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When Jesse Had Game
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Posted By:
areid at 07/14/2008 5:20:30 PM
Comment:
In my opinion, much of today's issues in my community are directly related to leaders like Jesse Jackson who chose to continue to protest against other races rather than promoting personal responsibility within our own. When every issue that comes up is immediately turned into a protest toward another group in this country, how can we expect that our community to take responsibility for itself, or correct any of the issues? Absent fathers... It's "The Man's" fault. High crime in predominately black communities... It's "The Man's" fault. I can't get a job because I'm illiterate... It's "The Man's" fault... On and on and on... When the day comes that we all stop looking for someone else to blame, we'll stand a chance of fixing our problems. Until leaders like Jesse step up and start looking at themselves and encouraging others to do the same, we're in for many more years of the same old rhetoric. Just look at Jesse's latest goof. Now that Barrack could actually become "The Man", Jesse falls back on protesting and attacking again, instead of taking the issue on as his own. Pitiful. Had he done anything but blame someone else in the last 50 years, he'd be far better prepared for what's coming and so would the rest of our community. -
Posted By:
krcroskey at 07/11/2008 9:08:17 PM
Comment:
As I read the comments by choobop74, my thoughts go to the attitude of our "brothers". Perhaps one should look at the fact that to many "brothers" claim to have children, but when responsibilty time comes, they demand a DNA, they quit jobs and hustle, they allow baby moma drama prvent them from relationships with these children that didn't ask to come into this world. Baby moma's must shoulder responsibility also for this dis-service to these children. If we would only remember when our great, great, great grandparents were separated from their children by force, men sought out their children, some mothers even then had to hold the family together, what was left, never giving up hope that the father would find them or they would find the father. When we look at this society we live in today, the absents of the father, and the role modles that are looked up to don't reflect the African American family I grew up in. I also am divorced and have two children that are grown now, but I experienced baby moma drama and child support but I also realized, these are a part of me, and I didn't need a DNA test. Sometimes this is needed but it has became a convienence and a too; of denial until proven by the test. What does this do to the child that only desires "LOVE" from their father? Yes, we need to keep hope alive, by keeping hope in these children.
Reverend Kenneth Croskey -
Posted By:
srn@hafetzlaw.com at 07/11/2008 2:12:00 PM
Comment:
Thank you for speaking up for Jessie. I went to view the Sesame Street link and it is unbelievably lovely. I will show it to my children - I believe it still carries power in today's world. -
Posted By:
choobop74 at 07/11/2008 12:12:51 AM
Comment:
Just one more thing....I love Jesse, despite what so many people think. He has truly been "A Man of the People". Keep hope alive Barak and you too Jesse Jr. -
Posted By:
choobop74 at 07/11/2008 12:09:50 AM
Comment:
After reading the article and checking out the various comments, what noone seems to want to talk about is was Jesse right. Is Barak talking down to black folks? I could care less about Barak's "nuts".
Barak's comments about taking care of one's children have been a common topic of conversation at the barber shops and spade tables I frequent for at least 15-20 years. I do suspect all he's doing is replicating Bill Clinton's Sista Souljah" strategy for the benefit of white folk. Hey, I don'y have a problem with that. He's only doing what (in the words of Rev Wright) politicans do to get elected.
However, back to the point. I happen to believe that there is a element of truth to Jesse's statement. I live in North Carolina where BO has two commercials in heavy rotation. I only saw one black person in the two and a blurred photo in the background of one them, which must have been Michelle and the girls.
