Why Jesse Jackson attacked Barack Obama

"Shocking". That's how the New York Post describes Jesse Jackson's attack on Barack Obama.

But I don't think it is shocking. I don't think it is even mildly surprising.

Barack Obama represents an existential threat to Jesse Jackson. If he succeeds he badly undermines Jackson and his methods. Jackson needs Obama to fail, even if he must avoid having anything to do with the failure.

Why?

I tried my best to explain the reason a couple of months back in The Times:

[African-American writer] Shelby Steele argues that there are two political strategies adopted by his fellow African-Americans - bargaining and challenging. He starts bluntly with the assertion that blacks "possess a largesse of moral authority that whites can simply never have. And this amounts to a currency of power."

African Americans, Steele posits, have the ability to bestow upon whites something they crave and cannot bestow upon themselves - racial innocence.

Bargainers make this deal: "I will not use America's horrible history of white racism against you, if you will promise not to use my race against me." Bargainers grant whites their innocence up front as a gesture of trust. And in return? Eternal gratitude.

Steele believes bargaining is a spectacularly successful strategy. Everyone wins. It works to combat racism because it grants whites "a good reputation to protect... The beauty of bargaining is that it turns the black desire to live without racism into a white self-interest." And bargainers themselves are able to achieve iconic status: Sidney Poitier, Oprah Winfrey, Colin Powell, Bill Cosby, bargainers all.

And Barack Obama too, of course. He is a classic bargainer.

Each of these figures had another choice - being a challenger. As Steele puts it: "Challengers put all whites in the position of having to chase after their racial innocence. The challenger's code: whites are incorrigibly racist until they do something to prove otherwise."

And challenging can be incredibly successful too. It's just that not everyone wins. Only the challengers do, and in certain very limited ways.

Challengers - figures such as Jesse Jackson and the firebrand Al Sharpton - build their power and their careers by setting themselves up as arbiters.

If Obama wins, and is allowed to portray himself not just as a success story but as a black success story, he undermines Jackson's strategy. In fact he undermines Jackson's political reason for being.

No wonder Jackson is keen to tell other black leaders that Obama looks down on African Americans.

Comments

[Tony Francis]

Jesse Jackson's comment is a gift to Obama because it shows him not to be attached to the old Black Guard Power Structure. Obama also reinforces the old idea of affirmative action: selectively placing minority kids who show promise in Ivy League schools. In Obama's case, it has worked. He has shown himself to be the best candidate in this election cycle. The real question will be: how will he deal with inflation? The so-called conservative Republicans have doubled the size of government in the last eight years. The Republicans have shown themselves to be big government liberals. This is normally a role for the Dems. So what will they do? Increased spending and regulation only make inflation worse. If they go too far left, they will get voted out of office in 2 or 4 years. So what will they do?

[Emeka]

Although there are still pockets of prejudices, the world has largely moved on. A key failure of the younger generation ethnic minority communities is that we have failed to convince the "civil right" generation that the battle for racial equality has almost been won. An Obama presidency reinforces that message of victory – a world where anybody can pursue their dreams. For the likes of Jesse Jackson, the more that message gains ascendancy, the less their authority.

[JOHN CHUCKMAN, TORONTO]

This is not new for Jackson.

He has made many embarrassing remarks over the years, despite his carefully maintained appearance as civil rights leader and minister.

What he is really saying to us here is that he, a man of mediocre abilities, is jealous of Obama, a man of extraordinary ability.

[Nicholas]

Being of an Kenyan father and white American mother descend, Obama has no roots in the African-American experience, and it shows. African-American leaders don't trust Obama, he is viewed as an outsider, an instrument of the white establishment just to recapture the white house, to which end he will do or say anything, like a well trained lackey.

[Mike]

One thing you fail to point out is that the bargaining requires and also maintains that blacks be dependent on the whites or government for support. If blacks were fully integrated into American society and lost their delineation as other ethnic groups have, then people like Jessie Jackson would have no source of funding. Jessie Jackson's job is to keep blacks in a state of dependency.

