What else did Jesse Jackson say about Barack Obama?
Posted by Sable on July 12, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: IT WAS THE N-WORD http://sableverity.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/jackson-calls-obama-the-n-word-according-to-fox-news/
See also: http://sableverity.wordpress.com/2008/07/11/jesse-jackson-is-the-problem-not-the-solution/
There are many reasons to be angry and disapointed with Jesse Jackson today.
First of all he went on Fox Fake News, as if it practices respectable news reporting; as if it’s never displayed out and out racism towards Obama, his wife and their daughters. Strike number 1.
Secondly, he spoke about the presumptive Democratic nominee as if he had committed some moral crime, which he hadn’t, and which displayed just how much of a bitter man Jesse Jackson is.
Thirdly, he, a man with the title, Reverend before his name, said he wanted to castrate Obama. Further, the image and violence associated with castration and Black men has…historic significance. That Jesse would invoke it was hsocking to me. He might as well have said he wanted Obama tarred and feathered. It was ugly, it was vulgar; 3rd strike.
Fourth, and most important to me at this juncture; he forced many of us, who otherwise would never do such a thing, to watch at least a few minutes of that muther&*%$#er Bill O’Rielly, who already has a special ring in hell awaiting his arrival, to find out just exactly what it was he said about Obama.
Fifth, and what many of us didn’t catch, is that the Rev said something so out-of-pocket about Barack, that FOX “wouldnt” air it….yet. Oh I know what Bill said, but please, trust me when I say I do not believe for one hot second that they won’t, eventually, play the rest of the tape.
If they weren’t going to, at some juncture, Bill would have never drawn attention to the fact that there was more tape to be seen.
Bill made a big deal out of this unseen clip. And so, I’ve been asking myself, just what else could he have said?
My first thought, was “house nigga” or “house negro”. If you are not familiar with this term, click here and here for the breakdown. If he said either of those things, it wouldn’t bode well for Jesse in the Black community, because folks are going to reject that term, or any association with Obama. All and all, he’s liked. And well, folks at Fox news would have a field day with that.
But I don’t think that’s it, because of the fact that it’s something they actually chose, for ratings not for tact, not to air at this point.
After having giving it a bit more thought and talked it over with some folks, we’ve settled on “Uncle Tom”.
Uncle Tom is a term used by black people to try to convince other black people that working, education, living well, and setting a good example for their children is selling out.
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see how Obama’s call to all absentee fathers can comprise “talking down to black people.” Jackson seems to assume the challenge to be involved with one’s children is somehow uniquely unfair or unreasonable to black fathers. Which is, I submit, the same as saying that he assumes black fathers (a) are uniquely incapable of being involved with their children, or (b) should for some reason (because black children don’t need or don’t deserve fathers?) be given a pass on being fathers to the children they create.
Let me tell you something. We have our struggles and everything, we have things, as people of color, that are outside of our control, when you look at social stratification and institutionalized-isms, but there is also an accountability piece that is key.
What good does it do to run around and “blame” the white man? What good does it do to run around and blaim disproportionality for my woes, or my sista’s woes?
I know that racism exists. I know that the condition of Black people today, just like the condition of Native people today, is because of what White people did in the past. I can see that direct line, that strong thread, every day. But if I know that, then shouldn’t that make me smarter? If I know what I am up against, shouldn’t I have a greater chance of being able to make something of myself?
I stand by that. When we as a people are more aware of the issues we face, collectively and individually, we are then able to deal with those issues and move into a better space.
I’ve said all of that to say, that based on what we know Jesse said already, and based on what Obama said in his father’s day speech which irked Jesse so much, I would almost bet a paycheck that he called him an Uncle Tom.
Which leads me to my last conclusion; Jesse Jackson is a part of the problem, not a part of the solution. His personally internalized racism was there for everyone to see, and boy was it revealing.
The days of hiding dirty laundry need to end. I know quite a few Black folks, many, many of which come from Jesse’s era, that believe that talking openly about problems in the Black community, is selling out that comunity, or talking down to that community; lecturing that community, even if you’re Black and apart of the community.
I experienced that fully when I worked for the NAACP and I saw how the “old guard” would rather die than clean its house of problems. It didn’t want to take out the trash, because it didn’t want folks to know it had garbage in the first place. It led to the downfall of the organization.
We can’t solve these social problems unless we talk about them, and implement real solutions, and I believe that is what Barack is trying to do, among other things.
