Rev. Jesse Jackson’s “off the record” comments last week regarding Senator Barack Obama was ridunkulous. Yes, I made up that word and want credit for it.
Crude to say the least and not one of his best moments. But it makes you wonder why he would [think] and say such things. Wouldn’t he be ecstatic and so proud to see a young[er] Black American emerge to be possibly the next American president? Makes me also wonder how we feel about younger and emerging leaders – including in the church.
What do you think of this or that?
One of the best reads was this post below by Shaun King - pastor & social entrpreneur in Atlanta, GA. It’s really a wonderful and powerful read. Great post and great blog.
Dear Rev. Jackson,
I am writing this open letter to express to you my extreme disappointment and disgust over your recent comments concerning Senator Barack Obama. This is not the first time you have had to backtrack for saying something offensive concerning Senator Obama. Of course you apologized – you always do.
Your assertion today that Senator Obama is “talking down to black people” and that you’d like to “cut his nuts off” were not just a mistake – they are amongst the most heinous things a man could say and they reveal a deeper ill within you that troubles me. The wrong words did not simply slip out of your mouth. You meant it. You have been speaking for a living for the past 40 years and are amongst the most experienced orators in the world. You have successfully negotiated with international hostage takers. You always choose your words well…except when it concerns Senator Obama. Why is this?
As you well know, Black men regularly had their testicles cut off when lynched throughout the Jim Crow South. That you have adopted this terminology and used it so casually in reference to the man that could be the next President of the United States is sickening. You and I both know that you would already be marching and protesting and negotiating if ANY prominent white man made this statement. An apology would never suffice. You would expect consequences, repercussions, and repentance. If anyone used such physically violent terminology about President Bush, I could imagine it being a legal issue. You are a Christian minister, but you now seem to be lost in the very dirty world of American politics. [read full post]
Filed under: politics, barack obama, jesse jackson
Ridunkulous is a good word.
Personally, all I see is jealousy on Jackson’s part. The comment about looking down is acceptable as an opinion. The other comment about “the nuts” was completely shocking. I’m surprised that not more leaders in the African American community have come out with harsher words against Jackson.
I agree the comments were crass–although I’m not sure I fully understand the argument that he ‘chose his words carefully’, when in fact he didn’t believe that he was being miked. We all say things in private that we would never, ever say in public. This is not to excuse the comments themselves, but it is a different issue than if they were intended to be heard publicly.
There may well be issues of jealousy, old guard passing to new guard, loss of prestige, etc. I’m not sure. But I do think there is a more substantive issue here: namely, how people in the black community perceive Obama’s messages on ‘personal responsibility’ and fatherhood, and how his emphasis on government support of faith-based initiatives comes across. Personally, I really resonate with Obama’s ‘both-and’ approach (as in, you can address both government responsibilty and personal responsibility in addressing the social issues facing the black community). But as a white male, I recognize that I don’t really understand how those messages may sound to those ‘on the inside’–for those African Americans who have been working to address structural injustice and racism at the government level for decades.
I guess all I can do is speak personally and say, while I find the comments insulting, I also believe I need to do more to learn about the underlying issues, to better understand why the things Obama is saying to the black community arouse such strong emotions.
Jesse Jackson versus Barack Obama: A clash of Two Ideologies
My working definition of ideology is ‘a formed belief that governs a person’s actions. The prevailing ideology or assumption in mainstream “Black” American society up until Bill Cosby, was one that seemed to tilt in Reverend Jackson’s favor. Obama, like Bill Cosby, appears to deviate from a prevailing Black ideology by taking a fresh look at an intractable problem that up until now, few have been courageous to deal with (in mainstream America).
Thank God for the roles of our civil right leaders in the 1960s, laying the foundation for social equality etc.
Yet, while America may not be totally where it should be, it certainly isn’t where it used to be. Interestingly, this statement I have just made about America seems to be very controversial. This brings us back to the issue of ideology.
The Jackson-ideology would suggest that the gap is not only wide between black and white, but much hasn’t changed since the 1960s. The Obama-ideology sees much progress in race relations since the 1960s and seeks to take advantage of the opportunities. Obviously, Obama has proven this true.
By running on a campaign framed not on race, but on an America that needed new direction, he captured the democratic nomination despite his race; thus proving that America is not what it used to be.
In the end Obama’s ideology wins out. The inequities do not erase the opportunities, and the opportunities do not erase the inequities. While we acknowledge the inequities, we must make sure we are taking advantage of the opportunities.
It was Jesse Jackson who introduced “Ebonics” to the American lexicon, thus injecting the notion that Blacks needed a lower standard to cope in mainstream society–that single action is very revealing and downright insulting to his fellow African Americans. To me, this is speaking “down” to our sensibilities.
Telling a person to take personal responsibility is speaking “up” to our potential for endless possibilities. As a matter of fact, you are better positioned to address social inequities with credibility when you take personal responsibility.