[Jonathan]

Yes - but wasn't Obama's status as a bargainer seriously undermined when all the Rev. Wright stuff came to light? Sure, Obama has dissociated himself with Wright now, but he attended the church for 20 years, had the man as his "spiritual mentor," etc.

[Trochilus]

Jesse is "The Coarse Whisperer."

[Ty McWilliams]

Jackson feels his career as spokesman for the victocrats is somehow threatend by the possible presidency of Obama. He has no reason to feel this way. No matter who wins and especially if Obama wins, the entitlement crowd will need Jackson to lead the way because they are the largest and fastest growing group in the nation.

[Keegan]

Reverends Al & Jesse are political suicide for Opama. These two men, the Reverends, are publicity whors. Makes ont think the present controversy was orchestrated by the Reverend Jesse to call attention to himself. Hmmm. We haven't heard from the two of them in a while.
frustration for them. With the election looming ever closer the good reverends want/need attention. This sceaniro brings to mind the saying, "crabs in a bucket". I am reminded of this when viewing these bitter (Reverends) men. I say thank you Obama for eschewing these fools, they have their own agendas. Their track records prove that out. Seperation of church and state is what our country was founded on. I for one, do not care what the Reverends have to say. I am embarassed by themin front of the rest of the world.

[Parabellum]

And Obama's "extraordinary abilit(ies)" are what, exactly?

[Troy]

Tony Francis started off right by saying "Jesse Jackson's comment is a gift to Obama because it shows him not to be attached to the old Black Guard Power Structure." but then drifted off. A gift is exactly what JJ gave Obama and it was on purpose. Just as Tony said it shows the 'white' voters that Obama isn't beholden to the old black gaurd power structure and everyone is eating it up. Not only that but it distracts from the bad press Obama was starting to get for his recent change in positions.

Do you really believe an experienced sh*t disturber like JJ doesn't know the mic he was talking into after a sound check is still running and recording. I've got some great beach front property for you. Come on, his son holds a senior position with the Obama campaign. Obama's wife used to hang out at JJ's house when she was a child and a teen. Something about JJ being a godfather to their children.

This guy is extremely slick so just keep drinking the kool-aid kids because Obama has most viewers playing from his music sheet.

What a bunch of sheep. :p

[Mister Snitch]

You'll notice that the lower-rent Jesse Jackson clone Al Sharpton has been behaving similarly in regard to Obama.

[Tom]

I can understand why Rev Jackson is frustrated with Mr Obama but he is wrong. For years Rev Jackson has claim to campaign to help Blacks move out of poverty and bad behavior. He now needs to tell everyone that he has succeeded. But he can only do so if he brushes the rest of the problem under the carpet and portray Blacks in the best of lights.
As a Blackman myself, I think he might have done some good but Blacks in general still have much more problem with fathers leaving their children. Even when they live together many Black fathers don't play active parenting role.
This can happen in any race but again as a Blackman myself, I feel this problem needs to be tackled. We cannot brush it aside to protect someone's name.
I fully support Mr Obama. If Black fathers would take more responsibility, then the State can come in and help to solve the problem. The State cannot do the parenting for us but Rev Jackson appear to believe that we should say if only the government would help us more, our problems would be solved. That is wrong

[Winston Smith]

A man of extraordinary ability? You've really drunk the kool-aid, Mr. Chuckman.

[Charlotte]

By making distance between Obama and himself, Jackson has helped Obama. I am cynical enough to think there's a chance that Jackson's comment was calculated for that purpose.

[Brant]

The American people stopped taking Jackson seriously long ago. The media is only now catching up.