When we boil that away, we have to remember that the comments that Jesse made didn’t have anything to do with Obama “talking down” to Black people.
Jesse took Obama’s Father’s day comments personally. He is, after all, an absent father. He did, after all, step out of his marriage, and then tried hard to get out of his responsibility as a father to that child.
And we already know that Jesse is jealous of Obama. We know that, despite what he claims, he has not embraced this man, nor what he has accomplished, because Jesse wasn’t able to accomplish it himself. When Jesse ran for President, is was revolutionary. When Obama ran for President, it was simply the natural next step. Obama has accomplished more for racial understanding in 5 years, than Jesse has accomplished in his entire career. That must come as quite a blow. I think Jesse sees Obama as nothing more than a snot nozed punk kid with an Ivy league education who thinks he knows it all, but to Jesse, doesn’t know shit, because “he wasn’t there”, during the civil right movement.
That Jessee would even fix his mouth to say that what Obama said equated to “talking down” to anyone, he took his mask off right in that moment, and I’ll surely never see him the same again, because as it stands, Jesse Jackson is a part of the problem.
Dr. Boyce Watkins, who I respect, has another theory on this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25611808/
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/09/jesse.jackson.comment/index.html
http://sableverity.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/jesse-jackson-slams-obama-on-fox-news/
http://sableverity.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/why-jesse-jackson-wants-to-castrate-barack-obama/
http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/jesse-jackson-open-mic-records-barack-obama-bash-on-fox/
Zacharias said
Very good post, and I think you hit on some very important things. One thing that really struck me was when you said, “…but there is also an accountability piece that is key.”
I believe this wholeheartedly. White, Black, I don’t care what your race, personal accountability is something that is seriously lacking in this country today.
A child gets hit in the head playing dodgeball and instead of using it as an opportunity for that child to develop situational awareness and faster reactions, we ban the game from schools.
(some)Parents let their kids eat whatever they want, then sit in front of the computer or TV all day and instead of taking responsibility for the kids weight, we remove vending machines from schools and make it a crime to advertise ‘unhealthy’ foods during peak child viewing hours on TV.
And to use an outrageous example from the UK, rather than teaching kids that life is a win/lose process, they ban kids under the age of 8 from playing in sports leagues so that ‘their feelings won’t get hurt.’
It is this kind of mentality that fosters egoistic, selfish, irresponsible, and immature behaviour in those individuals once they become adults.
Lorna said
Really well argued! I agree 100%
Jesse Jackson seems driven by ego and bitterness — such a shame because he did so much earlier in his career.
And you’re right that Bill O’Reilly & co will milk this for all its worth. Pathetic and divisive.
Sable said
Thank you Lorna! I really appreciate that.
I wish FOX news would just implode already…
Sable said
Zacharias,
Thank you very much, I appreciate that.
But, you know you snapped my attention when you said that in the UK children under the age of eight are not allowed to play on sports teams because…they’ll…get…their feelings hurt?
What the hell? my just-turned-eight-year-old is a Kendo student who gets the wind knocked out of him every week, and he loves it; calls it “the thinking child’s sport”.
Please Charles, I want more info on that.
As for the talking down to piece, I guess my thing is, why when critical comments are made by the race by someone in the race does one automatically get defense and accuse that person of being uppity and talking down to people, because, by default, when he accused Obama of “talking down”, he also accused Obama of being uppity, which goes right back to that “being educated is acting white”, internalised self-hatred thing Jesse clearly has going on.
Why can’t it just be that Obama cares, and has a perspective that is relevant to the issue, and is not afraid to say what many black people feel? There used to be a time when we had family members to take us to task, and we wouldn’t dare NOT listen and take heed.
fiona said
Brilliant analysis, Sable. Jackson has definitely brought to the forefront the twin long-time swept-under-the-rug attitudes that are, in 2008, possibly as crippling to black children and families as is white racism:
1. A black man is a sell-out, an Uncle Tom, an oreo, acting white, not a brother if he is educated and has a regular job; and
2. A black man may be a dead loss–worse!–to his family and his community, unemployed, useless to his children and their mothers, dealing drugs to kids on the street, standing suspiciously close to street violence–but he’s OUR loser. We might criticize him, yell at him, bitch about him to our friends. But if we sense disapproval of him from any other source (especially a non-black source), we will [all the way on the bus to stop off at the food stamp office, and all the way on the next bus to our second minimum-wage job to support the kids he abandoned] defend his right as a black man to be exactly that loser. And we’re not going to let anyone suggest he should be anything else.