How can a commercial emphasizing one's work as an organizer in Chicago not have one identifiable "'Black" person in the commercial. The city is 40% black!! I've seen BO publically address the concerns of Central American and Mexican latinos (immigration), Cuban latinos (Castro), Jews (Israel and its neighbors) and the White working class (jobs, jobs,jobs) . I don't believe there is anything wrong with doing what he doing. But when it comes to "our" community the best he can do is tell black men to better fathers. I have yet to see him address a major black audience since he sewed up the nomination. If I'm wrong, could someone please correct me. I believe, and I think Jesse Sr. agrees with me. There is more to "black" america than just absent fathers. I care about the economy! I care about the impact of illegal immigration on my community! I care about reviving the inner city! I care about crumbling schools and inferior education in the ghettos of America! I care about gang violence. What about the Katrina victims, racial profiling, livable wages. I also care about a son telling his father to shut up, just because he doesn't agree with him. I would never have the nerve to tell my dad to just shut up and go sit in the corner. But, I digress............. In my opinion these are some of the things Jesse was talking about. The black men I know are a lot more complex than the "baby daddy syndrome". -
Posted By:
krcroskey at 07/10/2008 8:59:35 PM
Comment:
Every man wants to be credited for his work and his accomplishments. The problem I see in this is that wrapped up in this is a lot of self, and in the same package is envy. Why should envy enter in when more than just one man and women gave so much, to realize "such a time as this". These went to their grave with hope and determination, yet were not able to see the results of their labor. It was never one man but many men and women. Barack is the result of their tears, their blood, their sweat, their labor, their love for a future generation, willing to sacrifice without the glory of recognition in their time, yet this labor brought forth fruit. When Jesse had game, Jesse was concerned about people, today I wonder, is he more concerned about Jesse? Reverend Croskey -
Posted By:
guapoboy at 07/10/2008 8:41:13 PM
Comment:
Reading the article by Marjorie made me feel as if I had writen it myself. I am also someone who came to America from Trinidad and became an american citizen. I was also very proud of the Reverend Jackson and remembered the day that he visited my army base in Fulda, Germany when he was running for President. Over the last few years I began to view him in a different way, but I always remembered when he was my hero. I hope that the world treats him, and remembers him for the great things that he did in the past. -
Posted By:
eldc at 07/10/2008 7:43:15 PM
Comment:
Enjoyable article and I'm happy to see that you have pointed out his often overlooked diplomatic contributions. Despite his more recent unpopular comments, he has accomplished alot in his life and has been willing and able to have discussions and get results where others have not. -
Posted By:
newage44 at 07/10/2008 7:32:34 PM
Comment:
Most revealing. It's good to see someone stand up for a former Civil Rights Icon when even his son scolded him. Perhaps Jesse needs to see the Sesame Street excerpt as well to see how far he has fallen from grace. Then, perhaps, he can start the new, even harder climb back to prominence in a different, changing world we all ponder.
As a man of the cloth, allegedly, I wonder if he ever asks himself what Martin Luther King would do?....Now , there was a man for all seasons - especially now. Perhaps the frustration of living in the shadow of the immortal Dr. King
has caused Mr. Jackson the long hidden frustration he feels especially now as Barack Obama appears to carry the mantle of the man he so desperately wanted to either exceed or equal.
At least, that's the way it seems to me. -
Posted By:
cancan at 07/10/2008 5:45:24 PM
Comment:
I am of your generation and I remember all those iconic images and words of Jesse and others of the Civil Rights era.
I have now come to see how so many brothers from the movement got so seduced by the news media and being one of the people that were consulted and called, that they began to be reduced to the sound bites and fiery rhetoric they spouted rather than lasting, institution building.
Aging is difficult, moving aside to let younger people in a different world take charge is challenging, being graceful seems to be in short commodity for some people.
I wrote a blog entry called Apology Not Accepted about how I just don't buy the apologies people make when they are caught saying what they mean. That Jesse would use certain language and images against "a brother" shows some things about him and his character that it is hard to swallow but are incredibly clear. I felt the same about some of the comments Bob Johnson and Andrew Young made earlier in the campaign. Envy, jockeying, trash-talking, whatever, time's up for this nonsense. Please keep your mouth shut so we can hold you in some esteem for the achievements and contributions you made that no one can take away from you. -
Posted By:
ron6 at 07/10/2008 5:39:21 PM
Comment:
As a white person who has often bristled at some of the statements and actions he has made, I nonetheless had grudging respect for many of the contributions Jesse Jackson has made to the Civil Rights Movement. Your article has given me a new found appreciation for the challenges he has faced, the contributions he has made, and the humanity of a man who wanted to make a difference. I realize that in my respect for his contributions, I have underappreciated what he has sought to accomplish and what he has accomplish, and made the lives of not only people of color better, but the lives of all Americans as well. -
Posted By:
Semi Driver at 07/10/2008 5:06:38 PM
Comment:
Jess Jackson, in a word. In a negative word, QUOTA's -
Posted By:
ruth at 07/10/2008 3:01:08 PM
Comment:
Right on point! I'ts been fully 35 years since I sat with other civil rights leaders in my community discussing, in a not-too-friendly a manner, the topic - where do we go from here, how has the movement changed, and how do we change with it?