[John Drake]

Maybe Jesse felt betrayed by Obama's giving Bush retroactive immunity from criminal prosecution for breaking the law over 30 times? Maybe he is feeling buggered by having his phones tapped and his emails read in violation of the 4th amendment of the constitution? Maybe he was having a bad hair day? If i had the mike that day I could have added a few choice comments myself. I just pulled my vote from Obama…stupid centrist. He'll lose to McInsane now for sure.

[David]

Hello All!

"African Americans, Steele posits, have the ability to bestow upon whites something they crave and cannot bestow upon themselves - racial innocence."

"As Steele puts it: "Challengers put all whites in the position of having to chase after their racial innocence. The challenger's code: whites are incorrigibly racist until they do something to prove otherwise.""

Both positions are utter excrement.

As a white American I reject them both.

I have done nothing wrong. Period.

Furthermore:

If I am innocent then they can not bestow upon me what I already possess, my innocence.

If I am guilty (I am not) then they cannot absolve me of my guilt becuase they do not themselves possess the authority to do so.

I bow to know one and I make bargains with no one.

I am an innocent man and they will just have to accept it.

Pax

[j griffiths]

The only problem with Steele's theory is that there is a growing number of whites - me included - who are not prepared to be defined by either bargainers or challengers.

Racism works both ways. It's no longer the white man's burden.

[Abbott Katz]

Mr. Chuckman is right. Jackson has been consigned, along with Sharpton, to that valedictory class of black pretender candidates who can never again advance their voided claims to seriousness. For all his assailable qualities, Obama has achieved in ways at which Jackson deservedly failed.

[DeeDee LaPenna]

Obama has "extraordinary ability?" I'd like you to explain to me what that is. I lived in Chicago for several years and I still don't know what he's accomplished that's extraordinary. Or special. Or intelligent. Or anything at all. A man with shady associates, very little legislative experience and a lot of pretty words.

[Sally White]

it is indeed embarrassing for Jackson. But this election shouldn't be about race but about who is the best candidate to lead the country. That for me and many others is Obama. Go Obama!!!! WHYOBAMA08.ORG!!!!!

[Stymie]

Obama is a Monster made by the likes of the Rev. JJ & Rev. Wright. Obama hasn't played the race card yet, but his habit of throwing others under the bus and not taking responsibility for his mistakes is pure "I am a victim and I can do no wrong" behavior......right out of the J. Jackson / A. Sharpton / Rev. Wright playbook. Obama came out of the gate trying to avoid all this racial stuff, but the former president and her husband made sure it was left for him to deal with when they were forced off the stage.
The Clintons have insured Obama will never be president.
But back on topic....Jackson don't like Obama because his presidency would put the lie to Rev. JJ's et. al. act. But the race baiters have nothing to fear, Obama is unelectable...not because of his DNA, but because of his beliefs.....those beliefs instilled by Rev. JJ.

[An African American Woman]

Sad to say, WE ARE our own worst enemy. With "brotha's" like Jeremiah Wright and Jessie Jackson, who needs enemies?

[john]

When I think of all the friends I lost defending this traitor. it makes me sick. And it wasn't an accident , not on Fox "News" it was deliberate. He just devalued his entire life's work.

[Ian]

People should remember that Jackson was found guilty of defrauding his religious organisation some years ago to pay his mistress, who worked for him and who also had his illegitimate child. Given this background his comments about Obama can safely be discounted.

[Cynthia]

I doubt if many in America were surprised. Jesse Jackson has not guarded his mouth well for quite some time. He and Al Sharpton have promoted a 'victim' rather than a 'can do' concept. A new day is dawning.

[Paul Flynn]

Good analysis but I don't agree that this is about Jessie Jackson's flaws. Obama is arrogant. He does talk down to blacks with his eye flickering toward white voters. Jackson should be honest. He should tell Obama to stop talking down to people and be done with it.

[Calie Stephens]

I was a white child in South Georgia when segregation was prevalent. Jackie Robinson was born on our family farm. Blacks and whites went to separate schools, worshipped in separate churches and drank from separate water fountains.

