A woman holds up a flag of Kenya as Democratic presidential hopeful, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record), D-Ill., greets supporters during a rally in Austin, Texas, Friday, Feb. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

How many Americans would vote for a presidential candidate who was the member of a church that professed the following credo?

1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the White Community
3. Commitment to the White Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the White Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the White Community
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting White Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to all White leadership who espouse and embrace the White Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the White Value System.

The question is rhetorical, of course. The answer is that such a candidate wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected dog catcher (apologies to America’s animal rescue and public safety personnel) let alone President, because that candidate would be instantly branded a racist, among the most vile and frightening of white supremacists.

And those holding the branding irons would be 100% right.

Yet, in the “About” section of the U.S. Senate website for Barack Obama, Democratic senator from Illinois and contender for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, it states that Obama and his family “live on Chicago’s South Side where they attend Trinity United Church of Christ.”

So…?

Well, to say that the Trinity United Church of Christ (http://www.tucc.org) is afrocentric in the extreme would be a gross understatement. It’s not simply afrocentric, it’s African-centric. In fact, one could argue that this organization worships things African to a far greater degree than they do Christ, and gives the impression of being a separatist “church” in the same vein as do certain supremacist “white brethren” churches – or even Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam.

Shocking? An overstatement? An overreaction?

One can see for oneself on the Trinity United Church website, which is replete with confirmation of what I present here. What follows is an excerpt from their Mission Statement:

“We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian… Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain “true to our native land,” the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

“Trinity United Church of Christ adopted the Black Value System written by the Manford Byrd Recognition Committee chaired by Vallmer Jordan in 1981. We believe in the following 12 precepts and covenantal statements. These Black Ethics must be taught and exemplified in homes, churches, nurseries and schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect on the following concepts:

1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the Black Community
3. Commitment to the Black Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.”

[Editor’s note: What defines the Black Value System?]

Sound familiar? Of course it is, since it’s identical to the 12-point list at the beginning of this column – the one from the theoretical white supremacist candidate’s church; the only difference is the substitution of the word “Black” for “White.”

Trinity United Church of Christ’s congregation also claims to hold to a “10-point Vision” which is similarly afrocentric, or if you will, separatist. Again, like the Nation of Islam, a white separatist church or the Branch Davidians, Trinity United more resembles a cult than a church. Only this one has as one of its most prominent members a serious contender for the White House.

And George W. Bush’s born-again Christian status scares people? Read the full report by Erik Rush.

UPDATE: (3/2)
VIDEO: Obama’s Pastor Embarrasses Entire Congregation

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1. Obama is Racist?…

   Well, this is fun: Obamination: Barack Obama’s Black Supremacist Connection. The post looks at Trinity United Church, Barack Obama’s church here in Chicago, and attempts to attack it as racist and “black supremacist.”

   My favorite is how, as a c…

   Trackback by the mindful mission — February 26, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

2. Barack Hussein Obama’s Black Supremacist Idolater Pastor, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr….

   Head pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. promotes a twisted heresy called “Black Liberation Theology”. It is not the Christian faith! Unlike Christianity, that does not segregate based on race, this…

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1. You’re equating a persecuted group’s reflex to turn inward for support with the methods of oppression used to exclude them.

   In addition, you’re ignoring many examples of ecumenicism that belie the charge of racism or separatism levelled at Jeremiah Wright, pastor of Trinity UCC.

   Here’s a post I did about this issue not long ago that gives a more balanced treatment:
   http://www.headlinejunky.com/permalink/2007_02_13_obama_as_rorschach_test.php

   Comment by Headline Junky — February 25, 2007 @ 4:44 am

2. “a persecuted group’s reflex to turn inward”

   In other words, if blacks feel “persecuted”, it’s okay for them to be racist (i.e. black power, “allegiance” to black community and only “support” of black institutions, whatever they may be)

   “the methods of oppression used to exclude them.”

   However, if you’re white and wish to turn inward and embrace your community, then it’s oppressive and exclusionary.

   Riiiggghhhht.

