What is it about the "Truth?"

Pronunciation: \ˈtrüth\Function: nounInflected Form(s): plural truths \ˈtrüthz, ˈtrüths\Etymology: Middle English trewthe, from Old English trēowth fidelity; akin to Old English trēowe faithful — more at trueDate: before 12th century1 aarchaic : fidelity, constancy b: sincerity in action, character, and utterance2 a (1): the state of being the case : fact (2): the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3)often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b: a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true c: the body of true statements and propositions3 a: the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality bchiefly British : true 2 c: fidelity to an original or to a standard4capitalized Christian Science : god— in truth : in accordance with fact : actually

Needless to say, I went to the source for the definition of the word “Truth,” and that is none other than Merriam-Webster. The one source we look to when we are attempting to define a word used in our language. I decided to look up the word truth because so many of us have such difficulty dealing with or hearing it. This occurred to me as I listened to African Americans cry out against Bill Cosby because of the “truth” he spoke concerning the plight of black folks. As he eloquently described a prescription for our pathway to a clean bill of health, we became angry, choosing to stay in denial rather than admit that he was correct in his diagnosis. Many of us have even gone so far as to say that Mr. Cosby is not black enough to be writing a prescription. He speaks of this in the introduction in his latest book COME ON PEOPLE: ON THE PATH FROM VICTIMS TO VICTORS co-authored by Alvin F. Poussaint, M.D. (Great book by the way).

It amazes me how we become angry with the messenger rather than take the corrective action needed to make things better. It doesn’t matter if the messenger is within the same racial group or not. In fact, we get even more angry when our own tell us the truth. Mr. Cosby is not the first and unfortunately won’t be the last. Whether you agree with Minister Louis Farrakhan or not, he too in many of his messages attempt to help African Americans understand what we must do to become self sufficient. Again we balk.

So as I write this, another messenger by the name of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright is being villified for telling the truth. While my aforementioned examples dealt with how the truth is taken from within ones own race, this is an example of how folks of other racial groups take the truth about them and their actions. There is nothing said by Rev. Wright that can be considered inaccurate. At one time or another the things that he so fervently speaks about or has spoken about did occur and in many instances still occur. Once again, the truth hurts.

Sadly, the truth spoken by Dr. Wright is now being used in an attempt to derail Senator Barack Obama’s presidential bid. Incredibly, alleged pundits grasping at straws are using Senator Obama’s church membership and his pastor’s sermons as a reason for him to not be considered for the presidency. How many times have I heard this weekend that Senator Obama was a member of this church for over 20 years? How he sat in the pews and didn’t walk out during Rev. Wright’s explosive sermons. That his not walking out signified his agreement with what was said. When you think about this, it is ridiculous on many fronts. I can not even take the time within this blog to address the numerous idiotic aspects. Are we saying that preachers and ministers have to censor what they say for the fear that everyone in their congregation will agree with EVERYTHING they say? Are we saying that Senator Obama doesn’t have a mind for himself and can decipher what he chooses to agree or disagree with? Must congregants who sit under pastors week after week become concerned that one day they will be kept from a position because of what their pastor preached? If I choose to run for president one day, will I be held accountable for what my dynamic pastor says?

Many are saying that Senator Obama is misleading the public by calling for racial unity while at the same time looking to Rev. Wright as his mentor. That is utter nonsense. Senator Obama is well capable of thinking for himself. Think about this….if we apply the model we are using for Senator Obama and his association with his pastor, the members of the Senate and Congress have been sitting in the pews under the leadership of President Bush for eight years…… My point exactly; now you see the silliness of the current assertion.

It would be a shame if Senator Obama loses support over such a non-issue; a politcial subterfuge. He is no more under the influence of Rev. Wright when it comes to decision making about the United States than John F. Kennedy was under the Pope. I close quoting my pastor when he says “The truth hurts, but it helps.”

I welcome your thoughts.