Jesse Jackson Slams Obama for “Acting Like He’s White” in Jena 6 Case

Is it possible for Jesse Jackson to make a more insensitive, derogatory, racially motivated comment? Maybe he should beat Obama senseless to rally the people around him. :) This is like an old record skipping. Thank goodness no one plays records anymore.

Well, he is half-white, is he not?

Jackson is right. Obama is evading the issue. A simple question he can’t answer truthfully.

As someone else pointed out, Obama is half white so if he is, in fact, acting white shouldn’t that be ok? If he were acting black…whatever that is…would that be just as bad? Apparently not in Jackson’s eyes.

More proof that you can say anything and get away with it as long as you are black and have “Reverend” in front of your name. Jesse Jackson loves to promote racism. . . it keeps him in business.

so-called “reverend” jesse jackson is an idiot. how long are we going to accept his hate, racism and hypocracy? he needs to be legitimately employed.

Jackson comes to the aid of these kids, who are clearly being charged because they are black, and like simpleton white people do so well, accuse Jackson of being “racist”.

Why does he say, “acting like he’s white” like it is a bad thing? Does he not realize that the majority of the people in this country and the majority who will vote are white? So lets act like white people are evil and the root of all the problems in the black community and then scream racism when no white people vote for you. That makes sense.

Jesse is not the “tree” which brings forth branches, but he thinks he is.

Burnsby…clearly being charged because they’re black? I thought they were being charged for assault. You should take that act on the road buddy.

Jesse Jackson is a total moron. His determination to continually stir the racial pot is just disgusting. He couldn’t earn the respect of the voting public if tried for the rest of his life.

We finally have a chance to have a black man elected President and Rev. Jackson wants to encourage people not to vote for him because he’s not black enough? What a moron. He’s shooting himself in the foot here and taking the black community with him. What is really needed is some solidarity. Because no matter how white Obama is, Hilary Clinton will always be much whiter.

Jesse Jackson raising his ugly racist head again..

Jesse said he would b all over the issue if he were a candidate? Why isn’t he all over the issue now as a so-called black leader? Because there is no corporation to shakedown. No deep pockets – No Jesse Jackson.

I thought Obama was an example of where integration is working. He is a successful professional that identifies himself as African-American. Is Jesse saying that being mixed race and raised white is a bad thing? Should he have been a mixed race raised black? It seems that Jesse is touting a segregationist mentality. What ever happened to MLK’s brotherhood?

Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or Barack Obama for that matter do not speak for all black people. I hate when reporters ask famous black people to comment on something anothet black person said. Just like every other race, black people are a diverse group with varying points of views, morals, values and even cultures. I happen to think that these kids are being railroaded, and that the justice system was turning a blind eye to blatant injsutice. But the only thing that comments like this one from Jesse Jackson prove is that no group is on lock-step with itself. Jesse Jackson is making himself irrelevant.

Jackson doesn’t want a black president because his personal value is in pointing fingers and being a victim, not in actually solving problems.

Yeah, but uh, who cares what a racist like Rev. Jackson has to say anyways?

Who cares about Jackson. Absolutely ridiculous that this man still thinks he has a place in today’s world. Obama is a man with a mission and that is to get us back on track. We don’t need a has been telling us who is black and who is white. Jackson is a shame to his race.

It sounds like Obama wants the facts before he makes a statement.

So Tony, it’s OK to raise the racism
flag when it involves blacks & whites
but when 4 black youths get gunned
down execution style in N.J. by a
South American, Jackson & Sharpton
are pretty quiet about it. If that’s
not hypocracy I don’t know what is!
Jackson & Sharpton have been(& still
are)foolish jumping on the racism
bandwagon. They should get ALL the facts
first!!

C’MON JESSE-overcome the 60′s mentality
as it pertains to race. Its time to move beyond this stuff. Look at what a farce that case with the white athletes was last year.Your antiquated career may depend on the “business of race,” but Senator Obama is more of a statesman. Let him be who he is…and not have you tell him how black he is. So silly!