Hell-l-l-o-o-o-o!!!
Jackson can apologize from here to November, and that’s fine, but he can’t change the fact that he has revealed himself to be in that camp, the camp of people who are willing to undercut the future of their black sons and daughters and their grandchildren, to preserve a status quo in which, bottom line, they can continue to be respected and powerful leaders against a common enemy.
rhondacoca said
I am disappointed in Jackson’s remark because it was crude and disrespectful. However I agree with Boyce Watkins sentiments. There was truth to some of what JJ had said.
Dwight said
Excellent!!
Beverly said
Some good content. Appreciate it. First time I heard Dr. Watkins speak. He said some good things. This is a historical election and these conversations are blowing the lid off of what has been holding this country back for years.
Liz said
Finally, someone opened up the dialogue that has been oh-so-necessary in the black community regarding Obama, lifted the repression and untied the gag that kept blacks from criticizing this supposed leader of hope and change. That someone is Jesse Jackson. The only unfortunate thing is that Jackson felt the need to “whisper” it instead of having the nuts to be more upfront about it.
J. Andrew said
It is a shame to see Jessie acting in this fashion. I remember back in the late 80’s to late 90’s Louis Farrakhan went on a speaking tour all over this country saying to black men, black preachers, and black churches exactly what Obama and Cosby are just now saying. Farrakahn was much more direct and matter of fact. I did not hear one word from the reverend or the black community accusing Farrakahn of speaking down to black people or being uppity. I guess the only way one can earn the right to speak frankly to black people is they have to have proven their hatred for white people.
Phyllis said
I agreee with you 200 %. I feel the exact same way. I am a young wife and mother of two beautiful girls. I am so blessed to have a good descent husband, he may only be 21 but his more of a man that naymother man I have ever met in my life. Black people need to stop being lazy and worrryding about “acting or talking white” and go educate themselves. Because ignorance’s bliss only last until the bills come ! I am a huge adovacte of the big importantce or education, sex after marriage, and speaking correct english. Blacks blame everyone for theri demise except themselves. Dont let where you come from mold who you will and can be !
ryan said
“First of all he went on Fox Fake News, as if it practices respectable news reporting; as if it’s never displayed out and out racism towards Obama, his wife and their daughters. Strike number 1.”
Can you please give me an example? I watch Fox news all the time (along with CNN) and I have not seen any “out and out racism towards Obama”. Is it b/c they broke the Wright story? Obama made his own bed on that one…
Sable said
You must have missed the whole “baby mama” saga. You can search for more info on that right here on the Sable Verity.
It has nothing to do with Rev. Wright.
celeste said
he’s a moron. he’s not only a troubled person in my opion he’s a danger to the black community
C.goode said
I’m so disappointed in Jesse Jackson, but I shouldn’t be. He’s the prime example of a Black person’s true worse enemy. Another envious Black person. They well talk about you in a negative manner, usually without ritaliation becasue they are of the same race. So youy can’t call them racist, but they are truely the Uncle Tom they that they think Obama is. I’m so surprised at all the Black Men that are so negative towards Obama when a camera is in their face and they can get their fifteen minutes of fame, becasue the media loves inner race termoil when its within the Black race. Wake up SO CALLED OLD SCHOOL BLACK LEADERS and understand you served well when you were younger, but now you guys are becoming a big pain in the place the sun don’t or if you like doesn’t shine. I think it’s just hard for them to relinquish the role as spokes person for the Black Race….But guys if you cant’ say anything decent. Don’t say anything at all, you juast make yourself look foolish.
ronnie losinger said
what is it all about,not what it was ment to be,just because people have a diffrent color skin,or dont speak the same.it will never be america until everyone red,yellow,green,black,white,or any other color or,background, see how people need to forget the past and open there eyes to the good and bad in everyone know matter who or where they come from,white people have done bad in the past black people have done bad things in the past and oh ya don,t forget the middle east we are not sure what color they are so we use there religon to identify them. it makes me sick to know little children are getting the worst until they are taught color,race,religon, we need to let everyone be who they want to be and maybe one day we can just have a good president we will not have to say its because he is black,white,poor,rich,or maybe he went to the wrong church, its getting sad to see what this country has been going through,now we have taken out the hope.can,t we just have another person in the capital that will help every american in the way he sees fit.
