What do you think about this? On a day of celebration and unity, how do these lines from the Inaugural Benediction strike you? I found them a little out of place, but wanted to wait till today to say anything.
Rev. Joseph Lowery's impassioned benediction - Faith & Reason.
....help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."
For the record, I THINK I know what he meant here and that it probably was not meant to offend or separate us. But I am white and I know a lot of white people (obviously) and many of them will hear this and immediately groan...
Hey now, wait a min. This red man is stii tryin to get ahead... Man.
Posted by: schmo | January 21, 2009 at 05:27 PM
He was reciting lines from actual slogans that were used during the civil rights movement - drawing the past and present together, reminding us of era of MLK Jr....
Posted by: kristine | January 22, 2009 at 12:57 AM
I agree with Rich. I think I know what he meant, as Kristine points out. However I think there could have been better ways to honor the day rather than using these quotes. Don't get me wrong, I'm white and I'm not all up in arms about this by any means. Just saying that maybe it wasn't the best way to end the event.
Posted by: Eric | January 22, 2009 at 09:10 AM