As a “White” person I find Jessie’s comments to be offensive. Now, when am I going to get my public apology? Better yet, I demand that he resign from whatever it is that he does, just like Don Imus. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

C’MON JESSE-overcome the 60′s mentality
as it pertains to race. Its time to move beyond this stuff. Look at what a farce that case with the white athletes was last year.Your antiquated career may depend on the “business of race,” but Senator Obama is more of a statesman. Let him be who he is…and not have you tell him how black he is. So silly!

Jackson tries to “stop racism”, but at the same time he promotes it, by saying things like that. Could he be anymore of a hypocrite!?

Rev. Jackson is in Bed with the Clinton camp. And he needed an easy out not to support the Sen. And he decided to use this as one…This case didn’t just start,, It’s been over a year…. Where was Jesse a year ago when this first happend. Since he’s so up on Black current events… I know how the RPC camp is. Rev. Give it a rest, lay off Obama and get your disfunctioned Staff and Organization together before pouring salt on some one that’s in a position to really get something done for all people, and not just to feed his ego and pockets. “Treat your staff better” and allow RPC to do the great work it used to do.

Being a African American Racist is OK. No one else. What ever they say. We did it to ourselves. Now we have to live with it. Congratulations!

Jesse Jackson, you are the worst racist for those comments. You need to be banned from the airwaves.

yes he is half-white and so am i. what is ‘acting like he’s white?’ and furthermore what is ‘acting like he’s black?’ for that matter. obama can act ‘white’ all day long if he wants to. obama can act ‘black’ all day long if he wants to. it’s our prerogative. thankuverymuch!

Just because Sen. Obama is not running down to Jena, LA to protest what has happened there does not mean he’s “acting white.” Sen. Obama is running for the presidency which means he represents ALL of the people, not just Black people. Jesse, take some advice from a Black woman: Grow up and Shut up.

OMG here we go. Jealousy is rearing its ugly heads (Jackson and Sharpton). They are so damn jealous because Obama actually has a better chance of becomming president then the two of them put together. So they are going to put him down, because Obama is doing what they NEVER COULD do in the last 30 years. They need to stop downing him, and lift him up. I thought they were preachers?

Jackson says Obama “acts like he’s white”. And that’s a bad thing because…? Are we to infer from Jackson’s comment that its bad to be white? Just a little more rope, Reverand and you’ll hang yourself. Of course, hanging may not work with your foot so far down your throat.

WELL MR. JACKSON MAYBE THATS WHY YOUR NOT RUNNING. YOU MAKE EVERYTHING INTO A RACE ISSUE. YOU WOULD BE ALLOVER THE JENA SIX THING AND ANY OTHER RACE RELATED ISSUE. THE PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF OTHER ISSUES TO HANDLE NOT YOUR PERSONAL IDEAS OF WHATS WRIGHT OR WRONG. YOU HAVE BEEN FANNING THE FLAMES OF RACEISM EVERYTIME YOU SEE A CHANCE TO GET ON THE TV.YOU SIR HAVE A LOT OF ONIONS TO MAKE A STATEMENT SAYING MR. OBAMA IS ACTING TO WHITE. IF YOU ARENT A RACEIST YOURSELF EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT IT MEANS WHEN A BLACK MAN IS ACTING WHITE.THAT IN ITSELF IS A RACEIST STATEMENT DONT YOU THINK OH THATS WRIGHT APPARENTLY YOU DONT THINK. YOU AND REVEREND AL ARE TWO OF THE BIGGEST RACEISTS ON THE PLANET BUT IF I HAD TO PICK ONE OF YOU GUYS TO HAVE A MEAL WITH IT WOULD BE AL HANDS DOWN.AT LEAST HE WOULDNT TRY TO IMPRESS ME WITH ALL OF THOSE TEN DOLLAR WORDS YOU USE TO TRY TO MAKE YOURSELF LOOK MORE INTELLIGANT. CARL PHILADELPHIA

Did anyone actually click the referenced article. While getting highly bothered over a situation that abc has apparently reported without factual details. Rather they’re using hearsay. Stop and read people. Don’t let the news play with you. Click the referenced article. Notice in this article right here there are not any quotes. Why are we so quick to form decisions and opinions and arguments without being educated. READ for the sake of yourself.

