Obama's "Black Value System"

Apparent presidential candidate U.S. Senator Barack H. Obama is an active member of the Trinity United Church of Christ, located in Chicago's South Side.  Obama and his wife Michelle were married at the church fourteen years ago, when Trinity's current pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr., performed their wedding ceremony. (Rev. Wright pictured with Obama)

Trinity UCC's motto is "Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian."

One wonders how America's commitment to the black community would change with a member of Trinity's congregation in the White House.

Below are the church's 12-precepts and covenantal statements called the "Black Value System." 

(Update:  02.20.2008 -- The TUCC.org's website has been recently revamped and the Black Value System was moved to a less prominent page  A link is at the very bottom now.)

1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the Black Community
3. Commitment to the Black Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Black Community
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Black Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to all Black leadership who espouse and embrace the Black Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Black Value System.

I'm especially interested in learning more about how one adheres to the "Black Work Ethic" and disavows the pursuit of "Middleclassness."   

Comments

[c w forster]

the real problem is with the word christian, to be truly a christian one must be one of His followers . to do this requires you believe what he claimed to be - the son of God ,born of a virgin ,died on the cross of His own choice, to pay sins debt with his sinless blood ,Raised from the grave by God His father, ascended into heaven . one must be spiritualy born by surrendering and aknowledging your need to be spiritually born into Gods kingdom this required the sin's penalty - death be paid by Jesus's blood ( Gods Son ) ---can't subscribe to this ? dont use the word Christian -Where do i get off saying this from the Bible . where is there another Christ GOds son to be read about ??? by the way ( Christianity is not a relgion ) it is a relationship praying for you

[c w forster]

the real problem is with the word christian, to be truly a christian one must be one of His followers . to do this requires you believe what he claimed to be - the son of God ,born of a virgin ,died on the cross of His own choice, to pay sins debt with his sinless blood ,Raised from the grave by God His father, ascended into heaven . one must be spiritualy born by surrendering and aknowledging your need to be spiritually born into Gods kingdom this required the sin's penalty - death be paid by Jesus's blood ( Gods Son ) ---can't subscribe to this ? dont use the word Christian -Where do i get off saying this from the Bible . where is there another Christ GOds son to be read about ??? by the way ( Christianity is not a relgion ) it is a relationship praying for you

[K COLLINS]

These values seem to be mostly reasonable. There is little here that is different in context to many other religious and ethnic groups values. Essentially - supporting one another, morality, a strong work ethic. What could possible be wrong with those?
The largest group of chronically poor and impovershed in this country are African Americans, and if they don't help and support one another, then their lot as a people, and a vital part of our shared country will never improve.
I'm white, but I do not feel threatened by others trying to work as a group to improve the quality of their lives. Every other group has done, and currently does the same. This may not be out in the open, but it is there none the less.
There is nothing anti-American about it. There is nothing anti-White, Hispanic, Irish, Asian, or Jew or Buddist about it.
When any group works to improve their standards, and their lives, it can only enhance the security and be to the greater good of all.
Be more concerned about the intent behind these values, rather then the way in which they are written. The intent is focused on improvement, shunning mediocrity and the pursuit of happiness which is a right of all Americans.

[Ann]

Source: http://www.tucc.org/scholarship_pdf/black%20value%20system.pdf

Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”

Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must keep the captive ignorant educationally, but trained sufficiently well to serve the system.

Also, the captors must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.

Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:

Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off one another.

Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.

[Douglas]

Have you actually READ the document and the stances it promotes? If you READ the value system, it should become clear to those with a brain. People moan and complain about just about everything that has to do with Black people, and when Trinity attempts to create a structure to live successfully by, their deemed "racist". So I guess you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't.

I don't think Obama has a clue as to what it is to be poor like a lot of others black
and white. One of the black girls I worked
was talking about wearing flour sack dresses
when she was young and I told her I did also, she said I thought only Blacks wore
flour sack dresses and as I told her no, the
poor wore them.As we contuined to talk she
was talking about their telivision and I said you had a television? She said they also had a washing machine. This was in the
South in the early fifties, and we did not
have television or washing machine we did have an ice box and a battery operated radio
to listen to once in a while.We worked together for years, neither of us was born with a silver spoon in our mouth and neither
of us got rich.I don't think either of the three top candidates care about the working class Americans welfare. I wonder how they
expect to protect this country and take care of this country when we manufactor very
little here. Should we need them are the other countries going to supply us with weapons or whatever we need? I doubt it I think they have got us right where they want us. I hope that one day America will
be America again and for the American people
that are willing to work and will be paid a decent wage for there work instead of it
going to the CEO'S, as it does now.

