Most of this video is pretty inoffensive stuff, but casting the crucifixion of Jesus as a racist crime committed by Italians seems silly. I mean, I don't believe in the crucifixion of Jesus as historical fact or as an article of faith, but if I did, this would come off as bigoted to me. I don't think Barack can stand with his pastor on this one, and I'd think no less of him for denouncing this. Citing the also-bigoted Pastor Hagee doesn't cut it. Either we're setting a new tone here, or we aren't. But that's just me. See for yourself.
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Ta-Nehisi Coates is a former national correspondent for The Atlantic. He is the author of The Beautiful Struggle, Between the World and Me, We Were Eight Years in Power, and The Water Dancer.