Jessie Jackson was definitely wrong for what he said. He was being as ignorant for making that statement as every other white person or otherwise who has ever perpetuated racism in this country.
Sadly; in reading most of these posted comments, it is obvious that racism is still very much alive in this country and that most of the white people that smile in your face on a daily basis are looking at blacks from a self-perceived sense of superiority that goes back centuries. SAD. When everyone black, white, purple or green can come down off their imaginary cloud that they solely AND FOOLISHLY believe is above everyone else; maybe stuff like this will become unheard of. Unfortunately but realistically……That will probably never happen. SAD.

Jesse Jackson is a true “Wanna be” important person. He will never be looked up to like MLK was, He will never be elected president like Obama could be, He will never be taken serious like Bill Cosby is, He is a “never will be” individual that continues to travel across America (on who’s tab by the way?) drumming up hatred and racism to all who are not black. Believe it or not Jesse, there are good and bad in EVERY RACE, and from EVERY walk of life, rich, poor, Republican, Democrat, etc. Take a look in the mirror, and discover who and what you have become. You are not a good human being. You are the anti Christ. If you “wanna be” like one of the aforementioned individuals, then act like one of the aforementioned individuals. Actually, be your own man but in a roll model way, not in a self destructing manner. Got it? Get it? Good!

and now JC … i honestly plan on sitting here and doing this until this article is removed or editted … the media should not be allowed to be this irresponsible

I am very disgusted by Jackson’s comments. First and foremost Obama is an attorney and his second statement reflects that. Had it not been for media’s attention to this case Jackson himself would not be involved. This case has been going on since December 2006. As an African American generation X’er I am so tired of ignorant comments by the older generation. Dr. King fought for us to have the opportunity to better our race and everytime one of us gets an opportunity to truly influence change the naysayers appear. They are just scared of loosing their place. He does not speak for all Black people and the irony with his comment is that the Black Media (mostly radio hosts) we thrilled that he issued a statement and did not avoid the matter altogether. Hilary also issued a statement does that mean she acting Black.

wait, so people are mad at ABC for using this headline? It’s what Jackson said, it should be brought to light so that every single person will know that Jackson, who is supposed to be advocating equality is telling us that Black people and White people act differently and that for some reason a black person acting white is a bad thing.
“Jackson sharply criticized presidential hopeful and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for “acting like he’s white”"
That quote is from the referenced article.

typical Jesse and his PUSH (People United to Shakedown Humanity)

I think that Obama is right. No matter what his comment is someone won’t like it, but at the same time it won’t help those boys. Which I think all parties both black and white kids need to be in trouble here. But at the same time unless you are someone with the court or a judge you really have no say in what happens. You can have a lot of “I wish they would do this” but the court doesn’t care about what anyone who doesn’t have anything to do with this case has to say. The only thing helping is the appeals court in which it has.

The referenced article does not include a direct quote by Jesse Jackson. This is a weak story. A better choice might have explored what motivates Jesse Jackson to hold himself up to comparison with Barack Obama. “If I were a candidate I’d …”. Well Mr. Jackson you are not a candidate at this point in time and perhaps you’ve pinpointed exactly why you never did cut it as a politician. Jesse Jackson would like to think that he’d make a better Presidential candidate than B. Obama – but history refutes that on many levels.

To mary [and all]…Yes it is O.K. to raise the issue when it comes to concerns between black and white; however, let me go one step further… We as Americans must raise the issue of right and wrong in all cases, no matter if it is a black, white, red or yellow issue. When we start dealing with the wrong and the right in the perspective of the facts as gathered and fairly presented, we will find that we as a nation will move past these race issues. Look… we as a nation are afraid to trust those unlike ourselves and this has filtered down into the human relationship dynamic. If we as a nation of people will trust the common thread that binds us together such as: lower taxes, a future for our children, federal investment in education, etc; then and only then will we find the means to put our hands together and work on the real issues that will bring a higher quality of life to all. That is specifically where Senator Obama hits the nail right on and Mr. Jackson completely misses the boat!!!!!

