President Obama Inauguration Benediction: The Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery

[jarlragnar]

If a white guy broke out into rhyme during a presidential inaugural prayer he'd be ridiculed for the rest of his life.

[tighmir]

and was that Ruth Ann Minner in the background at the end??

[tighmir]

ok. im black and i understand the historical issue... but why when something like this happens black people have to take over the show and make a big statement... we all know he is the first bi-racial president, we can all see that... we dont need a constant reminder... now i know, no one will ever elect another black president because this one sucks major balls...

[stahlwerke]

@tighmir You suck major balls introducing yourself as a black man to keep this issue alive, while the speech itself was clearly meant for all of us on this planet.

[tighmir]

@stahlwerke Joseph lowery stands up for his kind and his kind only... The speech was not meant for everyone... If u think that... I suggest u listen between the lines

[OBAMAisHalfCaste]

Obama the first half-caste biracial mixed-race president not black

[BLACKBEAUTY8989]

he was funny and i like his speech

[unlckyleprechan]

at 5:10 when he says the racist thing i want u all 2 scream hell no!!!

[jlovesaimee]

... When black will not be asked to get back , when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get a headman and when white can embrace whats right." -Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, January 20th, 2009

[TJZDouglas251]

I was there walking towards the monument...We were so far away but it was a blessing to see the inauguration on the Jumbo TRON....Rev. J.E Lowery prayed a prayer that day...lol! Everybody was laughing...white and black when he concluded the prayer with the colors. lol!

[jawdrummer128]

YEA DOC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KeanuReeeves]

come on everyone lets not cling to the past like lowery the flowery

here's a joke hope you enjoy

everyone is tellin me its just a joke!

if its white its alright

if its red it is said

If it's yellow, let it mellow

If it's brown, flush it down

If it's black, it sells crack clinging to the past

lmao!

i need a shit, hope it's not diarhea!

[Teeninchee]

May I please enlighten some of you? This benedictory prayer combined songs and poems and "sayings" around for years.

God of our weary years...from the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice" "walk together children" from an old Spiritual. BB Broonzy sang "Get Back" He's got the whole world.. another song. Sowing the wind and reaping a whirlwind , every one sitting under their own vine/fig tree--from the Bible. It was from his life of experience. Encouraging us to remain united to a common cause/goal.

[sith4u]

they ryme but they are not historically correct. its amazing that some whites have wanted a person of colour to move up by there own bootstraps but when one does and acheives the highest office in the land the number of racist incidents increase. crack sells have nothing to do with race issue. that is an economic issue. so are muggings at atm machines (committed by whited too)

[stahlwerke]

Most of your ancestry is German.

[biggboii18]

Arab? WTF u talkin about? People in Kenya aren't of Arab descent....

[WhatIfItDoesSink]

Having ancestors that were slaves does not make you black. The fact that his ancestors are from Africa DOES make him black. Besides, he didnt run his campaign under "Ill be the first black president." Im sure hes just as proud to be of Arab or Hawaiian decent as he is to be of black decent.

[sith4u]

actually, having african ancesters makes you of that african tribe(people born in africa don't call themselves african but go by there tribes name.) Being black means that a person has the unique experience of being born and or raised in north america with the cultural influencese that those experinces carry.

[feaadfaerie]

I wish I could say something that would outweigh the ignorance in the previous comments, but as is the nature of youtube comments, you have to stand for your own thoughts and be judged accordingly. Let's just say that I think it was a beautiful and endearing prayer. Thank you Reverend.

[stahlwerke]

@feaadfaerie You can't outweigh ignorance because ignorance beholds the very principle every human beeing lives by. Including you. Otherwise you wouldn't be here on youtube, trying to get people to understand things your way. Because that's what you please. Your way. The Reverend did a good job. What is your job on this planet? Stick to it.

[surferartchick]

I guess he forgot the part about "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one. " - 1John 5:19

[lastpnd]

1. "our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will."

2. "when nations shall not lift up sword against nation."

That's just a part of the prayer. For anyone that thinks the reverend is a racist should read the WHOLE PRAYER. Then, you would understand that this is a universal prayer, for all religions, nations, and of course race.

FYI: I'm not black.

