im memories that we didn't need to feel shame about。。。memories that all people might study and cherish … and with which we could start to rebuild。〃
That has been my experience at Trinity。 Like other predominantly black churches across the country； Trinity embodies the black munity in its entirety … the doctor and the welfare mom； the model student and the former gang…banger。 Like other black churches； Trinity's services are full of raucous laughter and sometimes bawdy humor。 They are full of dancing； clapping； screaming and shouting that may seem jarring to the untrained ear。 The church contains in full the kindness and cruelty； the fierce intelligence and the shocking ignorance； the struggles and successes； the love and yes； the bitterness and bias that make up the black experience in America。
And this helps explain； perhaps； my relationship with Reverend Wright。 As imperfect as he may be； he has been like family to me。 He strengthened my faith； officiated my wedding； and baptized my children。 Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms； or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect。 He contains within him the contradictions … the good and the bad … of the munity that he has served diligently for so many years。
I can no more disown him than I can disown the black munity。 I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother … a woman who helped raise me； a