How much longer do we have to listen to this not “black enough”, “man enough”, and “woman enough” crap. Is man and woman just regressing back to the stone age. And how reverent can one Jackson be? I’m sorry I meant relevant.

so to cc, kilroy, castra, p, duggie, th, and i’m sure i missed one … can you point out where jackson said this … nobody is giving anyone a pass on racist comments … but at the same time are we so narrow minded and willing to react that we’re not willing to read and form our own decisions … this should not have been reported as there is no factual evidence … and the more i type the more i realize that’s why it’s on the blogger side … and not on the news portion when you click the link

I want a public apology from this racist idiot. All reverend (i use that term loosely) Jackson has done is Intimidate, Steal, and bully cooperations into giving him and his children money and businesses, If a white person said Obamma is acting black there would be a national outcry and the media would be calling for some heads, why is this not the case here? The race card can be played by white people and its time we play it. The only thing he cares about when it comes to the jena 6 is the air time he can get from it.

You know what I love about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton? Whenever they say something like this, all the racists looking for any excuse to attack black folks come out of the woodwork. You know what? Jesse just played you all for chumps. LOL

I was hoping stupid remarks like this
were over with. That’s what they would say to the smart kids, that wanted to get a good education and go to college.
Why do people want to keep others down
because they can’t or won’t.

Shut Up Jesse. His response is appropriate and it is smart.I am an african american male and live in s.e. texas. I know that the Jena six is an absolute railroad job but at least attention has been brought to the issue and justice will hopefully prevale.Barack did not act white he acted rationally which is exactly how i would have acted in his position.Jesse wants a flag carrying black panther response to this issue which would just play into the stereotype of a typical loud mouth black politician. Am i also white because i agree with Obama’s reasoning. I have the life experience that proves otherwise.Jesse doesn’t speak for me.I like Obama believe that you don’t have to be african american to see the obvious bias in this case and have a visceral reaction to the injustice of it. Nor does my response to this action have to be an “african american” response, just human and of my own choosing.

Good grief, Obama couldn’t have paid for better publicity.

Acting like he’s white? Pretty harsh words, Jesse.
In other words, if you’re black you should automatically think a certain way. Your way, Jesse. Congratulations on becoming the biggest racist on the planet. We’re still awaiting your apology to the Duke Lacrosse team.
Let’s repeat…if you assault someone and you’re white, you should go to jail. If you assault someone and you’re black, you should go to jail. That’s not racist…its logical and just.
If Jesse wants to complain that white kids who beat up blacks aren’t judged by the same standards, I can understand and support his position. They should be. But stop saying that a thug shouldn’t be prosecuted because he’s black (or any color, for that matter).

I don’t get if it’s the press that keeps this thing going or Jackson. They are choosing to print his garbage. For one thing, I even see Jackson seem to pick and choose on what he goes after – or else he’d be in Georgia helping the kid that got thrown in for consentual sex in a bogus fashion. Jena is bad – no doubt. However, Jackson does more to flame racial discord than most. Sharpton is in the mix too. It blows my mind when they go after public black people like this and put their pressure on them. Frankly I think Obama has handled it correctly. I am offended. I am tired of this stuff. He’s one of the biggest racists on the planet. I absolutely believe he is harming the cause more than he is helping.

Jesse’s new organization should be named JJJ nothe KKK. They both spew racisim to attract fellowers and put fear in the ones they bully. Hey now i know why he supports Jena 6 bullies must stick together.

Jesse is just being
“Another Shill for Hill!”
Afterall, Bill Clinton was the “first black president” wasn’t he?
;^P

Would Jessie Jackson just shut the h*ll up, already? Someone needs to take his neverending deck of race cards away.

Jesse Jackson is racist. I am a white male. If I made a comment that referred to someone acting black I would be called racist. Jackson and Al Sharpton should stop trying to speak for all black people and keep their mouths shut. Hey Jesse and Al did you apologoze to the Duke Lacrosse players????????

What an ignorant thing to say (if he really said it). Yes, if Jesse were a candidate, he surely would be ALL OVER the Jena tragedy and soaking in the media exposure it would give him. I’m sure this behavior is nauseating not only to me, a black woman, but to any human with a sense of decency.