   Comment by Lawrence — February 25, 2007 @ 4:59 pm

3. In other words, if blacks feel “persecuted”, it’s okay for them to be racist (i.e. black power, “allegiance” to black community and only “support” of black institutions, whatever they may be)

   Okay…can you clarify, without using hypotheticals, why it would be wrong to have an allegiance to your community?

   And can you show me where this church says you should “only” support black institutions?

   And your assertion that this church is racist is an interesting one. Where does it talk about how blacks are better than whites? Where does it talk about how other races are inferior to blacks? That would be racism. Embracing your race, ethnicity, and culture is not racist. Racism is when you treat specific races poorly because of their race. I do not see this church doing that, and I do not think that you have either.

   However, if you’re white and wish to turn inward and embrace your community, then it’s oppressive and exclusionary.

   No…not at all. It is only exclusionary when you exclude. Obama’s church does not exclude anyone. If I, as a white man, walked into that church, do you think I would be kicked out?

   You are doing a great job of adding things in to fit your agenda.

   Comment by dave — February 26, 2007 @ 1:17 pm

4. The author (who also happens to be black) starts the article by asking:

   “How many Americans would vote for a presidential candidate who was the member of a church that professed the following credo? …

   The question is rhetorical, of course. The answer is that such a candidate wouldn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting elected dog catcher (apologies to America’s animal rescue and public safety personnel) let alone President, because that candidate would be instantly branded a racist, among the most vile and frightening of white supremacists.

   Since you’re suggesting that you disagree (”Embracing your race, ethnicity, and culture is not racist.”), I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you. And please spread the good word to others!

   Comment by California Conservative — February 26, 2007 @ 1:38 pm

5. I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you.

   Of course…you didn’t respond to half of the things I said, being that it calls you on things you make up (i.e. exclusion, supporting only black institutions, etc).

   But I’ll respond to your comment.

   Look…African Americans have been persecuted in this country for hundreds of years. I have absolutely no problem with African Americans banding together to make the African American community stronger. You can equate this to white supremacists all you want, but the parallels break down almost immediately. Whites are the oppressors, and blacks where (and still are in a lot of ways) the oppressed. White supremacist groups were not only about the power of the white man, but also about the inferiority of others, specifically racial and religious minorities. Obama’s church does nothing to give you the impression that other races are inferior to blacks. They simply stress the importance of empowering their own communities in positive ways.

   Black power is not about racism. It is about giving blacks power that they do not have. I am not sure why it scares you so much that blacks may actually try to obtain some power in this society where they are often powerless.

   I would love to see you give me specific examples where Trinity United Church talks about the “supremacy” of blacks over whites, which would be the definition of “black supremacy.”

   Comment by dave — February 26, 2007 @ 2:08 pm

6. maybe to add fuel to the fire or to point out the bleeding obvious…

   When the persecuted group takes on the persona of the persecutors, it makes them just as bad.

   The credo that the church uses did not state anything about inclusion which has led to this belief of exclusion. It does resemble much of the glorified civil war on rights of the 60s. I even dare say that TUCC is not even Christian since they claim only God (which all religions claim) and say nothing of Jesus, which is the core of Christianity. (I looked on their site, but could not readily find ANY reference to Jesus.) Because of this, I don’t find that the opinions expressed about the exclusion of non-African from their ranks to be completely off base. Obviously, more information is needed and more disclosure and transparency is needed in order for this issue to be resolved. Remaining mysterious in political realms, especially the Presidency, leads to disdain and ill repute even with the most staunch public supporters after a while.