[Tony]

You, of course, took the list out of context. The "Middleclassness" in 'Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"', is a condition by which a person identifies with an economic position and not it's heritage or the greater society. While I am not a member of any of the "Black" communities I have roots in several ethinic backgrounds. The values of a community working to better itself in an environment that is both externally and internally hostile is a tool. These same values have done the Jewish, Asian, Irish and Italian communities well. To say I am proud to be Asian or Italian is not racist, it is pride. Be it African, Italian or Latin American the Noun is still American.

[John]

Years ago, a black Christian worship leader named Lionel Peterson and a white pastor named Ray MacCauley, whether working together or not, worked to end apartheid in South Africa. Brother Lionel told the blacks in South Africa the TRUTH - that they had to truly forgive their white oppressors. An album came from this - Hosanna's "Rejoice Africa".
And Pastor Ray of Rhema Bible Church (Yes, a Word of Faith church in South Africa. No use accusing Kenneth Hagin of never teaching anything good. Pastor Ray caught the true meaning of God's love and faithfuulness as a student at Rhema in Broken Arrow, OK. That truth that went deeper than his own needs being abundantly met, obviously) offered his church as neutral ground (well-prayed over ground, at that) for government and black representatives to meet.
The end result was the peaceful transition from apartheid to Nelson Mandela not only being relesaed from prison but also becoming president of South Africa. See what happens when people really ARE Christian? God does what he promised. No "Black Value System" or "White Value System" or any other value system that is not based on doing what Jesus said to can do ANYTHING that will actually HELP annyone, no matter what color their skin.
And NO ONE can truly say that they are Christian if they endorse preaching like that of Mr. Wright. No matter who protests this, until Mr. Wright (He's no pastor in God's eyes. Jesus said that those who KEEP His words love Him. Those that don't, don't. And His FIRST commandment is to forgive EVERYONE who's hurt you. Racism is no excuse for not forgiving, it's just a reason to say that Jesus didn't know what He was talking about. Sure, we have a Better Idea. We're ALL Frod Motor Company with our own better ideas.) obeys this First Principle, he's not in God's favor. He's not forgiven by God. But it sure lights people's fire to hear him lie agisnt God and His Christ so fervently. And every one of them that follows him is equally unforgiven by God, for forgiveness isn't anywhere in shouting agreement as Mr. Wright shouts "G.D. America!" or calling ths nation the US of KKKA.
But if this guy had preached the TRUTH (!) to his congregation, they'd know that any (true) racism aimed against them was a diversion to keep hem from giving themselves wholly to Jesus and His God, thus becoming heir of ALL that God can do for them.
Also, blacks, whites, Hispanics, Pakistanis, EVERY RACE that is not Jewish is represented in the Bible in ONE WORD - GENTILE! We who were not born Jewish were ALL born Gentiles. Somebody PLEASE get over this simple fact. If Jesus were black, He couldn't be King of the Jews - He WOULDN'T be Jewish. But, wait, HE WAS!
But even now, if we were to receive 2 Corinthians 5:16 to mean what it says, no Christian would know themselves or any other Christian by the color of their skin, nor Jesus for that matter. He's NOT Jewish any more, He's God. And EVERY believer in Him is His brother or sister. How 'bout we act like it? After all, Jesus did say taht teh world will know Christians by their love for each other. This cannot be seen when churches are monochrome, only loving those that are there own color.
If Jesus said it, that settles it. Do you want in or not? Be it unto you according to your own faith.
BTW, it's just as racist to call someone racist based on their skin color as it is to use the "n" word agaisnt a black person.

[John]