OK….it’s time to say it…ENOUGH OF THE DOWN-TRODDEN BLACK THING! Minorities get far more benefits than credit is given. I see white folks with less. Come on…it should not be a racial thing at all…period! WE ARE PEOPLE…WE ARE AMERICANS…WE STAND FOR EQUALITY ACROSS THE BOARD! If you can’t get it as an american, then leave and go back to your home country. I’m tired of hearing “Afro-American”. You are not “Afro American”…Either you are “American” or you are not…PERIOD! If that’s the case, then I want benefitsbecause I am “Anglo-Saxon-Caucasian-American”….give me a break!

i think something is wrong in this country about racism,jesse jackson made a serious mistake by saying that to Obama, obama is a decent guy and well intellectual and representing the people of all not color, i am so disturb about this black and white issues. I think we need to make a club call black$whitecolorone that might bring a huge changes in out this sick society.Jesse is not representing us and i do not appreciate what he call Obama.
Jesse need to involve in black on black crime and make a tour educate our youths in the ghettos and streets,,,

I get tired of seeing has beens like Jackson and Sharpton in the media. Sen. Obama was asked a question about a case that he was not too familiar with and answered it to the best of his ability at that moment but later after reviewing the case he gave an honest opinion. Reverend Jessie “Adulterer” Jackson should be put to pasture. This case appears to be racially motivated except in this case the perps are black and the victim is white and is receiving less coverage by the national media. If the perps were white then this would have greater coverage like the Duke Lacrosse Players Rape Case. (Oh, for those who are defending Jackson: I am an African American)

Jesse Jackson is and always has been a racist – plain and simple. His agenda is to be as divisive as possible; thinking he is gaining something for those he claims to represent. Senator Obama has unfortunately a tightrope to walk. His message is likely to get lost in the clutter of people like Jackson – Sharpton etc. We are Americans!!! I don’t care what your color; belief; political leaning is. We are a nation of different ideas – what we need to do is grow beyond the current polarizing mess our media has created to focus on those issues that are really important – health care – balancing the budget – ending this war we are involved in, and focusing on the real world wide threat. Jesse Jackson is reaching for some lost dream of political power; he is irrelavant(sp), and unfortunately if he thinks he is helping Sen. Obama he is not. Let the man find his own way.

No Jackson, Obama is acting like a responsible person proving that black people are every bit capable of advancing and doing whatever anyone else can. People like you hold back the black people.

OMG! I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not living in 1960. How does one act white, by not wearing baggy pants showing one’s butt crack, by not wearing a cap sideways, by not talking hip-hop slang, by not sporting scores of tattoos, by actually being educated and succeeding in American society? I support Hillary (I think she must act white too), but for Jackson to make such an idiotic comment just goes to show how out-of-touch he is with reality. If Jackson’s “supporters” fall for this racist crap, then they will continue to wallow in self-pity and never, ever pull themselves up. Geez!

ABC should not carry this story b/c it is so unclear whether Jackson ever made such a racially charged comment. Yet, they make it a headline. Why??
“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.”

To be fair, American race-relations have been poisoned by the “one drop rule” since slavery days. If Obama were living in 1807 instead of 2007, he would be considered black and eligable to be sold as property. Maybe whitefolks have forgotten this, but we blacks haven’t. Also, I think it’s important to point out that Reverend Jackson never actually said what ABC accuses him of. Please read the link provided in the story.

Raymond and NOwhere: The original article never says Jackson didn’t say that, just that Jackson doesn’t recall saying it. Alberto Gonzales didn’t recall saying a lot of things that we know he said. Without proof though, i think we should all withold judgement on the matter.

Regardless of what Jackson said or didn’t say, as a black woman, I’m more concerned with the substance of his argument. Jesse was asking a question that ALOT of blacks have been asking: will Obama stand up for black people when we need him to, or is he just going to pander and dance for the white mainstream? So far, the prognosis is not good…

It’s idiots like Jesse Jackson that keep racism alive with remarks similar this one! Why does anyone associate themselves with this idiot??

I’m tired of people like Jesse Jackson who think that black people can do no wrong and it’s the white man’s fault that they(blacks) are in the position they are in today.
I’m Asian, my people were enslave to build the rail roads to the west. You don’t hear me going around screaming that I deserve to be handed this and that because my people were enslaved.
We worked our way from that to where we are now. Black people who blame the white man for their own actions are just too lazy to do anything for themselves.
GO OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Acting White”? How do white people act? The people I know just act like people. Never noticed color to make much difference.

