Joe Lowery and the history of a joke that failed
We are in a strange place when, days from a vote to pick an American president and – in Georgia – settle a statewide dispute over charter schools, political discourse is focused on a 91-year-old man attempting to explain a 50-year-old joke.
But that’s where a host of journalists and the Rev. Joseph Lowery had gathered on Friday, in a downtown Atlanta office building at the corner of Auburn Avenue and Absurd Street.
By definition, a dissected joke is a failed joke– no matter how reliable its service might have been in the past. The elder of the Civil Rights era knows this. Throughout his long life, he’s been something of a cut-up.
“I’ll say something at the beginning to relax people and cut through whatever hostility or apprehension there might be,” said Lowery, whose middle years at the height of the movement were fraught with hostility and apprehension.
This was the fellow who helped lead the Montgomery, Ala., bus boycott in the ‘50s. He and Martin Luther King founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. You do not make people easy about race by ignoring the topic. You do it by confronting it.
Eight days ago, in the small town of Forsyth, Lowery and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, 80, made a stop at a local church. It was part of an effort to boost votes for President Barack Obama in Georgia.
When Lowery’s turn to speak arrived, he dragged out a tried-and-true chestnut. “I told the story of when I was a bad militant, a bad fellow, I said, ‘White folks are going to hell.’ And it always got a laugh from white folks, because white folks don’t think they’re going to hell.
“But then when I got converted and became a preacher and Christian, I changed my mind,” Lowery continued. Only some white people, he decided, were hell-bound.
But a punchline requires bite, and this was it: Given their recent behavior, Lowery said, he’s considering a return to his original position.
The joke dates back to the 1960s, Lowery estimated. I probably first heard it in the 1980s. Diane Glidewell heard it for the first time last Saturday. She’s a writer for the Monroe County Reporter, the local weekly, and didn’t think it was a joke. Or funny.
“I’m frightened by the level of hatred and bitterness coming out in this election,” she quoted Lowery as saying.
Glidewell also wrote that Lowery used the n-word as he condemned the hundreds of thousands of black Georgians who won’t vote next Tuesday, even with an African-American president at the top of the ticket.
Lowery said he used the word “Negro” – and doesn’t employ the other phrase at all. The reporter says she has no audio recording.
Fox News and conservative outlets on the Internet couldn’t resist the headline over the Monroe Reporter article: “Lowery: Don’t think whites going to heaven.”
They focused on the fact that Lowery had delivered the benediction at Obama’s 2009 inauguration. Which was one reason that Lowery responded with his Friday session with reporters, attended by his wife Evelyn and a dozen white, black and tan supporters.
“Obviously, there are people that would like to use anything to get at the president. We’re not stupid. We know what’s happening,” Lowery said.
The name wasn’t mentioned, but there’s no doubt that Lowery also would rather not see his 60-year legacy go the way of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
“I’ve never been more surprised that people didn’t realize I was kidding, and took it and made something nasty of it,” Lowery said. “I would never wish anybody seriously to go to hell. We could never have had the gains in the Civil Rights movement without the support and participation from God knows how many white people. We certainly couldn’t have elected Obama,” he said.
Besides, people like Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Theresa, Joe Biden, Madonna, Betty Grable and Hedy Lamarr – “You’re too young. Look her up” — all deserve their shot at the Pearly Gates, he said. Ba-dum-dum.
There is another reason worth paying serious attention to this fracas. For a man in his ninth decade, Lowery still wields serious clout in Georgia.
Only hours after the Monroe County Reporter posted its account of his speech online, Lowery’s voice was featured in a series of radio spots condemning Amendment One, the ballot measure to reaffirm state government’s authority to create charter schools – even when local school systems reject them.
The 60-second spots will be aired through Tuesday on stations with African-American audiences. “Don’t let them resegregate our schools,” Lowery says in the ads. He isn’t joking.
African-Americans in favor of the measure, and in search of alternatives to urban school systems, have politely hinted that Lowery is dating himself. “The time has come for us to move beyond the comparisons of education reform efforts to brutally painful and overtly inhumane periods in our nation’s history,” said state Rep. Rahn Mayo, D-Decatur.
There is no doubt that Lowery has learned that humor translates differently across the decades. “I will never use this story again!” he declared, reading from a prepared script.
“That’s probably not true,” Lowery then confessed, off-script. “I like that story. And it’s original. I didn’t steal it from Jesse Jackson, as he has stolen from me.”
