Rev. Jesse Jackson is distressed. "Very distressed," to be exact. The reason for Jackson's current distress level is this: While waiting to begin an on-air segment with Reid Tuckson, EVP of United Health Group, at Fox News Channel's Chicago Bureau, Jackson said some things about Barack Obama. Apparently, he said some very bad things. Unbeknownst to Jackson, the Fox mics were on and caught every bit of the conversation, during which the former presidential candidate expressed his displeasure over Barack Obama's recent speeches about morality at black churches. The things he said are so bad — and reportedly "racial in nature" — that they will only be able to offer short soundbites on The O'Reilly Factor (of course) tonight. There's no telling exactly what was said, or how bad it is, because no one will actually repeat it. One quote has made its way through the pipeline, courtesy of Matt Drudge. Apparently, Jesse Jackson would like to "cut [Obama's] nuts out." Damn.
Clearly, a preemptive apology from distressed Jesse was in order.
"This is a sound bite in a broader conversation about urban policy and racial disparities. I feel very distressed because I'm supportive of this campaign and with the senator, what he has done and is doing," he said. "I said he comes down as speaking down to black people. The moral message must be a much broader message. What we need really is racial justice and urban policy and jobs and health care. That's a range of issues on the menu.
"Then I said something I regret was crude. It was very private. And very much a sound bite," he also said.
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It's a simple issue of jealousy. Jesse will never be happy to see Barack succeed where he has failed. And he's got some nerve to be 'distressed' about Barack speaking about moral issues. Whatever did happen with that baby Jesse fathered outside his marriage a few years ago?
This is no surprise. Those civil-rights era African-Americans tend not to side with Barack Obama for whatever reasons.
I just hope that this doesn't get spun by racist Fox News into some sort of black-on-black hate bullshit. "Oh look, if even black people don't like Barack Obama, why should anyone else?"
"Haters Everywhere we go"
I also agree that it is jealousy but what makes this worse is that he said it on Faux News, ugh! Now the media is saying, "What does this mean for the black community?" WTH?!?
"What does this mean for the black community?" I think with Barack being a valid contender for the presidency, it means the perception in the media that the "black community" takes its marching orders from Jesse and Company is dying. The media is learning we are not monolithic, just like white people aren't monolithic.
"it means the perception in the media that the “black community” takes its marching orders from Jesse and Company is dying."
I hope you are right but that is not the vibe I got from watching the Today show this morning when Matt Lauer was questioning Michael Eric Dyson about what this means to the black community as a whole as if he can answer that question…
Respectfully, Matt Lauer doesn't speak for all white people or all media anymore than Jesse and Michael Eric Dyson speak for all Black people. The media will try to make it a big story, but it will die a quick death.
What really made me angry was when he said Obama is talking down to black people. Perhaps he had a problem with Obama's speech on Father's day about how black men need to stand up and take responsibility. Jesse has an illegitimate kid from an affair. Hmmmm
And what is talking down to black people mean? That really pisses me off because he's not taking into account the MANY intelligent, educated and successful black people who know who they are and where they come from, but know that we can do better as a people. It's a slap in our face. And it suggests that in order to support a black candidate, he's got to relate to us "on our level" That is bullshit!!!
"Respectfully, Matt Lauer doesn’t speak for all white people or all media anymore than Jesse and Michael Eric Dyson speak for all Black people. The media will try to make it a big story, but it will die a quick death."
I don't believe Matt Lauer is the only journalist who asked, "what does this mean for the Black community", it has been a question posed by the 24 hour news stations since the news hit but let's hope that it will die quickly…
Maybe the fact that Jesse thinks he speaks for the entire black community is the reason he's got such a big mouth. Really- what he said is pretty inexcusable. You have to have a screw loose to allow an utterance like that to escape. And on camera? How "private" can something you say be if you say it when you know you're wearing a mic?
I remember Obama making a statement about "Popeyes chicken for breakfast" and I thought that it was rude, condecending, unneccessary and stereotypically offensive.
Mabye this is what he was refering to.
P.S.
Jesse jackson nor sharpton speaks for us. It is now Obama. That is equally problematic.
Let us get real AA's will never have public space where they can speak for themsleves. We will always be reduced to a public figure who will do the talking.
Obama can say whatever he wants because black people will just nod even if they disagree.
Bullshit on Jesses part. He fucked up real bad this time.
Don't necessarily think it's jealousy. People are entitled to their opinions. I do think politicians talk down to people but it also makes them more accessible. There's shifting that takes place and this is not at all specific to Obama. Bill Clinton does it. Tony Blair did it.