RSS Feed
Newsletter
Widget
Rev. Jesse Jackson in the Hot Seat
Published by Pamela Gentry on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 12:15 pm.
By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer July 10, 2008 – The Rev. Jesse Jackson is no stranger to controversy, media spotlight or the ground rules when speaking with the press. But if he had forgotten, his latest slip of the tongue will serve as a pungent reminder to remember past lessons.
On Sunday, while in the FOX News studio waiting to be interviewed, Jackson leaned over to another guest, Reed V. Tuckson, the former chief medical officer for the District of Columbia and President of the Charles Drew University in Los Angeles, and whispered, “Barack has been talking down to Black people. …I want to cut his nuts off.” In a rapid response, the founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition issued a statement denouncing the “crude” nature of his comments and apologized to the presumptive Democratic nominee.
“I apologize,” Rev. Jackson said Wednesday. “My support for Senator Obama’s campaign is wide, deep and unequivocal. I cherish this redemptive and historical moment. My appeal was for the moral content of his message, to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of Black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility.”
Still, his actions brought swift rejection from the civil rights leader’s son, Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.), the national co-chairman of Obama’s presidential campaign. In rallying behind his candidate, he proved that political alliances can be stronger than family ties. “I’m deeply outraged and disappointed in Reverend Jackson’s reckless statements about Senator Barack Obama. His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee – and I believe the next president of the United States – contradict his inspiring and courageous career,” Jackson Jr. wrote in a statement.
Jackson said his comments were in reference to visits Obama has made to Black churches during his campaign, at which the 46-year-old senator has said Black folks are responsible for their families and their communities. While Jackson has also been outspoken about Black America’s responsibility to play an active role in improving its plight, he has been careful to highlight the government’s responsibility to provide equal opportunity and racial justice.
But, Jackson knows that everything one says while wearing a microphone in a television studio is on the record. He also knows that a careless remark – even one he thought was off the record – can be costly. After all, it was his clumsy reference to Jews as “Hymies” and New York as “Hymietown” during his 1984 presidential bid that nearly destroyed his lifelong work within the Jewish community. And his gaffe late last year about Obama “acting White” perhaps revealed Jackson’s latent belief that the Illinois senator’s political perspective was out of line with that of the traditional civil rights establishment.
Granted, this was a careless move on Jackson’s part, but I also know it was not intended to do harm to the Obama’s shot at being commander and chief. After hearing his comments had been recorded, Jackson appeared on CNN to publicly apologize, issued a statement to the press and called the senator’s office with his apology.
His immediate actions may slow his roll on political chatter, but what it won’t stop speculation about some underlying dissention among old-school Black leadership regarding Obama’s candidacy. The topic wasn’t on the radar before this and support for Obama appeared unwavering.
Bill Burton, spokesman for the Obama campaign, suggested that the brouhaha was being blown out of proportion. “Of course” the senator accepts the reverends apology, he said. Jackson’s son’s wasn’t so forgiving. “Reverend Jackson is my dad and I’ll always love him,” he said But, “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.”
Whew, I bet the next family dinner will be a bit tense at the Jackson’s house.
This is so discouraging… I do not understand why Jackson (a minister) would allow himself to say something that low about someone… regardless if the $*% was on or not. When do “we” as a people stop condemning each other? Jesse is entitled to his opinion but the verbiage and the medium he chooses he seems to use little thought or he simply doesn’t care. I hope that’s not the case. As we will all disagree on views of others it’s another thing to state you want to cut someone’s “n**s off”. VIOLENCE!!! Even in jest… Why give others fuel to put on the fire? It doesn’t make sense. This is my belief/opinion.. I feel Rev. Jackson may be bitter or jealous of Obama’s political and public success and wide-spread appeal. Instead of encouraging Obama he’s knocking him. It’s not what you say in the presence of someone but what you say behind their back may suggest one’s true views/beliefs. I applaud Barack for accepting Jackson’s apology… Now, it’s time to move on and for Rev Jackson to understand “it’s not about Jackson”.
CRABS IN A BARRELL!!!! WHEN WILL IT STOP?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
GO SIT DOWN SOMEWHERE, JESSE YOUR TIME IS OVER.
this is the problem with my people we always at each other’s throat over some bull…. It’s time to come together and support the first black president. Tell the truth we thought we would never see it happen but here it is and Jesse stabin this intellegnt black soldger in the back. Can we come together for once…. peace, x
Looks like someone despiratly needs a reality check. Mr. jackson before you go around talking about castrating mr obama mabye you should go look after your illigimate daughter. The fact that obama is in the position he’s in proves that you mr jackson ( 1/2 of the poverty pimp duo ) are merely an after thought ‘ a mere relic to the past ‘ and an out of touch hater. Now it’s full steam on to the white house. GO OBAMA . Obama 08
Jessie Jackson set us back 50 years witht this b.s. I’ve lost respect for him. No longer can he stand behind and pulpit and preach to me. Not when he’s thinking of castrating his own brother. Why? Because Barack made further strides then you?
Then how do you teach the kids and Rappers and Athletes not to beef if you’re doing it?
FIRST OF ALL, LETS NOT JUMP OR JUDGE TO HARSHLY OR TO SOON. WHAT WAS SAID BY REV JACKSON WAS WRONG BECAUSE HE IS A MAN OF THE CLOTH, A MAN OF GOD, A PREACHER. NO MAN OF GOD SHOULD BE USING THOSE TYPE OF WORDS ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON.
JESSIE KNEW WHAT HE WAS REALLY SAYING, AND SO DOES THE GUY JESSIE WAS TALKING TO. JESSIE DIDNT REALLY MEAN BODILY HARM.
