Reverend Lowry’s benediction at President Obama’s inauguration ended strong as one of the more memorable moments.
REV LOWERY: 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 back, when brown can stick around — (laughter) — when yellow will be mellow — (laughter) — when the red man can get ahead, man — (laughter) — and when white will embrace what is right.
Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: Say amen –
AUDIENCE: Amen!
REV. LOWERY: — and amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen! (Cheers, applause.)
Full transcript here.
[Via]
21 responses so far ↓
Sal // January 20, 2009 at 5:40 pm |
I have to say the inaugural event was very nice until the last few words by Rev. Lowry. I will be so happy when black folks finally quit blaming whites for all their problems. The bar has been raised now by President Obama, we’ll see what happens.
By the way, this day would not have been possible if a whole lot of white folks didn’t vote for a man they thought was qualified. Their votes weren’t based on the color of his skin. Let’s hope we can move on as a nation and all people will do what is neccessary to be good, contributing members of our society in this great democracy.
MrRight // January 20, 2009 at 7:20 pm |
Very very sad. This is exactly what is still wrong with America. A racist man, making racist statements. We should be coming together with the election instead of having to hear that racist benediction. That was offensive.
naql // January 20, 2009 at 7:55 pm |
Lowry is an idiot and his remarks were offensive and in poor taste. They were more suited for some rapper rhyming convention than the presidential inauguration. And, I think he managed to overlook the fact that whites elected Barack Obama. Puhlease.
tnhighc // January 21, 2009 at 8:27 am |
I agree, the inauguration was great until those last few words. and, Obama obviously thought it was very funny. What happened to us all coming together as one nation, regardless of race or religion? They approve every word that was to be said beforehand, so that is no excuse. I am offended and am sick and tired of any other race is allowed to be offended but white.
It is people like Lowry, Jesse Jackson, and Rev Sharpton who keep all this stirred up. After all, what would they do for a living and what would they talk about if they could not stir racial discord?
Someone // January 21, 2009 at 9:27 am |
Somebody wake him up from his coma induced back in the days of segregation, I thought we moved on past that.
Independent Thinker // January 21, 2009 at 10:39 am |
What a terrible last impression. I could forgive it if Rev. Lowrey was talking about the past, but he wasn’t talking about the past. He was talking like nothing has changed in America. He said “We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back,……and when white will embrace what is right..” WHAT?!!!!! So many whites voted for Obama. I voted for Obama.
Rev. Lowrey should have said that he is happy that this day has finally come and at the hands of so many different races. He should have asked God to bless this day and help us to continue to move forward as united people.
This was VERY racist, and I challenge the media to declare it so. (If the races were reversed, they would be all over it!)
polisciprof // January 21, 2009 at 11:05 am |
These are the words that most stuck with me from yesterday, as well as the playfulness of the gesture–to pun and rhyme. I loved it. I endorse it. I’d like to see the Cheney’s of the world and the Clinton’s follow it.
Sal // January 21, 2009 at 11:49 am |
Back again. I’ve read all these comments and many more on other blogs. I understand that we can’t forget the past, the black person’s struggle has been long and hard and still goes on. I understand the history behind the rhyme in Rev. Lowry’s “prayer” but it wasn’t really necessary, especially when I think most people are trying to embrace this historic event. For weeks now we have been listening to how the election of Barack Obama has touched, and rightfully so, many people of color. I have to say I have been moved but the support that crossed racial lines. The joy and celebration among so many is a wonderful thing. I guess I just want to move forward as a nation, I feel like the remark “when white will embrace what is right” was a dig to get in the last word. It was petty and unneccessary. We have been listening to speeches, talking and reading about racial issues and the historic signifigance of this election for months and months. We elected this man to lead our country, that speaks volumes. Why did Rev. Lowry have to go there?
Jan // January 21, 2009 at 3:20 pm |
Reading all the coments, here a comment because I really liked his funny prayer rime and came here looking for this phrase. You all take this far to serious, that’s really your problem.
What the referent tries to give you is some humorous lines based on history and he gives different people with different colors some funny prejudices. That’s why all the present people visiting the innauguration had to laugh, because it is a kind of silly! They don’t take these lines literally. And I bet the referrent made a joke of this in his prayer.
We talk about an bright intelligent man who for sure knows the majority of white embraces what is right (else they didn’t choose Obama).
I’m afraid you all, with all respect, didn’t see the humor. Stay cool, I would say!