Patrick said
It was very interesting reading this. I wish conversations about the black community could always be so frank and honest. When I have discussions with my white friends about the black community in general, we recognize certain generalizations that can be made(such as the ones referenced in the editorial/column/post.) More importantly, we want to see the black community rise up and grow stronger. It is people like Mr. Jackson who are living in the past and make this kind of progression more difficult. President Obama will mend racial divides in ways that may have taken generations, otherwise. That kind of change would probably put Mr. Jackson out of the limelight and I’d bet that concept is unbearable for him.
btj3kids said
I agree with one major key point mentioned earlier, and that is accountability. I heard that father’s day speech that was givin by Obama, and I for the life of me cannot understand how any rational and sensible person would find that offensive. Especially, given the predicament many black families find themselves in, most especially the inner city and fatherless homes that he was referencing but more than that he was encouraging children to strive for more, and to not accept less of themselves. He was crying out to parents to be better and do better. The past atrocities are real but how long do we allow them to keep us back, how long do we use them as a crutch to not evolve.
At some point, we have to make a decision to excel, and inspire greatness in spite of. Because you started out with setbacks do not determine the end result, you are the only one that can determine your destiny. One thing we know for sure and that is that the race is not fixed. Men and women of African descent who have accomplished great things are testaments. We, as blacks have the same opportunities, we may have to sprint a little faster, or we may even have to run with more intensity but in the end it just makes us more appreciative and the victory sweeter.
Mostly, I found his speech to be candid and inspirational.
Honesty can provoke action and until we are adamant about our communities, our precious children, and our future we will continue to lack in critical areas. To better oneself is not a crime. To actively pursue all life has to offer realizing that as a black man (mankind) you’re not exempt, is not a crime. The crime exists when you settle and allow your circumstances to cause you to give in, and not strive. The crime is committed and perpetrated when you believe to strive for all that you can be is a sign of selling out. It is of upmost importance that we nurture our children and that we inspire and ignite a passion within them regarding education and proactively pursuing life pursuits. My God, anyone who tells you the truth, cares about you, your circumstance, and want a better outcome for you. We have to decide that we want it to. Parents, it begins with us, we are the fist and probably the most effective teachers in our children lives.
What are we teaching them, how are we raising them, are we doing our God given job????????
Our job is to nurture and instill a sense of confidence, opportunity, and accountability. The most effective way to do this is by being an example and by exemplifying those habits, morals, and ethics we want to teach.
Black people please throw selfishness, egoes, and entitlement out the window. It keeps you from accepting responsibility which ultimately keeps you from going upward and succeeding in more ways than one.
shank said
who cares dose anyone really care that j.jackson wants to cut his balls off…..i mean there both stupid….an hell obama voted today to allow the phone tappin craz the goverment has……so do you really want a president like that again???????? an jesse jackson!!! well he just a dumass
GG1000 said
Hi people. Hey, has anyone noticed that Barack Obama’s as much white as he is black? So why’s he “acting white”? We could just as well say he’s “acting black” by that logic. Or, alternatively, we could identify him as a bright, articulate man who’s come from some difficult circumstances to make something of himself and has managed not to pull any “trainwreck” b.s. on the way. Someone to admire. Oh well, maybe we’ll get there someday.
fiona said
I don’t think this is a new problem, but I do think it is only recently that courageous black writers have been able to talk about it openly–thanks, largely, to Obama’s modeling a high standard for black kids.
I don’t remember a lot from MLK Jr.’s lifetime, but I recall there was concern at the time that his goals were often frustrated by leaders of (what we now know to be) Jackson’s ilk. Under the various ugly terms we still hear, any opportunities King obtained in coordination with white leaders were deemed a sell-out of his race. Any goal he sought for black families and kids that happened to be a goal for white families and kids was angrily–and often violently–opposed.
MLK fell under considerable suspicion simply because of his unique verbal talent, that when in conference with white leaders, he was able to gain their confidence by speaking with the same inflection/accent they did.
King wanted to see his brothers and sisters move up, have families and homes and jobs and education for their children–to participate in the American dream. Today, of course, he is idolized for what he did and what he attempted and the balls he started rolling for everyone’s benefit.