I think it means they can’t dance, Royce. But Jesse claims he never said this, so ABC is being irresponsible anyway.

RAMELL
***********
can’t be a rascist when I hate a person for who they are and how they act, not because of his skin color. I hate president Bush just as much. and he’s white. does that mean I hate white people?

there he goes stirrin the race pot again – wonder what would happen if Imus (or another radio/tv personality) would say someone was acting like he’s black. racism will never be dead in this country if Jesse Jackson has anything to do with it!

I like the reference to MLK’s “”judge not by the color of their skin, but the context of their charactor.”
Jesse Jackson has no charactor! doesn’t he have illegimate children? He is a complete hypocrite! He needs to just go away. By the way, where does he exactly get his money to run his organization? I’m sure if that was actually investigated that would be a scandal within itself. Back to “no Charactor”

Dmetrius,
Here is exactly where the quote is:
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.
You keep telling people to read the article – did you? the “” symbols mean direct quote. Whether anyone agrees with it or not, he DID say it.
And you can rest assured, a throw-away comment that someone supposedly doesn’t remember saying wouldn’t fly as an excuse if it were a white person saying the exact opposite.

Jesse’s comment is an embarrassment to the afro american race. He doesn’t represent the view point of all of us.
He has been a tremendous asset to our people, but at times he and Sharpton tend to go overboard.

So Jackson is saying no black can act responsible and intelligent? Do they have to all act like ignoramuses that can’t even talk for him to be happy and pronounce them ‘black enough?’His remarks are an insult to all black people everywhere (Jackson’s are)

What is “acting white?” I’ve been told this all my life…I am half black and half asian. Just because I speak proper English, went to college, and I’m a professional career woman…this means I am acting white? How is racism ever going to end with ignorant comments such as this?

Jackson is the biggest racist I know. He turns everything into a “black” and “white” problem. If one supports this dolt, then that one supports racism. People who think like Jackson will keep racism alive.

Shawna,
the article has now changed to according to the associated press … when this was first written … the state newspaper was attributed with the quote … the state newspaper has since attributed it to the associated press … for normal journalism yes quotation marks symbolize a direct reference … however there’s a good reason that this is on the blogger side of both abc and cnn

i wish the media would just stop it already. stop giving air time to this race baiter. racism will never not exist in this country. if a white man said that someone was acting “black” their would be marches and boycotts and firings. stop it already.

Jesse Jackson claiming someone is racist…that’s a joke since he is the one if the biggest racists in this country. How would it go if a white politician stated that someone is acting black? I am sure that wouldn’t go over as well…love the double standard.

Obama is acting white, and Jackson is acting like people care what he thinks.
Fascinating.

What does it mean to act white? What does it mean to act black? Shouldn’t all of us act with integrity, kindness, compassion, and respect? Lets all ignore the color of a person’s skin and focus on the character of each individual.

Both Obama and Jesse Jackson are jokes BUT Jesse is excels at being a joke. Jesse and Al Sharpton should be a slapstick comedy duo! It would be riot!

I don’t know which is worse:
-to stop being suppressed
-to be suppressed.
Either way Jesse loses. Black people need to forget Jesse, however, and let racism end.

has anyone verified when/where/and what context these alleged comments exist … or are we still just commenting … i’m not a jesse jackson apologist … but i’d like to see where and when he said this … you know … factual evidence … him saying he doesn’t recall saying that is a political answer … all politicians say they don’t recall for fear they actually might’ve … however that’s not the burden of proof … and proof that these comments have yet to exist … abc refers to the south carolina state website which at first didn’t have a source … now they attribute it to the associated press … and the ap has no mention of this … all i’m asking for is proof and reasoning … not blanket statements about something that may or may not exist

With people like Jesse Jackson in the world no wonder there will always be racial divide. Always has to throw out the race card when he doesn’t agree with something.

Next thing, the Rev will be accusing Obama of being an Uncle Tom. Completely retrograde think-speak.

Obama did exactly the right thing. He actually THINKS before he acts. Just like when he did NOT vote for the war on Iraq. Reverend Jackson: Please have a little more patience. Obama is the man for 2008.

So, Jessie Jackson is implying that people can “act” according to their race? How sad! Maybe he should go back to eating his fried chicken and watermelon and pay less attention to politics.