Kendall // January 21, 2009 at 4:18 pm |
Concerning obama, I have never seen such a racist following from the likes of him and this lowery fellow of his. I live in a small city and never experience such racial overtones as obama’s supporters , in and around his chicago area and points in between. I have very close friends who are black and share a common love and friendship with them and enjoy their company very much and I don’t hear nor experience the racial signals that obama’s supporters and constinuents convey. The choice for a first black president was slim pickens and I would be a very dissapointed black person if this is the best representation of that.The world of obama seems very dark, dismal followed by hatred for America, whites, etc. and I just don’t get it. This is why I didn’t vote for him. If he continues supporting his racial movement who knows what the outcome will be and surely not for the common good that he claims. Big time bigotry is what I see coming from his world……
Dangerously Educated // January 21, 2009 at 8:40 pm |
I definately disagree…I dont feel like black people blamed their problems on white people at all, and for one to say that is completley ignorant and idiotic. White people undoubtley assumed that blacks blamed them for their many troubles, but in fact that was not the case. Just like blacks, whites had many problems too and who did they blame, not to sound nonchanlant but they indeed blamed and still do blame blacks for alot of their problem. For example: Violence, Drug Use, Gang Activity, ect. has been and is still being blamed on blacks all across the world, as if white people dont participate in those exact kinds of behavior. In fact there is really no one to blame but one self, which in deed is the problem that still haunts America today. People off all races are so focused on tyring to blame their problems on everyone else but the personal who is responsible for it, which is theirselves. And for you to say that Obama has raised the bar for black people is again ignorant. Blacks have been raised the bar with their many contributions to the world. Obama without a doubt is a major contribution to African Americans but please dont blame his success on the success of all blacks because one thing a black person knows how to do is make it. Also, it is true that Obama had and still has many white supporters but a vast majority of them where black, and who cares what color they are, really, and who are you to say without the support of white people obama would not be in office. The fact remains that he’s there and there is nothing anyone can do about it. So the next time you or anyone else wants to be so ignorant please speak direct and do some research on the many contributions that us “black people” have contributed to the world that both YOU and i live in…
Mike Murphey // January 22, 2009 at 9:03 am |
Let’s focus on his WHOLE speech and then holler if this lets us know! Or on the Amen… are we men or are we mice? Where’s your sense of humor anyway!!! What a Party! I hope President Obama can reset our compass and point our ponderous ship in a direction that will heal everyone’s economic and spiritual and wounds… A world flotilla of peace and mutual respect???
Mike Murphey // January 22, 2009 at 9:04 am |
What do you mean moderation? Are you the Big Brother?
tony // January 22, 2009 at 11:01 am |
The comment’s of Rev. Lowrey,indicate that we as a nation have lost our ability to find humor in the differences of each other. That was lost years ago due to political correctness. We have become a nation that searches to find offence. The laughter is gone and humor considered offensive.Perhaps the burden of our nation and it’s Greatness would be better served if political correctness was considered offensive.
John Michael // January 22, 2009 at 2:59 pm |
“Also, it is true that Obama had and still has many white supporters but a vast majority of them where black…”
Obama got 65.5 million votes to put him into the White House. The black population according to the U.S. Census is 35 million. I shudder to mention anything about “whites”, which I happen to be one of, but the US population figures for them is around 215 million.
Not to be rude or anything, but you might want to consider some basic math and then give another thought as to how Obama got the Presidency.
BTW Before staking claim to Mr. Obama and proclaiming him as a black President, please recall that his biological mother is as white as I am. This makes him bi-racial, so I have just as much right to stake a claim that he is representative of my race as you do for your race. Right? Right.
Here’s an interesting statistic for you… again according to the Census, Mr. Obama’s bi-racial ethnicity places him in just a bit over 1 percent of the population of the United States.
How do I say this…. He’s everyone’s pres… black, white, yellow, red, purple, lavender, orange…. pick a color. Your old, tired, rhetoric is soooo 1960’s…
Pat // January 22, 2009 at 3:24 pm |
Of the 65.5 million votes that Obama got, how many were from people who voted more than once? Whoever cheats the most–wins.
Rob // January 22, 2009 at 11:05 pm |
You know, it’s not uncommon for older people to continue to fight yesterday’s battles. I wouldn’t declare that the USA is totally without racism anymore than Kenya or the UK or Congo or any other country is. But Rev. Lowrey was only harking back to an earlier time in our Civil Rights development, alluding to a song familiar to many from that era. Obama recognized the allusion; most people who don’t attend black protestant churches didn’t. I thought Obama’s laugh was mildly embarrassed, like someone reminded of a youthful episode by an older uncle.
john deere UK // January 23, 2009 at 8:20 am |
RACIST! If a white man stood there and said ‘ When blacks will embrace what is right’ there would have been uproar.
The tables have turned, it seems that black community are now the racists. Blacks seem to have a chip on their shoulder and the reverand clearly illustrated this. What a sad pathetic man who is living on the past and who single handedly has tarnished black americans as racist.
Shatoyia // January 26, 2009 at 5:40 am |
I am an African American (Republican) woman and I can honestly say I agree with most of your statements but please don’t think that all blacks agree with the views of Lowry, Jackson, or Sharpton. I felt very embarrassed by his closing comments. I didn’t find his statements humurous or appropriate.
Alyssa A. Lappen » Blog Archives » The High Cost of Renewal // January 27, 2009 at 12:47 pm |
[...] ironically, the same day Rev. Joseph Lowery insulted all Americans by implying that heretofore whites always embraced what is [...]
Samantha // January 30, 2009 at 6:44 am |
I thought Reverend Lowry’s closing speech was beautiful and there is nothing to feel embarrased about. It was meant to be light hearted but at the same time the truth was being highlighted. Anyone who denies the past of the US and the human condition of prejudice, needs open their eyes to the injustice of the past . The main thing now , is to move forward and practice integrity and fairness. I am confident that the Obama- Biden administration will be successful.
As the endearing Reverend Lowry said ” Say Amen, say Amen’