It's been absolutely irresponsible for the progessive media not to report on Reverend Lowery

[zulchzulu]

Call it part of the parlor talk we are all supposed to engage in regarding the choice of Reverend Warren to do the invocation at the inauguration.

Call it perhaps the complete skewering of the argument about the sadness of choosing Reverend Warren for what will be a prayer that will last no more than a couple minutes and be a typical of what an invocation is, as defined as "the act or an instance of invoking, especially an appeal to a higher power for assistance."

Call it the predesposition of the progressive media that has to go "after" Obama in the coming years as to not look predictably admirable ad nauseum.

Call it the continuing affliction of most media commentators, journalistically-challenged bloggers, self-appointed demigods and other characters and hangers-on of the Beltway Punditry class not really doing their homework or wanting to sound alarmist to get to the top of the food chain of loudmouths.

They got your attention and now they will feed on it like sessile crustaceans latched to your vortexes of quibbling. So much to feed on these days for them and so many willing to praise their impermeable sophistry.

So why mention Reverend Joseph Lowery, a well-kicked and prodded civil rights leader from yesteryear in the black and white horror shows in the American psyche of racism and skull-crushing riots and assassinations?

Why mention a bearish man like Lowery who is honored at the "International Civil Rights Walk of Fame"; a man who helped with the Montgomery Bus Boycott after Rosa Parks sat down in a bus that started the flames of hate where many died, many are missing and many got batted by the police only to live the rest of their lives in squalor? But through these courageous actions, the blood and bruises and funerals of those who stood strong laid the foundation for trying to reverse this country's legacy of smashing down and imprisoning a race for financial gain.


From left: Kenneth Hagood, Dr. King, Rev. Joseph Lowery, and Dr. Edward Hart in front of Willard Straight Hall, Cornell, April 14, 1961.

Why mention a spiritual man who worked with Martin Luther King, Jr. to start the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and be its president for twenty years? From that bully pulpit, he called for civil rights for all, including gays.

He, along with Coretta Scott King, have openly addressed the support of gay marriage when he spoke repeated what Mrs. King said in 1998 in Chicago:

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood. This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group."

Source: http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/diary/2512

Reverend Lowery is someone who won't stop when the opportunity to continue the message of civil rights for all needs to be injected into the international dialogue. When he spoke at Coretta Scott King's funeral with people like George Bush present, he said this:

"We know now there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Coretta knew and we know that there are weapons of misdirection right down here. Millions without health insurance. Poverty abounds. For war billions more but no more for the poor!"

Watch it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3j9ltp1qM8

As some have indicated, Reverend Lowery will have the last word at the Obama inauguration when he speaks the benediction. To find out more about him, visit his web site http://www.loweryinstitute.org.

As for the progressive media not or barely mentioning him and rather focusing only on theo-profiteering charlatans like Reverend Warren, they are missing an opportunity to help work toward fulfilling Reverend Lowery's efforts for equal rights for all.

Of course they will be talking about Lowery after he amazes the crowd and speaks truth to power in what may be an international standing ovation!

Reverend Warren is a nobody compared to Reverend Lowery.

[firedupdem]

1. The media is shit...

Thanks for this post. Lowery is a great man and I was happy to forward my son who didn't know much about him this information. Recommended!

[Raster]

2. I wholeheartedly agree! Reverend Lowery is a wise and good man...

and one worthy of offering prayer at a most historic Presidential Inauguration.

on edit: As opposed to the other man selected to offer the invocation.

[goclark]

10. Can't wait for him to tell it like it is

and he has the last word.

Smart planning!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. keeping this kicked so others may read n/t

[madeline_con]

4. A bit off topic, but...

That STOOPID fucking chimp has NO manners! He can't even sit up like a big boy at Mrs. King's funeral. Thank GOD he'll be out soon. What a complete and total embarrassing failure! :mad:

madly typing; spell edit

[usregimechange]

5. Did Obama invite him to give some type of invocation?

that is an honest question not a snarky comment.

[usregimechange]

6. Yep, should have read it all the first time...

[zulchzulu]

8. He's doing the benediction...

He would have been a perfect good choice for BOTH the invocation AND the benediction. Hmmm....

[alwysdrunk]

11. Your post is a concrete example of the problem

And that is a shame.

[usregimechange]

7. K&R!

[babylonsister]

9. Rec'd! nt

[ellacott]

12. It's been very disappointing that the media, especially progressive media

Ignore the significance of this story.

[goclark]

47. He will have the last word and the perfect message!

I can't wait to see him put the ribbon of the gift of a new dawn in America!

Now this is a man of JUSTICE!

[MrsBrady]

13. k&r

[AllentownJake]

14. Ok one pick is controversial to progressives and one pick is not

People will read it and say..hmmm I like him and that is the end of the story. You really aren't called to action when you like something and it has already been done.