Unfortunately some of us never faced that question, and Jesse Jackson is prominent among them. But, this is not to denigrate his amazing accomplishments and contributions to the struggle. If he recognizes the passage of time and the mark of history, he'll lean back and rest on his laurels.
rshechter@kc.rr.com -
Posted By:
ReecieMason at 07/10/2008 2:34:45 PM
Comment:
Lovely! -
Posted By:
hubba2008 at 04/25/2008 1:51:17 PM
Comment:
that was a magnificent article about Jesse. I believe he has been overlooked in terms of his accomplishments and deeds. Just because he is a human, his great deeds go unappreciated. When he is gone and the journalists turn to his list of accomplishments they will know that they walked among a great man, but were blind to his greatness. -
Posted By:
mdclark at 04/20/2008 1:55:01 AM
Comment:
Jesse had some of the same moral failings and inconsistencies that we all can succumb to...so the arc of his life is full of triumph as well as tragedy. Just like anyone's. His accomplishments stand on their own and his contributions should not be diminsished based on some of his more public shortcomings. WE ARE A DEMIANDING PEOPLE TO SERVE AND SOMETIMES AS FOLLOWERS WE FAIL THOSE WHO WOULD LEAD US TOO.....Jesse deserves our respect, sometimes people can't be everything we need them to be, but that's what makes them people...history and reflection makes them heroes -
Posted By:
jericho4119 at 04/17/2008 7:46:18 AM
Comment:
Let me add my thanks to the long list here: Thanks you, Marjorie for reminding us all of who Jesse is. I had that same thought as we marked the 40th anniversary of the assassination of MLK, Jr.: Where is Jesse? As you said, we all know his failings - but in the year 2008 we all also know the failings of our Presidents, our Governors, our Senators and yes, our Reverends. Why should we allow Jesse to bear the burden of all their sins alone?
We - as Black People - need to venerate this man for all he has done for us and allow no one to take that status from either him or us. -
Posted By:
aprilsong at 04/16/2008 6:23:38 PM
Comment:
Thank you, Marjorie Valbrun, for your reminiscent column on Jesse Jackson. I, too, once covered a speech by Jackson as an intern for The Associated Press during his 1984 presidential campaign. I was intimidated as well, and ended up filing my story without any direct quotes because of it. But his message strongly affected me and I believe millions of others. His tag line, "Keep Hope Alive!" seems even more relevant today. I have also compared his candidacy to Barack Obama's and find that, despite his flaws, I will always believe that Jackson had a stronger commitment to his message than Obama. Jesse's fire seemed ignited by an unadulterated desire to help the underclass. Even though implicitly he was talking about African Americans in many cases, his passion seemed to resonate naturally with a polyglot of voters, especially those who were feeling hope slipping away from them. He didn't need to explicitly include whites and blacks in his message--as a young white voter, I felt his regard. Senator Obama, on the other hand, I am not sure what motivates him. -
Posted By:
maliph at 04/16/2008 5:06:39 PM
Comment:
thank always, we sem to bear the hopes, dreams, asirations of our race on our shoulders.even as we wear it dirty laundry.
i know i mix metaphors, but, thank you, young lady, for seeing obvious, that there is great, in each of us, sometimes senn only when we touch each other, in close circuit. -
Posted By:
bola at 04/16/2008 4:09:14 PM
Comment:
TO ME, HE STILL DOES; DESPITE ALL THE CHARACTER ASSASINATIONS BY THE BIASED AND ARCH-CONSERVATIVE MEDIA. -
Posted By:
Greg B at 04/16/2008 3:59:31 PM
Comment:
" A prophet is not without honor except in his own home among members of his own household". White America will never forgive Mr Jackson for speaking truth to power and having the audacity to play the game at the highest level. He is a lion and these bootlicking hankerchief head mainstream blacks who find it so profitable to allow right wing demagogues to supply them with thoughts and words because they have none of their own have forgotten the debt they owe to Jesse and his comrades in the struggle for human dignity. Keep hope alive. -
Posted By:
mudhog at 04/16/2008 3:16:01 PM
Comment:
I first learned of Jesse Jackson about the same time you did. If my memory is correct, he appeared on a Jazz Crusaders album. That made me aware of him and alert to references to him in the media. He did a great amount of good and seemed to have potential for much more. I sorrow too at what has happened to him
FWIW, I'm a white male in his 60s.
--Gino -
Posted By:
nancy at 04/16/2008 3:10:07 PM
Comment:
The role of Sesame Street in the civil rights movement.