[KeanuReeeves]

hey reverend crayola.....before you attempt to remove the spec in whiteys eye...take the log out of yours.....i believe this is scripture!

[KeanuReeeves]

let all those who do justice say reverend crayola....lmao AMEN and AMEN!

[KeanuReeeves]

all others say reverend crayola...lmao!

[KeanuReeeves]

yes a new dawn,, the crack of dawn.....when black will stop selling crack.....yes lets stop the meaningless debates and be all warm and fuzzy inside... the pastor is trying to keep weak minded liberals in a state of guilt trip with that statement "when white will embrace what is right".. however the pastor is right in looking to the future "when white will embrace what is right"... we were not right in voting for a black baby killing antichrist b.o.. I need a shit, hope it's not diarhea!

[caliporsche]

the end is a racist comment

what the F**k when black will not be asked to get back.when brown will stick around when yella will be mella when the red man can get ahead man and when white will embrace what is right..... RACIST BIGOT

[shamammal]

this is WAY better poetry than that poem the lady read just before this.

i can understand why people think he implies the day has not yet come when white embrace what is right, but hey, who really knows what he meant? only him, i venture.

[lifeblood67]

you call black people dull and savage..??? reread what you just said. you sound more of the savage nature than most of any race ive encountered. you are screaming at your computer, spitting all over the screen.....lol. control yourself before you have a coronary.......lol.

[MagnoliaMP]

It is unfortunate that in the beautiful day and speech, that some would try to peg any part of the day as racist. Since you didn't understood what you heard..try reading it

[MagnoliaMP]

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, 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. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen. Say Amen

This is not racist. It's celebratory of what just happened. I was there. It was beautiful for all.

[thebrandell]

oh my lord! he was doing so good, then he needed to throw in there at the end that white people in the future will do whats right basically saying that white people are not doing whats right now. to bad african americans cant be called racist ha ha

[MagnoliaMP]

Please listen again. You misheard/misunderstood what was said. Black people can't put a person in office..there's not enough nationally. We all, specifically the majority (who are white people), made this happen. Clearly he's ACKNOWLEDGING that whites EMBRACED what was right. This PRAYER is too powerful to walk away with the WRONG feeling that it's somehow RACIST!!!

[beckstraordinary]

During the benediction, I don't believe that Lowry was being racist. You just have to know that he was using old slogans from the Civil Rights movement. I believe he was making a point about how Obama taking office was a point of fulfillment of those slogans--that there's still work to do...making the inside match up with the outside.

But that's just my two cents.

[MagnoliaMP]

THANK YOU. You're dead on. The lack of comprehension on that is kinda sad. Makes people miss out on a truly powerful speech. Very unfortunate. People are saying HORRIBLE things to each other with a beautiful prayer playing in the background. Sad.

[apollo39181]

also to the younger 40 this saying wasn't new it came out in the 60/70's when blacks was praying that white would do right. By not hanging,shooting,beating etc.... and in the end the of the prayer he said if u belive in justice say amen. And that is all we want is something that u want for yourself. A fair shot but even now people are mad not because mccain lost but he lost to a black man. I guess this earth needs an alien invasion for us to see each as human being all and the same.

[apollo39181]

I hate when people make a new I.D. then put their actual feeling or thoughts out. People still don't realize why people are crying. WE in our generation younger than 40 got a small taste of what this man has seen."IT Would be a cold day in hell before a black man would be president"this is what we were told.America has come a long long way even in my time. U know what the shameful thing if he gets all the problems turned around people still aren't going to vote for him because he is white/black.

[lifeblood67]

Guess what everyone...President Barack Husein Obama is your president too whether you like it or not. I felt that same way when bush was president, he is my president whether i like it or not. But, dont be mad, it will only be 4, maybe 8 years................lol.

[lifeblood67]

your hate is consuming you as you sit there spewing your venom......lol you are one of the reasons this victory is so great, not everyone of your race thinks. like you. more white people than black probaly voted obama in and they definately paid for his campaign......lol. if you HAVE to hate, hate your white neighbors.....lol. they voted in a black man to lead you for the next 4 maybe even 8 years.....lol. stop hating, it makes you ugly...