Which is a joke — and a good one. Though it’s probably 50 years old, too.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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192 comments Add your comment
brk
November 4th, 2012
10:40 am
Edward how right you are they whined even louder when the country elected a black president I can just hear them now, oh tsk tsk they actually voted for a n-gger oh Hamilton how could they LOL
Ayn Rand was right
November 4th, 2012
10:45 am
I’m a transplant to the city of Forsyth. This young reporter did her job…reported. Mr. Lowery no matter his age, race or religion was within his rights to say what he said, but was stupid to do so. Old timey jokes are often colored with the nuances of their time. In this case we are well beyond joking about groups of people based on their color, sex or religious beliefs. It is shameful that someone with Mr. Lowery’s experiences would think this funny. It is much more shameful that a church would sanction such racist statements to be made in their House of God.
BTW – Mr. Lowery did ask before he told the joke if there were any press members in attendance…if you have to ask that type of question before you “tell your joke”, you may want to re-think what is about to come out of your mouth.
honested
November 4th, 2012
10:49 am
Joke or not, if Rev. Lowery can turn out 80% of the Black vote, then the remaining joke will be on the sad conserrrrrrrrrrrrvatives on Wednesday morning.
Maybe not a Blue GA, but at least a Purple one.
UTELLUM
November 4th, 2012
11:03 am
i laugh, because most of you have no idea of the struggle & culture of black people…I grew up & experienced the civil rights era and was the recipient of blatant racism but i do not hate white people, but also know that it is still very much alive in our society today….Think what you will about Rev. Lowery, but he speaks the truth and the fact that he can joke about it shows how at 91yrs he can still command and audience. Please know that he is very well respected among all races!….Also people, please know this, THERE IS NO RACE CARD!!!! Racism is alive & well in America!
lugnut
November 4th, 2012
11:04 am
Lowery is just doing his part to keep some value in the racial franchise that he and Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and all kind of wanne-be’s must maintian in order having to avoid getting a real job. And why not? I am sure this “stir the racist” pot thing pays very well. My hats off to them for keeping it going well past any rational expiraton date. They ain’t dumb, and know that the “dumb” will pay in real dollars to avoid blame for their plight in exchange for blamimg it all on racism. It is a fine tuned machine.
Ayn Rand was right
November 4th, 2012
11:08 am
Let’s think about this in the space of time…children (and many young adults today) only know of blatant race restriction via school books and movies. This reality is no more real to them than tahe cartoons they watch after school. By keeping hatred (and hate speech, no matter how “funny”) alive, you perpetuate the hate. By letting go and forgiving the past, you allow for the future to be a better place. Think about it, it’s not about you, it’s about your children and theirs. Think before you speak…if you wouldn’t want you grandmother, spouse or hometown newspaper to hear and repeat what you are planning to say, then don’t say it.
UTELLUM
November 4th, 2012
11:13 am
And, I am proud to say that i voted both times for President Obama because He is Black and a Democrat. and like what he is working toward for all people…How many of you are voting for Gov. Romney because He is White?…I bet most of you wont admit it.
USMC
November 4th, 2012
11:14 am
“Joe Lowery and the history of a joke that failed”–Jim Galloway
Jim Galloway is an absolute JOKE! Joseph Lowery is a racist and Jim Galloway doesn’t have the intestinal fortitude to call Lowery out on it.
Jim Galloway’s Leftwing Liberal Dishonesty is a obvious!
You ought to be ashamed, Jim!
UTELLUM
November 4th, 2012
11:16 am
@ Ayn Rand was right, Are you serious? Children these days are smarter than you think…Be for real, already…
Debbie
November 4th, 2012
11:18 am
I guess it is a good thing that he is not the one who makes the decision about where someone will spend eternity. He should pick up his bible again and see who does.
UTELLUM
November 4th, 2012
11:20 am
@ USMC, yes, i agree that Rev. Lowery is what you say and has every right to be, but you know what? it takes one to know one…do you have a right to be one? just asking….
Dianna S
November 4th, 2012
11:21 am
I believe if a white person had said that about black people there would be “hell” to pay. I have heard so many times that black people can’t be racist nd that is crap. Racism sees no color. Any race can be racist!
Ayn Rand was right
November 4th, 2012
11:28 am
Utellum – You must have a point of reference to make decisions. If the point of reference that these children get from their community is hateful bias, how are they to become any better?
Also – I am voting for Mitt Romney because he is an intelligent, successful, moral person, who I believe will lead this country out of the giant mess we are in today. I am not voting for Obama because he is a talker not a doer. I really do not care what color my President is. As one aspiring to be President they should all be red, white and blue on the inside.