Why is it that when there is a black/white issue or Latino/white issue it automatically becomes a “politcal issue”. Fact: Young boy has 2 black eyes and concussion. Fact: 6 other youths are alledegly suspects. Fact: Victim is white. Fact: Suspects are Black. That is it!!! No politics. Stop bringing in government into everything just because it is convenient to your political side. This is ridiculous and appalling. Grow up!

Jesse Jackson is being ridiculous. The issue of Jena 6 is not of racial basis. He’s just attacking Obama to get him to do his demands by making a race an issue. If Jesse Jackson believes that racism is such a problem why doesn’t he take his words and become a presidential candidate instead of singling out Obama. “Oh what a racist, not including the white presidential candidates for slander.” whatever

I do want to know why it’s not alright for a liberal white guy to say another white guy is “acting like he’s black”. Exactly how is he acting to say he’s acting black? Why is it alright for a liberal black guy to say another black guy is acting white? Exactly how is THAT? This statement by Jackson is the most racist thing I’ve heard since Don Imus.

…The State newspaper reported Tuesday Jackson saying at South Carolina’s Benedict College,”If I were a candidate, I’d be all over Jena.”…
Hey Jesse, you’ve been a candidate several times before. How’d that race baiting work out for you by the way, you mush-mouthed freak?

WELLLL Jackson — HE IS HALF WHITE….. Jackson and Sharpton are the biggest race baiting racists on the planet…. it all has to do with power… J & S NEED to keep the blacks and whites hating/fighting each other, it gives them POWER & MONEY… And if audacity to not agree with them 100%…. you not black… you’re a racist…. J & S are ambulance chasing s-c-u-m

How can it not be clear how much of a racist Jessie Jackson is? He’s usually a little more subtle with his racism, but this was a tragic revelation on his behalf that shows how racist he really is. I hope everyone has taken an honest notice of this, but I doubt it. Democrats can not be hypocrits. Only republicans can.

Who cares about what Jesse Jackson says? The main issue here is the system. The bureaucracies are all about power and control. Thus, they are extremely corrupt. Furthermore, those types of jobs attract people who are seeking these things. It is not easy for one to become corrupted when put in a position of power, if they were not already corrupt. Many of the folks in those types of positions are way over their heads. Many also do not understand the importance of their behavior and actions. Many, like Jackson, are self-promoters with a hidden agenda. Individuals(myself obviously included), must be responsible for their actions, and also must be more compassionate and less self-serving.

Sometimes, I can’t believe the things that come out of folks’ mouth. O’s statement was very appropriate. One fit not of a black man or a white man…but an intelligent man.. as someone near and dear to my heart would say, “By to the boo Jessie”

al and jesse should start being held accountable for their racism,there sorry excuse for blacks,cheaters ,liars,their in the ncaap for money their scheming trash.i believe the whites which include italians,germans,russians,polish ,ect..and us mixed folks we need to start taking a stand.and put a stop to their foolishness

Personally, I think that Jackson took it too far. He is trying to be today’s Malcome X, which is not good if he is going to concider himself a Christian. He is angry right now and most African Americans are. It is not a time to be silent but we(ALL Race) should remember that our mouth is what can bring us trouble.

If a progressive could be a hypocrit, then Jessie Jackson would qualify, but only republicans can be hypocrits. Jessie can be a racist as he wants and will never have to worry about being called a hypocrit nor racist. Progressives can get away with anything they want and people support that. A republican can never think to get away with what a progressive can.

I think that every race of people has some sort of stereotypical ideas of people from another race…BUT white people throughout history have been THE MOST hateful, pregudice people on the face of the earth…And for all those black people who think for some reason now-a-days white people arent still racist…stop looking at T.V.,and really pay attention to whats going on…THINK…Dont fall for the subliminal interacial crap, that being fed to you…THIS IS THE REAL WORLD…WAKE UP!!!

