The State: Jesse Jackson criticizes Obama, says he's "acting white" (No Joke)

[Colobo]

Jackson sharply criticized presidential hopeful and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for “acting like he’s white” in what Jackson said has been a tepid response to six black juveniles’ arrest on attempted-murder charges in Jena, La. Jackson, who also lives in Illinois, endorsed Obama in March, according to The Associated Press.

“If I were a candidate, I’d be all over Jena,” Jackson said after an hourlong speech at Columbia’s historically black Benedict College.

“Jena is a defining moment, just like Selma was a defining moment,” said the iconic civil rights figure, who worked with Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1965 Selma civil rights movement and was with King at his 1968 assassination.

Jackson also said Obama, who consistently has placed second in state and national polls behind New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, must be “bolder” in his political positions if he is to erase Clinton’s lead.

Jackson is the only African-American ever to carry South Carolina in a presidential primary election.

Obama’s South Carolina campaign pointed to a statement it released last week in which Obama called on the local Louisiana district attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in the case.

“When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it’s a tragedy,” the Obama statement said. “It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions.”

More at:
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/177514.html

[Prince Paul]

1. well he is half white

[varkam]

2. Uh...what do white people act like? eom

[Colobo]

3. Whites are evil- They eat children on Halloween.

[varkam]

5. That's so offensive.

We eat them on Easter, not Halloween! Get it right.

:eyes:

[Colobo]

8. Sorry, man. I need to pay more attention during the White History Month.

[varkam]

11. That reminds me of a funny conversation I had once...

...with a guy who asked why isn't there the white equivalent of BET. I replied that there is: every other channel.

[beaconess]

26. Ha ha - I've given a similar answer to "Why is there a Congressional Black Caucus?"

"What would people think if there were a Congressional White Caucus?" My answer: "There is one. It's called the United States Congress."

[emilyg]

12. Now that's funny.

[tomreedtoon]

23. Don't feel bad. You were educated in a Florida school, right?

Halloween, Christmas, spackle, rutabaga...Florida teachers, especially the ones in Polk County, had terrible trouble teaching nouns with more than one syllable. That is why "democracy" is nearly unknown here.

[Cameron27]

4. Good question.

Could Jesse be more condescending to Obama, or more insulting to the "white" folks?

[MadMaddie]

6. And Jesse Jackson is a media whore....

I assume what he was marching for in the 60s was for each man and women to be characterized by their minds and not their skin color (paraphrasing)


Obama can react however he wants whenever he wants, just because he is half black is not a mandate Jessee....

Jenna is a travesty...the law actually worked this time and the insane charges were thrown out....

[2rth2pwr]

7. Jesse Jackson is offering advice on how to run a

campaign? Obama should taser him.

[beaconess]

27. Considering Jackson came in second to Dukakis in 1988, I'd think he might know a thing or two

But I don't see where he said Obama was "acting white."

Obama is criticized constantly - righ there on DU people think nothing of trashing him consistently. So why is it verboten for Jesse Jackson to offer any criticism of him?

[pnwmom]

9. I lost respect for Jackson

when, soon after the Duke students were (falsely) accused of rape, he promised a college scholarship to the "exotic dancer" who accused them. He said it didn't matter whether the students were found guilty or not, he would still pay her way through college. What a jerk. I wonder if he kept that promise, or it it was pure grandstanding.

[WCGreen]

10. Gee, and I thought he was a Negro...

I'm not voting for him now...

He's just not, you know, minority enough for me...

[Odin2005]

13. Fuck Jackson.

He's a used up, irrelevant relic of days gone by. And an attention whore.

Identity Politics sucks, throw rocks at it.

[Bullet1987]

14. I did not see a direct quote from Jackson anywhere in that article...

What I saw was a paraphrased quote...and knowing how biased the media is to begin with and how many people already don't like Jackson...it's not hard for me to believe his words may have been taken out of context.

[SaveElmer]

15. Criticism from Jesse Jackson...

Only elevates Obama in my eyes!

[KingFlorez]

16. Well, Obama is getting more support than Jackson ever did

I think there's a little bit of envy behind this statement. Obama is raking in ton of support from lots of people, where as Jackson could only get support from a select few.

[Dr. Strange]

18. Ah, interesting point! nt

[Odin2005]

19. I think there is a lot more then a "little bit" of envy from Jackson.

Obama is what Jackson never could be, hell Obama is even getting a good amount of support from rural white voters (like myself) of all people, not a demographic that would particularly like Jackson.

[beaconess]

28. Jackson paved the way for Obama.

Jackson came in second in the 1988 Democratic primaries. He may not be everyone's favorite, but I admire him greatly for helping to make a way for those who are now coming behind. He has every right to criticize Obama - or anyone else - if he likes.

[tomreedtoon]

24. Jackson's been riding Dr. King's train for a long time.

Most of the people on that train have paid for their tickets in sweat and blood. I begin to wonder if Jackson knows his ticket has expired and he needs to put up or be left off on a siding.

[flpoljunkie]

17. Later Jackson said he did not recall making the "acting like he's white" comment about Obama.

Later, Jackson said he did not recall making the “acting like he’s white” comment about Obama, stressing he only wanted to point out the candidates had not seized on an opportunity to highlight the disproportionate criminal punishments black youths too often face.

Obama’s South Carolina campaign pointed to a statement it released last week in which Obama called on the local Louisiana district attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in the case.

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/177514.html

[zulchzulu]

20. Jesse Jackson is giving Obama tips on how to run for President...

:rofl:

Jesse...come on, dude. Obama released a statement on Jena last week. He was the first Presidential candidate to discuss the matter:

"When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it's a tragedy. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions. This isn't just Jena's problem; it's America's problem."

"There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It's a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It's a problem when a public defender doesn't call any witnesses. And it's a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the CBC, will continue to monitor this case closely."

"Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it's Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it's long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances."

- Barack Obama

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3521832

[beaconess]

30. Once again - Jackson came in second in the 1988 Democratic primary - he's no slouch

Why are people trashing him for offering his opinion about Obama? Are black public figures not allowed to criticize other black folk?

[JPZenger]

21. Jackson Supported Corrupt Mayor vs. Reformer

Jesse Jackson came out in public support of ethically challenged machine politician Sharp James for re-election as mayor of Newark, NJ in 2002. With Jackson's help, James beat a great reform candidate - Corey Booker. Both candidates were African American. However, because Booker was highly educated and had not spent his whole life in Newark, the talk that was spread on the streets was that Booker was "too white."

The whole matter is covered very well in the documentary "Street Fight," which is available on DVD through Netflix and other sources. The documentary shows all of the dirty tricks that were used to defeat Booker.

Fortunately, with the FBI on his heels, James decided at the last minute not to run again in 2006, so Booker is now Mayor.

[Carrieyazel]

22. So after he said that Obama was "acting white", who got to him to make him clarify?

[beaconess]

25. Where did Jackson say Obama was "acting white?"

[Catchawave]

29. Um, guys....Jackson has issued an apology

need to update before ya'll tear JJ to shreds :eyes:

[Snarkturian Clone]

31. Giving half a shit about what Jesse Jackson says

is bad for your health.

[Grandrose]

32. Typical knee jerk reaction to Rev. Jackson!

Blast Jackson and Sharpton and never give them the benefit of doubt and a chance for clarification. When it comes to these two...all of a sudden the MSM must have gotten it right! Pathetic!:eyes: