Wow, that was a horrible smear to an otherwise great benediction. "When white WILL embrace what is right." What does that imply? That white people are morally corrupt and some time in the future we [whites] will embrace whatever "it" is that is right?  

no it implies that for too many years whites in power (not all) had the false notion that since they were white they were automatically right. He was just holding the mirror up and envoking them to embrace what is right by action instead of assuming all of their actions make them right simply because of color  

Adam: Please get over yourself...  

What about the dogs? "When dogs are allowed to write for blogs"  

Today was a marvelous, uniting event... marred by the words of a man that obviously didn't listen to President Obama's speech or the message The President has been carrying from the beginning... Change has come but there is still lots of change needed.  

The above quote is wrong he said "when black is not asked to GET back" - meaning pushed back in society as a lesser member. The entire "poem" was offensive, and brought down my positive feelings of the day. Saying that all this country has ever done is bring down the black man, deport the brown man, and hold down the red man while the evil white man stands by really goes against everything this country stands for.  

It sounds like something my stoned cousin would say. Except he would probably add "dude" at the beginning and end.  

AMEN Melissa... A M E N  

Assuming that is what this man meant, which is speculative at best, proves that even a day like today cannot overcome the racial intolerance this man harbours. No one needs a mirror held to their face when a moment like today transcends race. Finally, assuming whites validate their actions based on their skin color is beyond insensible.  

And if you need further proof that it was wrong- take a look at Obama's face as the Reverend says the last line. I have never seen a smile drop so quickly. Instant reactions are the way to truth, how I felt the second I heard it and what Obama's face showed the moment it was said tells it all.  

How Melissa feels is the ultimate indicator of how you should feel, folks. Jot that down, Reverend Bombdropper.  

Doesn't the words given at such an (historic) event get reviewed prior to delivery??? If not.... they really should have been. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see the benediction... or President Obama's reaction.... but I know what reaction I had when I was told what was said..... DISAPPOINTMENT  

It made me chuckle in the face of seriousness. Spiced with equal parts of humor, compassion, and sincerity. Hopefully we can all move forward my brothers, and sisters of the human race. Today, January 20th, 2009 brought us closer together than we have ever been. May we continue to be inspired, and focused. Thank you Mr. Obama and Rev. Lowery. I loved it so much, I made it into a t-shirt: (NON PROFIT INTENTIONS) [www.zazzle.com]  

I couldn't agree more with Melissa and Becki. The Reverend's last few lines ruined the entire event for me.  

He was raised to hate and will always be a bigot.  

the last few lines of that prayer were a slap in the face to the thousands of white men who DIED for their freedom, and the White vote that got Obama Elected. I was hoping for change, but that guy proved, its the same old thing. very very sad !  

I cannot imagine a more dividing statement. He does not know me and my heart and I am very offended by generalizations. I was touched by the day. It was beautiful and his statement should have ruined the day for every intelligent person in America.  

Total lame and offensive....Please, Dr. Lowery, so sad!!  

Why does anyone even care what he said? Dismiss him as a clueless, offensive bigot and move on. Stop letting his statement define the day for you.  

Yes are so right Partypants.... Our Country has changed and we must refuse to allow the narrow-mindedness and hate-filled hearts of a few (black, brown, red, yellow or white) to define what the rest of us want for ourselves and OUR COUNTRY. God Bless The UNITED STATES of America  

I was shocked by this statement. "When yellow will be mellow.." what does THAT mean? Because I'm white I'm judged for my ancestors actions? I've never owned a slave, nor did my parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. There are plenty of black men who owned slaves (has this been forgotten?) Do we trace those geneologies and include those black descendents in the 'do what is right' lecture? Do we judge descendents (or relatives, for that matter) for heinous crimes? Is Charles Manson's 2nd cousin once removed to be held accountable for his rampage? All the work that we're trying to accomplish with equality was damaged by his ending.  

The inauguration of this 44th President was a event that I chose to not celebrate as I have strong contentions for this administration. I most definitely would not have dipped into the party punch bowl had I been there, which Lowery so self-righteously took a dump in with his many years of impacted hatred and disgust for the white race. Why? Because he’s only human and hate is a powerful force to be reckoned with, even for “Reverends“ particularly of his detached denomination. Lowery, as well as all of you who cast your votes for Obama, needs to remember that it is the overwhelming number of whites who strive for what’s right that elected our 44th President. Obama’s reaction, particularly during the 1970’s offensive rhyme saved purposely for the very end, was nothing less than gleefully approving. I suspect that this administration is seething with much more hatful outburst to come. Whites are just the start. Watch and see.