The black crime was no higher than the white crime rate. Black families were as strong as white families. Blacks and whites did not hate each other.

During my teenage years, I went to school at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, marched with Martin Luther King and witnessed the end of segregation in my society.

Many years later, the blacks commit crime at a rate massively higher than whites. Less than 25% of black families have a father.

Many churches (includig Obama's) teach hatred of whites to their congregation just as the Muslin mosques teach hatred of Jews and Christians to their congregations. The only racists that I know are black.

Barack Obama is an articulate man (when he has a teleprompter), but he is a racist. He scares the Hell out of me.

Calie Stephens
Editor of www.dallascrime.com
Dallas, TX

[m wilson]

It still astounds me that with all the talent available, they haven't got a candidate with some brain, experience and intellectual ability required for the job.

[Dean]

The Challengers were doomed from the start. Eventually, every White will be sufficiently distant from Slavery to hold no identity with it. Those of us who seriously cannot be identified with it have been offended by the Sharptons and Jacksons. We're looking for the opportunity to tell them to take a hike.

[David Easlea]

It is worth remarking that there is still much prejudice among African-Americans against African immigrants to the US (and to a lesser degree against Afro-Caribbeans). It is possible that that is a contributing factor in Jesse Jackson's resentment towards Barack Obama.

[Philbrick]

Our take on Jackson's comments, illustrating the difference you've described between Obama and Jesse Jackson:

http://mustardstreet.blogspot.com/2008/07/something-wed-like-jesse-to-cut-out.html

[gbj11]

Well it's all about power and influence. Obama's stealing Jesse's place in the spotlight, it's really no more complicated than that.
What kills me is how Jesse Jackson can say what he did, as bluntly and crudely as he did, then go right back to using the same old 'lofty rhetoric' (or whatever the hell you want to call it) in apologizing for it. "I cherish this moment of forgiveness and redemption," or some similar bs.
Um, Jesse, the cat's out of the bag. We KNOW how you really talk.

[flash]

This is contrived by Jackson and the Obama camp to try to give him a "Sister Souljah" moment

[anne]

This is only the latest instance of Jesse Jackson putting his proverbial foot in his mouth. The resentment of Barack Obama is as obvious as the nose on his face.

In addition, while I respect his accomplishments, he also represents a mindset among many black "leaders" that encourages a feeling of being victimized.

Instead of honest and well-meant advice from Obama that can only benefit not only blacks but all people, he sees him as "talking down to black people." But everyday, I read about and see evidence of what happens as a result of irresponsible fatherhood.
Does he honestly think we black people can't handle the truth?

Talk about being out of touch!!

[Goke]

The change obama talked about does not exclude Jackson - they are from different era.

[jim johnson]

As White Man who had through his Mothers Cheney ancestors and "Cat Relations" over 125 Officers alone in the Union Army, (not counting the EM's for proof,see 'Popes Cheney, Barta Press Boston, MA. 1895'), and whose father was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, where there was no slavery or slaves, nor was I taught to either hate or love minorities,I have therefore, no "White Guilt", and personally don't feel the need for "Redemption".

[Dakota]

Well, for Mr. Jackson to utter that he would "...like to cut Senator Obama’s (testicular anatomy) off," only serves to demonstrate that the Reverend is an evil piece of work, in sheep's clothing...

Grandpa used to say, "The truth will eventually get out into the open."

The truth in this case is: Mr. Jackson is an idiot, nothing more nothing less.

Furthermore, Mr. Jackson only PRETENDS to be a man of God. He talks the talk, but clearly does not practice what he preaches. (Ask him about adultery.) Therefore, he does not deserve to use the title Reverend.

Henceforth, all media should address him only as Mr. Jackson, or Jesse Jackson...

[Hughie Wardle]

Jackson's comments are an absolute gift to Obama. This could seal the presidency of the USA for Mr Obama.