   As far as I can tell, Blacks (along with everyone else in the USA) have been liberated from slavery and all rights have been bestowed upon them as have been on everyone else. And from what I’ve experienced as a white male in the public school system could be regarded as reverse discrimination due to the simple fact that the great majority of scholarships and grants are available ONLY to “minorities” or those in “non-traditional fields”. In my views, the ones being beat down now are the white men, for the simple fact that all other people get additional opportunities to succeed and white men actually have to earn everything. My Hispanic friends totally agree with me on this one and so did the couple of black friends I had in college. They all had much more grants and scholarships than I did and my grades and achievements were usually better. All this because I was born one way and not another. Heck, if I was a woman, I’d have even more opportunities. If I were a minority woman, I’d have ALL the opportunities. But because I grew up just above the poverty level, I couldn’t get any kind of assistance because we “made too much”. While living in a paid for home with basic utilities and a paid for car, raising 2 kids and trying to get food on the table, my mom did a great job, and I never went hungry, though some nights were lean. It’s a wonder I didn’t show up on some trash talk show bad mouthing the government because the won’t help white folks, but will help any “minority” with half a gripe.

   I felt persecuted, but that does not give me the right to cast those receiving more opportunity under the bus, so to speak. It does however make a point that the “majority” literally have to bend over backwards to accommodate the “minority” or they will be cast as racist but the “minority” can be as rigid as it wants and they’re simply “empowered”. Doesn’t make sense to a thinking person.

   If you resort to the evils of the oppressors, then you are just as evil.

   If people would forgive the past and actually learn from it, maybe this country could actually move forward TOGETHER instead of this current self segregating garbage that perpetuates itself all the time.

   Comment by Jason — March 19, 2007 @ 3:25 pm

7. Correction: I did find the references to Jesus. So, at least from what picture the website paints, the church does seek Jesus and I withdraw the possibility of the church not being Christian. I just pray that they are truly Christian and not just putting on a good cover like some other churches over the years. This would help to lay to rest these opinions of racial bias. I do find the article points out the credo being very similar to what a supremest might use. It is uncanny. Let’s pray the resemblance is only something imagined and not true.

   Comment by Jason — March 19, 2007 @ 3:36 pm

8. Black supremacists hold that blacks are morally superior to whites, so they are racists.

   Comment by Brian Macker — April 30, 2007 @ 7:07 am

9. Black supremacists hold that blacks are morally superior to whites

   Well… if Obama’s church makes this claim, I would like to see it.

   Show me a quote from Obama’s church that says that blacks are morally superior to whites.

   Comment by dave — June 7, 2007 @ 12:53 pm

10. black supremacist isn’t racist? are you bloody retarted? lets break down the word shall we. black: pretty obviously refering to a person of african descent. supremisist: one that believe that they are superior. i assume you know what superior is which is why i wonder why you still think black supremisist means “black that wants to be equal.” im pretty sure that not only would that be called something else but also it would be a bit outdate (blacks are equal, no more slavery, get up to date with at least some politics). get with it man if he is truly a black supremisis (and im not 100% he is), then he is definately a racist.

    Comment by max — October 29, 2007 @ 3:20 am

11. when is someone going to look at who this guy really is..? If this man is attending a church who preaches black supremecy or “empowerment” if it makes you feel better, why would america want him leading this country? and Muslim possibly? wow!! wake up people. and one more thing.. who saved the black race from slavery? the big black army?? NO!!! i have family from the north and south states.. meaning that some of my ancestors DIED to make the nation what it is today. How about once in your life thank the right people for where you are today… as for Osama, i mean Obama, dont get your hopes up, the truth will be in the open…

    Comment by michael — January 3, 2008 @ 5:19 pm

12. Still waiting for one example of Obama’s church that comes anywhere close to black supremacy.

    Of course… it is always easier to make things up than deal with the facts.

    Comment by dave — January 10, 2008 @ 6:59 pm

13. as for Osama, i mean Obama

    Right… and Obama is the racist? Thanks for showing your true colors.

    Comment by dave — January 10, 2008 @ 7:00 pm

14. I’m not a member of Trinity, and I don’t agree with every thing that the Pastor says. Actually, can any one claim to agree with every thing that any Christian pastor says? I have listened to him and I have followed him (here in Chicago), and Trinity is not a black supremacy orgainization. They don’t exclude ANY race–white people in particular–from attending. There are some white people who come there to worship!!! Dave has basically summed up the context of the Church well.

    Comment by TeeJay — March 17, 2008 @ 10:41 am