A friend pointed out to me how completely radical Sesame Street was when it premered in 1969. Sesame Street offered many suburban white Americans their first exposure to ethnic diversity in general and biracial couples-specifically. No wonder Republicans hate PBS and are constantly trying to pull funding away from Big Bird. -
Posted By:
udeda at 04/16/2008 3:04:28 PM
Comment:
I will bet the author thinks Reverend Jeremiah Wright is a hero also. What is not understood is that keeping people angry about their lot in life does not do them any favors, it only keeps them perpetually angry and therefore unable to advance. Jesse Jackson and those other race hustlers he inspired should be ridiculed. Not celebrated. Until Black America gets that, they will be just like other perpetually angry cultures...Palestine ring a bell?-
Posted By:
Greg B at 04/17/2008 6:16:51 AM
Comment:
A perpetually angry culture iis often a perpetually wronged culture. Those who believe that opressed people should shut up and take it as you imply do not see these perpetually angry groups as expressing the divine right of free people to uphold what is right and cry out against what is wrong. If that makes you uncomfortable and resentful, good. Somebody is doing their job. Power to the People
-
-
Posted By:
Zelda Sayre at 04/16/2008 2:51:07 PM
Comment:
Jackson's "Rainbow Coalition" speech to the 1984 Democratic National Convention was electrifying and awesome. It's here: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jessejackson1984dnc.htm -
Posted By:
misterunionguy at 04/16/2008 2:36:24 PM
Comment:
Thanks for your article. There must be a lot of pressure as the point man for civil rights and that has got to take a toll on anyone. Considering all that he's seen, done, and lived through... I think Jesse has come through remarkably well. No, he's not unscathed, but he's still worthy of our love and respect. God bless you, Jesse! -
Posted By:
rantmagazine:boohoo at 04/16/2008 1:15:02 PM
Comment:
I feel so bad-I used to think he was a joke to. Now I put my head down in shame. -
Posted By:
rantmagazine:boohoo at 04/16/2008 1:14:16 PM
Comment:
This is so interesting. I'm embarrassed to say that I picked him as a joke but hopefully me excuse can be that I'm in Afro English! -
Posted By:
Timoteo at 04/16/2008 1:00:40 PM
Comment:
Thanks for an incredibly balanced piece on Jesse Jackson. The mainstream AND black media have tended to pile on the Jesse we know today, but we ALL change as time goes by. I don't read anything in the press about Jesse's foray on Wall Street some years ago (The Wall Street Project), when he attempted to gain for people of color what is MOST important for equality - economic strength. He held Wall Street's old boys club's feet to the fire. Some would call that grandstanding and attention-whoring, but it was important and necessary to address a genuine issue in this country as a whole. The media at large has greatly failed to produce a balanced look at the man - failures AND successes. -
Posted By:
Timoteo at 04/16/2008 12:56:16 PM
Comment:
Thanks for an incredibly balanced piece on Jesse Jackson. The mainstream AND black media have tended to pile on the Jesse we know today, but we ALL change as time goes by. I don't read anything in the press about Jesse's foray on Wall Street some years ago, when he attempted to gain for people of color what is MOST important for equality - economic strength. The media at large has greatly failed to produce a balanced look at the man - failures AND successes. -
Posted By:
imbibe at 04/16/2008 12:26:44 PM
Comment:
And I cannot forget Reverend Jackson's embrace of Arafat and his labeling NYC "Hymietown." In addition, Reverend Jackson seems to have money to traverse the globe and possesses baubles and bling that could feed hundreds. Lastly, Reverend Jackson was often at odds with Reverend King during the nascent civil rightd movement and could be quite stealthy in his opposition when he did not get his way. -
Posted By:
vbgo at 04/16/2008 12:13:20 PM
Comment:
I voted for Jesse Jackson in 1984. People said I was a stupid honky. I wanted change then, I demand it now. I am a 54 year old white female. Thanks for the memory. -
Posted By:
Michaele at 04/16/2008 11:56:25 AM
Comment:
Thanks for reminding me why Rev. Jesse Jackson was a powerful voice of inspiration for my generation. I too, realize that his star has dimmed as he lost his message of hope to more pressing matters. This speaks well to why we can recognize the great talent that often comes in a man's youthful idealism.
Barack Obama found a way to rekindle my youthful idelaism with his great books. Hope is back in a more pragmatic message that fits the 21st Century global reality. -
Posted By:
ce.jbjohnson at 04/16/2008 11:44:37 AM
Comment:
A great story, I too felt like you about Jesse Jackson. Now thanks to you I have a new found respect for him. Because I can say he has remained true to being an activist. Which says a lot about his character, for that along will be remembered , and pass the test of time.