Randy
November 4th, 2012
11:29 am
To Utellem, If there were a black man running that wasn’t a socialist, and hadn’t been bankrupting our country, I’d be proud to vote for him…… Already did once…ehmmm Herman Cane
Randy
November 4th, 2012
11:29 am
To Utellem, If there were a black man running that wasn’t a socialist, and hadn’t been bankrupting our country, I’d be proud to vote for him…… Already did once…ehmmm Herman Cane
Russ
November 4th, 2012
1:57 pm
I love a good joke, and, if I, a White person, had been in the audience, I would have laughed. That he delivered the “joke” to a Black audience in a get out the vote effort is relevant, in my opinion. It was pandering, at the very least.
Mary Elizabeth
November 4th, 2012
2:21 pm
So many comments are so full of cynicism. Why not try to refrain from judging others, and instead try to foster compassion and understanding? That simple change of heart would do so much to change our world for the better.
MiltonMan
November 4th, 2012
3:31 pm
Lowery is a racist – plain and simple. It is funny to see that the “rev” is such an idiot to think his position gives him the right to be the final judge.
MiltonMan
November 4th, 2012
3:33 pm
Would be interested to see a white “rev” tell an all-white crowd that all blacks were going to hell.
fire eater
November 4th, 2012
4:17 pm
Joseph Lowery was the main speaker at a rally/memorial for five leaders of the Communist Worker’s Party slain during a riot they started in Greensboro, NC in 1979. The shootings were later determined to be SELF-DEFENSE.
septuagenarian
November 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
Me thinks Mary Elizabeth loves to hear herself talk and deliver her idealogy whether solicited or not
10Dawgs
November 4th, 2012
6:09 pm
Joseph Lowery who has preached against bigotry all his life, is one of the biggest bigots around. What a hypocrite! There’s no room for a racist in 2012. Why would anyone pay attention to this old fool?
10Dawgs
November 4th, 2012
6:18 pm
@ UTELLUM, I’m sorry that for you, there is a boogieman under every rock. For your own sanity, try to move on with your life.
Hillbilly D
November 4th, 2012
6:39 pm
Eight days ago, in the small town of Forsyth, Lowery and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, 80, made a stop at a local church. It was part of an effort to boost votes for President Barack Obama in Georgia.
Politics has no place in the church, no matter which side is doing it.
cc
November 4th, 2012
6:53 pm
Politics is the staple of many, many churches with predominantly or exclusively black congregants.
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 4th, 2012
6:57 pm
@10Dawgs
November 4th, 2012
6:09 pm
Joseph Lowery who has preached against bigotry all his life, is one of the biggest bigots around. What a hypocrite! There’s no room for a racist in 2012. Why would anyone pay attention to this old fool?
====================================================
WHERE WAS YOUR OUTRAGE WHEN JOHN SUNUNU, DONALD TRUMP
RUSH LIMBAUGH, ANN COULTER ALL USED RACISTS COMMENTS
ABOUT OBAMA?
YOU HYPOCRITES NEED TO GO BACK UNDER THAT ROCK YOU
CAME FROM.
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSE
BE CARE OF THE ROCKS YOU THROW.
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 4th, 2012
6:58 pm
CORRECTION;
PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN GLASS HOUSES NEED TO
BE CAREFUL OF THE ROCKS YOU THROW.
KARMA WILL GET U IN THE END.
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 4th, 2012
7:22 pm
@cc
November 4th, 2012
6:53 pm
Politics is the staple of many, many churches with predominantly or exclusively black congregants.
==========================================
Politics is the tool of many, many churches with predominantly or exclusively white
congregants to STYMIE the rights of black people.
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 4th, 2012
7:31 pm
@MiltonMan
November 4th, 2012
3:33 pm
Would be interested to see a white “rev” tell an all-white crowd that all blacks were going to hell.
===================================================
White ministers HAVE SAID AND DONE the same. Were you outraged?
‘Racist,’ Whites-Only Christian Pastors’ Conference Sparks Outrage
Posted on July 5, 2012 at 11:10am by Billy Hallowell
The Blaze
There’s nothing “Christian” about discrimination and residents of Winfield, Alabama, who are outraged over a pastors’ conference that is designed for white people only, agree. Critics are charging that the event is racist in nature, as organizers and conference attendees vocally defend their choice to exclude anyone with a different skin tone.
double
November 4th, 2012
8:29 pm
This reminds me of Billy Graham deciding if it’s ok to vote for a mormon cult.We got mighty people walking around,We just don’t recognize them.More cults too.
cc
November 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot:
Bernie, I’ve noted that your posts have become more and more irate over the past few months. Although your posts have always been nonsensical, they are becoming even more difficult to understand. I know that you now realize that Hussein will NOT be returned to office, and I sense that this is causing you some pain. Obama will unfortunately do to black people exactly what Jimmy Carter did for Georgia. Jimmy Carter insured that no Georgian will soon be elected president after his miserable performance.
