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.
It is clear to me that you have some type of ax to grind with Senator Obama. You do not show him the type of respect that he deserves and my hunch is that you are frustrated that he is not beholden to you and did not follow the traditional path that you feel all African American leaders should follow.
When you said that Senator Obama is "talking down to black people" – I am interpreting that statement to really mean that Senator Obama is not speaking about issues like you would. You would be hard pressed to find ONE black man or woman (besides yourself) that feels like Senator Obama is speaking down to them on any issues whatsoever. It seems as if you want him to be less popular than he really is.
I have always respected your great contributions as a civil rights
leader and held meeting you and speaking alongside you at Morehouse College in
1999 as one of the highlights of my college career, but I regret to say that I am embarrased by your comments and hope that you will find a comfortable and graceful (if this is still possible) place to rest for the remainder of this campaign.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I can feel your words. I didn’t get to hear Jesse Jackson’s remarks, but from reading this post, I agree that he’s indeed ignorant for making such remarks.
Sounds like jealousy from the mouth of a man who wished he could be the first black president.
T H I N K | C H A N G E
Dr. King would be so proud.
what a moron.
Antwon – These are the lessons we have to learn while we are young man. When you are old, if you can’t celebrate young leaders – sit down or make yourself look foolish.
I could not let myself listen to his apology. He’s sorry he got caught. I think later when he looks back he may end up sorry, but right now he is too foolish.
I think you’re right mom. We forgive him nonetheless, but he is hurting himself more than anyone else.
-Shaun & Crew
Honestly I lost respect for him a long time ago. This weekends comments does not help in changing my mind.
Cyndi,
It gets to a point when your primary job is criticizing other people that the glass house shatters. I think people are pretty tired of career critics.
-Shaun & Crew
I share your point of view. I don’t know how it is OK with some people that we can talk so negatively about another Black person in ways that we would say are offensive if it came from a person of another race. What he said was unacceptable from anyone! He of all people knows the connection between castration and lynching in America. That is awful! The more time passes, the more angry I feel. I did not hold him as a spokesperson from me. I am beginning to swing to the opposite side of the fence, along with people who totally dislike him. If he hasn’t learned by his own mistakes, when will he learn? He needs to sit down and be quiet. He has his own skeletons in his closet. Deal with those. And, since his son is the national co-chair of Obama’s campaign, maybe he could choose to keep his mouth closed for him! Can he just be a supportive Dad instead of trying to stay in the limelight?
Whew! (Don’t get me started…)
Hey Karen,
Thanks for your comments. I share your sense of frustration. Sadly, I think that the media will now cover Jesse Jackson even closer now with the hopes that he sticks the other foot in his mouth.
Barack does a PHENOMENAL job at taking the high road time after time when he is attacked like this.
Hope you are well.
-Shaun & Crew
Why didn’t we hear from good’ol Jackson when Cosby was taking his comments across the country? This issue definitely speaks to a generation divide.
Dear Shaun,
It’s great to see members of the younger generation of people stepping up to tackle and solve the problems facing many members within the Black community. I wish you and your team ever success in this regard!
I also appreciate your well-reasoned response to Jesse Jackson’s wholly inappropriate comments on Faux News.
The one point I would take issue with, however, is that I know for a fact that many Black men and women do view Senator Obama’s one-sided speeches to and about the Black community as condescending.
As any educator, motivator, pastor, or coach knows, you better results by addressing what’s wrong by following it up with concrete actions to make it right. Words and speeches, alone, will never accomplish this.
Hopefully, Barack, realizes this and won’t simply rest on this TIRED approach to moving towards some imagined “center” that doesn’t really exist in this country or elsewhere.
I have hope…but I’ll continue to be vigilant in educating myself and others about holding politicians on “both” sides of the aisle accountable for their words and actions.
Hey Black Whole,
Hope you are doing well. Thanks for your comments!
The “imagined center” that you discussed is a lot more real than you think. A lot of us are not completely liberal or completely conservative. As a matter of fact, I think far more black folk are in the center with their views than on the far left.
For instance, I am pretty much against the death penalty (because it is too often misapplied), but am also pro-life. I want serious fiscal responsibility with government, but also believe in the faith based initiative.
I am in the center that you can’t imagine!
Jessie Jackson is simply jealous of Obama and his success!
Great post Shaun.
Thanks Eugene!
Hope you all are doing well man!
-Shaun & Crew