Politics too simple for reality

We Americans have a hard time counting past two.

I suppose that's why this big, diverse nation stuffs itself into two political parties.

Two offers a simple either/or choice, Democrat or Republican. That duality plasters makeup over the reality of multiple factions in each party.

It covers up divisions until something causes pimples to erupt all over the place, as is happening with the Democratic presidential primary.

Democrats have two candidates who have to dance on fences between categories.

Hillary Clinton can't be too feminine or too masculine. Barack Obama has to be black, but not too black.

But it is race that is dominating the race.

Obama outspent Clinton 2-to-1 in Pennsylvania, but couldn't attract many working-class white voters.

Clinton started the campaign in the embrace of black voters, but lost her lead among black Democrats when her campaign began using race to lure white voters.

And now Obama's former minister is stirring the pot, spewing anger for the TV cameras this week.

Jeremiah Wright is the former pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, a megachurch that is politically and socially the Mount Zion of Chicago. It's Obama's spiritual birthplace.

Obama, who has a black parent and a white parent, had to choose early on how black to be. White wasn't an option, and mixed is too complicated for a country that can only count to two.

Wright's church helped give Obama his bona fides as a black man and a Christian, both identities he needed to pursue a political career.

Obama needs the support of black voters, but he also has to prove to the rest of the country that he is not too black.

That's a test white politicians don't have to pass. They may need to show their concern for other constituencies, but they don't have to rise above their race.

Some of the difference has to do with being in the minority, but much of it is rooted in experiences, which have led to different views.

It's difficult to discuss such different perspectives in a political arena that demands simplicity.

Blacks see a mix of good and bad that often includes some anger at injustices.

White voters probably want to be assured they won't be led by someone who directs that anger at them.

Wright's fire brings heat, but provides no illumination.

I don't have any problem with Wright railing against America's sins, but he didn't stop there.

He made a point of praising Louis Farrakhan and he espoused conspiracy theories — for instance, the government brought AIDS into the black community.

He's not the only person suffering from delusions.

Are Mexican immigrants planning to take over the United States? Gays out to destroy marriage? Is there a conspiracy to force evolution on innocent American children? Plenty of preachers would say yes, and so would some Republican politicians.

Myths help people keep things simple — too simple for a nation that needs to grapple with complex problems.

Jerry Large's column appears Monday and Thursday. Reach him at 206-464-3346 or jlarge@seattletimes.com.