Run, Jesse, Run!

Many, if not most, black Americans have been onto the antics of Jesse Jackson for quite some time. Finally, some of that disgust is making it to the major media.

November 25, 2003 — A Loop rally demanding more jobs for young black men turned into a protest against the leadership of Reverend Jesse Jackson. [SNIP]

"We are tired of coming here to voice our opinion when we got African-American people sitting at the table and saying they represent our interests and playing this puppet game," said one protester.[SNIP]

"They lashed out at Dr. King, they lashed out at Nelson Mandela, they lashed out at Jesus, so all of those who fight for change become the object of frustration," said Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rainbow-Push Coalition.

Get off the Cross, Jesse. Jesus died so you wouldn’t have to.

I once got into the usual discussion about “black leaders” in which Jackson was held up as Exhibit A. I disputed the assertion that black Americans held this man up as a leader and said that it was white guilt that had created the Jesse Jackson persona and problem. After all, black-owned corporations aren’t being shaken down by Jackson for hush money.

Jesse Jackson is white America’s problem.

How about this: the next corporation that finds itself in Jackson’s crosshairs grows some testicles and says “sue us.” Yes, you, too, can be free at last.

Comments

[Indigo]

Kudos on this one too, Juliette. I've often wondered the same thing.

[ErikZ]

Because companies aren't about balls. They're about having a safe job. Taking on Jackson would require people of character in the company to band together.

I don't see either of those things happening very often in a company.

[MommaBear]

NASCAR finally ditched him, but it took all too long.

[teal marie]

K, got it. Now, to whom does Al Sharpton belong, problem-wise?

[baldilocks]

Sharpton belongs to those that support him; in his case, mostly black people, as far as I can tell. And, until the last few years, none outside of New York state.

In both cases, however, it's the media--mostly white, liberal and "guilty"--that have put these characters in more spotlight and brought them more regard than they deserve.

[baldilocks]

ErikZ: The Balls metaphor simply indicates corporations that possess enough business savvy to know when it's best to call someone's bluff. Know any companies that value that particular quality?

In my opinion, many of these corporations are under the mistaken assumption that most black people would care if, say, NASCAR had just told Jesse to bugger off. Sure, Jesse might get some of his minions to protest, make it look like he stood for all black Americans. But the truth is that after the storm blew over, the corporation would likely come out the winner, both financially and in reputation.

[Steve H.]

I cannot believe Acidman called you an "ugly-assed baby."

That picture does kind of remind me of Nell Carter, though.

I admire your guts, taking on Jesse Jackson. I criticize him, too, but a white person can do that and still get invited to parties.

[baldilocks]

Steve: :-P

[Acidman]

I have all kinds of nerve, Steve. Juliette knows me well enough not to be offended when I call her an ugly-assed baby. I believe that she takes it as a compliment.

Who's your Daddy, mama?

[baldilocks]

You are, Big Daddy.

[Steve H.]

I wouldn't be picking on other people's ugly babies after posting photos of that fine-looking dog of yours.

[baldilocks]

Steve: When my mom reads that ugly baby stuff, she's going to hunt you down. You'd better start wearing that Michael Moore fat/ugly suit right now.

[Bloodthirsty Warmonger]

Getting back to the original subject, I have to agree that Jesse Jackson (omitting "the Reverend," since he doesn't appear to be a practicing minister of the gospel) has become a self-parody and living caricature who resembles no black person I know.

[Steve H.]

I didn't say you were ugly. I said you looked like Nell Carter.

Okay, I see your point.

[Paul]

As usual, another excellent post, Juliette.