[gubersnitzel]

ok...i understand where u comin from, and you are right, more whites than blacks voted...but i was referring to someone who's talking about niggers, calling us apes, and saying how we mistreat whites and so on, so when you think about it, whites and blacks are screwed up together... so get your act together.

[lifeblood67]

gube, i dont have an act, i dont hate anyone, not one person. im not a racist in the way some might think, but i do love my race. my feelings are based solely on an individuals acts. look at

[lifeblood67]

creamygirl up there, she is in a frenzy, i would be afraid to be alone with her and anyone who thinks like her on a dark street....lol. or if she were my neighbor, id be afraid to sleep at night, she and those that think like her is the reason this election means something, we would like for that kind of thinking to end, and its never been this close to working or showing that its not as bad as it was.

[gubersnitzel]

So according to you...how is what you are saying different from the old south when WHITES lynched blacks for being black, when we were spat on, beaten up, hosed down, attacked by dogs, when the KKK (that is still around today) is on a rampage to get rid of blacks talkin bout "white power" this and "white power" that. I don't know about you, but that sounds savage to me. But again , that is the IGNORANCE you inherited from your IGNORANT ancestors.

[gubersnitzel]

LISTEN...apparently you missed the whole idea of the inauguration which is putting aside petty differences for the common good of mankind. The world has enough haters, we do not need your STUPIDITY adding to the problem when there are people who hate Americans-black and white. So keep your negative comments to yourself, because they truly expose your IGNORANCE.

[lifeblood67]

if there was never an issue of white people treating black people badly for so many years, we would not be here looking at this or commenting on it. remember, black people are the only race that didnt come to this country willingly. but we are here and we are just as human as anyone else and human rights is the issue at hand,treat people the way u expect to be treated. do you all remember that little golden rule. it is what cristianity is based on, its how you treat others.God Bless America!!!

[lifeblood67]

and its the thinking like this that makes this such a victory, black people dont want anything from white people except to live in peace, blacks been scared of whites since blacks stepped on this countrys soil. now deal with the man in charge, its all good.

[eyesawit2]

Sorry that you voted 4 hitler,But dead guys can't run,baby.

[vashottest]

mad????

[mauroand77]

hard work to find his name, it was worhty, simply brilliant!!!

[Blessinme]

If That Wasnt A Baptist Benediction LOL !!! Loved It !!

[NaturalBlkChick]

You're joking right? Have you ever heard a white preacher wishing black folks well or anything positive for that matter?

[ccworkmonjr]

I certainly have.

You should find a new church if your spiritual leaders are failing you to the point that their focus is on pulpit politics or skin color and not our mutual Savior.

Isn't it time for petty distinctions of skin shade to go away? It can't be pleasing to the Lord. He gave life to and loves all of us equally, after all.

There is ONE Body of Christ. Not a black one or a white one. Just one body of believers.

I thought it was a great benediction. God bless the President.

[mjhanagan]

Good to see that we are past the era of racial politics. It's also nice to know that I, as a white man, can now be inspired to do what is right because (a) Obama is POTUS and (b) this bigot asked God to make it so. How would it have been if a white preacher had said, "Bless the black to get off of crack or back on track?" Think that would have flown?

[lifeblood67]

bigots were made by bigots

[mjhanagan]

So what you're saying is that it is okay for this man to be a race baiter and bigot because in his youth he experienced racial bigotry. Using your logic, when my house is burglarized I am free to begin burglarizing other houses, when my car is stolen I can steal someone else's, when my 401K tanks I can rob a bank. Your comment demonstrates a breathtaking lack of logical or rational thought processes. Two wrongs don't NEVER make a right.

[lifeblood67]

that man came from a different era, he felt the bigotry in a way more personal way than im sure you or I have ever felt it. i am never gonna say that bigotry is right, but i will say this, he has his demons from an era we will never fully understand. this election means more to our ancestors than it can ever mean to us, he is probaly more scared now than ever before, look at the attitudes just here on this site. i realized the other day, that im a little scared myself.

[mjhanagan]

If he comes from a bygone era and this President is all about casting off the dogmas of the past, then this man, with his tired racism, should not have been there. And of what has he to be scared? Please explain.

[datgurlsofly]

funniest benediction ever! wish he was my pastor.