Brite is Wright

Several months ago, Brite Divinity School decided to award Rev. Jeremiah Wright for his leadership at their State of the Black Church Summit and Awards Banquet on March 28-29. After the recent airing of some of Rev. Wright's more controversial statements regarding race in this country, Brite decided to go on with the banquet and honor Wright as scheduled. (I must explain - for it is even confusing to those calling in to protest Wright's award - that Brite Divinity and TCU are separate entities, though they are associated for academic purposes.) On Monday, the calls to TCU and Brite poured in; countless letters were published in the school newspaper denouncing Brite's decision. TCU's Chancellor, Victor Boschini, made this statement yesterday:

"As a university, TCU supports the right of free speech even when the opinions expressed are controversial. That is what a university is about. But giving an award is another matter, and in this specific case in light of Rev. Wright's recently discovered remarks, TCU would not give such an award."

The university is a unique setting - one that I love and cherish. It is a place of ideas, of thinkers. It is where free thinking is encouraged and treasured. Everyone is of the opinion - as I assume you are - that our right of free speech is sacred. I don't know what your reaction to Rev. Wright's comments was, but mine, upon first hearing them, was dismay. But then I put these words into context. They come from a man who has fought with black leaders since Martin Luther King. He has seen his congregation struggle with poverty, drugs, and crime. His generation had to fight for the rights they now have. This kind of black and womanist liberation theology is a uniting factor within the black community across America.

So we cannot be too quick to judge someone such as Wright. Obama's remarks on this subject were incredibly sincere and insightful. It was refreshing to hear a speech free of political rhetoric. For a transcript of this, go here.

There was very good op-ed piece in the Ft Worth Star Telegram today that I encourage you to read - Sanders is more eloquent than I.

As far as racism, sexism, class in America... I hope my generation and future generations will not have to resort to the kind of fiery rhetoric Wright uses in order to unite. I know our country is divided. In my high school, there were two rooms in the cafeteria and there were whites in one and blacks in the other - this was the natural day-to-day state. I hadn't even thought of sexism until I got the raw end of several deals in grad school. I was even talking to a colleague today about class - something I never think of in America, where upward mobility is supposed to be easy. Maybe these issues deserve a second look, another thought.

As far as TCU.... There's a profoundly eloquent (insert sarcasm here) interview with the student editor of the campus newspaper here. This type of ignorance shown by the student body is one that will only further divide America. It's a sad state but there is hope: even now faculty are planning workshops and forums to confront these issues with open dialogue.