The conflict of interest of ‘In God We Trust’ and the Federal Reserve Note: How this relates to Pastor Wright’s commentary

“God damn America” an excerpt, from the intriguing commentary by The Rev. Jeremiah Wright of the Trinity United Church of Christ; has caused such an uproar with the American media, that this ‘alleged’ inflammatory rhetoric is somehow related to being Anti-American, is simply ludicrous. Incidentally, one may also preclude that the collective conscience of White America’s backlash against Rev. Wright, is primarily due to guilt by association of race, white privilege and the United States insatiable diet for the accumulation of wealth and power, at any cost. If history provides any sense of accuracy, Rev. Wright’s comments should be further explored and embraced by both White and Black America, if both groups are to move forward with any chance of honest dialogue.

For example, let’s examine the rationale of why ‘In God We Trust’ was printed on the first series of Federal Reserve Notes [primarily the $1] on February 12, 1964. Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of Treasury in 1861, responded to an overwhelming appeal from [white] religious persons that the United States should recognize God on its’ coins. What was interesting about Salmon Chase- was his thesis “Slave Power conspiracy.” The premise held that slave holders “dominated national politics and used their control to promote the interests of the peculiar institution.” Moreover, there are contrasting views to this particular observation among 21st historians over slave trade, which in my opinion, one can [still] draw inferences in our current climate to the debate of racism, capitalism and greed as it relates to African Americans.

There are several speculations of why there was a Civil War in America. Many historians believe that political issues and disagreements dated back after the American Revolution ended in 1782. As a result, these disagreements continued to fester between the years 1800-1860: Particularly, between the North and South. There is also the recognition that slavery had been apart of life in America since the early colonial period and became more acceptable, and therefore more profitable. Consequently, many historians believe that the events leading to 1860 served as a baseline that ultimately sealed the deal for the Civil War.

Listed below is a partial manuscript of a letter from Rev. M.R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Pennsylvania:

“One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.
You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the all seeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW.”
Mammon is used in the New Testament of the King James Version to describe material wealth or greed. Furthermore, mammon has also been described as a false god. The utilization of mammon within the context of this commentary is valid, due to the debate at hand. Considering the time gap between 1861 and 1964 (nearly 103 years) one can speculate how the debate evolved. The separation of church and state was surely a hot topic, especially during the 1950’s. Many believe [today] that the 1950’s was probably the best era for the United States.

If in fact money represents a false God, why would “Christians” or those that categorized themselves as religious, insist upon a currency bearing ‘In God We Trust’ realizing this conflict of interest? Perhaps, individuals like Rev. Watkinson believed this course of action would help the United States in 1861 escape the doldrums of its’ collective conscience. Unfortunately, the same form of “escapism” or guilt by association is quite pervasive (today) in White America. As this guilt continues to plague White America the media’s backlash against Rev. Wright’s commentary was evident.
Those that were opposed to the slave trade and the Civil War, were afraid the United States was on a slippery slope to heathendom. Rev. Watkinson of Pennsylvania not only opposed the Civil War, but he also opposed the Slave Trade.

But one has to speculate about Rev. Watkinson’s true motivation in 1861. Was the rationale of his letter to Secretary Chase out of fear, because of the South or was he truly concerned about slaves. Perhaps, this observation may serve as a pathway to the [collective] struggle of White America and how it continues to relate to the plight of Black America. Whereas, profitability and power continues to exacerbate the pathology of race in the United States.

References
United States Treasury. [Online]. Fact Sheets: Currency and Coins. Retrieved from http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.shtml on March 20, 2008.
Richards, L. (2000). The Slave Power: The Free North and Southern Domination, 1780-1860. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.
Ibid.
Oxford Advanced Learner’