Its both the media's fault and the consumer's fault.

[NYC_SKP]

15. Yeah, how about that...

Recommended!

[11 Bravo]

16. "Progressive media" is largely an oxymoron.

[Uzybone]

27. So true

like most media, the "progressive media" is in the tank for ratings and money.

[populistdriven]

17. Best OP yet on this subject

[FrenchieCat]

18. Media only likes controversy, not good story about good people

if they can help it.

Ignoring Lowery because he's earned it by being a good person is predictable.

[alwysdrunk]

19. So true

Good news doesn't sell.

[AllentownJake]

20. Consumers are just as bad

Can't blame the media totally.

There have been about 20 Lowery threads on DU since this has started and they sink like a rock.

[zulchzulu]

23. If it bleeds, it leads... if it breaks our hearts, it's off the charts...

I've seen these people in action. It's more about ad revenue than informing the public.

[Bluenorthwest]

21. One must take care

not to use a man like Reverend Lowery as a tool to distract from the likes of Warren. It is a fact that the two men have been declared counterparts by Obama. I don't wish to use a hero as cover for a charlatan. I doubt the media is so inclined either. Connecting these two men was Obama's choice. Lowery should be given intense and seperate coverage, in depth and outside of the tripe cycle, to educate and inform those who are not familiar with who he is and what he stands for. He should not be in anyway reduced to being the balancing factor for a media sensation and bigot like Warren. Great care should be taken with Lowery's reputation. Using him to soften the Warren blow would be disrespectful.

I'm not saying they should not cover him, I'm saying they should not cover Warren with him. They should treat Lowery with respect. Not as a handpuppet for a seperate story. I hope he is mentioned far from the controversy, and without a hint of using this man as a term of art, in depth and in detail.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

22. Agreed. I attended his church in Atlanta as a kid and he is very progressive.

I'd like to hear his voice much more.

The other thing is that the media has been very irresponsible. It's not only the so-called "far left" and "gay/lesbian activists" who are upset with the Warren pick. As I understand it, there are plenty of middle-of-the-roaders who are also angry.

AND...there are many on the religious right who are very angry that Warren accepted the invitation. The so-called "librul media" is NOT doing its job.

[Lilyeye]

24. K&R

[hootinholler]

25. How apropos!

Could it be that Warren is being set up?

I know not well Rev. Lowery, but I remember him speaking at Mrs. Kings service, and I remember *'s squirm. Pickles is livid in that photo.

-Hoot

[zulchzulu]

26. Put it this way...

Warren's invocation will either be non-controversial and we might see him again in 2013 at Obama's second inauguration (I hope not) or he will be divisive and stir up enough anger within the proceedings that even Aretha Franklin might make a comment about how he's an ass even before Obama hopefully scolds him.

Add that Lowery would shred whatever was left of Warren when it came to his time to speak.

[nickgutierrez]

31. This is not too far off from my idea.

I think this makes it awfully hard for Warren and his allies to attack Obama on anything, without looking ungrateful or overly mean. Warren is a hateful worm, but if this can marginalize him for the next few years so that things really do get done, it might not be so bad after all.

I'm sad to say I'm not really familiar with Lowery, but if he's half as good as this thread would seem to indicate, he'll leave Warren in his dust.

[boppers]

28. "Doing the right thing" is not a news story.

It's what is expected of every decent human being.

Doing the WRONG thing, however, is news.

[usregimechange]

29. kick!

[Clio the Leo]

30. You're right, but they take their lead from us.....

.... perhaps WE need a few hundres threads on Lowrey. I'd certainly enjoy reading them more.

[Wilms]

32. Bingo! I put up a Lowry thread including his Loretta King eulogy. Sank like a stone.

:(

[angee_is_mad]

33. Kick

double kick.

[GrannyK]

34. Thank you for enlightening folks on Rev. Lowery.

Johnny Wolf, of the Crawford Texas Peace House and Peter Johnson of the SCLC in Dallas, brought him to Crawford at Easter in 2006. He spoke twice and was truly inspirational both times. At the Easter Sunrise service at Camp Casey, Rev. Lowery appointed all peace activists there to be 'Chaplains of the Common Good.'

He used a metaphor of a washing machine and that it is the agitation that allows soil to be removed. To paraphrase, it went something like, "Politics is like doing laundry. Agitation is what removes the soiled policies."

And while many from the progressive community are not pleased with some of Obama's choices, that analogy from Lowery is a reminder that we must continue to agitate to get an ear in his administration. I believe that we can be assured that at least in Obama's administration we will be 'allowed to ask' the hard questions. Questions that were absolutely not even tolerated during the Bush administration. And I do believe he will listen.

