Mixed reaction to Obama’s unity call

Re “Obama urges moving past ‘old racial wounds,’ ” March 19

I listened with an open mind and heart to Barack Obama’s speech, a finely crafted statement about race relations in America. I had hoped, however, to hear Obama take responsibility for surrounding himself with people with the mind-set of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. No matter how he spins it, Obama was by his own admission greatly inspired and guided by the reverend, which does not speak well for his future ability to lead us.

Evelyn Salem

Santa Monica

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Obama’s speech provided the most sophisticated, substantive, articulate and exciting voice in political life in this country in generations. This speech laid out all the policy and values he would pursue as president, and he demonstrated that he is a leader, which we need after so many years in the desert.

Thomas E. Ambrogi

Claremont

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The most incredible part of this whole ordeal is how no one is demanding that Obama drop out of the race. Imagine this: Hillary Clinton had a pastor who married her and Bill, baptized Chelsea and from whom she took her faith and the title of her book. Now imagine that pastor spewed aggressively anti-American and racist rants. There would be demands from the media and the Democratic Party for her to drop out of the race immediately, no matter her explanation. The fact is that no one in public has demanded, advised or even mentioned Obama dropping out. Yet every day pundits urge Clinton to drop out of the race.

If Obama truly believes these are hate-mongering opinions, then he shouldn’t have gone to this man’s church for 20 years.

Kevin Michael

Los Angeles

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Re “Obama’s Lincoln moment,” Opinion, March 19

I read with incredulity Tim Rutten’s uncritical praise for Obama’s speech. Contrary to Rutten’s assertion, Obama did not “unequivocally” repudiate any of Wright’s specific assertions, but merely issued a general and conditional repudiation, repeating the canard that the media unfairly cherry-picked Wright’s noxious comments.

Why did Obama not only remain a church member for 20 years but indeed fully embrace this man as a father figure, exposing his young children to these hate-filled sermons? Obama remains largely a blank slate with no significant experience and a platform built entirely on some form of unspecified “change.” Now we have just discovered compelling circumstantial evidence that at least some of his most deeply held but undisclosed views actually may be far left of the mainstream. If so, he will bring “change” for the worse.

Peter Rich

Los Angeles

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Obama’s speech on race relations provided me with a rare patriotic moment. His eloquence and sincerity literally shone through his profound words. Those of us who have actually experienced or expressed racism could not help but be deeply affected. Let us now see how America responds to this wise young man’s “Lincoln moment.”

Edna M. Tobias

Hermosa Beach

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Re “Moving a nation,” editorial, March 19

Your reflexive dismissal of the sentiments expressed by Wright as “crackpot comments” ignores that, as unsettling as it may be to acknowledge, this is how many people around the globe see us.

When majorities among even our closest allies are telling us that we have been hypocritical and have behaved badly, maybe it’s time to listen.

Kenneth Gozlyn

San Francisco