“Meantime, he cuts a far different image, forgoing the type of choir robe Kennedy wore during services…”

Dr. Kennedy wore a traditional pastoral robe in the pulpit, like those worn every Sunday by many, perhaps even most, Protestant pastors, and nearly all priests. It is a symbol of the position, the office of pastor. Pastor means shepherd, like the Good Shepherd in the parable, like Christ was as he cared for and led the church while on earth. The robe is a reminder to the congregation and to the pastor that his role is in service to people and submission to God.

Perhaps Mr. Sedensky is only familiar with church through movies like Sister Act?

In the Time.com article What Berlusconi’s Obama ‘Jokes’ Say About Italy, Jeff Israely writes:

“In supposedly polite company, one can still hear the word negro, (pronounced neh-grow) which essentially translates to the N word.”

If you don’t get the full impact of Mr. Israely’s comments, check out an Italian-English dictionary on-line like this one. You will see that the Italian word “negro” means black. Sit down, take a deep breath, and prepare yourself. This is shocking.

Simply replace “negro” with “black” and you’ll feel the outrage:

“In supposedly polite company, one can still hear the word black, which essentially translates to the N word.”

And I thought we were making progress, albeit incremental, on racial understanding in this world.