So Rev. Jesse Jackson shoots his mouth off while waiting to be interviewed at Fox news. In a careless whisper, Jackson complains that Barack Obama has been "talking down to black people" during recent church appearances. Okay, that's Jackson's opinion. But then the good Reverend lets it rip so to speak.
"I want to cut his nuts off."
Ouch! That is some rough talk. ...
Rev. Jesse Jackson
Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a news conference in Chicago, Wednesday, July 9, 2008. Jackson apologized Wednesday for comments he made about Barack Obama's speeches in black churches during what he thought was a private.
AP
"It was very private," Jackson said. A spokesman for the Obama campaign said that the Illinois senator accepts Jackson's apology. Jackson's son, however, was less kind. "I'm deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson's reckless statements," Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said. Here, Jackson and Obama share a lighter moment in Illinois last month.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson issued an apology to Obama Wednesday after comments he made about the presidential candidate were picked up on an open microphone. After a Fox News interview on Sunday, Jackson said, "Barack, he's talking down to black people."
Skip Peterson, AP
In this Feb. 5, 2008 file photo, Rev. Jesse Jackson holds a campaign sign for Obama, D-Ill., in Chicago. Jackson said Wednesday, July 9, 2008 he's "very sorry" for comments he made about Obama during what he thought was a private conversation with a reporter. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Two questions come to mind. One, how in the world does an experienced television guest like Jackson get so worked up "that he forgets" where he is? Did Jackson learn nothing from the 'hymietown' debacle?
The second question is what is it about Obama that's got Jackson so riled up that he couldn't contain himself to wait until he was in a private space to go off about Obama's message?
Jackson gave some clues to his thinking during his "I apologize" press conference. The interesting thing about Jackson's remarks was that he started them off by spending a fair amount of time recounting the legacy and bloodshed of the Civil Rights Movement pioneers. Jackson kept reminding us of what we owe to that legacy and how we cannot forget who brought us to a present day ripe for Obama's candidacy.
It is essential to honor history and recognize the sacrifice of those who have come before. However, it is also time for the legends to accept the dignified mantle of senior statesman and not to tear at Obama while trying to grab the spotlight for themselves.
Even Jesse Jackson Jr., who is a National Chair for Obama's campaign, felt compelled to weigh in:
Rev. Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him," Jackson Jr. said in a statement. "He should know how hard that I've worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. So, I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself.
Join the Discussions!
+ JESSE disses SENATOR OBAMA
+ Jesse Apologizes for Crude Obama Remarks
MORE: Exclusive Interview with Jackson from NPR News & Notes
Comments: (235)
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By: MzChea on 7/10/2008 11:18AM
I think Jesse Jackson is a hater, and jealous he didn't do better when he was running for president it's really sad. Obama is such a classy man he is above anything petty thanks Jesse you & people like you are going to help Obama become president people are sick of all of this petty crap. The only thing you did right was raise and intelligent son. I hope that one was legitimate. You are such a loser and keep hope alive.
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By: voter on 7/10/2008 11:18AM
The Black community has the same issues as all of America. High unemployment, housing foreclosure, pain at the pump and love ones fighting over in Iraq to name a few. The future President should focus on dealing with these very important issues and not on the state of Black fathers. Let's leave that task for our social leaders. Obama will make a great President and I support his campaign 100%, I just feel that if he is going to critcize our community are you going to also criticize the other communities?
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By: Misterite on 7/10/2008 11:41AM
His bitterness about Barack's upswing has finally come to light! You would think that with his son working on his campaign, he would keep his big ass mouth in check. But oh no! He has to draw attention to himself! And conveniently on fox news no less!
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By: Marc on 7/10/2008 11:26AM
Its clear Jesse purpose on earth is in the sunset position, as he speaks with a fork tongue. With his negative statements of the past/present; in moral behavior, Jesse needs to crawl under a rock and stay there. Yes, Jesse may have done things for the betterment of color people and people in general. But, im sure he profited from our misery. His careless whisper conversation is clear "we are our own worest enemy."
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By: Darrell on 7/10/2008 11:48AM
Let me first say I am a Barack Obama supporter. Having said that I want to add that I support him because I believe he is our best hope of fixing the economic mess we are in by ending the Iraq war and using the financial resources being spent there for more domestic accomplishments. But, I know his presidency ,if it occurs, will not be the end of ills against the black community. After all he will not be the black peoples president but the whole countrys president and we would do well to remember this. About Mr Jacksons comments which I believe were made becuse of his perception of Mr. Obama talking down to the black community. Yes our community has its problems. But, crime, aids,welfare, and deadbeat dads are not exclusive to our community and anyone who buys into or contributes to such rhetoric does our community a disservice. Of course you would not know this by watching our media in this country. Let us not forget that Mr. Jackson was an activist during a time when he and others could have been and were beaten or killed for ,standing up for their rights. the rights we have today, and nothing would have been done about it. Is he angry? Perhaps so. But I say who would not be angry if they thought the greatness of our people or their accomplishments was being belittled. After all it has taken hundreds of years after the end of slavery for the rest of our country to realize what the black community already knew. And that was a black man or woman is juat as capable as a caucasion man or woman of holding high office whether it be in the private or government sector. Talent and character have no color. Our community has its problems and we must address them but our community is not the only one who needs to fix its problems but , our society as a whole. I will end my comments by saying their is a differences between assimulating and coexisting. With one you stand the chance of losing your culture and beliefs and are never truly accepted for who you really are. With the other we exist in a society of mutual respect of the differences that exist between us and are not judged simply on your surface appearance but on your character.We as a country would do well to chose and achieve the latter.