Years ago, a black Christian worship leader named Lionel Peterson and a white pastor named Ray MacCauley, whether working together or not, worked to end apartheid in South Africa. Brother Lionel told the blacks in South Africa the TRUTH - that they had to truly forgive their white oppressors. An album came from this - Hosanna's "Rejoice Africa".
And Pastor Ray of Rhema Bible Church (Yes, a Word of Faith church in South Africa. No use accusing Kenneth Hagin of never teaching anything good. Pastor Ray caught the true meaning of God's love and faithfuulness as a student at Rhema in Broken Arrow, OK. That truth that went deeper than his own needs being abundantly met, obviously) offered his church as neutral ground (well-prayed over ground, at that) for government and black representatives to meet.
The end result was the peaceful transition from apartheid to Nelson Mandela not only being relesaed from prison but also becoming president of South Africa. See what happens when people really ARE Christian? God does what he promised. No "Black Value System" or "White Value System" or any other value system that is not based on doing what Jesus said to can do ANYTHING that will actually HELP annyone, no matter what color their skin.
And NO ONE can truly say that they are Christian if they endorse preaching like that of Mr. Wright. No matter who protests this, until Mr. Wright (He's no pastor in God's eyes. Jesus said that those who KEEP His words love Him. Those that don't, don't. And His FIRST commandment is to forgive EVERYONE who's hurt you. Racism is no excuse for not forgiving, it's just a reason to say that Jesus didn't know what He was talking about. Sure, we have a Better Idea. We're ALL Frod Motor Company with our own better ideas.) obeys this First Principle, he's not in God's favor. He's not forgiven by God. But it sure lights people's fire to hear him lie agisnt God and His Christ so fervently. And every one of them that follows him is equally unforgiven by God, for forgiveness isn't anywhere in shouting agreement as Mr. Wright shouts "G.D. America!" or calling ths nation the US of KKKA.
But if this guy had preached the TRUTH (!) to his congregation, they'd know that any (true) racism aimed against them was a diversion to keep hem from giving themselves wholly to Jesus and His God, thus becoming heir of ALL that God can do for them.
Also, blacks, whites, Hispanics, Pakistanis, EVERY RACE that is not Jewish is represented in the Bible in ONE WORD - GENTILE! We who were not born Jewish were ALL born Gentiles. Somebody PLEASE get over this simple fact. If Jesus were black, He couldn't be King of the Jews - He WOULDN'T be Jewish. But, wait, HE WAS!
But even now, if we were to receive 2 Corinthians 5:16 to mean what it says, no Christian would know themselves or any other Christian by the color of their skin, nor Jesus for that matter. He's NOT Jewish any more, He's God. And EVERY believer in Him is His brother or sister. How 'bout we act like it? After all, Jesus did say that the world will know Christians by their love for each other. This cannot be seen when churches are monochrome, only loving those that are there own color. Even sinners do that (Publicans,too)
If Jesus said it, that settles it. Do you want in or not? Be it unto you according to your own faith.
BTW, it's just as racist to call someone racist based on their skin color as it is to use the "n" word agaisnt a black person.

[Ulysses]

I think it's a pretty darn good value system if you take out the race. I understand the roots of such an attempt, and the need to work together to overcome generations of oppression, but we have seen American society take great turns, and there is something better for all of us.

As a white man, I would not want my children being raised in an environment of of commitment to 'white' leaders, community or family. The very act of doing that sets them apart of their human brother of all races. It would sicken me to have my children speak so, as I know where that leads as all racism leads. I don't want them looking at their integrated classrooms, and drawing lines just around the white students and thinking "these are the ones I strive to support". That path is evil and an affront to the value that all men have and which Dr. King vocalized so well.

If we circle and protect those of our own race, the cycle will never stop. Each race striving to 'have their day'. I completely support helping your race when you know you/they have been oppressed, but don't preach that only. Preach that as a step towards all unity of man. There are no evil races, just evil acts by some, and too often 'followers' of bad leaders.

Millions of asians have been oppressed by other asians, indians by spaniards, spaniards by moors, irish by english, polish by germans, on and on. The madness of the black value system, though understandable in light of years of opporession, is nonetheless the wrong path.

With each human that lives to defend ANY opporessed, and make all good men his brother, society is protected a little more. Every single one counts. If I'm on the street, and I see two rednecks harass a black man, I come to his aid in every way. In that way, a small oppression can be thwarted. We need more and more who will stand with all men, rather than cling to color, creed, or ethnicity. To not work towards that, is to weaken our chance at a better world. America has shown time and again that miracles are possible. We can end slavery without the oppressed leading the revolt, old white men in the halls of congress decrying the evil of their brothers. We can give women equal rights without the women taking up arms. This is a better place, a better hope. I wish Obama had not tainted himself with this reverend. Whether he believes in racial equality or not, he was quickly becoming a symbol others could believe in, but he's not the only one. Look around your job, your schools. There are more and more people every generation that will join hands, intermarry, help each other. The value system could be reworded to show a strong community to helping your black community, and yet not place black community as the chief spiritual goal. It should be humanity together that is the end goal, not just part of it.

[Neil]

Racism is alive and well in the black community. Black people haven’t gotten Obama to where he is. White people have. While minorities have a say, it’s the majority that elect the man. One can not exhibit racism and vote for a black man for president. The chants at the rallies are right, “It isn’t about race.” for the white folks. White people voted for the man because of his message, because, of all things, the content of his character, not the color of his skin, even though he has no experience. Black people voted for him just because he’s black. In one of the races, 90% of the blacks voted for him, while 60% of the whites voted for him. I guess the other 40% didn’t vote for him because he was black and are racists, not because he doesn’t have the experience. Racism is alive and well in the black community. Racism, segregation, it is all about the blacks, manifested by the blacks, caused by the racism of the blacks. If something happens to a black that isn’t wanted, it happens because of racism. In the black community, a black child fails in school because of racism, even though whites, Orientals and other ethnic groups are succeeding. The schools are not teaching the things that black children are interested in or need according to the black community. A black man on the Oprah show was heard saying that “since my daughter isn’t good at sports or can’t be a rapper, she will have to be homeless.”

