Rev. Jesse Jackson on the O’Reilly Factor
Written by Michael Vass
I hope that Fox News, and Mr. Bill O’Reilly make the transcript of the program tonight, September 27, 2007, available to the public. They covered a large number of issues, all of which need to be dealt with more in depth. The conversation needs to be had. And I found Bernie Goldman’s (I believe that is his last name) comments about Rev. Jesse Jackson offensive, cruel and unjustified.
I agree that the whole issue on O’Reilly has detracted from more important issues. I was unaware of the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock 9 (I’m not that old) occurred during all this hoopla. I’ve mentioned several issues that I am aware of that also have been unfairly ignored.
I must mention that I found the words of Rev. Jackson riveting. This is perhaps the best conversation and most informative allocution I have heard from him in decades. There has never been a question in my mind of his intelligence. I have a great deal of respect for his past actions and achievements. At the same time, I admit that I have found fault with his more current actions and failure to address issues that I feel are very important. The same can be said, to a lesser degree of my feelings towards Rev. Al Sharpton.
Rev. Jackson has to be commended for finally being the person that got the actual story of the Jena 6 out to the media. Until this conversation, major news media has picked at parts of this case, sensationalizing aspects of it and ignoring others. Every major news station and news media outlet can share in the blame for failing to properly cover the Jena 6 for MONTHS.
I also have no problem stating that I agree with Mr. O’Reilly, and Mr. Juan Williams, that the absence of fathers is a major source of the issues in the Black community. I do not feel that it is the root of the problem. Mr. O’Reilly is correct that this goes back to the days of Slavery, and that fear motivates many of the actions of Whites (not all but in my opinion most) in America.
I have addressed the fear that prevents America from apologizing for Slavery. I have addressed the fear that prevents discussion of reparations. I have discussed how this fear leads to anger on both sides, and that this anger is a poison in America that is not going away.
I commend both Rev. Jackson and Mr. O’Reilly for honestly stating the issues before America, and denouncing racism – especially when it is used as a tool to manipulate and divide American opinion for the gain of a few extreme groups or worse yet, money.
There is no easy way to address race issues in America. Both sides, actually all sides are wrong at points, and absolutely right in others. All sides are passionate on their view. And there is no question that none completely understand the feelings and viewpoints of the others. Comprehend, sometimes but understand, ABSOLUTELY not.
I do not deny that I have criticized Rev. Jackson and Sharpton for their actions in recent years. I still question why they have not lent their considerably publicly accessible voices to the tragedy in West Virginia, or the absence of reporting on Jonathan Riches, or why the major media seems to have completely forgotten the Congressional hearings on the music industry, specifically dealing with gangsta rap. I feel they can make far more noise than most, gaining attention to these matters that demand attention.
Am I glad they are raising the bar on what is being reported on Jena 6? Definitely. Should this have happened months ago? Without question. Do I feel that the major news media is seeking any means possible to avoid the subject and their abysmal responses? Do you even need to question that?
Even so, this does not mean that the media can round up any figure they can get a hold of and allow vile personal attacks on people that are reporting facts they were first person witnesses to. The attacks on Mr. Juan Williams are not out of context. How dare he call any Black American a ‘Happy Negro’. Being Black does not justify such a comment, nor does it automatically allow news commentator at CNN the ability to not challenge such offensive actions. They would not allow a White interviewee to get away with such a comment, nor should a Black one.
I feel insulted that the implication made by CNN is, via their acceptance and lack of action on the insulting attack on Mr. Juan Williams, that any African American (or Latino/Hispanic, Asian and so forth) that agrees in part or whole with views of Mr. O’Reilly is an Uncle Tom, mindless, foolish, minstrel. Would they let someone call a Spanish public figure a spic? Or an Irish one a ‘Happy Mick’? How about an Italian as a ‘Happy Wop’? Is my point made?
Since when have African American been relegated to a singular viewpoint? Since when did anyone get to be the singular voice of African Americans determining what is or is not permissible Blacks? How dare CNN allow such an image to be created, without question or challenge!
I know I have long said that I do not feel that Rev. Jackson or Sharpton are Black ‘leaders’, but that does not mean they are not important figures. I do not believe that this means that any person chosen by major news media can spout any kind of commentary and it be taken as gospel. Being Black does not mean you can say anything you please about other Blacks, nor does it excuse Whites from standing up and correcting such vicious and unwarranted attacks.
I must admit my annoyance with Whites that presume to understand Black America’s issues and present answers with a sense of moral authority. Yes, Mr. O’Reilly is correct that fathers in the community are a major issue, but it is not the only one. Rev. Jackson presented several others that are equally important. The rant by Bernie (I forget his last name, and honestly have lost massive respect for him after attacking Rev. Jackson) presuming to understand what ails African Americans smacks of the classic ‘White Savior and Protector’ image that portrayed, and continues to, Blacks as jungle savages. Bernie needs to be reminded that Africans created the number system the world uses today. Africans made the pyramids that cannot be duplicated today. Africans have helped create the world that exists today, in virtually every field of endeavor that Man is aware of at this time, and the slave descendants of those Africans continue to be important in America today. We are as diverse in our culture, though major media ignores this, as much as any group in America today. To say that there is just a simple answer and that he UNDERSTANDS what I have gone through in this life is preposterous. At the best he may comprehend, but it is impossible for him to understand, much in the way I could not understand what it is to be White or female in America.
