Charlie Rose Season 4 Episode 20 Charlie Rose -A discussion about Barack Obama & Rev. Jeremiah Wright (April 29, 2008)

Charlie Rose is an American talk show that features notable people from politics, arts, and culture. In season 4 episode 20, the show discusses one of the most controversial issues of the 2008 presidential campaign - the relationship between Barack Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright.

The episode starts with Charlie Rose introducing his guests - Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of sociology at Georgetown University and author of the book "April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America," and Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem and president of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury.

Charlie Rose first asks his guests about Obama's response to the controversy. Both guests agree that Obama's speech on race relations in America was a historic moment in American politics. Dr. Butts praises Obama's honesty and willingness to confront the issue of race head-on, while Dyson commends his ability to bring the country together in the face of division.

The conversation then turns to Reverend Wright's sermons and their impact on Obama's campaign. Dyson argues that it's unfair to reduce Wright's entire career to a few soundbites taken out of context, and that the sermons were an expression of the legitimate frustration many African Americans feel about the state of race relations in America. Dr. Butts offers a different perspective, saying that while he understands the anger behind Wright's words, he disagrees with the way he expressed it.

Rose then asks his guests about the media's role in the controversy. Both guests agree that the media sensationalized the story and failed to provide context. Dyson argues that the media's focus on Wright distracted from the real issues at stake in the election, such as health care and fiscal policy. Dr. Butts adds that the media's fixation on race relations ignores the fact that there are many other important issues facing the African American community.

The episode concludes with a discussion about the future of race relations in America. Dyson is optimistic, saying that Obama's candidacy has already had a positive impact on the national conversation about race. Dr. Butts is more cautious, arguing that while Obama's candidacy is a step forward, there is still a long way to go before true equality is achieved.

Overall, Charlie Rose season 4 episode 20 is a thought-provoking discussion about one of the most controversial issues of the 2008 presidential campaign. The guests offer nuanced perspectives on race relations, media coverage, and the future of American politics. The episode is a testament to Charlie Rose's ability to bring together diverse viewpoints in a respectful and insightful way.