Jesse Jackson apologizes for “crude” remarks
So I’m sitting in a meeting with ministers from across the city discussing social issues when I get a text message from one of my seminary brothers.
“Hey man, is Jesse Jackson still a pastor?” Perplexed, I responded, “I’m not sure why?”
He responds, “Of course the media doesn’t give the full context, but what they do show is him saying he wants to cut Obama’s [genitalia] off.”
Wow. It’s difficult to imagine the context that would justify a statement like that. It’s disappointing to say the least, and perhaps it is a bit symbolic of the generational friction that sometimes occurs when the Elders who have been in the seat of The Celebrated for decades, finally meet a young person who has the wherewithal to take the baton from them and continue running the race. Of course, that means that the Elder must prepare for a different, less acknowledged role - sometimes that is very difficult.
Or perhaps something about Sen. Obama’s message at Black Churches has struck a personal chord with Rev. Jackson. “Talking down to Black people,” as Rev. Jackson put it may really be, “Barack is talking down to me.” Rev. Jackson’s challenges in his personal life are no secret and maybe Sen. Obama’s message of personal accountability and responsibility for our families has hit a sore spot.
Some may even say that Jackson’s remarks, as coarse as they are, may in some way reflect the frustrations of some Black people who perceive that Senator Obama strategically and with great effort has worked to assure White & Jewish voters of his allegiance while not doing the same for the African American voting bloc. (Many though chalk this alleged strategy up as a part of “playing the game.”)
Who knows what happened in Jackson’s notorious whisper into a hot mic. What we do know is that Rev. Jackson said it, apologized, and Sen. Obama accepted his apology. What we also know is that this will be fodder for mainstream media and particularly a right-news propaganda network like Fox who will play this over and over again for their own devilish purposes.
Mainstream media will fill the minds of the nation with this in an attempt to distract the American people away from the signing of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) into law - a move that one Maryland lawmaker called “the death of the 4th Amendment” (that sound you hear is ATT and Verizon execs cheering at the top of their lungs - can you hear them now?) and you’ll be distracted away from the sheer disregard that Karl Rove displayed by defying a congressional subpoena and refusing to testify before Congress about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department.
The real “news” will get a backseat while Jackson’s salacious soundbyte about Barack Obama’s privates will be front center. A most unfortunate reality in this increasingly oligarchic society.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
What Was Jesse thinking? Well, who was he talking to?
See
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/no-dead-mics-on-fox/
July 11th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Senator Obama like most has simply taken black America for granted and as usual black Americans are willing to be ‘bought and sold’ having received nothing for themselves. How many times now has he used the black church and community to make his harshest criticisms, then when he goes across town (where the real problems lies and where the major problems were created) there is far less outspokenness or words of correction, if any at all.
His voice is muted when it comes to speaking out against the ongoing and egregious failings of the white community and its continued interference not only in the black American community but other communities and nations around the world? Does anyone recall the illegal invasion of Iraq, which Obama obviously supports and how about Israel, a nation that has been slaughtering other humans with American support, funding and approval to the point of ad nauseum? Senator Obama spends way too much time seeking the fondling approval from the world-wide minority on the other side, when he could be building a world-wide coalition. .
He has unwittingly become a white man’s black man, simply by whipping on his community, while saying nothing about the real assailants, as he is simply practicing politics as usual. Clearly, I tend to agree with Reverend Jackson, and have to say that my people aren’t always the savviest, politically, and that seems to point to the historical legacy of failed black leadership all of the way to the mother land. Black Americans, including Senator-Obama, are once again being used by white America as well as Senator Obama, pure and simple.
I have made observations in the past, similar to the ones made by Senator Obama with respect to Obama’s misuse of black Americans and the black church (not to mention his failure to stand up for his own wife’s truthful remarks). I have a list in double-digits of his flip-flops. Has he excoriated one white minister in the manner that he did his own pastor, or used his method and message to the white or Jewish community?
Has he taken on white America in the same manner by factually pointing out their ongoing participation in creating and maintaining America’s permanent underclass (not only blacks)? And before someone says that some of what the Senator is saying is true, my point and Reverend Jackson’s point are the same; why aren’t you speaking truth as candidly to the other side as you are so willing to do in black venues? How about a pat on the back for Black America, a group that without resources, took on the most economically and politically powerful nation in the world – we are the one nation that has succeeded!
The Reverend’s choice of words may not have been the best (he still hasn’t learned from his Hymie Town remarks of years ago to turn the mike off); however, his message is on point. Black Americans need to wake up; Senator Obama is using the black community when so far his allegiances have in fact been shown to be for AIPAC and America’s politically flawed white-supremacist and hegemonical worldwide policies. The reason that white America loves Obama I remind you, is that he does carry the civil rights baggage. If it was good enough for Dr. MLK and others in its representation of the truth, why not Obama. Too many black Americans are selling out truth so that they can ‘get paid’!
And despite the mischaracterization by the white media and some blacks, we need more analysts and think-tanks within the black community. That has been my thrust since this election cycle begin, black Americans are not being analytical, they are voting because the perceived color of a man’s skin. I have listened to his politics of appeasement and recapitulation since he began running for office. Senator Osama is not standing up for right, or like the scriptures read, he would be crying loud and sparing not, with respect to all injustice – and that is what Reverend Jesse was whispering when caught on mike!
I have already posited that if elected, black Americans will be calling Senator Obama and Uncle Tom around February 2008! I trust that he will wake up in time, and speak truth to power, whether it results in his being elected President or not! Am I whipping my people, trust me I am a vocal critics to whites in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Slave! I apologize for being so verbose; however, I am passionate for the truth and for all people. Obama should have gone to school first, the only generational divide is that he leap-frogged over the Elders who know the way – he doesn’t know the way, he is simply relying on his purported strength! And much like OJ, he needs us in the court of world opinion, however, he spends and will be spending most of his time across town!