I can continue to go on. The issues are far flung and deep-rooted in American culture. Fear is a major factor; I have live through many aspects of it. The problems are multiple and come from within and without the Black community. [As I have noted before, having books older than myself while in high school, being denied word and training as a stockbroker because of my looks, being prodded to get into a fight because my manner of dress is upscale and mashed an obviously weak and tiny ego, and far more]
The point is that this is a discussion that needs to be continued. I hope that Mr. O’Reilly is incorrect. Whites need to speak up. Debate, especially passionate debate, must occur. Fear can only be defeated by action.
I will close with this though, but when I get more composed and when I get to read some of the responses from you my readers. I will come back to this.
The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. Franklin D. Roosevelt
September 28th, 2007 at 10:01 am
Mike:
Let me address your comments. You make a lot of them so allow me to address a few.
The reason why the anniversary of the Little Rock 9 got very little attention is because black leaders didn’t bring any attention to it. I visited Al Sharpton’s and Jesse Jackson’s websites and you have to search long and hard for it. Instead, they are publicizing the current event which is what these guys always do. Amazing but true.
I personally think that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are very smart people. I absolutely disagree with you that they are not leaders in the black community. Of course they are. Would it surprise you if I told you that that Al Sharpton could probably get more people to attend a rally than Magic Johnson? You say Magic Johnson is not a leader. Well, that statement also goes for people such as Colin Powell. If Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson passed tomorrow, Jesse Jackson would be mourned in Washington DC and Al Sharpton in the Apollo Theatre. So I’m not sure how you can say that because I know you’ve said it before when we had personal conversations about the issue.
I absolutely agree with you that whites have never walked in the shoes of blacks. However, you have never walked in my shoes either.
In terms of understanding Black America’s issues, I don’t. But I do understand the following. I didn’t grow up in an affluent background but I also didn’t grow up in an area where there were drug dealers on the corner. I didn’t grow up in an area where there were gun shots nightly. But why do these things happen in black communities throughout America. Is that White America’s fault? Do I have to understand Black America well or I could I just reasonably conclude that Black America doesn’t do a good job policing their own communities? That’s just a fact. That’s not White America’s fault !
In terms of the O’Reilly issue, you won’t hear about in about a week. Behind the closed doors at CNN and FOX, the suits are laughing all the way to the bank. Simple news, bonanza ratings.
As for the Jena 6, there will be justice in that case. I don’t have much doubt. The excessive verdict will be overturned.
As always, I respect your opinions. However, I reserve the right to disagree.
Ken
September 28th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Hello Ken,
I am going to just address a few things you wrote about in your comment. First I personally don’t consider Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson to be community leaders. They are well known and get a good amount of media coverage and can bring that type of attention to an issue.
Now you had the very bad taste to compare Rev. Al Sharpton to Colin Powell. If you are looking for a great community leader then you have found it in Colin Powell, you need look no further. But I am very offended that you could put the two of them even remotely in the same frame of thought. I must say you either have paid very little attention to the vast differences between the two or you were just looking to be insulting to a grate many people. Yes there are those in the Black community that see the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson as community leaders but that is not everyone in the Black community. Magic Johnson is a very good man and no I would not call him a community leader but he is a good example to the youth of today not just the black ones either but all youth’s in any and all communities across the face of the planet.
As for walking in the shoes of another race no one really has the opportunity to do that because if you did you’d be shocked and surprised at the treatment you would receive. There was a TV show (I can’t remember the name of it at the moment) that had families put on make up to reverse the color scheme such as a Black family becoming a White family and vise versa. You would do well to have this type of an opportunity come your way so you can observe for your self what happens to Black men. Once you’ve done that then you can make the comments you’ve put forth here.
You seem to think that White America has no responsibility for what goes on in a Black community. I need to help you change your point of view there, let me say this, that when a Black person goes in for a job interview and does not get it simply because of the color of their skin that in it’s self contributes to what goes on in a Black community. The lack of income caused by this is a big contributing factor in the Black community. When going to the store and you get followed around simply because of your skin color and you have money in your pocket that contributes to what happens in a Black community. When people cross the street because a group of Blacks are coming along the same side of the street that contributes to what happens in the Black community.
How dare you think that White America has nothing to do with what goes on in Black communities. There is a direct reaction to the actions given and that is undeniable. No on is asking for White America to police the Black communities but that was such an insult for you to make such a blanket statement like you did. What I wrote above is just minor examples of major problems that are a constant in the Black community.
October 30th, 2007 at 9:50 am
Jesus christ, its people like you that cause the racism and problems in the “black” community. You can’t think with a level head and want to believe you are being held down by Whiter America. Get over yourself and slavery. Black weren’t the only race to be treated like shit and slaved. As far as I am concerned Jews have had it the worse, Irish had it just as bad as Blacks, and Japs faced crap just as bad as slavery. There is no reason to go and on about this White vs Black crap when its your ownself fueling that fire. Get over it.