Rev. Joseph Lowery prays for the day when whites will "embrace what is right"
Joseph Lowery, an elderly veteran of the "civil rights movement" and an ordained preacher put a kink in the media narrative of the inauguration of Barack Obama as the "first black President" with a cheap shot at European Americans in his "prayer" ending the ceremony.
Implying that white people that have not yet acknowledged their supposed oppression of nonwhites, Lowery engaged in a call and response routine joined in by the crowd, estimated by National Public Radio to be 98% black. Lowery's words were improvised from the lyrics of a blues song from the 1940s, and called to "work for that day... when white will embrace what is right."
Lowery's "prayer" of triumphalism put the lie to the media claim that the inauguration of Obama brings a new, postracial day in which all will be "truly equal." Once again whites bear the burden of historical guilt.
The "prayer" capped an undignified spectacle which saw the outgoing President, George W. Bush, booed and jeered as he took the stage to the Marine Corps Band's rendition of the traditional Hail to the Chief. Even reporters covering the events live remarked that the catcalls were "inappropriate" for the historic occasion.
Additionally, Obama's recitation of the oath of office was mangled and had to be partly restarted, and the proceedings were regularly punctuated by shrieking police sirens. The portents of confusion continued with the seizure and collapse of top US Senator Edward Kennedy at a celebratory luncheon presided over by the new President. Senator Robert Byrd was reportedly "overcome" and also left the event.
Part of the transcript of Lowery's performance:
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...
(LAUGHTER)
... when yellow will be mellow...
(LAUGHTER)
LOWERY: ... 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.
AUDIENCE: Amen.
LOWERY: Say Amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen.
LOWERY: And Amen.
AUDIENCE: Amen.
(APPLAUSE)
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