Contact: Ermias Alemayehu, 323-782-1980, 213-804-1872

LOS ANGELES, March 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson, Founder and President of BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny, released the following statement today in response to Barack Obama's speech on race and his close relationship with his divisive and racist minister, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr:

"Barack Obama gave a speech which will placate his supporters, but failed to repudiate his racist spiritual mentor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. Obama attempted to address the issue of white racism, but failed to adequately address black racism. He also tried to put white Americans on the defensive by harping on past racial issues. His failure to quickly and strongly repudiate Rev. Wright will forever link him with this racist minister. Questions about his judgment and affiliation with Wright still haven't been answered.  

"Obama even trashed his own grandmother in an effort to defend Rev. Wright. He said he couldn't disown Rev. Wright no more than he can disown the black community or his grandmother who he said uttered racial stereotypes that made him cringe. He also added that his grandmother confessed her fear of black men who passed her on the street. In the past Jesse Jackson has expressed similar fears about black men. I wonder if Obama had the same reaction to Jackson's fear?

"Obama didn't choose his grandmother, but he did choose a racist like Rev. Wright to be his spiritual mentor. He also chose to have Rev. Wright perform his wedding and baptize his daughters. Barack Obama could have walked away and severed his relationship with Rev. Wright; instead he followed this man for two decades. Obama's comments today and his refusal to distance himself further from Rev. Wright speak volumes about his lack of judgment on race and his views on America."  

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson is the host of "The Jesse Lee Peterson Radio Show" available on VCY America Network. For more information, please visit www.bondinfo.org