Obama tries to calm race row
US presidential candidate says ex-pastor’s remarks “divisive” but will not disown him.
In focus |
“[Wright’s comments] expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country – a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America.”
But Obama said the snippets of Wright’s sermons do not tell the whole story about the preacher.
“As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me. He strengthened my faith, officiated my wedding, and baptised my children,” Obama said.
“It’s a racial stalemate we’ve been stuck in for years,” Obama said.
“But I have asserted a firm conviction – a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people – that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds.”
Obama said the race discussion took a divisive turn when it was implied “my candidacy is somehow an exercise in affirmative action; that it’s based solely on the desire of wide-eyed liberals to purchase racial reconciliation on the cheap”.
Clinton had little to say about Obama’s speech, telling reporters in Philadelphia she did not see or read it, but was glad Obama gave it.
“These are difficult issues and we have seen that in this campaign. Race and gender are difficult issues. And therefore we need to have more discussion about them,” she said.