Jackson v. Obama
Why people are still reporting what Jesse Jackson has to say about anything is still a surprise to me, but I guess I should at least be happy they are printing this because it just reiterates what I’ve always said about him. Report: Jesse Jackson says Obama ‘acting like he’s white’ – USATODAY.com. He’s like Bill O’Reilly who decides that anyone who doesn’t agree with him is somehow of questionable character. Likewise Reverend Baby Daddy, as he has done in the past, is assuming that any black public figure who doesn’t act in the way he thinks they should isn’t “authentically black” because somehow he is the barometer of whatever “authentically black” is.
Jackson said such about Obama because he doesn’t appreciate Barry’s response (or lack of) to the Jena 6 controversy. “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.”
Just from my viewpoint, at my law school, some of the angriest people about this issue are white students, so he is insulting white people by equating their skin color with their values. Also, “acting like he’s white” is a bunch of high school BS. I was accused of “acting like I think I’m white” by other black students in high school for trying to excel academically. Grow up.
Personally, I do wish that Obama would speak out more about this issue because it is important and has really been upsetting to me, but I wish all the candidates would and I don’t think their lack of action here has anything to do with their skin color; maybe more about the strength of their spine. This method is a low, but not unexpected, blow from Jackson. Of course, if you read my blog, you know my opinion is influenced by my dislike for him (bringing pregnant mistress to counsel cheating President and wife on their marriage only being part of it), but it’s my post, so make your own if you disagree. BTW – Jackson says he doesn’t remember saying that.
If you want to do something about the Jena 6 issue, go online and find out what your community is doing this Thursday. I’ll be attending a fundraiser (to pay defense expenses) at my law school.
The State Jackson criticizes Obama
And therein lies the difference between Jesse Jackson and Barack Obama RedstateJesse Jackson criticizes ‘acting white’ Obama – PeopleThe Daily Dish: Jackson v. Obama
14 Responses to “Jackson v. Obama”
I was treated the same way in high school for the same reasons as you cited Angela. Unfortunately, I had a temper and “cracked a few heads” to earn respect. Not one of my finer moments. On to the issue at hand:
This is precisely the reason why Jesse Jackson is foolish. “Acting white” is a disparaging term that some black people use without really thinking about what they are saying. White people are universally slandered with that statement and black folks are hurt and embarrassed by it. It’s a no win situation when you invoke “acting white”. The Jena 6 situation is terrible and ALL PEOPLE should be concerned about the unfairness of the situation. Guess Ol’ Jesse will now start with “the man keeping him down” talk now.
Acting white = acting mainstream. Other than hard-core multiculturalists and professional victims and their exploiters, people see nothing wrong with that.
Isn’t Jackson’s ‘not black enough’ criticism just another version of criticizing Edwards for not being poor enough?
Stupid criticisms abound.
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I’m about the whitest white person you could ever meet, and I went to one of the whitest colleges on the planet. But I made most of my friends when I joined a sorority geared towards minority women. One afternoon, I was walking with one of the other members and we were talking about one of the black guys on campus and I said “how does he even count as black? He listens to rock music, he dresses like a goth – he’s the antithesis of black.” I didn’t even realize how racist that had to sound, especially to a black woman. But she (very coolly) responded that his personality and his lifestyle are not predetermined by his race. We shouldn’t let the stereotypes cloud our judgments of people, especially when they are based on something as inconsequential as skin color. I think that was one of the deeper and more important lessons I learned in college.
Jesse Jackson is an ass. He’s traded a great deal of his legitimacy in the civil rights movement in order to become a political power broker. His primary concerns are power and money, civil activism is just his vehicle for getting it. Talk about acting white.
[...] post on Jesse Jackson calling Obama out on “Acting White” on the Jena Six issue inspires a few of my own musings. I don’t like the specific rhetoric, [...]
What domajot said (and said quite well!).
Jackson is an idiot, again. Now he wants a Congressional circus (he wants a “hearing”) in which the District Attorney is to be grilled by (pompous, posturing) politicians (some of whom also want this).
Nope. The guy who wants the circus is Rev’r'n’d Al, Baby! [tm].
I have a real issue with anyone using the term “acting ____” if your social circle is predominately one race or another you’re called a “traitor” of sorts. I have a majority of black friends, we all grew up in a mostly black neighborhood. I have heard the question time and again “why are you trying to act black?” How exactly do you ACT a color? It sickens me every time I hear it, and I always respond with “colors can act? Damn, my crayon box was pretty dull then” I get apologies and the typical “oh you know what I mean”…naw, I really don’t.
I use slang of the neighborhood in which I grew up, does that make me someone who is “acting black”? If I grew up in a trailer park in the south and said “hey ya’ll we fixin to go to the store” would I be more acceptable?
My ex-husband (a black man) grew up in the south, had no accent, 13 tattoo’s, long hair, and listened to grunge metal, was told he was “acting white” because he didn’t talk “right” (i.e. using slang and ‘country english’)
The US needs to grow up and realize that the way someone talks, the people they surround themselves with, or their ambition is NOT predetermined by their racial group. There are those who are slackers and those who excel in EVERY race on the planet.
[...] post on Jesse Jackson calling Obama out on “Acting White” on the Jena Six issue inspires a few of my own musings. I don’t like the specific rhetoric, [...]