The Rev. Joseph Lowery was among the brave contingent of civil rights leaders who, in 1965, successfully marched to Montgomery, Alabama from Selma to demand voting rights for black Americans. And on Tuesday, the fiery 87-year-old minister punctuated the inauguration of President Barack Obama, America’s first black president, with a reminder, in his benediction, that not all wounds from the nation’s racial strife have been healed.

After Obama's swearing-in, Lowery ended his prayer with a rhyme familiar to black churchgoers: "We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right."

His words, however well received and well intentioned, sparked a cry of racism on some blogs and support from others.

On her blog posted Tuesday afternoon, conservative columnist and Fox News contributor Michelle Malkin wrote: “No question, Rev. Lowery has led a remarkable life. But the benediction’s eloquence was marred by glib racialism … Lowery got big cheers when he weaved in a weird prayer rap expressing his hope for a future in which the ‘brown would stick around,’ the ‘yellow would be mellow,’ the ‘red man would get ahead, man,’ and the ‘white would embrace the right.’

“The ‘white would embrace the right?’ Who wrote that line? Jeremiah Wright? And what would Obama’s grandparents and mother have to say?” Malkin wrote.

But Lowery’s benediction was - much like Wright's sermons, some observers claim - an example of the truth-telling often delivered from the pulpits of black churches, said James Taylor, an author and professor of political science at the University of San Francisco.

“Joseph Lowery is not predisposed to bite his tongue.” Taylor said, recalling how the former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference brought attendees to their feet at Coretta Scott King’s 2006 funeral, passionately decrying President Bush’s inaccurate claim of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq while Bush himself sat nearby.

Most whites, Taylor said, are predisposed to “wish away racism” with the election of the nation’s first black president, but someone must tell the blunt truth.

“Barack Obama, like Abe Lincoln, needs a Frederick Douglas,” Taylor told BlackAmericaWeb.com.

Taylor called Lowery’s comments provocative and a reminder of the continued need for civil rights advocacy.

Charles Steele, the current president of the SCLC, said the inauguration of President Obama will help rejuvenate the 51-year-old organization.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” Steele told BlackAmericaWeb.com, looking out over a capacity crowd Tuesday night at the Civil Rights Inaugural Ball.

For Melanie Campbell, the executive director of the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, who has been mentored by Lowery, that work means heightening the emphasis on domestic policy issues.

Disparities still exist in healthcare, and there is a tremendous wealth gap that is yet to be addressed, Campbell told BlackAmericaWeb.com.
“We’re advocates for policies and solutions that will help bring a better quality of life,” she said.

With the recent loss of the Rev. James Orange, Lowery is one of few civil rights leaders who led in the early years of the movement and lived to see the first black United States president elected and inaugurated, said Campbell.

"Rev. Lowery was there, and he still is here with us,” she said. “He provides that vital link between our past and our present. He’s also representative of that link between the black church, voting rights and civil rights.”

Lowery signed on early in the campaign to help elect President Obama, and he traveled the country speaking on his behalf. In an interview on ABC’s "Nightline," Lowery .....

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I have another colloquialism for them that they will not like Lowery 'ain't never lied.'

by   
Natsoh69
April 30, 2009, 4:22 am
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many want to live in a colorless world, I love color talk, color walk, and find that when we accept the compliments and criticism (each and every have both coming to them) we get along better, inspite of our selves. Joking or serious, we have traits, and the pressures of capitalism and society mold us for better or worse... I would like more positive molding on all (colors of the rainbow) sides, more repect, more sharing, caring, understanding, no--not just with gays and animals--but on the racial groups that have been struggling and continue to struggle with getting along.

by   
Writertracy
April 4, 2009, 9:30 pm
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this gentle man was an elder of wisdom, witty, charming, non-alarming, and still NO STATISFACTION. There ain't nothing we can do (Billy Holiday's song), I can't get no satisfaction (rolling stones), because confused loosers take offense at US being ourselves. That's what's wrong with America, Americans aren't allowed to be Americans, we've got to be wimps, retards, weirdos (sanctioned by psychos), because standing next to be proud people makes so many so uneasy.

by   
Writertracy
April 4, 2009, 9:16 pm
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So much for America being considered as a "Melting Pot"-the Benediction brought it to a boil over.May the the truth set us all free...