But at the time, there was a great deal of opposition from black leaders whose authority and power and wealth relied on keeping the black man down, sustaining his anger and hatred. Those leaders fed the suspicion that poverty and disadvantage in the black community had nothing to do with their own actions (like not working or not seeking education for their kids) but was entirely a plot against them, so that it was pointless to try to get ahead or give their kids a better foundation for mainstream goals.
It is no secret that a black family, for most of the history of the United States, has had to overcome racial barriers to succeed, and if it advanced far, was likely to hit a glass ceiling. No question, a great deal of anger and frustration about that situation has been appropriate.
But it is the Jesse Jacksons who have made that a reason to stay down, and to keep one’s children down–to perpetuate the game of, “If we can’t have it all right now, we won’t play.” Not for their people, but for themselves.
Thank goodness for black mothers–it is only through their work and dreams and teaching of their children that as many black kids as have succeeded, have come off the streets and out of the cold.
Geri said
Black or White I fully agree with the fact that we all have to accept responsibility. We need to move on..
Luke said
Your words hit home and many will ignore them out of spite, resentment or ignorance. Jesse was WRONG to open his mouth and show himself a fool about Obama. That was stupid. The man should know better. If you dislike someone, keep it to yoursel for say it behind closed doors.
Personally Jesse’s take on Obama being an Uncle Tom is ignorant. For some reason he wants the government to give inner city people more money, food, medicine and everything – to depend on the government. That is wrong. Why? It does not help the indiivdual (regardless of race) to better themselves.
Kudos to the inner city folks who struggle and persevere to make it out of the inner city and into the suburbs thereby making a better life for themselves.
viewsonic said
What is fake about fox news? There, you see Jackson making the statement right on air. This is not something made up. Fox reported it. What was fake? Maybe Jackson 0r maybe Obama may be the fake! Fox did not make up the “cut off n6ts”, statement . Jackson said it!
I am not a supporter of Obama at all, but at lest he doesn’t buy into this “hood ” and “hip hop ” mentality that has plagued the black community for the last 10 years now.
Bill said it first now Obama saids the same thing. But 90% of blacks love obama and now 60% hate Bill. Somethings not right here. You people are so d5m confused and call me what you will (I an American first -black second) but I left this crazy and loser type of philosophy long time ago that’s popular in the black community today. It’s pitiful!
racist said
I am told I’m a racist to be against illegal imigration and have used the N word in the last ten years. WHY is this so?
Am I a racist because I believe people need to come to OUR country the legal way? Am I a racist just because I’m white and say a word I hear from blacks several times a day?
What about the six black men that sat and watched me and another co-woker do the work of the whole crew, then go tell the supervisiors we diddn’t do nothing. A good Christian black foreman in charge at that.
I owe no race nothing because of their past because I had nothing to do with the past but I owe OUR country my best to make it better for the future.
HELP our own selves before we expect help from others.
Dianne Druilhet said
Why is the world so blinded by Obama. Jessie Jackson and other blacks in America have paid their dues. Obama is 50% white. Why is it Black American’s call him black. He has no idea what the black struggle really is. Raised in Kansas by two white people. He was never promised the 40 acres and a mule.
His wife an intelligent woman was on the view trying to look lika a Black Bimbo. What a sell out. I’ll be glad when he is elected president. You can’t even turn on a black gospel station with out having Obama forced down your throat.
As for me I would not dare stay home from the polls too many back people and women fought and gave their lives for the vote. I will however write in my own name for president.
My grest grandfater was white. So I am not prejudice. But give me a break.
Jack said
I am mixed black and white. But it is my choice to remain black. . . . . . .if it is by choice. But I will not let anyone to include me with any of race he/she wanted. . . .”I am who I am”. A black AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
Jack said
This country had been againts black race for centuries. . .and, I am not sure if it is not now. It has done all it’s evility to putdown black people economically and culturaly . . .and it was and is succeeded.They have completely damaged the black peoples’ culture and behavior.And they blame us as stupids. Black people started serving this country since they arrive here. . .they start to die for this nation for hundreds of years. They served in Japan, Vietnam, and many other countries in Europe and far east. But after they came back here, in this nation they had not right to vote untill about 40 years ago. So what is next ??? I do not know where democracy is, where equality is, where justice is,… . They may say “we gave you your freedom”. But every person was born free. The only thing is they had stolen our natural freedom.And ony part of it has come back. I do not know who this world works. There is not equality and justice for all. And there will not be peace in this world.