Judy Johnson -
Posted By:
charleso at 04/16/2008 11:30:46 AM
Comment:
Fantastic : You have lifted the clouds of anger and fear that overcame so many of JESSE`S delagates after he gave up with the nommination in reach. Al Gore was the only one with the courage to speake to Ca. delagates,while the "SUPER POWER BROKERS" worked their "white magic". We were given the one whose best move to push a laun mower. Your article should inspire Senator Obama to stay the course and "KEEP HOPE ALIVE".CHARLES O. -
Posted By:
bk at 04/16/2008 11:28:22 AM
Comment:
Right On, Marjorie,
As an immigrant from Nigeria to the US durning that period when Jesse was laying the path , along with many others , in a period a lot more hostile to our advancement , he had quite a positive impression on me.
His first run for the US Presidency was momentous for me. I was and still is tremendously impressed by his intellect,artuiculation, confidence and determination.
It defuddles me that some Obama's Supporters and some in the Press would think any reference to his efforts in that election ,his sucesses in harnessing some votes, in comparison to Obama's current efforts somehow diminishes or marginalise Obama.
We can be proud of both their efforts. -
Posted By:
miltondavis at 04/16/2008 11:27:28 AM
Comment:
Wonderful article. I especially love the part where you say that Jesse single handedly saved your career and now you're continuing that career bashing him. I'm sure he'd appreciate the loyalty. Ungrateful opportunist. -
Posted By:
terrible_t at 04/16/2008 11:16:32 AM
Comment:
The only reason Jesse had game was because of people like King, Young and Bond. He merely regurgetated what he received but he really did not fully embrace or understand. King was the sole scapegoat before the chaos who was the only one capable of carrying the oppression message before a naive and immature America. No one else is this country had the compassion and sincerity for all people like King and no one else in this country would be trusted by all people like King. King stood not just for black America, but he stood for America. The dream was evidence of that ideal. No one else since has had such a dream nor can fully interpret what he saw as he could. -
Posted By:
bk at 04/16/2008 11:06:56 AM
Comment:
MARJORIE,
THANK YOU for a nice piece on JESSE JACKSON and his impact on you. As a new immigirant from Africa to America just around Jesse Jackson first run for the Presidency of the United States, I had tremendous pride and joy seeing a smart articulate black man holding his own in that election.
This explains my beffudlement to see Barrack Obama Supporters and some in the Press accuse Bill Clinton of using the race card by referencing that election in comparing Obama's CAROLINA Primary Victory to Jesse's.
Say what you will. that was a BIG DEAL then and I see no harm in that comparison -
Posted By:
bookworm4 at 04/16/2008 11:06:43 AM
Comment:
We have to stand up for our own, and not let others determine who can represent us. Too many times our leaders are made to look inconsequential or too controversial and we run for the hills when they come near. Along with Jesse we need to acknoledge what Cynthia Mckinney, Minister Farakkan and Rev Sharpton has done. With out some of our leaders taking a direct inyour face role society would not pay attention to our leaders that are more conciliatory(acceptable). Bookworm4 -
Posted By:
ollp1 at 04/16/2008 10:55:31 AM
Comment:
MARJORIE,
THANK YOU for a nice piece on JESSE JACKSON and his impact on you. As a new immigirant from Africa to America just around Jesse Jackson first run for the Presidency of the United States, I had tremendous pride and joy seeing a smart articulate black man holding his own in that election.
This explains my beffudlement to see Barrack Obama Supporters and some in the Press accuse Bill Clinton of using the race card by referencing that election in comparing Obama's CAROLINA Primary Victory to Jesse's.