by   
Catcats
April 3, 2009, 7:44 am
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The Benediction was right on time and very long overdue...Evidently,some folks have forgotten the true history of America-such as,"who built America" or do'nt know about the true history of America-This is why Civics /History need to be brought back into the school systems across America .It should become a 6-10month course requirement(along w/English classes) for U.S. citizenship status..

by   
Catcats
April 3, 2009, 7:40 am
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Rev. Lowery is correct in his thinking and I am glad there individuals around that fought the fight in the 50's and 60's . He was around when just because the color of your skin brought about hate. He can see the underling racism in the world today. While America has elected the first BLACK PRESIDENT it does not mean we have arrived as a race of people, we cannot sit back and think that everything is ok; we must still fight to ensure every race of people will be treated right. The rhyme that was spoken after the Benediction was to let everyone know we still have a long way to go.

by   
Jsnell
March 13, 2009, 11:11 am
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Cudos to you Rev. Lowery you were there and they should have been,because you lived the struggle and they just read about it!!!!

by   
Gertiep
March 9, 2009, 11:49 am
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If you are 43 you need to look back on life......he said just what people needed to here and GOD has brought him a mighty long way,so keep on living and see what the outcome will be.

by   
Flavor505
March 4, 2009, 2:08 pm
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I'm 43 and I didn't care for the comments. He should have known better.

by   
Msnangiej
March 4, 2009, 7:41 am
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I am glad he said what he said,because that's what all americans needed to hear.I tip my hat to Dr.lowery,tell TDJakes and the rest to take notes.My heart was warm for weeks after I listen to him.He is as real as they come,he has been there and done that.I love him for the best Benediction I have ever heard and I'm baptist and we do great Benedictions.Whom ever don't like what he said,get over it and consentrate on a better America..

by   
Flavor505
March 2, 2009, 2:15 pm
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Michelle Malkin and others of her ilk are part of the "dumbing down" of America. The phrases used by Dr. Lowery in the Benediction caused me to smile and reflect on what we used to say in the 30"s. He dressed it up . Our saying was more direct, for we knew how "peckerwoods" thought about us. Racism exists in very of the country. The election of Obama has brought the bigots out of the woodplies to spit out their inane comments.

by   
Mrt524
February 27, 2009, 2:31 pm
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I and many blacks over a certain age understood the humor. I saw the President kinda smile a little., But in my humble opinion, when you are at a function that serves A L L of the people of the United States of America, you cant just say anything. If a white person would have told black folks to get right, Reverend Sharpton's telephone would have been ringing off the hook.

by   
Tnwankpa
February 26, 2009, 10:35 am
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Michelle Milkin is typical of those on the far right and most at Fox that deal in bait and switch racism.... My mom would say, "Those doing the kicking are always looking for the foot"... Poor Michelle can't wait to find racism in black person.... sounds like guilt to me... We (blacks) know what Rev. Lowery was saying and it wan't racist, just an INSIDE wink. Scarry ain't it!!!

by   
QSTYK9
February 21, 2009, 1:08 pm
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Pray on my brotha! Loved it, loved it, loved it. I am so glad we can still go to God in prayer and pray what we please. I am glad he took it there. Thank you sir.

by   
Sheliaj633
February 20, 2009, 12:26 pm
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Hey I enjoyed what he said. You know how when you're in church and you hear something that makes you jump for joy, Well i thought i was.!!!

by   
Africanhoneybush
February 19, 2009, 1:44 pm
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IT IS A OLD RHYME THAT WAS ECHO IN THE BLACK COMMUNITIES FOR YEARS.
BUT, YOU GOT TO KNOW THE HISTORY TO UNDERSTAND THE SAYING.
THE RHYME HELPED MY GENERATION UNDERSTAND OUR STATUS IN AMERICAN. "IF YOU BLACK GET BACK." DARK SKIN IT WAS HARD TO GET ACCEPT, "IF YOU BROWN STICK AROUND." YOU HAD A CHANGES. "IF YOU YELLOW YOU ARE MELLOW." YOU WERE ACCEPTED BY THE WHITE MAN BECAUSE YOU WERE MORE HIS COLOR.
BORN; 1956 IN THE GREAT SOUTH.

by   
Davis4147
February 19, 2009, 12:43 pm
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Fox news and its commentaries will never agree with President Obama and anyothers black****ociated with the campaign.

by   
Mscharley
February 18, 2009, 3:56 am
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The good Rev went out of his way to be polite. I'm sure he couldn't FULLY express his heart in this forum.

