CHICAGO--President Barack Obama or even the late the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. could not stop shootings plaguing the city, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright told some members Sunday at a West Side Church.
The community would have to come together to stop the killings, said Wright, the controversial former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ.
“Some of these things have to do with the government and some of these things have to do with our relationships with each other,” Wright told a group at an anti-violence program at New Tabernacle Baptist Church, 531 North Kenzie.
“Neither Martin Luther King nor Barack Hussein Obama can change the systemic evil . . . Let me put it another way — don’t think a change in government will straighten this situation out.”
He added blacks also would have to help end black-on-black violence.
“Who’s going to help us turn this situation down?” Wright asked. “ A hand came down through the ceiling and said, ‘You black man — you’re going to do it.’ ”
Wright said his comments about black violence were similar to a recent homily by the Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina.
The audience erupted in applause several times during Wright’s speech. The crowd of about 75 people included representatives of the Nation of Islam and Micheal E. Brunson, recording secretary of the Chicago Teachers Union.
“It’s not about individualism or who’s going to be out front,” Wright said before backing another controversial leader — Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made past comments that are offensive to Jews and other groups. In recent weeks, Farrakhan and his group have patrolled various neighborhoods to help to stop violence.
“Oh don’t mention Mr. Farrakhan, come on y’all,” Wright said to another eruption of applause. “A lot of preachers are afraid to say Mr. Farrakhan is a friend of mine. You can’t tell me who my friend is.”
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Wednesday, September 5th 2012 at 11:09AM
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