I recently read about comments the Rev. Jesse Jackson allegedly made about Senator Barack Obama. In his comments, Rev. Jackson made the same points that I’ve been making recently, that Barack Obama is off-base with his constant attacks on the Black community in Black churches. I have worked with Rev. Jackson and his daughter Santita on many occasions and I have tremendous respect for what they’ve done. At the same time, Barack Obama and the Black community must make a decision on just how much we are willing to allow ourselves to be demeaned and degraded in order to get the chance to come to the White House.
Obama’s harsh words for Black men would have been ok if I were also hearing him pointing out flaws in White America, Jewish America or other parts of America. But it is problematic that he feels that making the flaws of Black America to be worse than those of other ethnic groups is the way to get elected. The truth is that these words are nothing more than a continuance and reflection of what many members of White America do to African Americans on a regular basis.
Are there problems in the Black Community? Yes. But are we worse human beings, more lacking in moral fiber or more irresponsible than other ethnic groups? No. So stop saying that we are. That goes for Barack Obama or anyone else.
I will vote for Obama, but we can’t have this. This is both unfair and overwhelming. I am sure that Rev. Jackson didn’t intend for his words to reach the public, but truth be told, his sentiments reflect many private conversations I’ve been hearing among African American leaders (not the ones getting paid, but the ones who truly care about Black People).
I am about to appear on WVON, a station in the Southside of Chicago, to discuss Rev. Jackson’s words. Given that Obama and Jackson come out of this area, I want to show support to both of these strong and respected men. But as I pointed out on the BET special we taped this weekend, I don’t consider Barack Obama to be a Black Leader. He has not paid the dues of Jesse Jackson, and literally jumped on the scene just a couple of years ago. While this is not a problem and he deserves our support, the truth of the matter is that he does not have a blank check on the moral authority necessary to undermine 40 years of hard work toward the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Again, I support Barack Obama for president. But I want to keep pride in my community as well. If we keep flip flopping, denouncing and humiliating ourselves, we will arrive at the finish line culturally depleted. Black people deserve more than that.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” He does regular commentary in national media, including CNN, ESPN, CBS, and BET. For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.net.
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