By the way, I noted that Hussein and the boy wonder Biden are STILL using the phrase, “bin Louden is dead and GM is alive.” You might suggest to them that they should be saying, “Al Qaeda is alive and four Americans are dead, thanks to my administration.”
Tuesday will come and go, Bernie, but your hurts will heal and, in time, you will grow to love and respect President Romney . . .
Lyndon Baines Johnson
November 4th, 2012
9:40 pm
Does this mean that Barry H. is half wrong?
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 4th, 2012
10:08 pm
@cc
November 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Tuesday will come and go, Bernie, but your hurts will heal and, in time, you will grow to love and respect President Romney . . .”
Who is Bernie?
I might be Bernice.
“Tuesday will come and go, Bernie, but your hurts will heal and, in time, you will grow to love and respect President Romney . . .”
How can you love a man who believes in religious underwear?
DO YOU WEAR RELIGIOUS UNDERWEAR?
Boxers or briefs?
Weirdos……………………………………………….
heeheeheeheeheeheehee
double
November 4th, 2012
11:03 pm
Poor cc writing to imaginary people about imaginary happenings.Please Mr.Custer.
The Shoe Is Own The Other Foot
November 5th, 2012
12:01 am
@cc
November 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Tuesday will come and go, Bernie, but your hurts will heal and, in time, you will grow to love and respect President Romney . . .”
============================================
All the white horses and all the WHITE men.
couldn’t put lying MITT ROMNEY together again.
LIE TO US once, shame on MITT;
LIE TO US twice, shame on US..
heeheeheeheeheeheeheehee
BehindEnemyLines
November 5th, 2012
3:19 am
re: “Lowery still wields serious clout in Georgia” … one of the saddest indictments of our state I’ve ever read.
seabeau
November 5th, 2012
5:04 am
Lowery is a joke who has long since failed!
catlady
November 5th, 2012
6:54 am
I think many white folk are tired of being blamed, even jokingly, as the problem for black folks. H3ll, we don’t even want to own up to blame for white folks in poverty. While some of poverty is self-inflicted, we go out of our way to avoid looking at our policies that “encourage” poverty.
Ms.Smeneza
November 5th, 2012
7:30 am
All blacks are going to hell. I’ve been saying it for years so don’t be upset.
Mary Elizabeth
November 5th, 2012
8:58 am
catlady, 6:54 pm
“While some of poverty is self-inflicted, we go out of our way to avoid looking at our policies that “encourage” poverty,”
==================================================
It takes compassion, instead of judgement to create those policies that will curtain poverty. The American people have compassion for the less fortunate. Now, the American people simply need to vote into office those lawmakers who also have compassion, and those who are not simply looking to enlarge their own pocketbooks through their government service. In other words, we need true public servants in public office – those who understand how to be “servant leaders” to those they serve, like Washington, Jefferson, and Adams understood. None of these men made money off of their public service. In fact, they lost money by service in the government which they believed in for the benefit of all Americans.
Committed to freedom
November 5th, 2012
8:59 am
If you are black, you allowed to be as big a racist as you want and nobody is allowed to say anything. That is the take home message of those who survived the civil rights movement.
Folks like Malcolm X and MLK figured out that the movement had simply become a mechanism for a new kind of enslavement of blacks, this time orchestrated by those who sought to profit from the chronic victimization of blacks by the “movement.” They figured out that personal choices by blacks, and not the actions of whites, were more responsible for their economic and personal situations, but that didn’t fit well with those in the movement who saw a great financial future in “victimization”. Malcolm X and MLK wouldn’t keep their mouths shut and toe the line, so they were assassinated.
Lowry is a symbol, like Jessie Jackson and others, of everything that those two great men worked against. Sadly, they continue to get the media attention and the accolades while the message of the martyrs gets twisted to serve the financial and political motives of the rest.
Jokes about going to hell don’t always end well » Brambleman
November 5th, 2012
9:23 am
[...] you have to explain a joke–especially when you have to call a press conference to do so. Here’s the story, as told by Jim Galloway of the The Atlanta Journal-Constituion has [...]