My Experience with Trinity UCC

As a member of Trinity United Church of Christ, I am amazed at the negative coverage of our now retired pastor, Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. Over 10 years my family has attended Trinity, and the overriding mission of his ministry is service and justice for the downtrodden in our society. And can any American say with a straight face that African Americans have not been largely stuck in that position in American society?

All this concern with the "Black Value System" is crazy. First of all it didn't come from Pastor Wright, but from the congregation itself, many years ago. Secondly, why should the larger society be surprised, or upset, by a group of black folk deciding they better figure out how to work harmoniously together to achieve their mutual goals? I would have thought self reliance would be encouraged! If anything we are realists, recognizing that our help is not coming from the latest research study, or federal, or state program, or foundation program, but from our Lord, from within ourselves, and from our community. And importantly, just because we recognize the need for self love, and a requirement for self determination, this doesn't inhibit our ability to "love our neighbor as ourselves", or to recognize the potential example a "United" States of America could be in the world.

On a more personal note: With all the studies that link future success with a positive self-image and self esteem, I have seen the wonderful effect of my own children understanding that black is indeed beautiful, and that their history didn't start with slavery. Their confidence in their own abilities, even if they don't look like the majority of Americans. That they have a rich heritage as Africans in diaspora, just like Italian, German, Japanese, Mexican, or any other immigrants.

People often want to put others into a box of their own definition. My children have learned to define themselves, for themselves, and a large part of that is from the teachings of Pastor Wright.

So, while Rev. Wright is not always right, he usually is. He was certainly right about the current Iraq war being a mistake, just like when he was a young man, he was totally right about the unjust affront to humanity of apartheid in South Africa.

It's too bad the media is on this outrageous witch hunt. A simple "investigation" that entailed learning a bit about the actions of our church, versus these outlandish accusations, would yield an understanding of the depth of our commitment to justice, fairness, to the poor and as Jesus says to "the least of these".

Perhaps during some of the media coverage they will take the time to provide some depth so that reasonable people, can indeed make reasoned judgments. All they need to do is talk with some of his peers in the Black church and the UCC denomination, some his students, people in our congregation. In other words, get the "real story" instead of not even skimming the surface of a man that has devoted 36 years to his church and humanity.