Stephen's Own Domain 2008

Let me begin by saying welcome to June. Otherwise known as Black Music Month and the month of celebrating Juneteenth and Summer. This morning, I caught a footage on TV about Senator Obama leaving his home church in which he was a member over 20 years. The same church in which formally, Rev. Jeremiah Wright was pastor. We all know about it. And also the church has formally welcomed Father Michael Pfleger and some of his sermons in regarding Race, and America's "mishaps" are somewhat similiar to what Rev. Wright said prior to his viewpoints. I know what I said kind of makes me cringe at times, and others the same, but that's the reality. What do I think about this subject of Barack's Departure, is nothing new but slightly, to me is good for Senator Obama and his family to focus on the presidential run.

Now the next question probably would be, what church would Obama join next? I've had church members or former church members left my home church for obvious reasons:

• One is the cold weather and snow. Knowing the midwest.
• Two, the pastor at the time, and some congregation members didn't seem to get along on the same page or some other ideal matter.
• Three, personal demons arised in church members that goes from decades or years back.
• Four, families leave for other cities for their own matters and safety.
• Five, even some pastors lie and drive congregation members apart. I remember over 10 years ago that one of my former pastors lied and deceited some members in getting his own way. And morely it effected my older sister who was attending Garrett Seminary at the time and really had needs of getting support from the church.

But getting back to Senator Obama and his departure from Trinity United Church of Christ. I mean that was his choice to leave. Flat out. We all make choices in life right? With all the hype and him running for president,  yes distractions will occur in anything, but this is not a play thing, nor let's have the Pastors featured in this election. This is like serious business at hand. I have to say if I were in his position, I would probably done the exact same thing. I don't blame him at all.

Back in February, when the Primaries were going on, Michelle Obama made a statement: "For the first time in my adult life, I have been proud of my country."  That was the quote she gave in Madison and for some took that almost a different turn. I've heard some say that "I've been proud of America since the first day, and I don't why it took Michelle Obama so long to accept that" in a smear type fashion. I know, media and politics. Thinking about that quote, coming from a black woman like her is almost rare to me to hear that, In my view. It is. I've even heard some black men commenting the same thing. I was reading a comment from BET's blog site that one man, who I'm assuming is Black, scripted that despite of that statement, he felt that African-Americans aren't considered or treated as "real americans". Now, let me just say, don't go overly patroitic! This is just one person's opinion. It's debateable. Calm down! Read the blog, "Obama Splits With Yet Another Clergyman " from BET.com. Has yours truly been accepted by the same statement that Michelle Obama said? Well let me say that if you go to my myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/smcclintonjr5 . And if you see on the front page on the right, you'll see your answer.  I know it's one of those blogthings that are fake in all, but the message underneath says it all. Now what is a "real american"? I remember when Chris Rock had his HBO Special, "Never Scared"  four years ago. And he had a comment or statements of "real americans" or Americans in general. Morely, it involved contributing anything American: He commented on three examples that Veterans are an example. By the way, mad respect to all the Veterans. No matter which branch in the Armed Forces. I can't say nothing about them. I have Veterans in my family and church. He also commented that those who came from other countries are another example in that category. Also he described on the sacrifices for the immigrants that endured. The third comment he said "Everybody else, you're just lucky" as in reference who are just born here, and haven't contributed anything that is somewhat "American".  Go get Chris Rock's HBO Special, Never Scared on DVD or do a search on Youtube. I would show it here, but the clips do have explicit language. As hilarious as it sounds or appears to be, he does hit home with the issues like this.

This also reminds me of Christians. I'm one yes.  The United Methodist Church is part of that umbrella. I was told as a teen years ago that wearing a cross around your neck doesn't mean you're a Christian. Much as wearing a lapel pin on your jacket doesn't signifiy your American side of patriotism. What does it mean really? In my opinion, I may be wrong, it does come from inside. As in, "Inside You". And I would also say family values. My family can take attest to this. You can prove your Christianity by acting upon "the acceptance" that is instilled in you. Same as true patriotism. Just act on it instead of saying it to get other's attention. To quote one wrestler, Scott Hall (we knew him as Razor Ramon) "Don't sing it. Bring it!" or The Rock would say "JUST BRING IT!"

Finally getting back to acceptance in regarding the "real americans" thought. I think it would take time just to accept it.  Despite of the bitterness, this is not a fly by night, overtime work thing here. Now if it took Michelle Obama time (and I mean "TIME") just to accept the notion of being proud of America, in her adult life, it could work for others if they choose to follow it. Just like if someone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal lord and savior after years of doing work in and out of the church. Or coming off the streets after doing drugs, alcohol or other sorts of crime. It takes time folks. Seriously. No need to push envelopes! Maybe some might say if America does admit the "mishaps", there might be full acceptance also. I was watching a footage/news briefing from 1997 about President Clinton offering his apology to three members of the Tuskgee Airmen, who were at the time were given a false experiment in cure of syphills. The reason why it was false because the Airmen didn't know they were examined that way. Keep in mind that it took up to 65 years just to admit two things: an apology and accepting wrong doing. Read the article "Tuskegee Experiment and Apology" from the Online NewsHour website.

Yes, this is my take. Right or wrong. Just my thought.