The Wright Moment Part 3

So what just happened? I've been scratching my head on why Jeremiah Wright did what he did. I mentioned, in an earlier posting that I had found a useful philosophical analogue in the trickster figure-Esu from Yoruba mythology (footnote: distinct from Esu of Yoruba Christianity). He mischievously sows confusion and throws everyone off balance so that they have to scramble to regain their footing. When balance is restored, (if it is restored) it's a difference balance--one that is often more grounded and complete than the previous balance. He takes you to truth in the path you least expect or desire.

How does this apply to the Obama campaign? There had been an initial equilibrium where it was smooth sailing and everyone was singing Kumbaya. This balance was however an illusion. Racial tensions were under the surface, the candidate had not been tested and so on. Who emerges but Jeremiah Wright via his video recordings. Balance disrupted. The candidate tries to right himself but has to acknowledge many of those things that hadn't been acknwoledged. Balance starts to be restored, but everyone acknowledges the issue was not gone and would eventually re-emerge. Esu appears again, in the guise of Wright, inexplicable and uncontrollable. Disrupts everything. The candidate has to recalibrate again and address the issue by throwing Wright off the bus. Finally, balance is restored to his campaign. Esu's job? Sow chaos in order to achieve equilibrium.

Update: From further reflection, research, and discussion with greater minds, I understand that Esu's role was not to restore balance, but to disrupt stasis by sowing confusion. It was left to his victims to restore to regain equilibrium. Still it's a useful philosophical framework for dealing with the unpredictable and undesirable interruptions of equilibrum.