Past Oppression No Excuse for Present Immorality

Cal Thomas | Syndicated Columnist | Updated: Apr 25, 2008

Past Oppression No Excuse for Present Immorality

March 20, 2008

When Barack Obama speaks of the history of race, slavery and oppression in America, he touches a chord in all of us. But that is the past. It cannot – and should not – be an excuse for under achievement, sexual promiscuity, out of wedlock birth, laziness, and a host of other preventable social ills that disproportionately affect the black community.   

Too many African American preachers and liberal politicians have ill-served black Americans, claiming they are victims and can never amount to anything without government programs. But Barack Obama, himself, disproves that theory, as do Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell and hundreds of thousands of other African Americans who have succeeded precisely because they have the right work ethic, the right social and moral ethic and faith in God.

Not all poor black people are criminals, drug dealers and gang bangers. Why don’t we study success instead of failure and what optimism can do for any people instead of re-living the past? Barack Obama’s pastor hates America. This should be cause for divorce in their relationship. It isn’t.



Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.




Past Oppression No Excuse for Present Immorality