I think that too many of the previous respondents are not looking at the substance of the issue, but are reading things into it that just aren’t there. If Jackson did say the things about Obama that he is quoted as saying, it is not a situation where he said Obama “acted white” because he doesn’t act like a young hood. He criticized Obama for not speaking out against injustice that was brought to his attention.
Look, this isn’t only about a white teen getting jumped by six black teens, this is one situation out of a series of incidents, some violent and also including white on black crime (and not only the noose incident). The only time that major charges were brought was when the alleged perpetrators were black. If you look at all that happened, you have to be deliberately turning a blind eye to not realize how racial bias is the main course served up in Jena, Louisiana. And Obama, as well as other presidential candidates and political leaders, have an obligation to do what is right, and not only if such victims are white.
As far as Obama’s “whiteness” is concerned, someone mentioned before about the one-drop rule. While Obama is racially mixed, let’s not forget that most blacks in the US are racially mixed to varying degrees, but the fact is that if you knew nothing about Obama and saw him walking down the street, whites, Asians, as well as blacks will see him as black and treat him as such.
And for those of you who say that he isn’t obligated towards helping “his own,” let’s not kid ourselves. Most ethnic groups do help out those of their own ethnicity. Blacks are the only ones who all too often are our own worst enemy, yet when we call for helping out each other, we’re branded as racist by whites and other non-blacks…the very folks who turn around and, well, help out their own. It’s quite hypocritical, really.

Racial problems will live on in this country for years and years as long as men like this are allowed to say such idiotic, racist statements and not be attacked or questioned by anyone.
An before you go jumping on the “free speech” bandwagon, I’m not saying he isn’t allowed to say such things – I’m simply saying – where are some people with decency, either news shows or just regular people, that are going to stand-up against such bigotry. The racial war will never end as long as people like Jesse Jackson speak the way they do. And, I mean when we get down to the heart of the matter – what are we fighting over – the color of skin? Please, can’t we find something else to hate each other over.

jackson is only doing what he needs to do for the black commuunity. He is the only afican american to stand up for us. Being a young black woman with 3 young boys, in america, who going to stand up for them

Every candidate in this presidential race, who claims they are for the people should be running each over to defuse this situation. As a matter of fact, each and everyone of them should be in Jenna attacking this injustice. With this country is such a crisis and our national security being threatened on a daily bases, we should not be loosing our focus on something so blatant as the racism which is taking place in Jenna. The mere face, the prosecutor or whom ever he is, would make such a public statement as to the affect he can wipe out their existence with a stoke of a pen, he is not fit to serve the people of that community and should be dis-barred from every practicing law again. The govenor, senator and every government official from LA should be appalled and ashame to be affiliated with this type of behavior.

So Morris……are you saying that its OK for six people to gang up on one person and beat the living crap out of them?
The way I interpret the law, when one person strikes another, that is called assault and battery. I do believe that this is a crime in everyone of the 50 States. Anytime a crime is reported, an investigation should be done. If the facts prove that someone has committed a crime, and that person can be identified, then that person should be charged, and brought to trial.
I have heard no one say that these six juveniles did not beat up the victim. Even the boys in question admit that they did it.
If that is the case, then the boys should have been charged with assault. If it can be proven, that Race was the issue, it should be charged as a hate crime.
Just my 2 cents….

Why didn’t Rev. Jesse Jackson post Mychal Bell’s bail of $5,400? Instead of wasting time orrying about who meets his standards for being black enough or acting white. Rev. Jackson should have been vocal about getting enough green to get this young man out of jail and for defense of the entire Jena 6!

I think he is trying to stay focused on getting the to the white house, there is nothing wrong with that. What would be wrong is if he came to Jena and campaigned. He is trying to transcend race so that he gets a larger cross section of the votes from every ethnic group or race in america. To comment now would not be helpful to his campaign and Jessie knows that. I think he is doing the right thing avoid the confrontation with Jessie because he would loose respect from the black community. The problem I have with black people in America is they complain too much over the small stuff and when a big issue; Jena, comes up the other races think we are acting up too much. Yes I am black conservative and proud of who I am. When we are given a chance we out perform others with ease. Continue to shine Obama

Oh Please Jesse Jackson, get a life. I’m no Obama fan, but he didn’t act white, besides he just used judgement and knows how to speak correctly.
Jesse, I suggest you go find another female to have “secret affairs with”, put your pastor’s collar on, and go back to your DEMOCRATIC and CIA handlers.

Jesse Jackson is a washed out has been, along with his boy Al Sharpton.