About the Author
Identical twins, Olu and Kay Taiwo are international speakers, ministers, consultants, featured authors, and licensed Pharmacists. With over 20 years of speaking experience, their ministry has impacted audiences in the Ukraine, Nigeria, England, Canada, Philippines, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and across the United States of America. To obtain more info about Olu and Kay Taiwo’s visit: http://www.vflm.org/
We need to extend grace. He’s made some bonehead statements including this one but any time someone has that many mics in front of their faces, it is bound to happen.
@dan:
let me go on the record and say that i have never never ever never said anything in private that i wouldn’t say in public.
never.
seriously. i agree. grace is important.
well, me neither, of course. I mean, I take for granted that we are the exception. You and I. But no one else.
Whether your are on the worlds stage or just at work, people are watching. May we be Christ followers and find the good in others. Hopefully we build people up, not tear them down.
I know I could use God’s grace in these arena!
On a light note, I feel that I must call you out on your creation of the word “ridunkulous.” I have personally heard it used in places far-flung from Seattle, far previous to this post.
The letter from Shaun, though, was also a good read – being young myself (I turn 20 in a month), though, I’m not terribly familiar with the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s history.
I also want to note that I found this post via Facebook, just to say thanks for keeping that up.
For me, regarding Jesse Jackson, I always think of the line in the Bible where it says, “No man can serve two masters”. Why? Because Jesse Jackson has always seemed more eager to serve the god of politics, the camera, and furthering his own spot in the public arena, then the heavenly Father.
Have a protest w/lots of guaranteed media coverage? Jesse’s right there, front & center. Someone opens their mouth & makes a bonehead statement? There’s Jesse, bloviating on TV.
In his comments about Obama, I had a sense that his own jealousy and dissatisafction over not getting as far as Obama politically factored into what he said, absolutely.
He’d like to think the apology should suffice & that this could all be swept under the rug. But I agree with Shaun…had a white man made the same comments, the stuff would still be hitting the fan.
But Jesse is adept at sweeping stuff under the rug. Regardless of what he said, he’ll be back in the eye of his favorite spot – the camera – all too soon. To me, it’s fairly easy to see which god he’d rather serve.
jesse jackson, you need to go hide under the rock that you crawled out of. You have no morals with your whore-hopping ways. I am a woman of color and at one time traveled abroad a lot. I always told my friends and family if my plane was ever hijacked to never ,no never let jesse get involved. Shame on you, what a perfect example you are making for your bastard child. You are not fit to walk in Obama’s “left over foot prints”. So lay off with the comments because you are not a leader of Afro Americans, now or never. Take your old fat body out of the media, we are tried of seeing your blotted alcholic-like face. We ave contributed monies to Obama’s campaign, something I would never have done for you Get lost real good this time……..Gerri
Well, I guess I am apologizing to Jesse Jackson, for I too have a proclivity of voicing my thoughts without first thinking . The Jewish population have also felt the raft of this Godly man. I am so ashamed of myself for ever responding to such comments.
So out of all people – the one who points his finger at every white person in this country – the one who is the first one out there yelling foul play when a white person hurts a black person – is in the spotlight himself ! Well..well..well….
Calling a possible President of the United States the “N”…word ? Awful. Oh so awful. I am again ashamed of my country that we have people like him as representatives..So the world will laugh at us again…Nice ! Front page on every Newspaper and Magazine ! Way to go Jesse ! Are you happy about all that publicity ? And then to think that it’s all good with an apology to Obama? Sure – but what about getting your sorry self on TV and apologizing to the rest of the country ?
Honestly – I am sick and tired of seeing Jesse Jackson’s face and listening to his racist crap. So yes, go hide under that rock and STAY THERE !!!!!
Michelle and Gerri…I couldn’t agree with you more!
I have watched this man since I was a child. Through many historic events I have witnessed, I used to think he really was for the “common” good. Over the past several years, however, I have watched him involve himself in many things that he really had no business attempting. Being a “Reverend” has many connotations. That card should have been revoked long ago when he first became an infidel against his wife. Unfortunately, he continues not to learn from his mistakes. The latest being his awful comments concerning Obama. “Off the cuff remark” you say….I say not. He IS guilty of being the type of black man that Obama speaks out against. He IS the type of man that helps promote the stereotypes of the black man that continue to this day. Apology accepted? No way……when will he learn his lesson? He’s obviously not as smart as all his supporters make him out to be. Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man….I think it’s time that the RPC chose someone with more integrity for a job that is so important…..and I’m not even for Obama! So can you imagine what other Americans are saying? Jackson may have helped Obama’s campaign with his stupidity!
I am all for the black race getting what is deserved………and I mean that sincerely. But I don’t think it’s really about that any more. Everyone is suffering…..EVERY ONE. However, there is a time to pull the race card and there is a time to pull the humanity card……unfortunately, race is playing too much of a role in this presidential campaign when there are much bigger issues at stake…..which is basic survival for all races. THAT is the big picture……