And this helps explain , perhaps , my relationship with Rev . Wright . As imperfect as he may be , he has been like family to me . He strengthened my faith , officiated my wedding , and baptized my children . Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms , or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect . He contains within him the contradictions - the good and the bad - of the community that he has served diligently for so many years .