Listen to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's 9/11 sermon

It has been discussed around the nation. So what EXACTLY did Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago say in the aftermath of the devastation on Sept. 11, 2001?

This sermon was delivered on Sept. 16, 2001 and is titled, "The Day of Jerusalem's Fall." Note that the "chickens coming home to roost" comment was attributed not to Wright but former Ambassador to the Iraq, Edward Peck. It comes around the 20-minute mark.

The point that I have always made as a journalist is that our job is to seek the truth, and not the partial truth.

I am also listening to the other sermons delivered by Rev. Wright that have been the subject of controversy.

And let me be clear: Where I believe he was wrong and not justified in what he said based upon the facts, I will say so. But where the facts support his argument, that will also be said.

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Comments

[BETSY WHITE]

Roland check out Senator Clinton's minister Doug Coe......can you find out about him and expose him on CNN for us. We still have your back!!

[Nola]

Thank you - I just found the sermon also on www.huffingtonpost.com and www.dailykos.com.

[Frankie Beverly]

Absolutely Brilliant Roland. An excellent forum to make clear what Pastor Wright was really saying in this sermon from Sept.-16, 2001. When you listen to this you are compelled by the vision of truth. This is simply outstanding. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[Camille]

Thank you Roland I have passed it on to my family and friends!

[nic]

"The point that I have always made as a journalist is that our job is to seek the truth, and not the partial truth."

Roland, are you crazy?! If the folks from CNN see this comment, they'll fire you!!

[krish]

you have a strong voice at CNN...I hope you are successful in clearing the air with this issue.

It is clear why Obama decided to stand loyal to his friend Rev. Wright. It truly is a time of self-examination once again...

[KIT]

I always knew that there had to be more to this sermon, especially after Fox jumped on it. It is pathetic that people have make all these judgments based on a snippet played out of context. Many media outlets are the "flaming fans" of divisiveness. Roland, I was so happy when you told Anderson Cooper last night that CNN needs to take the lead in elevating the conversation on race relations. Some of the news that is reported sounds so juvenile, I wonder what these same people teach their children. I generally like Anderson Cooper, but I must say, he sounded very childish last night regarding Barack's use of the word "typical", talking about Barack agitating the racial tension. How stupid is that statement when you know that this man is trying to bring about reconciliation!

I get so turned off by the mainstream media. Roland, you and a couple of others are the only reason I continue to look at some of the garbage in the news. I had to stop looking so closely at any of the media outlets, unless you tell us you are going to be on Roland!(smile)

[BrotherJR]

Thank you Roland for providing the entire sermon for people to listen to (betcha you will not hear the entire sermon on Hannity's or Limbaugh radio show or on Fox News) I've emailed it to my friends and family. Continue to speak truth to power and calling out the right wing and their continued attempts to undermine and distort sen. Barack Obama and his presidential campaign as well as his former pastor Jermiah Wright. Has Hannity answered you challenge to a debate (doubt that he will, the coward)? You're doing outstanding work and you represent one the few people that can trust on cable news (along with Keith Olberman at MSNBC). Keep hitting them over the head with the truth brother.

[Matthew]

What about all the other comments said:

US of the KKKA...
Aids released in the Black Community by the US Government
God D*** America
Jesus was just a poor black man oppressed by rich white men..

I would like to hear the context that justifies these statements.

[V.B.]

Roland,

I am so glad you mentioned your Blog's address yesterday on CNN. I have been tring to find out how to reach you.

I really want Obama in the White House. Not because he is Black, but because if we don't get someone in the White House to change our policies, America will fall. I love my country. My ancestors spilled their blood and sweat building this country; and I will fight hard for America in honor of them.

I have a beef to pick. I believe Rev. Wright was giving America constructive criticism. Without it, this country will never improve. If he didn't love America, he would have never pointed out its faults. Hannity and other conservative talk show hosts understands this. But they needed something to bring Obama down. They played subjective takes on the video over and over to their listeners. They know how naive their audiences are; and how they are easily controlled by fear. For example, as soon as the videos surfaced, some Republicans dropped Obama like a hot potato and took cover behind McCain. I've got to be honest, the way Hannity is treating Rev. Wright, makes me believe the Republicans have something to hide. Think about it. What's wrong with criticism?; it makes companies better. Why not countries. When we have a complaint about a company, we call customer service. Rev. Wright had a complaint about this country ,so he called customer service. He called up the customer service department of America to voice his complaint. And he got dissed. They treated Rev. Wright like he was the grand puba of the KKK. They have the whole country believing this man has started a hate movement against White Americans with his Liberation Theology.