I BELIEVE JESSIE SUPPORT SEN BARRACK, HE WAS JUST UPSET WITH SOME OF THE COMMENTS THE SENATOR HAS BEEN MAKING ABOUT HIS PEOPLE.
SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, BARRACK DOES REPRESENT THE BLACK PEOPLE OF AMERICA. HE IS NOT JUST A MAN RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. HE IS A BLACK MAN, REPRESENTING HIS PEOPLE.
I am not only outraged but saddened at the recent comments made by Rev. Jackson. I cannot believe someone that once stood side by side to one of the most influential and respected men of our time would say something so demeaning and stupid. Jesse I believe that you have not only lost your way, but you have potentially permanently damaged what was once a solid reputation in the black community.My prayers go out to you, and I leave you with this one suggestion: Get on your knees and PRAY!!!
Stop! People are not allowed to disagree, or have an opposing view with what Mr Obama says or do now?. Well Jesse just simply strongly disagree with Baracks’s tone or demeanour in his address, SO WHAT? america is still a free country I would hope. Keep HOPE ALIVE!
ITS LIKE CRABS IN A BARREL!
I really don’t know why Mr. Jackson (a so call Rev) would even think something like this never mind whispering it. All our next President was saying was that black fathers need to step up and help raise their children or at least pay child support and what was so bad about that? Its happens to be true. It certainly didn’t warrent a comment of “cutting his nuts out”. Well at least our next President knows now what side Jessie Jackson is on and he also knows he can’t be trusted. I can’t even believe that someone with his intelligence would even think that way. A SO CALL REVERAND!!! Blows my mind
I am not only outraged, but I am Saddened by the recent comments made by Rev. Jackson. I can’t beleive someone that once stood side-by-side to one of the most influential men of our time would say something so demeaning and stupid. I believe that you have not only lost your way, but you have surcummed to the one thing that you made an oath to help others face, “THE WORLD”. I only hope that you will find your way back, mend fences and help Sen. Obama change the minds of not only the people of America, but the World as you once did with Rev. King. I wish you luck and leave you with this one suggestion: get down on your knees and PRAY!!!
Let the man(Obama) get in the kitchen (white house)before you camplain about the food choices. That is strickly up to the chef(Obama) .Please let Obama work on the groups that are hardest to sell, as a black candidate. He’s got “most” of the black votes. And he has not talked down to any one because they’re black. If Jessie feels that way, maybe he thinks we have small mines and he should speaks for us (blacks). There, who’s calling the Kittle black? Don’t forget to VOTE!
O’yeah, where’s Hillary? Anyone seen her on the Campaign trail? I Haven’t! Jesse, speak up about dat!
I feel the real way Rev. Jackson felt about Obama finally came out. I always go by this qoute, ” What is your mind, is whats in your heart… wahts in your heart will soon come out your mouth.” In Rev. Jackson’s case his came out the wrong way.
Yes, we are all guilty of something, but these are not the words of a caring minister. They are pure envy. We usually say Jessie Jackson not Rev. Jessie. Something is wrong when you don’t associate the minister with the minitry anymore. Maybe the shepard has been gone from his sheep too long. He is suppose to be set apart. It’s time for the Rev. to get out of politics and get back into prayer. It’s sad that we heard those words, but like that child, what you do in the dark will come to the light. I can only imagine the advice he has given Obama. I bet he has told him to watch out for people who grin in your face and talk behind your back. Ok Al Sharpton let’s hear you justify this behavior. This already feels like it’s bringing us closer together and that is my prayer people.
WHEN I HEARD REV JACKSON WAS GOING TO BE ON FOX NEWS I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SAID CRAZY , FOX NEWS BEEN MAKING FOOLS OUT OF EVERY BLACK PERSON THAT GO ON IT ,IT’S NOT A SURPRISE TO ME THAT IT WAS SAID ON FOX NEWS … FROM WHAT I SEE ALOT OF OLDER BLACK PEOPLE REALLY REALLY REALLY DON’T LIKE OBAMA AND THATS COOL THEY HAVE THEIR RIGHT … THE OLDER BLACK PEOPLE LIKE REV. JACKSON IS STILL SING WE SHALL OVERCOME , AND WE THE NEW GENERATION IS SING YES WE CAN , WE HAVE GOT TO COME TOGETTER AS A PEOPLE … ALL I KNOW IS DON’T GO ON FOX NEWS IF YOU BLACK .
First of all people got to understand, it saddens me to say this but 70% of your own people are just like crabs. When your on the way to the top the crabs that smile and hold your hand to take a pic is the same crab that will stop at nothing just to pull you back into the pot. Living proof rev wright is a very good friend of Bill Clinton, out of no where he started saying things that people tryed to use against oboma to hurt him, but luckly OBOMA knows alittle something about crabs…lol. Jessie Jacksons ass didnt make it anywhere near the white house presidental seat. Old and stuck in his ways, on the real he is a straight up hater. OBOMA my brother from another mother, please stay strong and watch out for those crabs some of them have very long arms…BE PEACE
U see the Democrats are the real RACIAL Hipocrats. I would rather know someone is a racist than think he and his party is for me and their just Sheep in Wolves clothing. “Out of the abundance of the HEart THE mouth speaks”
jesse is just mad that he is not in the position to run for the pres….
Let’s just face it, Jesse Jackson is a hater!!! He was so busy all up Clinton’s a__!! Talking bout he’s the closes thing to a black president as we go get. Well Jesse is jealous that an real educated black man, that graduated from Harvard Law, and is for every race, not just for black folks, is possible going to be the next President. Martin Luther King, Jr. speech “I have a dream” once again is unfolding right before our eyes. Reality is, If Obama becomes the next President of the United States, Jesse Jackson can no longer preach the “white man holding us down” speech to black folks no more. Jesse Jackson needs to take his medicine and go sit down somewhere!!!