[Jo]

There are two factions of blacks in America, the first is the 'Bill Cosbys', who believe in personal responsibility before blaming society and it's ills for the black experience and there are the Jesse Jacksons who believe that the reason why black Americans face the problems they face today is the the fundamental 'racist' society structure built by white men and does not really focus on personal responsibility (i.e. lack of father figures in black households etc). It is frankly getting quite old that black people blame all their problems on white people and the 'white establishment' and they seem to forget that they are not the only minority that were/are mistreated and victimized in the course of American History and you don't hear them pissing and moaning about it all day long. It is time that they just get on with it. Jesse Jackson (I refuse to call him Reverend) feels threatened by Obama because Obama believes that if black people stepped it up for themselves by starting with personal responsibility then things would improve greatly for them, which flies in the face of what Jesse Jackson is all about. I think Obama should distance himself from Jesse Jackson.

[Eric]

Himeytown all over again. What is wrong with Jesse?

www.zookersradio.com
Zookers Radio Program

[divine]

This is a true story for those who can remember,John the Baptist had to die for Jesus to be elevated till his death on the cross.Rev. J has to speak in ignorance to really bring out the message of CHANGE.Job well done Rev. J.

[swissmiss150]

Jackson attended a two-year seminary course. He only attended one year and never went back to finish. He has no right to fashion himself as any type of "Reverend."

[Christine]

Jackson is simply jealous. Obama reached a political height that Jackson could not. Obama is not a pastor, yet excites congregations more than the Rev. himself. Obama was not of the civil rights era yet has received some glory for making racial history. Obama, like African and West Indian immigrants, has achieved much in America without carrying the proverbial "chip" or burden of victimhood and negativity. Jackson, Andrew Young, other old-guard peers--they are simply envious.

[Firefox_Is_Better]

I checked the link and scanned the article from a couple of months back.

>> Shelby Steele, one of America's leading chroniclers of racial politics... argues that there are two political strategies adopted by his fellow African-Americans bargaining and challenging...

Sheesh. Are Black politicians really so simple that they generally choose one of those binary routes?

And are voters also so simple that they expect Black politicians to be one of those two things?

There is no shortage of "experts" who present easy to digest simplifications about complex issues. Whatever the issue is.

Also - the more people try to avoid the ten ton elephant that's in the room - I'll whisper it - "race" - the more that it is there.

Political correctness has mandated (peopledated?) that the "expert" must be from the group they are commenting on - that religion, that race, that creed, that gender - whatever.

The underlying subtext is that expert is "allowed" to make whatever stupid generalities they like.

Heaven forbid somebody outside of that group makes a similar statement. If they do - they are likely to be branded as racist, bigoted, misogynistic, ageist or what have you.

Political correctness is the triumph of appearance over substance and is a self parody of itself. I'm Jewish and if I were on an expert and I was on tv saying "there are two political strategies held by African-Americans..." - my tv contract would likely be terminated and my contacts would never talk to me again.

I vote based on the competence and intelligence of the candidate. I could care less about their race, gender or religion or lack of religion for that matter. The US has become a strange place. If you're white you aren't "allowed" to use the word ghetto. Yet avoiding that word does nothing at all to improve life in the "inner city'.

[Kai]