Say what you will. that was a BIG DEAL then and I see no harm in that comparison -
Posted By:
kevinkray at 04/16/2008 10:39:31 AM
Comment:
Also, in 1988, he was a lot closer to being a presidential nominee than many people who are treated more respectfully these days. Flawed or not, Jesse Jackson is an American hero, and at times embodies what is best about our country. -
Posted By:
terrible_t at 04/16/2008 10:34:09 AM
Comment:
The only reason Jesse had game was because of people like King, Young and Bond. He merely regurgetated what he received but he really did not fully embrace or understand. King was the sole scapegoat before the chaos who was the only one capable of carrying the oppression message before a naive and immature America. No one else is this country had the compassion and sincerity for all people like King and no one else in this country would be trusted by all people like King. King stood not just for black America, but he stood for America. The dream was evidence of that ideal. No one else since has had such a dream nor can fully interpret what he saw as he could. -
Posted By:
Ignacio57 at 04/16/2008 10:28:19 AM
Comment:
People from Chicago who followed politics from early on saw more of Jesse Jackson's "self-serving, attention-hungry, sometimes ethically-challenged" side than his more noble aspects. Maybe that's because of the nature of Chicago politics; maybe it's because familiarity breeds contempt. In any case, those of us who had to deal with him in Chicago for many years were puzzled that in 84 and 88 he was viewed as an inspirational candidate--he had done too much grandstanding and crass political maneuvering for that to fly with us. He had accomplished a lot--from helping to settle a firefighters strike to winning the release of middle east hostage--but in the end, Jackson had to have center stage for himself. Many people thought a key motivation for his 1984 run for the presidency was that the 1983 election of Harold Washington as Chicago's first African-American mayor had bumped Jackson off the top of the hill as the voice of blacks in Chicago. -
Posted By:
michdoug at 04/16/2008 10:26:05 AM
Comment:
Great article. I too grew up in the great Jesse Jackson years. Thank you for reminding me, just how great he was and is. -
Posted By:
Antone at 04/16/2008 10:21:02 AM
Comment:
While in the third grade my son had to write a report about Jesse Jackson and it bcame very apparent to me that many of our young children have never been introduced to some of our most important and influencial Black leaders. I think Revernd Jackson suffers from the same thing most of our leaders suffer from-the "Norm syndrome". That is the overexposer of one's self to the media. It tends to make people change the channel or turn the page even when the talking point is in their interest. It would do our society a service if we would not focus on so much minutia and take the time to look at the measure of the man and maybe not so much of man's frailties. To see where this man came from and where he is now can only be seen as a triumph and testament to the enduring strength of the man. Leaders can also go through dark times and thats when followers should enourage them to remain standing. -
Posted By:
Antone at 04/16/2008 10:17:08 AM
Comment:
While in the third grade my son had to write a report about Jesse Jackson and it bcame very apparent to me that many of our young children have never been introduced to some of our most important and influencial Black leaders. I think Revernd Jackson suffers from the same thing most of our leaders suffer from-the Norm syndrome". That is the overexposer of one's self to the media. It tends to make people change the channel or turn the page even when the talking point is in their interest. It would do our society a service if we would not focus on so much minutia and take the time to look at the measure of the man and maybe not so much of man's frailties. To see where this man came from and where he is now can only be seen as a triumph and testament to the enduring strength of the man. Leaders can also go through dark times and thts when followers should enourage them to remain standing. -
Posted By:
Samkou at 04/16/2008 9:49:32 AM
Comment:
Thank You Marjorie for your article about Jesse Jackson. I grew up and "came of age" during the time when Jesse was the "I AM SOMEBODY" inspiration of Black people the world over. Yes, his current reputation has overshadowed the icon of his past greatness but thanks again for highlighting the accomplishments of a man that was so instrumental to me as well as a untold number of young Black (African-American) men and women in the struggle to achieve a measured degree of equality. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT "I AM SOMEBODY" Thank you again. Samkou -
Posted By:
devilblue at 04/16/2008 9:46:17 AM
Comment:
What a beautiful, evocative story -- and what an unsentimental, yet touching portrayal of your link to a time and a man...
I'm not a huge Jesse fan -- but I too believe that, when the waters were most turbulent, most dangerous, he was there, struggling against the tide... -
Posted By:
Dave in VA at 04/16/2008 9:38:46 AM
Comment:
"Remember when Jesse Jackson wasn't a joke?"
