon

Yeah, I know there's no such word as "denunciathon", but how else do you describe Barack Obama's gutting of Pastor Jeremiah Wright? After Wright's performances this past weekend, Obama found himself in hot water again. Why? Why do ministers like Pat Robertson, John Hagee, James Dobson, and many more get away with slinging hate, but Wright becomes someone special?

Black America believes it knows the answer. Barack Obama should know, but he won't say it. For to acknowledge a double standard exists based on race would surely torpedo his "change" candidacy. The notion that white politicians can accept endorsements from clergymen who call another branch of Christianity "whores", but that Barack Obama must own the most incendiary remarks of Jeremiah Wright is a curious one indeed. For most black people, the idea that Obama's membership in Wright's former church is the difference (as any self respecting pundit will tell you) is splitting hairs at best.

At worst, it continues a tradition of racialist politics that should have died at the end of the 20th century. It won't because the media in America understands one thing very clearly. It's predominately white audience is uncomfortable with the idea of racial soul searching. It has been since the end of the 1960s. Therefore it's far easier to search the souls of black folks and ferret out what they see as racism, or in Wright's case, a race based lack of patriotism, even gratitude for the black experience in America. Besides, reversing the racial equation is money in the bank.

It may also mortally wound Barack Obama's candidacy for president.