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By: Carolyn Greene on 7/10/2008 11:34AM
I find it distressing that the news media and those who have nothing else to do, must cannablize every little bleep and bit of gossip the republican party distributes here and there. Rev. Jackson made a mistake and apologized for it. But that was not enough for the news media vultures. What ever happened to "RESPECT" for yourself and others. There is no excuse for how this was treated by the news media. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ALREADY !!!!
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By: RJ on 7/10/2008 12:21PM
Ouch! The thought of removing someone’s testicles hurts. Jesse Jackson obviously thought the same thing and decided against it, but only after realizing the crude comments he had made to a fellow guest about cutting off Barack Obama's n*** were caught on a hot mike and aired on Fox's O'Reilly Factor. Now, as oppose to a removal Jesse Jackson is kissing ass. You got to love politics. This isn't the first time Jackson has put his foot in his mouth and it probably won't be the last.
Why was Jackson looking to castrate Obama? It is over a matter which has been brewing for quiet sometime in the African American community. Some feel Obama has been talking down to African Americans when he discusses the need for social responsibility in the community. Lately, he has been lauding faith based programs as a possible panacea to quell some of the social issues in the African American community, as opposed to handouts from the government?
Who better to deliver this message of "social responsibility" and using faith based programs than Barack Obama? So many others have tried to deliver similar message and have been rebuked. Think Bill Cosby, who was lampooned and called an “Uncle Tom” for his harsh (and rightfully so) criticism of certain elements of a wayward African American community. The issues of black on black crime, high school drop-outs, drugs, teenage pregnancy, single-parent homes, misogynous music and the list goes on will not go away until confronted directly in the African American community and by the African American community. After all, who best knows the community?
Surely by now all should know Barack Obama will hold the black community responsible for what ails it and will not sweep the issues under the proverbial rug. It is up to the community to seek out and create social programs and identify good sound realistic role models for young people. Strange as it is, the role models chosen today are those with stains on their clothes and greed in their minds. Tossed aside are the educators, communicators and scientist for the favoring of rock stars, ball players, rappers, etc. Granted, these too can be models, but what's it all about when an honest profession of a stay at home mom or blue collar dad is looked down upon for the lack of glitz and glamour? What's it all about, when those chosen to be idolized are often promoters of violence and carefree attitudes, who promote a faux culture of ghetto fabulousness with blood stained hands wearing a diamond pinkie ring? Good judgment is in order to redirect the young minds on obtainable role models.
The days of old blaming the "White Man" and “racism” are over. It is time to look in the mirror and blame your self. Better yet check the front door for the message is “the buck stops here!” No more of the race card being played or money being paid to keep the threats of protest away. Self responsibility and determination is on the agenda for the day.
As Obama’s campaign slogan says, “Change You Can Believe In.”
___________________
www.andwearenotsaved.blogspot.com
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By: Geep on 7/10/2008 12:29PM
Jesse should know better than anybody else that "loose lips sink ships." He of all people should know what happens when you run your mouth around a microphone, whether its on or off. Just when you think it's off, oops, it's on. Remember how his own candidacy for president was sunk when he made some callous remarks about Jews, which got overheard and were reported to the World. By the time Jews got through with Jesse he was kosher pork chops. Like the saying goes "loose lips sink ships." It's hard to come to the realization that he, along with Andy Young, and some other once stellar Black leaders are now in the category of "old farts." No longer stars, not wise sages who help us retain a sense of stability and continuity. Just Old farts.
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By: Gene on 7/10/2008 12:39PM
It's true enough that other communities have the same problems of those cited by Sen. Obama, but that's their problem. Obama, being a Black man brought focus on an issue in the Black community, which is my/our problem. I'm glad he brought it up, just as I was glad when Bill Cosby brought it up. As far as I'm concerned, Obama, Cosby, and everybody else who really cares about our issues and concerns should be speaking out about deadbeat dads, drugs,
Black-on-Black crime, education (or lack thereof), etc... If the shoe doesn't fit, it shouldn't bother you. If it does then you should do the right thing. By the way, in case anybody forgot, a few years ago, Jesse Jackson fathered a child out of wedlock, and initially tried to deny it.
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By: Tianna on 7/10/2008 1:04PM
That was so cruel of a comment that Jesse Jackson made of Obama. Why is he downing the first black man to be running for president of our country? We do need a change and comments like that will never get us no where as long as we have our black men downing other black men that is doing something for theirselves. He owes him a big apology. National TV apology.
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