2 Factions? If you actually believe that you could break the black community down into "2 factions" You are SO misinformed. Almost to the point of comedic contention. I find your statements ridiculous and especially telling to your lack of positive Black interaction. Granted self responsibility is an outstanding character trait in any community. But if you were to think that all of Black Americas' societal misdeeds and problems stem from your "2 factions" theory, You definitely have no interaction with black people whatsoever. Just because Obama has made it this far, does not guarantee that this country's race problems are over. It means that America isn't as racist at it once was, but over is wishful thinking. Considering that this country was pretty much built on injustice and discrimination, It is INGRAINED into this society. I can definitely assure you, Jo, that NO OTHER GROUP IN MODERN AMERICAN SOCIETY has suffered more then the black community, even after 150 years of so called freedom, which in actuality resulted in nothing more then institutionalized racism,menial work and guaranteed discrimination. Remember the 1960's? It wasn't that long ago. Or how about the mid 1970's when Bostons' school system actually begin to integrate? Racism isn't as direct as it was in the 60's but it sure hasn't went anywhere, it's become passive and manifests itself into mediums that are employed without question. So before you comment on a community of people, to which you have never belonged to or even experienced in depth, you should keep your thoughts to yourself. Ignorance is not a flattering color. Education and Perception are interesting things. Perhaps if you were educated on the subject, you wouldn't have perceived something that made you completely wrong.

[Albert Einstein]

Don't get too carried away, Daniel, with your flights of fancy. I don't know too many whites who "crave racial innocence" or even think about race. We're too busy making a living and we most certainly don't feel guilty about what a handful of our ancestors may have done to a handful of ancestors of some group or other. Abuse by and enslavement of one group by another has been part of the history of every race, creed, and ethnicity throughout history - be they black, white, brown, yellow, or red. For starters, just read the Old Testament and you won't find any "racial innocence" by any group in North Africa. The "moral authority" or power that you claim blacks have over whites is mostly in your nightmares. There's not a whole lot of "moral authority" when the primary concern many residents of black areas have is to get behind closed doors by night fall.

[Jackson]

Obama is not an African-American as Jackson is. He does not have roots or family generational ties to the slavery in the old South as most blacks in America do. None of his black family members have even lived in America except for his father for a few years as a student from Kenya and hence he does not share this bitterness with other blacks in America. Obama is a hybrid. So it is time that the Americans forget the race issue and get down the serious work of trying to get themselves out of the world of s**t that they have got themselves into in the last 8 years of Bush & Co. running the company.

[Al]

hmmm..... probably a challenger.

[Steve]

Jesse Jackson = racist slime, no better than the white supremacist scum themselves.

Both are an embarrassment and neither have any place in the 21st century.

[Steve]

Firefox_Is_Better,

Want some salt and vinegar for your chips?

Sorry, but there's only so long that you can blame exterior factors - life's what you make it, regardless of the colour of your skin.

[Samatva]

In response to several disparaging remarks...

Barack's extraordinary abilities *include* his ability to motivate people via his speaking. GWB's major talent is getting Americans to believe his lies. Both are "just talk," but have profound impact.

Those who want to downplay the importance of speech hurt their own argument by, oh, using *words* to make their arguments...

All actions, especially political actions in a democratic society, start with an ideology, a belief, a thought, a perspective. These are formed by communicating. Barack does this well. He will lead us through the discourse to balance the competing interests in important decisions. He hasn't already decided were this country will go, but he is the one to help us collectively decide how to chart the course through discourse.

Instead of starting with the objective of making his oil-company buddies richer, Barack starts with a genuine desire to make the whole country better.

I'm ready to work with those competing interests, to compromise, to find those win-win solutions. I'm ready for a president who is a bargainers.

I'm ready to show the Jessie Jackson's and the GWB's of this world that the politics of divisivness will not work anymore. We want a change.

[KMET2 NEWZ]

Revs Jesse and Al were appointed as "Black leaders" by the media. It was simpler and far more politically expedient to promote them as such to the general population than to deal with the socio-economic, political, and religious diversity of Americans with African ancestry. We listen to who makes sense, makes us laugh, or moves us to say "amen" or "ahem"
...that does not make them our leader. We vote for those like everyone else.

[William]

White Americans have made such an industry of racism that it's no longer White|Black. Americans in general are biggots, period. The biggotted economy is based on an exchange of privilege and acceptance for quality of life in media markets.

If White America appreciates you for something, they'll save your face from a good dragging through living rooms and cinemas worldwide.