No, I don't. And I'm old enough to remember the guy's entire career. -
Posted By:
Samkou at 04/16/2008 9:36:09 AM
Comment:
Thanks Marjorie for the article on Jesse Jackson. I grew up and "came of age" during those years when Jesse was a powerful spokesman for "I AM SOMEBODY", that aided Black People the world over in their struggled for equality. Yes, his current reputation has overshadowed but it is good to remember the man that has done so much for us. Thank you again for you article. Samkou -
Posted By:
rlwill at 04/16/2008 9:33:25 AM
Comment:
Jesse Jackson has represented the worst and the very best of America. Despite his missteps and failures, the man has done enough that his name should still invoke at least some respect. I do believe that he has been very self serving, but I also believe that there are many instances where you can see that a desire to bring a voice to a community that suffered without one for generations and to causes that are considered taboo in the mainstream has caused Mr. Jackson to do what many never have done, and that is force history to start a turn. Many of the men and women in our country, as well as the rest of the world ,who have played the part of rabble rouser and history maker were not perfect. The difference between them and the rest of the people around them is that they were and are brave enough to allow all their faults, bad judgements and poor choices stand in the light so that the good that they hope to help bring into the world can also be seen. Jesse Jasckson has lived out many of the bad choices and moral failings that cause people to laugh, but he was also one of the few that put a face on a cause that got a great man killed and seemed to do so without flinching back into the shadows. -
Posted By:
Mr shoe at 04/16/2008 9:12:29 AM
Comment:
I remember how Rev. Jackson forced coke and Pepsi to employ black men on delivery trucks on Chicago. He was an inspiration to my HS students. -
Posted By:
Mr shoe at 04/16/2008 9:10:53 AM
Comment:
I remember Rev. Jackson from his days in the '60s in Chicago. How he forced Coke and Pepsi to employ black men on delivery trucks with the threat of a boycott.
He was an inspiration to many young people then including my HS students.
Roger Berg -
Posted By:
otterveragin at 04/16/2008 8:57:31 AM
Comment:
What Rev. Jackson has become does not give the lie to what he was. I sincerely believe that he man who brought tears to my eyes when he spoke at the 1988 Democratic convention believed in what he said. In his fall I see almost a second fall of man. Politics and money are the apple on his tree of knowlege. One can not do one without the other and the need for money to fuel his political ambition lead to the pattern of blackmailing insufficiently integrated companies to contribute to his movement. Money moved from a means to an end to an end in itself proving once again the wisdom of scripture. Money is the root of all evil. -
Posted By:
bringbackmalcolm at 04/16/2008 8:36:03 AM
Comment:
It's ironic that those on the Civil Rights front in the late '60's and early '70's have become fodder for ridicule. What do you do when you outlive your cause? It's a Shakepearean question with no answer. We always ask the hypothetical question "..what would MLK think of this or that had he lived..". The real question might be what we would think of him. Scary. -
Posted By:
Obed at 04/16/2008 8:10:09 AM
Comment:
You are mistaking your wish that Jesse had become irrelevant for the reality. Jesse Jackson remains a powerful voice in American life. His voice constantly remains an irritation to an America that wants to settle into a de facto racist society. America dsires to be left in peace now that the laws on the books are non-racist. Your iritation with Jackson is that he wil not go away and keeps pushing for a society that is really nonracist and not merely so in the law books. Jesse's is a needed and evert relevant voice and you analysis is delusional and driven by your hubris that tells you that one's relevance is determined by whether the 'media' wants to cover one. -
Posted By:
jwpatent at 04/16/2008 7:30:11 AM
Comment:
Jesse is/was a good man. We all have flaws, but not many of us have the relentless scruntiny he has had over the years to put those flaws on public display. He kids are also terrific, I've heard them speak. Terrific kids do not show up w/o some good parenting along the way. Hang in there Jesse, you still matter to me. -
Posted By:
boyd at 04/16/2008 6:06:18 AM
Comment:
I beleive that it has always been the medias intention to discredit anyone who does anything for causes that many people do not want o defend. Jessie Jackson came to the aid of many who would not be supported otherwise. I believe instead of belittling this man one should take into account what he has given attention to rather than how people presume his life is now. -
Posted By:
johnraspao at 04/16/2008 4:13:02 AM
Comment:
Like I said. Get up, wash up and move up. i am JOHN CAT??N -
Posted By:
johnraspao at 04/16/2008 4:11:21 AM
Comment:
How easy it is for us to forgive our self when for forgivenessnof one self is the the essence of real ife itself. "IIf any man sins"... If we can get up, wash up and move up- Thaat verse will express its meaning in our life. John Cat??n -
Posted By:
khen-ken at 04/16/2008 3:55:07 AM
Comment:
