Obama said that his pastor had controversial views that he knew about, controversial views on Africa and on abortion (what view of abortion is not controversial, pray tell?)...
So, that's what he said -- but that isn't what I HEARD. What I heard is that Obama knew that his pastor strongly advocated against American foreign policy with regard to Israel.
I'm sure you're all asking, "how is that about AFRICA?"
well, join me after the brink...
Way back when the Yom Kippur War happened, way back when Israel occupied Palestine, African Americans -- and a lot of them -- said that the Palestinians were their brothers, that Israel was wrong to be occupying that land.
Some of the Jews who had been funding the Civil Rights Movement felt betrayed, felt like people they had been helping were turning on them. (now, I don't know. I won't condemn anyone who is critical of Israeli policy. But please, don't call us all Zionists).
This has been a theme in African American communities, and I don't doubt that Reverend Wright was tapping into that, when he gave his sermons. This isn't at issue, and it isn't a problem. People have ideas and they have feelings, and they should feel free to express disagreement with American Foreign Policy without shame.
BUT -- when Obama says that he knew that his pastor had controversial views on Africa, I can't help but remember that some blacks consider Palestinians to be just as black, as 'African' as South Africa.
I heard what Obama said, as a statement that he knew his pastor had some controversial views on Palestine, just as much as on Rwanda.