Academic

Take a Chance to see The REAL Jeremiah Wright

By Boyce Watkins

I was concerned about the recent attacks on Jeremiah Wright, mainly because I understand what he went through. Last fall, Bill O’Reilly spent 5 days calling for me to be fired from Syracuse University. They claimed I was a racist because I criticized O’Reilly and his condescending views toward people of color. I also had the audacity to ask why my business school has existed for 120 years without granting tenure to an African-American. He, Hannity and others engaged in the same petty attacks that they used to undermine the credibility of one of Chicago’s most respected pastors, Jeremiah Wright. Oprah, Obama and many respected members of the Chicago community have been in regular attendance at Pastor Wright’s church, and it is non-sensical to allow the buffoons at Fox News to reduce this man’s distinguished 40 year career to that of a worthless hack.

But truth is be told, this is to be expected: They did the same thing to Dr. Martin Luther King and other strong black pastors in the past. Even black people and scholars felt compelled to attack Dr. King and Dr. Wright, since that was the safe and “academicky” thing to do. Jeremiah Wright and most strong black intellectuals who’ve changed the world truly understand that white supremacy breeds a steady, bumper crop of “haterologists” who will attack your every move, every word, and every action. But I am a believer that the more empowered black men and women are, the more haters you will have, so black scholars should speak truth to power, engage in true intellectual leadership and be strong enough to withstand the backlash. That is what our forefathers expect from us, and I’m not talking about George Washington.

What is most interesting is that Jeremiah was a Marine and served his country with honor, while those who attack him hide behind their privilege to avoid fighting in the very war in which they so readily send others to die. Before you judge him, hear him speak. He is a scholar and an empowered leader of faith. I respect him. He is definitely smarter than Bill O’Reilly, but then again, most chimps can make the same claim.

ShareThis

Full post as published by BlackProf on May 01, 2008 (boomark / email).