It's also a reminder that continued participation in the political process is required. However, I implore the left to beware of finding itself going down the same divisive road that 'hard right, divide and conquer, hate mongers' travel. We must stay involved, but let's at least give Obama the chance to actually practice the diplomacy he promoted during his campaign. We say we want diplomacy instead/before war with Iran. Well how about embracing and practicing a little of that same mind-set, right here at home. We cannot make much progress unless everyone is invited to the table. Let's walk the walk we've talked the past eight years.

There is such a clamor about Obama inviting Warren for the invocation, that little attention is paid to Lowery giving the benediction. I think that is a real shame. Perhaps some of those naysayers could reflect on the juxtaposition of these two leaders in the larger faith community. Perhaps that is Obama's purpose here. By giving Warren the opportunity to show whether he intends to continue his message of judgment, exclusivity and divisiveness, he will show himself as unable to play in a larger, diverse community that includes all of us. Then the majority that elected Obama can brush off that abrasive soil left on the threshold by the former leadership and move on to the important work ahead. Lowery will have the final opportunity, after all, to close with a message of hope and inclusiveness that will lead the new administration into a more mature and fruitful future. If we hope to allow our grandchildren a future not fraught with upheaval and disaster, we absolutely must begin to at least act like adults, stop screaming at each other, identify and acknowledge the problems, then begin to find solutions that are sane, enlightened and just.

I truly believe that Rev. Lowery's message will shine a bright light on change we all want and need.

[zulchzulu]

35. Wow! Thanks for your wonderful commentary

A belated welcome to DU as well...

[GrannyK]

36. You are very welcome. And thanks for your welcome to DU although

I've been around for a long time, I've learned so much from so many of the informed posters here. I just don't always have time to write. And I'm dial up so that slows me down.

[firedupdem]

37. Wow GrannyK

Your insight and thoughtful post brought tears to my eyes. It should really be in it's own thread...but on second thought there is so much nastiness going on right now that I'm sure it's in the right place here.

The metaphor using the washing machine is perfect. It's perfect not just for this issue but for many facing this country. Beautiful and so perfect for this time.

Thank you so much for sharing that. I just finished watching a replay of the Keith Olbermann show and he showed the journey PE Obama took to get to this point and I got chills all over again. I'm so looking forward to this new administration and I'm so proud of President Elect Obama. I only wish my parents were here to share this time with me.

Thanks again for your post.

[GrannyK]

40. Thanks firedup, I too wish your parents were here to share

this time. But I'm sure they did their part in paving the way. You are the fruit of their work. We all are.
I've started to post my thoughts about Rev. Lowery on some of those other threads but this one seemed like a much more positive string. I hope it stays that way. I was so glad to see ZZ's post. I think we've allowed Warren to be a red herring and it would be much more productive to completely ignore him and focus on Lowery. By focusing on Warren we are giving him a place of power. Let's give the power to Obama and Lowery.
I'm not good at the snarkyness that seems required at times. Is that a word? So I don't intend to respond to it. I must go to bed now anyway, I've got a busy day tomorrow.

[firedupdem]

41. Have a goodnite and thanks for being a positive force here.

God knows we need it!

[firedupdem]

38. Kick!

Error: You've already recommended that thread.

dammit..wanted to rec again!

[Umbram]

39. Meh, I can't find anything to be outraged about in this OP...*sighs* (nt)

[kywildcat]

42. Kick n/t

[lamp_shade]

43. Recommended.

[JohnDoe_America]

44. You are right about Lowery deserving attention

I just wish Obama saw this opportunity to spread a progressive message by choosing another inspirational voice like Lowery to give the invocation. There are many other progressive religious leaders who could give the invocation who believes like Lowery and King in equality of all people.

Obama missed an opportunity to showcase the progressive meaning of unity. Warren and his bunch doesn't need another platform to legitimize themselves as moderates and their views as mainstream. The true moderate message has always been the progressive message.

Thank you for your post.

[McCamy Taylor]

45. Agreed. And DU is the same. I discussed him in a thread and all I read was Warren bashing.

Is that all this country is good for? Tearing things down?

Invisible Man indeed.

K&R for saving me from having to write this. Great job!

[zulchzulu]

51. I'll start referring to Reverend Lowery as The Invisible Man

It is just amazing to me that some people can't at least admit that Lowery will be part of the ceremony. You get accused of being a homophobe for mentioning it!

[firedupdem]

46. kick!

[jenmito]

48. kick

too late to rec.

[DemBones DemBones]

49. Kick

:kick:

[kiva]

50. I agree that he's an impressive figure, and has

accomplished far more than Warren ever has or ever will.

One point, however--he doesn't support gay marriage. He was just on MSNBC, and made the point that he has never said that he supports gay marriage. Warren said that he supported civil unions, but said something to the effect that he was too "traditional" to say that he agreed with gay marriage. Sorry I don't have the exact words, but someone else might have a link.