Obama is problematic because he's not even African American yet he's become White America's global ticket out of the Biggot Box. "I'm not racist; a Mulatto's running for president!"

So what?

Everyone- White, Black, Yellow, etc- continues to make the same mistake. They try to homogenize the "Black American" experience.

While all African Americans are Black, not all Black people are African American. What's more, and this is going to sting some of you but here goes - not all African Americans are the same.

[Grif]

I couldn't have said it better Kai. I find it so amusing reading all the comments from people who have never spent a day in their lives living as African Americans in a country whose constitution relegated only African Americans to 3/5 of a person and was written, at the time, only for the benefit of a particular race of people. Every white person today is benefiting from the misdeeds of the so-called founders, segregation, discrimination, and endless injustices perpetuated against African Americans. Of course, some would like us to believe that times have changed and that most of the so-called black problem is because of a lack of "personal responsibility." That simplistic view is dangerous, especially as it seeks to deny the realities of American history and the lasting effect that horrible history has had, and is still having, on a particular group of people. Jesse Jackson is simply reminding Obama of this, and continuing a long debate in the black community of how to deal with a larger society that has not been very kind.

[irene dale]

what does Barak Obama think of ROBERT MUGABE AND HIS GOVERNMENT?

[Franklin]

Most white Americans today come from families which immigrated to the US after the Civil War and slavery was abolished. My Irish and Italian great grandparents came to the US around 1900- 35 years later.

Should I feel guilty about the institution of slavery which existed in America before 1865 ?

If so, should immigrants to Germany today be held responsible for the crimes of the Nazis 60 years ago?
Should north African Arabs immigrating to France be held responsible for the deaths caused by Napoleon in his numerous wars of conquest or should Irish immigrants to England be held responsible for the crimes of the colonial system in India?

How far back in history does collective responsibility apply for past injustice?

In the 1860's in the US more than a half million mostly white men died in a war which decided once and for all the issue of slavery in the country.

The problem that African Americans whose families trace their roots to slavery in the Old South now see that Obama is not one of them- his black father was African from Kenya and never experienced racism and slavery in the US. It is a bitter irony that the blacks in America face- the first "black" presidential candidate is not the type of black that they see in themselves. Including the fact that he had a white mother and was raised by a white family, black Americans leaders like JJ think Mr. Obama really isn't "black enough" hence their resentment towards Obama's comments directed towards African Americans on how they should improve their lives. They think Obama is talking down at them and it is getting under their skin.

[Esther]

Irene - errr.....why?

[Abrazak Masoud]

I pity Jackson on Obama comments, we were looking upon him through out. But he crops up just to be another Robert Mugabe, someone with his own mentalities and not wanting to forget the past of black power days. Soorry Jackson.

[Tunde Uche]

Black is a color of skin and not an attribute - Obama is a man with a innate vision and substance. He is both black and white - which is his greatest attribute. So what if he's not black enough, he is definitely not white enough either! For politicking to be reduced to race and gender shows we still have waays to go!! This should not be the deciding factor in choosing the leader of the free world - nor are Shelby defining notes of Black politics - it is much simpler than that. Truth be known Obama is no black messiah! He is simply a man trying to change American politics in the same way Thomas Jefferson did. It is his background that is the key to his success he walks both world with ease and understands what being white is all about through his mother side and through his wife what being black is - Yes things are changing in law, and on a corporate level, but as this fight for the whitehouse shows - Liberals are happy to vote for a blackhouse as long as he follows the bargaining position, God forbid he should offer a challenging position and change his mind. This is where I'm afraid that the Rev Jackson went wrong he often stuck to his guns when he knew he was wrong to appease the dream. The whitehouse would never be a reality for him and here is the crux because he was black!! Forget his politics in those days it was just unthinkable but here we are today and the unthinkable is happening.
I remember meeting the reverend at a United Nations dinner, he seemed to be carrying black America on his back I mean the old guard slugged it out for everything they got - and that is the simple truth Obama hasn't and that is the real fear, is he leading Blacks down the garden path or will he recognize Martin Luthers dream?

