Sen. Barack Obama's speech on race and the racially charged remarks of his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, is the subject of a speech that got under way about 20 minutes ago in Philadelphia.

If you're not watching it on cable television or on the link provided with this story from CNN.com, you can read the whole thing in a copy of the speech released on The Drudge Report shortly after Obama began talking.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding remarks by Wright, who recently retired as pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church in Chicago, won't stop a Texas divinity school from honoring Wright later this month, according to an Associated Press story in the El Paso Times.

But Texas Christian University, the Fort Worth campus where Brite Divinity School plans to honor Wright on March 29, issued a statement on Monday opposing that decision in light of videos showing Wright railing against the United States, the AP reported.

Brite, a separate school with its own officers and board, will honor Wright at a $125-a-plate Black Church Summit and Awards Banquet, the AP said.

In a statement on its Web site, Brite said it affirmed its decision to honor Wright "understanding the sincere concerns" raised by media coverage of Wright's comments -- including assertions that blacks continue to be the victims of white America's oppression and that U.S. "terrorism" was to blame for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"Contrary to media claims that Wright preaches racial hatred, church leaders who have observed his ministry describe him as a faithful preacher of the gospel who has ministered in a context radically different from that of many middle class Americans," the Brite statement said.

TCU chancellor Victor J. Boschini said that while the university supports the right of free speech, "giving an award is another matter," the AP reported.

"In light of Reverend Wright's recently discovered remarks, TCU would not give such an award," Boschini said.

Obama, a longtime member of Wright's church who was married there and had his children baptized there, considers Wright a "mentor" and spiritual adviser, initially downplayed the significance of Wright's remarks, according to CNN.

But the Democratic candidate has more recently distanced himself from Wright, saying Monday from the campaign trail, "The statements that were the source of controversy from (the) Rev. Wright were wrong, and I strongly condemn them," CNN reported.

But Obama added Monday, "I think the caricature that is being painted of (Wright) is not accurate," CNN said. 

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