I am a firm believer, or let me say, the media has made me believe, that all publicity is good publicity, however… I can’t imagine Jesse recovering from this in a good light, nor can wrap my mind around thinking that Jesse did this on purpose. I’m not sure I think Obama is diligent in dealing with minority issues but I’m also not sure I think it is to the point of concern yet. I think he is using the best strategy he believes will get him into office right now.

When we look at everything going on with our nation and the world in general it should bring about some hesitation and nervousness. This election is crucial to the survival of our way of life, economy and most importantly our sons and daughters who are at war. We need to elect the best person to lead our country period. Regardless of race, we need strong leadership - something we have lacked for years. Jesse Jackson has become a hinderance to our process of determining who that person should be and for that he should be ashamed and apologetic.

I think Obama should address this, Jesse and black issues, head on. No, he should not make that a major issue for his campaign, but I wouldn’t ignore JJ either. Sometimes it is OK to address ignorant and Jesse has proven himself to be ignorant.

Ummmm. Where do I begin? I agree with Tom about Jesse hatin’. But you know what? The response from Black people to Jesse saying the N word is sort of hypocritical. I say this because how many Black people use the N word in private or public for that matter? Just because Jesse used it, how does it make him different from other Black people who use it? I’ve heard it said many times that it’s okay for Black people to use it to describe another Black person - but other races cannot use it when referencing Black people. So, if Jesse is Black, what’s so wrong about him using it in association with Black people? Yeah, some people may say he’s a prominent Black person, but you know what? It doesn’t take away from the fact that he’s still Black, right?

In a way, I am glad this happened. Black folk trampled Tavis Smiley and a host of others jumping on Senator Obama’s band wagon, when the truth is, he has not done anything for the black community. I am from Chicago and know first hand. He is wonderful, just not a civil rights mover and shaker. He was not a pillar here in our community. That said, I agree firmly with your post because Obama MUST be the candidate for AMERICA and not just us, however, this episode in the historic election has hopefully given us the tools we need to really fine tune our expectations of our candidate. Having done nothing for us yet, please don’t expect a whole lot when he is hopefully sitting in the White House.

I also hope that we do not now throw Jesse under the bus too. Yes he erred. What’s that saying? “To err is human” ?? He has put us on the map if nothing else, and given Black folk a forum that we may never have had if it weren’t for he and Big Al (Sharpton). ;0)

Great post, thanks!

Obama is NOT, I repeat, is NOT a candidate just for Black people! In order for him to win, he has to balance all issues that concern America as a whole. To answer question #2: Is Jackson totally off base and Obama is doing as he should? — Yes, Jackson is totally off base. Obama has to prove himself as someone who can address all ethnicities, if he wants to be President of the USA. Once he gets into office, I think (or at least I hope) that he’ll take the necessary actions to try and even the playing field as much as possible. But first, he has to win the election and he will not do that if he focuses solely on Black (or minority) issues.

As far as Jesse is concerned, I’m not sure what to say about him. It appears he has fallen for the Willie Lynch philosophy, which discusses how to to instill a slave mentality into Blacks (or African-Americans): “Use Fear, Distrust and Envy for Control Purposes….. I assure you that Distrust is Stronger than Trust and Envy Stronger than Adulaltion, Respect or Admiration…… Don’t forget, you must pitch the old Black vs. the young Black male, and the young Black male against the old Black male…. “

I agree with some parts of every comment.

I hear you Renee. I am not one of the negroes/Afro Americans/African Americans/blacks who take issue with blacks saying the N word around other consenting blacks. I think all people, all families; all groups probably say something that is confined to that group only. It is a derogatory word! I agree, but the meanness comes out with the intent by the user. But my goodness, why do blacks have to take issue with everything! I guess because we’ve been done the way we been done, we can’t let nothing roll off our backs! (I know that was a double negative. trying to stress my point) I know people who call each other the b word in the same endearing manner that blacks say the n word to each other. I don’t want to be called a b, not even by a girlfriend. But there are many who don’t mind. If there is something you know offends a person, don’t say it around them! I have a cousin who made over a million dollars by the time he was 30. I asked him how he did it. He said he learned early, when in Rome, do as the Romans. Consequently, many of his efforts paid off quicker, dealing with people in their environment, in their tone of business methods. When people can learn that, a whole lot of more enjoyable moments could be had! If you are in a room of blacks that consider themselves above using the N word, don’t use it! If you are in a group that can say it/take it in the manner others are using it, say and take it! I am who I am. No word can change that regardless of who says it. I really got off the subject. I guess that should have been my comment for a previous article.

But… Jesse should not have said it publicly. Especially if he knew he was being heard. I agree with you houseonahill, he erred on this one. If he is under the bus, I guess we should roll it off and at least let him get up. He has done a lot in the name of black folk. Let’s roll the bus off!

I also agree with MartyG, let’s hear what Obama has to say about this. The worse thing he could do is act like it never happened. He gave Hillary so much slack during the mud slinging; surely he will give Jesse some too???

I get your point. I’m just not sure saying it publicly is a good idea. Even though it doesn’t bother me when it is done endearingly in private, I think it sets us back as black folk some years, when done in public.

I keep hearing about what Obama needs to do for the entire country, yes and…

As a black person, my hopes/expectations for minorities and our issues, if a black man is elected president, are high! I would hope in a jungle a lion would look out for a lion, an elephant for an elephant, and a monkey for a monkey! I hope if Obama is elected, along with all the things he has to do for the entire country, minorities will be able to feel the difference electing a minority makes. Let’s not be too quick to let a black man off the hook regarding minorities and minority issues. Nobody is stupid. We know what he has to do for the whole country, but by golly, if he doesn’t make us/minorities feel glad he is there, wouldn’t that be a sad thing.

i agree with renee on the n word. but, why cant we just say it,- “n****r”, there, i said. n****r, n****r n****r. now, did anybodys bones get broke? did anybody suffer any physical harm? i don’t think so. people need to get over it. black people will always use the word n****a. white people will always use the word n****r, even if it is in private with no mics on. i wish i could say racism will end one day, but i dont think so. we all say things we would be ashamed of if the mic was on, at least i know i do. when we’re out in public we have to act a certian way and be careful about what we say. jesse tripped and let some stuff out that should have been left at home, or left in his head.

w

It’s unfortunate that Jesse was caught on “tape” using the ‘N’ word and talking negatively about Sen. Obama. In my eyes it’s not a problem. That’s what old people do…they talk crazy about the up and coming young people.

Note though, we must not turn our anger with his statement into an argument about how relevant Jesse is. Jesse is very relevant. That is, Jesse – in my mind – has moved beyond civil rights and is now the master of the Silver Rights movement. The Silver Rights movement requires us to have a keen understanding of capitalism and dollar votes.

For those of us who have forgotten what dollar votes are and how they are used, go back and reread you economics I book. If you have never taken economics go to the bookstore and by Thomas Sowell’s book Basic Economics. After getting your economics on you will see that the shame isn’t on Jesse it’s on us [you]!

I could say more, but why?

One other thing: I believe the name “Messy Jesse” was coined by Dr. Khalid Muhammad formally of the Nation of Islam.

Sen. Obama is a good African-American. However, he is not like many of us Black American’s – the bastard children of America. (I say bastard because many of our fathers ancestrally didn’t come from African, our mothers did. Our lineage comes strait from Europe.) He is actually the child of a real life African and a white American woman. So, he doesn’t really have to discuss Black issues. Stop trying to make him!