by Syreeta McNeal, CPA JD
I believe that we should not distance ourselves or tarnish the memory of those who paved the way for us to achieve the success we have today. People are making a big deal (including the media) of President Clinton’s comparison of Senator Obama’s win in South Carolina to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.’s presidential run for the Democratic Party in 1984 and 1988. Most pundits (including CNN Contributor, Roland Martin) are saying this is a racial jab. I take offense to that. They make it seem like Obama can’t be compared to Jackson in order to win the nomination because it will make him too “black” to win. Give me a break! So, it is okay for Obama to look to South Carolina to rally the black vote and for black people to show pride on the polls and vote for a black man and confront the white establishment, but, it is not okay for a white man, who happens to be President Clinton, to make a comparison of Obama to Jackson because it appears to negate him? Both white and black media pundits need to just “chill” on the inferred race baiting by both Clinton and Obama camps. Obama and Jackson have many comparisons that do not relate to “race.” Jackson, like Shirley Chisholm, is a pioneer for Obama who gained big wins in winning Iowa and South Carolina caucuses.
First, both Obama and Jackson hail from Illinois. Jackson had a message of “Keep Hope Alive.” Doesn’t it sound familiar with Obama’s emphasis of hope, change and slogans of “Yes We Can?” Also, both Obama and Jackson broke new ground in registering voters. In 1984, Jackson registered over one (1) million new voters, garnered 3.3 million votes and won five (5) primaries and caucuses, including Louisiana, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, Virginia and one of two separate contests in Mississippi.
In the 1988 campaign, Jackson doubled his impact by registering over two (2) million new voters, won 6.9 million votes during the Democratic Party nomination process. Also, Jackson won eleven (11) contests: seven (7) primaries (Alabama, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and Virginia) and four (4) caucuses (Delaware, Michigan, South Carolina and Vermont).
If Jackson won both two caucuses in South Carolina in 1984 and 1988, respectively, then the comparison by President Clinton of Obama winning South Carolina is valid. With Obama focusing a majority of his efforts in South Carolina, do you honestly think that Obama did not believe that he could reciprocate the Jackson victories in the same state? Give me a break media pundits (including CNN Contributor, Roland Martin). I respect you my brother, Mr. Martin, but this is getting to be ridiculous. I expect this race baiting from CNN Contributor Bill Bennett, but you, come on now. Facts are facts. Stick to that, please so we all can lessen the divisive impact that race is playing in the 2008 politics by the media and both camps.
Obama is having the same impact to the Democratic Party nomination in his 2008 campaign as Jackson did in 1984 and 1988. There is no denying that. This influx of energy in young voters and those challenging the traditional establishment is ground breaking as was done in 1984 and 1988 by Jackson. So, I implore Black America to not distance themselves from their pioneers as media pundits have done. But, embrace all of our presidential pioneers (Shirley Chisholm, Jesse Jackson, Sr., Al Sharpton, etc…) who have paved the way for Obama to even have a legitimate shot to reach the highest pinnacle of U. S. politics.
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Jesse Jackson Jr. cuts ad for Barack Obama
By Mike Dorning
Barack Obama began airing radio ads in South Carolina today featuring Chicago Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., son of the prominent civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The senior Jackson won the South Carolina Democratic primary during his 1988 campaign for president, a victory the younger Jackson recalled in the ad, which is airing on gospel and R&B stations with a predominantly African-American audience.
“Once, South Carolina voted for my father, and sent a strong message to the nation,” the younger Jackson said. “Next year, you can send more than a message. You can launch a President.”
The advertising campaign comes a month after Jackson's father criticized Obama for "acting like he's white" because the Illinois senator did not speak more aggressively in the racially charged "Jena 6" case. The elder Jackson, who is supporting Obama, later said the remark was taken out of context.
African-Americans are a crucial demographic group in the South Carolina primary, a key early contest in the presidential nomination. They comprised about half the electorate in the Democratic presidential primary in 2004.
The younger Jackson lauded Obama for legislation he passed in the Illinois state senate combating racial profiling and for seeking to counter "the railroading of the poor in the justice system."
Though Jackson did not mention front-runner Hillary Clinton in the ad, he appeared to suggest Obama would better represent the interests of blacks.
"A lot of politicians call themselves our friends," Jackson said.
"But Obama has a heart that beats for our community. And he’s dedicated his life to the struggle," added Jackson, who cited Obama's work as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side and as an attorney working on voting rights cases.
http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/jesse_jackson_jr_cuts_ad_for_b.html
Wow! So, shall we tell Bill Clinton, you are the only one race baiting now after Jackson, Jr. did it? I am wondering why CNN Contributor Ronald Martin and other media pundits did not point out Jesse Jackson, Jr.'s role in ads. Unbelievable! So, it works both ways. Blacks and whites are using race to their advantage.
It just sickens me to try and say Black folks are not doing the same thing.
The main difference between Obama and Jackson is that Obama appeals to everyone. It's hard to be a true black man and get white people to vote for you. They have no respect for us. That is why Obama had to denounce Louis Farrakhan completely. It's sad.
Black America:
There is an ALLUSION OF INCLUSION (as Paul Mooney suggests). Media pundits and Republicans want you to THINK that he has appeal. Check out CNN's report on the voting record of Obama in 2007. Like Kerry in 2003 before he ran for President in 2004, he was classified as the "most liberal senator voter." Like Kerry in 2004 campaign, Bush/Cheney used this in ads to make him look wishy washy and swiftboat him. He lost the election and the Republicans and media pundits want that to happen as well b/c they know Clinton is battle tested.
Right on! The maessage and the fight that Jesse Jackson had and Martin Luther KIng had was with a clear enemy to the progress of Black people, Barrack is using the emotion that Black people feel for past leaders and pioneers against us. We need to clear our head of the emotion and be realistic and ask realistic questions of Mr. Obama. The enemy is the same but the mask is on and hiding behind liberal racelessness politics. Obama should be able to use his own persoinality if he has one and not copy from Jesse or borrow his phrases and chants. Certainly We Shall Overcome can be used by all people but it had a particular meaning and effect for Blsck People at the time that it was used. If he is the 21st century politician then come up with your new and original chants/phrases. Black People watch out for the Oke--Doke!!!!
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