The black value system creates a second society in this country, a society that only cares for itself. When our ancestors came to this country, they were servants, they were considered to be the lowest of low, given only the jobs the middle class didn’t want. They were beaten, jailed and killed just because they spoke with an accent. They still believed in the opportunities in this country. They made their kids go to school which allowed them to get jobs and raise families. They became PART of this country. Their children weren’t Italian Americans, Irish Americans, Polish Americans, Russian Americans, they were AMERICANS, celebrating all ethnicities. That is what made this country great, a melting pot of good hardworking people with skills, talent, honor, ethics and morals and they believed in the content of each others characters.

The black community continues to set themselves up as a separate entity, a separate race or, since it isn’t working, a separate class, beholding only to Africa, as anyone who believes in the black value system is forced to do. Continuing down this road will only destroy this country creating a divide that will only be solved by another civil war. No, I am not advocating a civil war. We are all needed to help keep this country great, but not as african Americans, we need to be AMERICANS. Drop the prefix. If you want to tie yourself to Africa, give up your American citizenship and go home.

Until black society celebrates other ethnicities, none of us will be equal, none of us will be free! But that would require them to not follow the black value system, a system that is based on hatred. I would love to discuss race with black folks, but then again, if I tried to discuss race, that to the black community is racism. Maybe this is a façade that is being presented by the black community because they realize that Racism is mostly alive in the black community and if they talked about it, they would lose what advantages they think they have in the race card and that they might have to change THEIR behavior..

As for Mr. Obama, 20 years of hearing this preacher preach his message of hate has to have made it to the core of his character. This is the same character by which we need to judge him. The jury is in and it isn’t good for Mr. Obama.

[Valorie Hall]

The Black Value System urges members to follow a list of 12 concepts such as a commitment to the black community, commitment to the black family and dedication to the pursuit of education and excellence. Most white and affluent young black Americans do not understand the mindset of black people who live in a poverty-stricken community. For these forgotten Americans, they need special attention. Many are ashamed of the color of their skin. They see pimps and drug dealers as role models. It is within this community that Trinity United Church came up with the Black Value System. The desire of this program is to build pride in being black not superiority. This program wants to encourage black children to get a good education and not become teen parents, drug dealers, pimps, and prostitutes. The Black Value System is not to promote superiority of black people but to help eliminate the self hatred that many feel coming from this community. I believe Barack Obama stayed at Trinity United Church for 20 years because he has witnessed the many changed lives of black people who are now full participating members in the American economy thanks to Rev. Wright.

I grew up in a church very similar to Trinity United Church. The preachers in my church delivered sermons comparable to the messages of Rev. Wright. These sermons served a very important purpose. Our ministers were acting as our therapists. They were giving us an outlet to release the rage we felt inside about how we were being treated in our country and the unjust governmental policies. Our preachers knew if they did not address this rage aggressively, many of us would end up in jail or dead.

[Stacy Butcher]

I think this would be correct. Irish/french(desendant) American

Change to African Americans only because Black suggest a color to the whites and change number 9. 10. 11.

1. Commitment to God
2. Commitment to the African Americans
3. Commitment to the African Americans Family
4. Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
5. Dedication to the Pursuit of Excellence
6. Adherence to the African Americans Work Ethic
7. Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
8. Disavowal of the Pursuit of "Middleclassness"
9. Pledge to make the fruits of all developing and acquired skills available to the Community in which you live
10. Pledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and Supporting Your local Institutions
11. Pledge allegiance to the United States of America who espouse and embrace the Value System
12. Personal commitment to embracement of the Value System.

[Maggie]

It is amazing how much hate is spewed on Sundays at Obama's church. These people have reduced themselves to hate mongering and ridiculing Americans. Obama didn't have a problem with his church and its practice until he ran for president. How convenient. Obama is an opportunist and the country will be torn apart with him as president.

[Jonathan Hartley]

Here we see the rumblings of the future. WIthin 50 years, I predict politics in America will fracture along racial lines. Blacks and Hispanics will form ethnicity-based parties. Whites will follow suit. And America will ultimately forsake the false promises of the multicultural rhetoric and become a nation divided into many nations. As soon as blacks and Hispanics achieve voter parity with whites, they will seek to elect their own president on the strength of their own numbers. And in those days, life will be very, very interesting indeed.