Has Rev. Jesse Jackson ‘castrated’ his future impact?
In a recent Essence article (posted August, 14, 2008), Rev. Jesse Jackson was interviewed to discuss his relevance in the current civil rights movement, the division that exists between the “young” and “old” black communities, and his infamous “n-word” (hint: rhymes with “cuts”) utterance on national tv in reference to the Presidential Democratic Candidate, Sen. Barack Obama.
http://www.essence.com/essence/lifestyle/voices/0,16109,1832452,00.html
What has always fascinated me about Rev. Jackson is that his APPARENT-public reasoning is very sound. His assertion that young leaders should not discredit the work (or the votes) of older civil rights leaders and their community is a valid point to the current generation. His statistics concerning black men and rates for joblessness and incarceration are on point. But there is something about “Jesse” that does not sit well.
As a member of the “new guard,” I sense a resistance by some members of the “Jackson” era to new ways of thinking, fresh sounds, and innovative solutions. There is more talk of governmental intervention to “fix” our communities, and less discourse about “what” needs to be fixed. Maybe if we address that first, we would question if we REALLY want the government to intervene (any more than it has). I have always been taught that the mess that helped get you in trouble, will not be the ‘savior’ to pull you out. By no means am I suggesting that our community is not owed anything–WE ARE! My question is–what do we do in the MEANTIME when the government is looking the other way?
Jackson also poses a different dilemma. How does he expect the old and the new to fuse together, when PUBLICLY he is demonstrating a division that exists, though many ‘prominent’ ones will not admit that this is true? How do we convince our older community that some of us DO get what the civil rights movement stood for, and continues to stand for–but that they also need to understand that the fight TODAY is wearing a different (and arguably more dangerous) hood? And more importantly, when will we as a community realize that we can disagree without being disagreeable, and family issues SHOULD BE DISCUSSED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS (for the record…whispering on a television station that you do not own or control is not a ‘private’ matter).
And, just out of curiosity, why does he want to cut the n**** off of Obama? I can’t wait to see your responses! Considering that there are a PLETHORA of individuals who are more deserving of that “procedure,” let me just end with this: What we say today, influences how we are viewed tomorrow.
Keep pushing the rainbow Jesse.
Thoughts?
August 19, 2008 at 11:33 am
Where do I begin regarding the great Jesse Jackson. Let me take the advice of my elders and accentuate the positive first. Jesse’s importance and relevance to the struggle for equality and justice over the years can’t be denied. Honestly, I believe that had it not been for Jesse’s unsuccessful runs for the Democratic nomination, Obama may not have garnered the success that he has in the last year. As a black woman, I appreciate Jesse’s contributions, but acknowledge that, today, there are some problems with his leadership.
The infamous “cut his n**s” comment, in my opinion, was a direct result of the “Ouch Obama stepped on my toes with that one” syndrome. See, only days before Jesse wanted to end all possibility that Barack and Michelle could ever reproduce again, Jesse got his feelings hurt because of his unwillingness to voluntarily take care of his latest reproduction. When Obama spoke about the need for black fathers to be at home and present in the lives of ALL of their children, I know the hair on the back of Jesse’s neck had to rise as he thought about that child the he neglected until people found out about his “baby daddy” status.
Let me sum this up. For me, a leader remains relevant by doing what he knows to be right even when no one is looking. Jesse’s relevance for me is minimized by the fact that he didn’t want to take care of his baby until the world found out that he was a baby daddy. Jesse’s words when he thought no one was listening indicate to me that it is probably time for Jesse to take a vacation.
August 20, 2008 at 12:56 am
unfortunately i am one to associate jessie and al sharpton together as black figures whom i feel love the limelight more than the cause. my view is an ignorant one, for many of the matters jesse speaks of i listen with a deaf ear, and though he may have many titles under his belt, i feel as though he isnt respected by the majority of blacks, and i feel whites like him around because a more appealing, commanding minority leader would be too threatening of an individual for whites to control. “so let michael’s uncle represent them black folks. hah.”