They, Hannity and his crew, said they will fix him for complaining and take Obama down with him. They led America to believe, Rev. Wright was being investigated by the FBI and the CIA for hate crimes. They hinted to the notion that Obama was in on it too. Of course, that is why he stayed for 20 years! Thy got America thinking. Obama and his pastor must be on the FBI's and CIA's most wanted list. And to think, we were going to elect Obama for president. This is what Hannity and conservative talk radio, wants America to believe. But all we have to do is pick up the phone and call the CIA and FBI and ask this question. "Is Rev. Wright a threat to this country." They would probably say, "Who???" Isn't it funny how America never see the CIA or the FBI on Hannity thanking him for catching an American terrorist. The CIA and the FBI knows he is not a threat. They know this is politics. All Rev. Wright wanted was good customer service, but naw, Hannity and his crew decided to use and abuse him to bring Obama to his knees so McCain can become president. They are powerful. All they had to do was raise the questions. Then, they pulled the puppet strings of their followers so hard, they slammed back to the Republican party. Now, stay put! Hanninty will make sure they will never stray again. He is making them afraid of Obama. Republican leaders don't want Obama in the White House. Why? Becuase he may find some truths to what Rev. Wright has been preaching? I really don't know. But to be fair, I don't know if Hannity and the crew are racist. But I do know they have an agenda. I believe they will support a Black man, as long as he play the Republican game. Obama already told them he will not.
But Hillary might. So, if they can't have McCain, then they want Hillary.

Republicans leaders are trying to control the Democratic followers, too. They are trying to confuse them, and it's working. Weapon of choice, the old divide and conquer strategy. They are keeping the Democratic leaders busy with controversies, while recruiting their followers over to McCain with the fear-gun. For Democrats they just have to pull the trigger and they are running away from Obama over to McCain where it is safe. So they think. This has surprised me, because usually Democrats are the smartest of the two parties. They are free thinkers, and are not easily controlled. If a Democratic leader say run and hide, Democrats will ask why? Then, they will explore it ,and investigate it before they would even think about running. But this time they are not. The Republicans have uncovered a weakness that haunts all of us Black, White, and in between. They have uncovered the question of Trust. Can America really trust this Black man? He's not like Tiger Woods. That's the type of Black man Republicans trust. Obama is different. He doen't walk their walk and talk their talk. Instead, he wants to undue everything the Republicans did. He wants to start by ending the war. Republicans fear a man like this, because he has potential. That's why they have to break him down. They cracked that whip against his back so hard. They wanted Obama to bow down and separate himself from his church and pastor. This is my recollection of what happend: "Your name is Toby," the Republicans said. Obama looked them in the eyes and said,"My name is Kunta Kinte. And I will not separate myself from my Black people, nor will I separate myself from my White people, and everyone in between." He went on to say (from my point of view), "America, there are things about this country that stinks and WE need to fix it." I fell to the floor after his speech. He was suppose to say 'my name is Toby!' I felt proud and scared for him at the same time, because I knew this may cost him the presidency. He knew too. But he proved to America that he would not bow down for something that he thought was wrong, even if it would upset his brother. This is the type of strong leadership he represents. Then, I said to myself, "Oh, my God. The Republicans are going to cut his foot off!" Obama's words scared Hannity and the crew. They are trying to cripple him so bad, Obama may never walk again.

It's up to you America. Wake-up! Challenge Hannity and the crew. Obama is the one. We feel him resonating in our souls. He will bring our troops home. He will change America's policies. He will fix our economy. He will fix healthcare. Believe him at his words. Thanks for reading.

[Peter]

I'm willing to bet that Rev. Wright's other so-called controversial sermons follow a similar vein. Out of context distortions by right-wing hate-mongers for political gain. Everybody who knows Rev. Wright or Chicago says that he is one of the most moderate voices out there.

America owes Rev. Wright an apology. Of course, since we still haven't apologized for slavery, I fear Rev. Wright will have to wait awhile for his apology.

I'm an Obama supporter. And no, Geraldine Ferraro, I'm not a supporter because I'm black. I'm a 49-year-old white guy who's a supporter because Obama is by far the best candidate out there.

[Alison]

Fantastic! This WHOLE sermon needs to be aired EVERYWHERE.

[Jay]

From: a retired teacher (white) who worked in inner city schools.

Thank you for making this sermon available.

Now I wish CNN would play this as a continuous loop as often as it has played the "10 second sound bites" and discussed this issue. After all, playing a tape would prevent some of those news anchors from spouting their stupid drivel to fill up time. And I include Lou Dobbs and Wolf Blitzer within that group. What an insult to our intelligence. And a distraction from real issues that need to be dealt with - home foreclosures, loss of jobs, stagnant wages, the war- to name a few.

You might want to consider pitching the idea to CNN as part of a cost-cutting strategy - tape vs. live stupidity. 'Cause we know that with the corporations, it's always about the bottom line.

