The Grey Area

Dr. Joseph Lowery's benediction at the inauguration was one of the highlights. His voice was something to remember. It has depth and it commanded reverence. But the conclusion of the speech is what made it all the more memorable. It got some laughs but rubbed many the wrong way.

Here's what he said:

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in 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. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

So of course I'm sure the right-wing pundits/ideologues will be all over this tomorrow, especially the "when white will embrace what is right." But there is reason for other folks to get be miffed.

Nobody calls Asians "yellah" or Native Americans "red". And seldom do Asians or Native Americans use it to refer to themselves. And since when were Asians not mellow? haha

With President Obama emphasizing Change and the whole spirit of his campaign and election, Dr. Lowery's words sort of spit in the face of all that. It especially flies in the face of President Obama's hallmark words during his DNC 2004 speech: "There's not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America." You would think this sort of thing would have been avoided given the Jeremiah Wright situation.

But Dr. Lowery's presence was of grand importance nonetheless as he helped found the SCLC with Dr. King and leading the Montgomery bus boycott. Essentially, he paved the way for President Obama to take the oath of office today.

But, Dr. Lowery's words are also reflective reality: there is still racism in America.

Thus I'm torn on the issue, as are many people are conflicted about Rick Warren. But we should not be bogged down by these kinds of ideological and religious issues. We shouldn't divide ourselves or emphasize the details of others' beliefs and paint them into categories. Nothing is ever easy especially when you put it in terms of black and white.

I forgot who said it, but we need to accept that in life, there is and needs to be tolerance of a grey area. Certainly, ambiguity and uncertainty creates challenges but they also drive ambition and innovation.

The greatest thinkers and leaders of our time know this:
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." "Be the change." "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." "Yes we can."