MyDD :: Oprah Knew Better

Oprah Knew Better

by moevaughn, Sun May 04, 2008 at 05:43:56 PM EST

A lot of people were wondering why Oprah left Rev. Wright's Trinity United Church in Chicago, which she attended for two years from 1984-86, and sporadically after that into the early 90's. A piece in the newest Newsweek has some answers. Click below for full article.

According to two sources, Winfrey was never comfortable with the tone of Wright's more incendiary sermons, which she knew had the power to damage her standing as America's favorite daytime talk-show host. "Oprah is a businesswoman, first and foremost," said one longtime friend, who requested anonymity when discussing Winfrey's personal sentiments. "She's always been aware that her audience is very mainstream, and doing anything to offend them just wouldn't be smart. She's been around black churches all her life, so Reverend Wright's anger-filled message didn't surprise her. But it just wasn't what she was looking for in a church."

....

But Winfrey also had spiritual reasons for the parting. In conversations at the time with a former business associate, who also asked for anonymity, Winfrey cited her fatigue with organized religion and a desire to be involved with a more inclusive ministry...

http://www.newsweek.com/id/135392

Tags: election, obama, wright, oprah (all tags)

Permalink :: 21 Comments :: Post a Comment

< snore > (none / 0)

by Bee on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:01:59 PM EST

The difference: Oprah was (1.85 / 7)

looking for a church. Obama was looking for a black identity. Oprah is a balanced person who understands herself. Obama is still groping for resolution of his inner conflicts.

by miker2008 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:02:25 PM EST

Re: The difference: Oprah was (2.00 / 2)

Armchair psychology rears its ugly head again...

Like the nominee, don't like the nominee... Our nominee is still better than John McCain...

by JenKinFLA on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:15:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The difference: Oprah was (2.00 / 1)

Don't hate on the contributor. That reasoning comes straight from the article itself. I saw it yesterday. It did raise my eyebrows a little.

2004 swing state margins: PA-2%, OH-2%, IA-1%, WI-0.5%, MI-3%, FL-5%, NM-1%; Alienating 50% of the party is a luxury we can't afford.

by BPK80 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 08:59:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Actually, I have a Ph.D. in (none / 0)

psychology, so my "armchair" is more like an F-16. I know whereof I speak, pal.

by miker2008 on Sun May 04, 2008 at 11:06:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The difference: Oprah was (2.00 / 1)

"Obama is still groping for resolution of his inner conflicts"

Thanks, Rush.

by Democratic Unity on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:52:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: The difference: Oprah was (2.00 / 1)

It's true that he was looking for a black identity, but I suggest you look at why he said he stayed at Trinity, instead of over-generalizing.

by Falsehood on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:31:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Obama was the guy sitting in the (1.83 / 6)

front pew with his fingers in his ears, smiling like Alfred E. Newman from ear to ear.

But, hey, he looked good and that's all that counted.

Michelle is apparently pissed because "all of this conversation is upsetting to her children".

Hey, Michelle, you blame US for upsetting your children? What about the years of taking them to hear Uncle Jerimiah scream and yell and spout hateful "whitey" from the pulpit?

Answer that and then we can talk further.

by CoyoteCreek on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:05:43 PM EST

You talk it PROVE IT (none / 0)

Find one Quote from Wright that asserts he HATES WHITE PEOPLE or encouraged Hatred of WHITES. I know you cant because he did not. You want to hate blacks that speak about racism. You want to deny blacks the freedom to speak out without having to bear the onslaught of a white run media. I guess you think calling it a white run media racists even though it is. I guess you think saying America is run by rich whites even though it is, is also racists. Your perspective is that blacks should be denied the freedom to speak ill of our governments actions or the society in the name of WHITE PRIDE.

by edtastic on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:20:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, please. (2.00 / 2)

Anyone who refers to caucusians as whitey is making a racist comment.

How about this....replace "hates white people" in my comment with sexual BS - like riding dirty with gyration to accompany it?

Sure was full of love and sweetness when he was doing that!!!!

Now go back to my original comment and answer that question.

by CoyoteCreek on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:25:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Obama was the guy sitting in the (2.00 / 1)

First, please refrain from the pointless personal attack.

As far as your substance, I doubt that Obama had a huge amount to gain from staying at the church, except personally. He could have gone other places.

Also, I think you are generalizing a few of Rev. Wrights's quotes to his entire message. I don't think you have a solid idea of his sermons - just the objectionable parts.

I have friends who have used drugs. If I hang out with them, it doesn't mean that I accept the drug use - I abhor it.

by Falsehood on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:34:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Execellent find, thank you n/t (2.00 / 4)

I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.

by NewHampster on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:15:14 PM EST

Re: Oprah Knew Better (none / 0)

Pathetic as usual.

by AlexScott on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:16:20 PM EST

Re: Oprah Knew Better (2.00 / 1)

Are you saying Oprah is pathetic? Because she had the good sense to leave the church?

by moevaughn on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:14:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oprah Knew Better (2.00 / 2)

I see being associated with blacks that complain about Americas checkered history is a liability while being associated with White church leaders that want to start a HOLY WAR with 1.4 billion Muslims and HATE GAYS is an asset. Ain't America grand!

Maybe I ought to reject and renounce any civil rights era black leaders people out of fear it may offend conservative whites. Perhaps the whole democratic party should denounce the whole civil rights struggle because it was ANTI WHITE MALE. Perhaps we should abandon the black community for voting 90% for Obama. Clearly blacks are racist and a liability to the Party as it would be harmed by guilt by association.

Where does this madness end? Why cant black people and black culture win acceptance without having to take a subservient position. The dominance of conservative culture has lead America to elect the most corrupt and greedy servants of special interest in modern history. If we continue to assume America is beyond infallible we will gain nothing.

I don't see how this philosophy had gained us anything to be proud of. Meanwhile people like Wright work hard to improve the lives of the poor and disenfranchised. Controversial statements are what Jesus was about in the first place. Wright did not advocate violence or war. In fact Wright appears as a pacifist.

Pacifism runs contrary to the mainstream of American political culture so should we also reject and renounce PEACE? Well a religious man can take such positions and its appropriate that he do so. He can challenge our view that we are flawless. He can make us question our own morality driving us to be better people. You may not agree with the method but they did not agree with Jesus either.

by edtastic on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:16:35 PM EST

Re: Oprah Knew Better (2.00 / 1)

Did you read the last line that you quoted? Oprah said this is not surprising about black churches so she understands this but from a business perspective she had to leave.

So we could call Oprah a phony. I would rather have someone who although may disagree with someone doesn't throw them under the bus for a few words that they said.

Tamron Hall of MSNBC used to attend Trinity and she said that the Wright that has been on a continuous loop is not the Wright that she knew.

by sweet potato pie on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:18:24 PM EST

Oprah used better judgment than O (2.00 / 2)

I didn't believe in god before the primaries and I still don't.

by NewHampster on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:26:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oprah Knew Better (none / 0)

Too bad Obama threw him under the bus, then....

by Mags on Sun May 04, 2008 at 06:29:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oprah (2.00 / 1)

She also said she wanted to be part of a church which is more inclusive.

by moevaughn on Sun May 04, 2008 at 07:18:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Oprah Knew Better (2.00 / 1)