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Response to the inaugural prayer

“Lord, you are able.”Where the inaugural poet provided a yawn-inducing delivery of her work, Reverend Joseph Lowery fired up many with fervor reminiscent of Obama campaign panache.

He thanked God for the “glorious experience.”

Lowery’s prayer momentarily united him with the people as he became a stand in uncle, neighbor and/or spiritual advisor when he delivered a universal call for God’s mercy.

He beckoned to the “God of our weary years and silent tears,” asking that we be kept “forever in the path”.. He sought the restoration of stability, in addition to deliverance from elitist favoritism and exploitation of the poor.

“.We ask for forgiveness.”

He acknowledged the shortcomings of humanity as he stated that we have “hearts drunk with the wine of the world.”

Though he spoke with tones of inclusion that paralleled the we-are-oneness which fueled the fiery pathway to Obama’s success, he did not miss the opportunity to issue still relevant racial criticism via colorful, spiritual colloquialisms.

He asked for a day “when black will not be asked to get 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.”

Though Obama smiled and the inaugural crowd chuckled in response to his simple rhymes, the cyber world of bloggers and right wing commentators chose to take offense and rant, rather than revel in the state of our progress.

I am unsure about the timeliness and/or mode of Lowery’s racial criticism, but I admired his chutzpah. Who attacks a racist American system during a televised sacred moment?

Also, did he not plainly address recurring issues? Though gargantuan leaps have been made in a most unlikely country, many know that deep in some of the country’s smuttiest crevices, millions of black people are restricted via unfit living conditions while simultaneously receiving subpar educations.

Many Latinos are faced with uncomfortable decisions as laws tighten and loosen regarding their liberties to travel to native lands and visit family members. Then there’s the issue of supposedly “job stealing” illegal residents in the mighty States.

Although Asiatic issues have not been publicized to the same extent as other minorities, some dealt with stress from seeking bilingual ballots in places like Boston to ensure that their voices be heard. Native Americans face smaller populations and increased rates of alcoholism and suicide.

Then there’s the good stuff. “.when white will embrace what is right.”

Obviously our new president can’t hate the supposed Man. He was raised, supported and nurtured by the less pigmented side of his lineage.

So, to those who decided to be upset by Lowery’s closing remarks, know that if you do what is right, he was not condemning you. Neither will God. Amen.