[Mitch]

Thank you very much Roland. It is amazing to me....I keep hearing how Jeremiah Wright is a racist. I admit that I had been swept away with the media's playing of these clips in succession. I even began thinking that HATE might be the word best used to describe everything I heard. Then I checked myself and remembered my background and realized its just the tone.
Some folks just cannot handle the TONE and TIMBRE of sermons in a black church.

Here's a short example.

I saw a program last night - Greta van Sustern or what ever her name is - in a disagreement with Al Sharpton on whether Wright used HATE speech or not. She decided to play clips in which Wright was actually talking about THE INJUSTICES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN (as we know this means white women in the political/demographics world) AND MINORITIES! Al Sharpton challenged her to find the hate in that speech and of course she couldn't...only by trying to compare Wright to Don Imus. Sharpton shot that down too because nowhere in any of his sermons has he tried to demean people using racist and sexist comments. After that she just agreed to disagree, but I for the life of me can't understand what she found HATEFUL in the clips that she played. Maybe you can investigate that and let me know. Sure his criticism of GOVERNMENT was harsh, but NEVER (at least to me) was he hateful in the clips that SHE played - her own show screwed her it seems.

BTW, One can only assume that Hillary had never been called N-. He didn't call her one, he didn't call Barack one, he said that Barack knows the plight of the A.American rich and poor because of his experiences. If people can't handle that, it is only further proof that the country is simply not ready for a discussion of the racial problems in America.

It is a travesty that he has been labeled a bigot because he uses the term 'rich white people'. Also, if you don't agree with why he said 'God damn America' then that is one thing....but I have a feeling that most of those folks could give a 'damn' what his sermon and message in that clip is about in the first place. Black White Yellow Brown and Red have been duped once again by the MacNews organizations in an effort to get ratings.

And I'm sure folks will try to ignore you, the entirety of the sermons, or the FACTS, but you keep digging and putting the truth out there.

[Cynthia]

Roland, I think what most people want is just fair and right journalism. And in the aftermath of the last few days we all see that being fair and just is not on the agenda of some. But, we must and will rise above it. Thanks for putting the truth regarding Rev. Wright on the CNN Blog AC 360 Blog. And a big check mark to CNN for allowing it to be addressed.

[Jerry]

95% of this sermon is completely accurate. But even if it weren't. Why does Obama have to speak for his minister. White people (a lot of you all) will NEVAH, EVAH understand what blacks have endured and continue to endure in this country. I'm proud to be an American. But there are things about America I continue to have a problem with. I admire Mike Huckabee for "getting it". Obama won't be elected. He won't because we've seen America fumble the ball at the polls in 2004. 2000 doesn't count, because that election was stolen. So John McCain will be president because great focus will be placed on stuff like this, and not the issues. The GOP will swiftboat Obama, and that will be that. And once again the chickens will come home to roost.

[Mitch]

Brother JR

The fact that your post was simply the 5 to 9 word phrases of the most controversial sound bites, is more evidence of America's short attention span. Roland is looking into the full sermons and will report back....that's what he said right? Now, unless you have the sermons, YOU don't know their context either....but from the tone of you post, you probably don't care. If you don't it's a shame.

[HUGgy bear, GOD's Leading Lady]

"To seek The TRUTH and not the partial truth", is to declare war on "POLITICS".

Are you really ready for this Brother Roland? I have been praying for you. I pray that you will always find the strength to stand. One thing I must bring to your attention is that one must first COMPLETELY SUBMIT to ALMIGHTY GOD before one tries to RESIST Satan, otherwise one is doomed to fail.

[Kent Shaw]

Thanks so much for posting this. It was a gift to get the context, but an even greater gift for its spiritual message.

[James from Houston]

And he shall make your enemies your footstool.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/21/mayhem-at-fox-news-ancho_n_92743.html

[Cecil]

Thanks to Roland for shining light on the truth. Our government and media has no business getting involved in the religion aspects of Rev. Wright or Obama. I Have always been taught that the truth shall set you free and Rev. Wright is preaching nothing but the truth. American needs to really wake up to her 232 year history and how she really, really treated everyone from the Indians, the Blacks, the Latinos, and everyone else around the world. Greed and trying to take resources, whether they be land, gold, or oil is wrong.
Keep up the good work and let the chips fall where they may. In our heart of hearts, we know we can do better as a nation.

[Mr. B]

Rev. Wright mad a mistake when he went on Hannity's show thinking that Mr. Hannity wanted to get the truth out. Couldn't be further from the truth.

[REP]

" AN THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE. "

[Courtney Bradshaw]

Thank you for providing this clip. I am so saddened by the media. I cannot believe that they were not more critical(showing the whole speech, showing what he said in context) I am so angry and hurt.

[Tallulah]

Thanks for sharing the ENTIRE sermon. I saw a photo of Rev Jeremiah Wright with Bill Clinton this morning on CNN. I really hope this photo will be shown over and over on CNN, like the video of Rev. Wright; especially on the Lou Dobbs show.