[Lysa]

I believe that Jackson is happy about the advancement of Obama in this election and the prospects of seeing a black man sit as president in his life time; however, I believe that Jackson fears that Obama may not address needs of the black community, such as sources of sound jobs, quality education, youth protection, and up ward mobility in the black community.

[Ken]

Jesse Jackson thinks that Obama desiring to elevate the rhetoric regarding blacks by taking his race to task for its own internal failures, is "talking down to them".

Jackson and his ilk that insist on "victim status" for blacks do a disservice to all Americans. A true leader understands that his position is dependent on followers, and that success means by its nature, that one desires it nor only for himself, but all others.

For too long "the black community" has allowed Jackson and Sharpton with their reactionary volitility to put a face on "black issues".

I am personally embarassed by them both.

Once you understand that nobody really owes you something by virtue of your skin color or heritage, you will be as Martin Luther King once said "Free".

Obama is non-polarizing. He speaks against the mentality that for too long, has kept blacks in servitude by positing a faux-racist duality that truly does NOT exist in any viable from in this country.

The author is correct. Jesse Jackson's "credibility" and status are dependent upon ghosts.

[paul]

Yo, all this white guilt stuff only flies when there is enough money in everybody's pockets to make it affordable. with the dollar tanking and real inflation numbers well over the published data, everybody is going to forget whose fault it is ,pronto. The next president will be handed his agenda by the banks

[Lysa]

Although, I do not always agree with Jackson I believe that he is very credible and has pure motives. Yes, there are many that live up to the stereotype of living in 'victim status'; however, many governmental policies are counter productive in addressing the needs of the black community. For example, a child needs a good education in order to go to college and get a good paying job. The child’s education is a very important factor in there pursuit of upward mobility. The tax and funding of school is based on property tax; therefore, school districts with the lowest wealth get the lowest amount of funding and the school districts with the highest wealth get the highest funding. If a smart child lives in an area with school funding problems then that child will face more obstacles, in there pursuit of upward mobility and have a higher chance of failure.

[margaret]

Jesse Jackson, you have whipped up a beautiful dirt pudding, shame ,shame on you. Crabs are good at pulling others down. Barak you owe no one an apology for being who and what you are. The long and short
of it is, you are both white and black and no one can change that. What makes some people think that you must hold allegiance to blacks? Fox can't get grapes, call them sour.

[Kevin]

The very fact Obama is the democratic canidate shows racism is not as broad as Jesse Jackson and others like him would have you believe. His very canidacy threatens the very power structure of the black opportunists that make racism a business. It is time for the old black guard to move on and realize most americans had nothing to do with the sins of the past and should not be held responsible. There is no doubt Jesse Jackson and many in his age group suffered as a result of racism. However, the country has moved on and the struggle now suffered by blacks is at the making of men like Jackson who offer no hope. Obama offers hope by showing men how to fish not giving them the fish. Jesse Jackson is just fishy.

[ntk]

JJ,Sharpton,Limbaugh,Jerry Springer,can't see any difference. All of the aforementioned are stereotypes. JJ and Sharpton look just as clownish as Springer and Limbaugh. Embarrassments to us all

[debby]

i really don't understand what Mr.Obama said in his speech was so racist. all i heard was, we need to keep our children loved, protected, emotionally safe, i don't understand how this is about one race! i am a white woman, who was abandoned by my daughters father. i hang in a group of about 15 close friends, 10 of us are trying to get our childrens fathers, to spend time, help with support, go watch their child play a game, be there for holidays, or just come by and hug their babies and tell them they love them! please spend time with your children. that was the message i heard! you can put this under a microscope, & pick it apart in a hundred diff. ways! twist it and turn it until it says what you want it to say, but in the end really, wasn't it just....be there please...