by   
Ch0irb0y
February 9, 2009, 12:48 pm
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He deserves to say what he said. Now, Rev Wright ?? , never. He made money, got a mansion, almost blew it for Obama, owns a nice car, please.....iamout

by   
Jazflutesmith
February 8, 2009, 10:53 am
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The Rev. Joseph Lowery should have engaged very sensitive hindsight in this instance. After the previous, viral fallout with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments, Lowery must have known that the same accusations of racially charged rhetoric would have been thrown his way. Conversely, Lowery's critics seem to have forgotten his important place in history, as co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and as one of the Civil Rights Movement's greatest warriors.

by   
The Visionary Man
February 8, 2009, 10:00 am
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The reason that Rev. Lowery's benediction was attacked, is because there are those Whites who not only resent Obama, but they want us to forget, what Rev. Lowery and others went through. I agree with WHIZPHIZ, Rev. Lowery EARNED the right to gave the remarks that he gave. Also, there are Whites who are embarrassed by what happened in the 1900's. Either way, we have a Black intellegent President and the racist White can either get over it and keep going or take their sorry selves and move to another country. We Black Americans had to put up with White Presidents for over 232 years.

by   
FTSMITH
February 2, 2009, 1:12 am
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Don't nobody talk about Rev. Lowery! Don't nobody! Lord knows he is a good man, a pillar of the community! This man has done a 360 three times and has llive many generations. If you are not as old as he, has'nt seen what he has seen has'nt felt the pain that he has felt,,has'nt heard the things he's heard. and still alive to walk, talk with all his facuties, then just press the mute button on your P.C.

by   
WHIZPHIZ
February 1, 2009, 8:39 pm
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He's from the old school , and waited along time to say what he did. lets chill and laugh.

by   
Bro john
January 29, 2009, 3:42 pm
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Reminds me of what Chris Rock said about older black men hating white folks the most because of all they went through or saw.

by   
Magnificent_Hal
January 29, 2009, 11:53 am
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The good Rev should have kept that particular comment to himself. Not the time nor the place...also all that's wrong with the world isn't the fault of white folks. We own some of what's going on among us

by   
Rob850cii
January 28, 2009, 2:03 pm
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All you have to do is read blogs and forums where a majority of whites publish to know he said the right thing, so what if Obama has got white blood in him, hell most of do,through no fault of our own,didn't our president say that there were things his grandmother said at times that would make him cringe,and as far as being on the world stage well it happened for alot of us Jan. 20th,the first black man chosen as a president of the USA,Reality-Check,you are probably a member of the blackrepublican party,now for all you who want to see a lovefest,visit that site,

by   
Radicalcs2008
January 28, 2009, 10:45 am
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The good Rev was right on. This is why the President smiled, he got it! It's going to be fun to watch some of my fellow Americans squirm everytime they hear/read something from this administration that is not familiar w/their world.
I see much understanding and tolerance to be both taught and learned by Americans. It was a perfect finish to Rev. Lowery's Benediction.

by
letzky

by   
Letzky
January 28, 2009, 10:45 am
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Rev Lowery is from back in the day.....most of us don't get the Rev and won't get the Rev.....He is an old man and finally got his shot on the world stage and wanted to send a message.....unfortunately this was not his stage ....it was President's Obama's day.....but like most influential blacks.....Nothing stops them from stealing a piece of the glory....... That last part wasn't funny and had no place on this stage......but I hope he enjoyed his day in the sun.....He deserved at least that and nothing more on this historic day......empower yourself

by   
Reality_Check
January 28, 2009, 9:38 am
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As i have read the commets posted by Alexus 509 and Msstar 82, I am convinced that they are from a generation that has not grasped hold to the civil rights struggle? They seem to be part of a generation who think that the struggle for our rights is over now that President Obama has been elected. But as Rev. Lowery also once said, "don't put up your marching shoes yet."
We need to hear and listen to the Rev. Lowery's that are still among us who know the issues that are real that we still must deal with
Wake up PEOPLE!

by   
Mopreach1
January 28, 2009, 9:24 am
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That Dude was Funnny.

Those who know realize that he was reading from the old, old, old line from segration that our people recited to cope. The old guy was just caught up. Thankfully, for alot of us: WE DONT KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE BEATEN and SPAT ON BECAUSE OF YOUR COLOR...."back in the day".

by   
Alexus509
January 28, 2009, 8:33 am
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