***'EM!?!............Messy Jesse Jackson is a lame who has little morals. This article should have mentioned the foulness of MESSY Jesse too. For some reason I DID turned the television when I saw him on Sesame Street. I remembered when he came to School # 28, Paterson, N.J. I was so happy as a kid. "Keep Hope Alive!" Well we did until the *** killed it. People wrote about how this dude was a hypocrite. His problem was trying too damned hard to blend in with white political America. He had forgotten his own naturally good norms and ways. He is the worst in Black politics hands down! He is what standard America point to and say,??? Look, we gave the Blacks their leader! We gave them their chance and Messy Jesse Jackson drop the ball.??? Now, Blacks/African-Americans put too much weight on their leaders, but guess what who cares. They scream and yell about being a leader well here it is! Step up or fall back. That is why I say no one person can represent Blacks/African-Americans. Messy Jesse cannot do that nor can Obama. Both are too into the establishment. My generation and my children generation???s are dead without a true political hold of things because of old foul fossils like Messy Jesse, ???Big??? Al (Sharpton) and the ???oldie but goodies??? refuse to make way for some fresh leaders underneath these wannabe important people???s tired ass pull and political yokes. Instead of becoming classics these money hungry, uber egocentric ghetto UNCLE TOMs try to emulate the worst in their Caucasian counterparts. Like I real care about what this dude did overseas. That is why the young bloods out there are listening to Tupac. Tupac, get real. This rapper was a joke of a roll model for anybody. What is Messy Jesse doing in the urban neighborhoods? Nothing, but being worst than R.Kelly on prozac! Like I said in the beginning?????????.***???EM!?! -
Posted By:
khen-ken at 04/16/2008 3:49:37 AM
Comment:
***'EM!?!............Messy Jesse Jackson is a lame who has little morals. This article should have mentioned the foulness of MESSY Jesse too. For some reason I DID turned the television when I saw him on Sesame Street. I remembered when he came to School # 28, Paterson, N.J. I was so happy as a kid. "Keep Hope Alive!" Well we did until the *** killed it. People wrote about how this dude was a hypocrite. His problem was trying too damned hard to blend in with white political America. He had forgotten his own naturally good norms and ways. He is the worst in Black politics hands down! He is what standard America point to and say,??? Look, we gave the Blacks their leader! We gave them their chance and Messy Jesse Jackson drop the ball.??? Now, Blacks/African-Americans put too much weight on their leaders, but guess what who cares. They scream and yell about being a leader well here it is! Step up or fall back. That is why I say no one person can represent Blacks/African-Americans. Messy Jesse cannot do that nor can Obama. Both are too into the establishment. My generation and my children generation???s are dead without a true political hold of things because of old foul fossils like Messy Jesse, ???Big??? Al (Sharpton) and the ???oldie but goodies??? refuse to make way for some fresh leaders underneath these wannabe important people???s tired ass pull and political yokes. Instead of becoming classics these money hungry, uber egocentric ghetto UNCLE TOMs try to emulate the worst in their Caucasian counterparts. That is why these young bloods out here are listening to Tupac. Tupac, get real. This rapper was a joke of a roll model for anybody. Like I said in the beginning?????????.***???EM!?! -
Posted By:
PearA at 04/16/2008 2:38:32 AM
Comment:
Thank you for reminding us of Rev. Jackson's contributions. He gives all of us the truth. However, our peoples' issues still need resolution.
In my 60+ years I have consistently been treated as a segment, mass, minority, majority, coalition, voter group, district, state, local, voter or voice and/ or black/white, etc.
Lordy, I hate that. We are The People, and somebody better listen to all of us. Barrack Obama? I think so. God, I hope so. Bitter?
Nope. More like ignored.
P.A.
Thank you for this article, and letting me contribute. -
Posted By:
PearA at 04/16/2008 2:10:17 AM
Comment:
Thank you for reminding us of Rev. Jackson's contributions. He gives all of us the truth about most all Americans. Our issues need resolution. I'm a white, retired American.
Don't treat us like masses, or sheep! We are people, and we will be heard. Thank you. -
Posted By:
bigbill at 04/15/2008 10:30:51 PM
Comment:
Sweetheart, it wasn't competition for jobs that made black folk angry so much as you stepping to the head of the line to collect Affirmative Action from white folks when you were never oppressed.
For over two hundred years now, Haitians have made their own land a special hell on earth with no help from the white man, and here you come collect from American white folks -- OUR white folks -- like they were the author of Haitian suffering.
Given the cultural habits of Haitians to this day, it is no wonder Americans, both black and white, looked askance at y'all.
And what have you done since to help your own people, the Haitians? -
Posted By:
nola_diva at 04/15/2008 1:14:45 PM
Comment:
You are so right! Jesse knocked down a lot of barriers and did some great things for this country in spite of the establishment's rules against
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