Thanks, Rev.

Well, as usual, I have a different take on this whole Rev. Wright/Obama fracas. I actually think Wright has done America a real service in terms of moving us beyond racial division.

With his weekend "performance" culminating at the National Press Club, Wright reiterated extreme statements and positions (the U.S. Government planted AIDS in black communities) that could not be taken out of context. He dissed Barack Obama repeatedly and referred to the criticism he had received as worthy of a response called 'playing the dozens'.

Ok. I'm a white guy, but I've played the dozens. In New York City they were also called 'cutting contests'. It's basically, "you're girl's so fat, even Spandex runs away from her." The single funniest one I ever heard was one light-skinned Brother said to a dark-skinned Brother, "You so black, you sweat Bosco". (For you youngsters, Bosco was a chocolate syrup used to make chocolate milk.) But I digress. The point is, Playing the Dozens is done by adolescents and young men who have too much time on their hands and are looking for a way to build themselves up.

And that's exactly what Wright sounded like in patches of his speech. He resembled an unruly student who has given up trying to succeed and just wants any attention he can get. Even if he has to act like a fool to get it.

So how does this guy help us move past racial divisions?

Well, the fact that Wright's statements are so over the top has allowed Obama to unequivocally distance himself from his former Pastor. But more importantly, Obama stated that Wright's extremism does not reflect mainstream Black opinion. It doesn't even reflect the mainstream Black church. And in comparison to Obama, who has fashioned a mainstream movement that doesn't see race as an issue, Wright's rhetoric doesn't make him dangerously extreme, but simply out of touch.

As a result, White Americans don't see a potent rabblerouser who pricks at the collective white conscience. They see a narcissistic fellow on a press junket for his own commercial gain (he's writing a book due out in the fall). So we can all say, 'We are moving past this race thing. And not even a self-serving angry kook is going to change that."

The only group who must be confused by Wright's latest actions are Black Americans who support Obama. Those folks who thirst for an Obama presidency as the ultimate salve for racial inequality must view Wright's latest actions as a baffling case of sabotage --and to what end? To deny proof that America can move beyond race? So that an old man can remain angry about the injustices he's borne?

It's so crazy, it's obviously not a group mindset. It's not a conspiracy. It's not a movement. It's just the curious agenda of one man who's in it for himself.

The rest of us are doing just fine with race. Progress is being made. Thanks, Rev. We knew we had it in us.

Do you see race as less of an issue? Or has this Wright event made you feel that it's still out there? Talk about this or anything else by clicking on the 'comments' button below, bypassing the Google sign up and hitting the anonymous or nickname button.