In 2008, the media broadcast snippets from the sermons of the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, pastor of the church Barack Obama had attended for many years, in which he was heard to say “God damn America” and appeared to suggest the United States had brought the attacks of 9/11 on itself. The ensuing furor resulted in Obama publicly leaving Trinity Church, a move many believe saved his presidential candidacy. Messrs. Grant recount the media frenzy, question the adequacy and forthrightness of its coverage, and adjure the reader to go beyond the sound bites and listen to the complete sermons. They trace the historical development of African American churches—places that nurture dreams of freedom and equality for marginalized communities—and highlight the preacher’s role, inflammatory at times, in demanding justice. Finally, they allow members of Trinity’s congregation to share their views on the controversy, Reverend Wright, and Obama’s decision to leave. This is a worthwhile book simply because it presents a side of the story—more complicated than it might seem—many have likely not yet heard.

Booklist

While the world was hearing about Rev. Jeremiah Wright and his potential spiritual and perhaps political influence on then presidential candidate Barack Obama, the voices of Rev. Wright's parishioners were silent. They have found their voices in The Moment with the help of Carl and Shelby Grant. For those who wondered about the parishioners of Trinity UCC church, wonder no more. A must-read for the curious and those who want to know more than the media presentation regarding this moment.

Percy Bates, University of Michigan

By placing the story of Barack Obama and the Trinity Church within the histories of Black enslavement, migration and community development, the authors do a superb job of unraveling the rich layers of 'the moment' with a keen analysis of the enduring and contentious relationship between African American communities and US racial ideology.

Joy L. Lei, Chief Diversity and Inclusivity Officer, University of La Verne

The spectacle that was made of Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama in 2008 reveals far more about ourselves than about those two individuals. Drawing on history, media, and the voices of Trinity Church members, Carl and Shelby Grant paint a stunning and troubling picture that historicizes Black churches, city politics, and community formations to help us understand the insidious nature of racial politics in the United States today. This book names The Moment in ways that forever change our lenses for doing so.

Kevin Kumashiro, dean,University of San Francisco School of Education, author of "Bad Teacher!: How Blaming Teachers Distorts the Bigger Picture"

This volume opens the door to a wealth of insights related to a form of Black church life, politics, and the lived experiences of Chicago’s South Siders. The examination of the thoughts and perspectives of Trinity’s congregants is timely in light of the 2012 presidential election and important as a future guidepost for generations to come.

William F. Tate IV, Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis

The Moment powerfully documents an often forgotten aspect of racial politics in the U.S.—the voices of the community. Grant and Grant offer a stunning counter narrative of the confluence of race, theology, class, ideology, history and media within the 2008 ascendancy of Barack Obama.

Anthony Brown, University of Texas at Austin