Bits & Pieces

Rev. Joseph Lowery’s invocation was the highlight of the inaugural in my view and that of several of my friends. However, some on far, far right, looking for anything to criticize, are claiming that his prayer was inappropriate.  Exhibit A:

But the benediction’s eloquence was marred by glib racialism.

Lowery got big cheers when he weaved in a weird prayer rap expressing his hope for a future in which the “brown would stick around,” the “yellow would be mellow,” the “red man would get ahead, man,” and the “white would embrace the right.”

Gimme a freaking break. There is no question that this election proves that enormous progress has been made in race relations in the US.  The fact that an old man who in the 60s (and for all of his life) argued passionately for equal rights for all, and is overcome by the power of today’s events, speaks in a manner that a strained reading can possibly impugn, is not reason to react this way. The man was speaking from his heart and a prayer whites fully embrace the right is not inappropriate.

Along these lines, a handy listing of strained, angry voices on the right is provided by Michael Kraskin at Political Machine.