Sharpton Defends Jackson On Obama Comments: "We Have All Made Mistakes"

KENNER, La. — The Rev. Al Sharpton on Tuesday defended the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has come under fire for his recent crude off-air criticism of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

"We have all made mistakes. We have all erred, and we ought not try to sugar coat when we err," Sharpton told a gathering of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in this New Orleans suburb.

"But we should not throw away everything when we err, and to say that Rev. Jackson made a mistake is correct, but to act like Rev. Jesse Jackson is not pivotal to our movement, our history ... is wrong."

"Jesse Jackson," he added, "is somebody."

Jackson had been scheduled to address the SCLC's 50th anniversary convention Tuesday morning, but his press office said he was on vacation and a representative was sent in his place.

Jackson apologized twice earlier this month for "regretfully crude" comments about Obama during what he thought was a private conversation during a taping break for the news show "Fox & Friends."

In a fiery speech that was part political rally and part big tent revival, Sharpton applauded Obama's success and promised to do what he could to get him elected.

But he also said there is room for more than one leader in the ongoing fight for civil rights.

He called the Illinois senator a product of the civil rights movement _ not the end to it.

"The bias in the media is they try to act like we can't have multiple strategists," Sharpton said. "We have never had a one-man movement."

Sharpton urged the group not to forget the history of their movement and to stay involved.

Even the election of Obama would not constitute "achievement of the dream," Sharpton said, because inequality would remain in health care, education and criminal justice.

He said a long fight was waged to get blacks the right to vote and now it is imperative to "protect this vote."

"This vote is soaked in the blood of our martyrs," he said.

Comments

[Dreamers101]

I am off this post before my Democratic Comrades say something that may be or seem offensive in the eyes of the African American community.

I would give advice though on speaking out on irrelevancy and relevant terms when it comes down to these two men.

Please caution you’re words and use a dignified approach in your talking points on this subject matter.

Thank you

[TheShadow]

Yes Reverend, you're right: Can you say "Tawana Brawley"?

That's how you got your start, and it also ruined the professional lives of a couple of NYC policemen way back when.

Have you learned your lesson?

[jupitor]

Smart Rev. to bring this all up now. Jesse jackson got caught saying some thing no minister should ever say. He said it not to the mans face, but behind his back when he thought it wouldn't be heard. This is how Jackson really feels, and it's very sad. Obama will no doubt forgive the man, but you sure don't truest that kind of back stabbing person again. So Rev. it's up to Obama to forgive, and he don't need you telling him or us how , when, or where to do that at. Both you older men should just move over now and let the younger people take the helm. Our days are gone, as is mccains. Our usefulness of how we were pemitted to speak, and stay in the lime light has faded. When we are looked upon to give advice, feel obliged to do so to help them------­----------­-but don't continue to push yourself into the light where you no longer belong, and intrude upon them and hurt them , the way Jesse Jackson hurt Obama. Take take the low profile, before you hurt him even more!

[anthonylee]

Rev. Sharpton . . . . never, never, never make excuses for bad behavior. . . . .

I've got nothing but "love" for Rev. Jackson and his great "works" . . . . but that's not the point . . . . there are consequences for our actions and Jesse has earned a: "sit down - humble - keep quiet" for the remainder of this election cycle.

[Horace McMillon - Huffpost Blogger]

I could not agree more.

[CharlesJ]

Sharpton, Jackson and all those other past older civil rights leaders need to step back and quit trying to seal the show, be quiet and retire. They have done their part now let this young man do his part.

[MrChris]

Yes, yes, Jesse Jackson IS somebody.

Somebody very stupid and increasingly irrelevant. If I were a member of the African American community I would be positively *thrilled* that new leaders of Barack Obama's caliber are beginning to appear.

Sharpton and Jackson need to retire to someplace sunny, warm and remote. Far from cameras and microphones.

[ramper]

The two reigning leaders of the Foot In The Mouth Club will now convene their Excuse Conference at any microphone near them.

[DesertLight]

Let's see, who will amble up to the Podium first? Uh, it looks like all with his bullhorn.

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

Al: Sit down and shut up. No one asked you, but great job bringing this old story up again! Jerk.

[DesertLight]

These guys are in a desperate struggle for relevance.

[sueno]

Great advice!
All of us must stay focused and not be swayed
by the distractions of personal politics.

[cdub1991]

First, I consider Obama to be more a result of the civil rights movement as opposed to one of its national leaders. I'm not even sure HE would make that assertion. Sharpton is correct in asserting that the movement exists independently of the Obama phenomenon, with its own leaders and priorities. Absolutely nothing wrong with that; there's room for both.

As for Jesse--well, he's always had a tendency to speak in very plain English. I think most accept his apology, acknowledge the sentiment that lead to his statements in the first place (which you may or may not agree with--not my point) and are ready to move on.

[thenicerguy]

And Al Sharpton REALLY knows from making mistakes.

[4real]

NO...nut again.

[AdLib]

BREAKING NEWS

Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson have been hospitalized together, suffering from severe dehydration of relevance.

Doctors are optimistic that both patients will survive though they may have to have their relevance completely removed.

[ATL78]

I listen to Al's show everyday from 1-3, so he's still pretty relevant to me. I don't agree with him, or anyone, 100% but I think people who are willing to fight the good fight should always be relevant. The caricature that the media makes of him is not who he or his work is. He's still an important voice IMO.

[utleftie]

BREAKING NEWS...

Show me a person who thinks that Jackson and Sharpton are irrelevant, and i'll show you someone who:

1. Doesn't know anything about the civil rights movement
2. Doesn't know anything about the gay rights movement
3. Doesn't know anything about the women's movement
4. Doesn't know anything about the social justice movement
5. Doesn't know anything about the movement to fight poverty

I could go on and on, but clearly you are lacking in enough understanding already!

[Dreamers101]

Dear Adlib

I don’t know if you are African American, European American or Anglo American but I take your comments to heart my friend as a little distasteful.

Al Sha’rpton and Rev. Jesse Jac’kson for all their faults and short comings have been on the frontlines for AA equality in this nation.

Jesse made a trouble blunder as we all witness for what he said about the Senator and he has since apologized for his big devise blowhard statement.

I don’t believe as you do that both of these man are irrelevant. I am African American and I do still respect both of these men for what they have done and accomplished to bring equality to the forefront of this nation.

I don’t always agree with them but they both were here before Senator Bar’ack Oba’ma and I think O even recognizes this fact.

Without them pushing the point forward from the dreams of MLK think both Senator O and I would not have the opportunities to do what we do and that is to live up to the best of our abilities as black men in America trying to live out dreams and the dreams of our families.

I am not putting you down my friend and I have no doubt that your statement is a deep failure to recognize their contributions that both these men.

Best regards,

RW

[AdLib]

You are a class act Dreamers101!

I'm sorry if the post came off as dismissive of their past accomplishments, I am well aware of and respect many of their past contributions to civil rights, justice and equality.

What I was trying to express (apparently unsuccessfully) in a humorous way is that it seems to me that, especially in light of the "cut his balls off" crack towards 0bama, the ego of the old guard is their downfall in terms of them continuing to be relevant.

If you browse my profile you'll see I applied the same criticism to Blll CIinton with his inappropriate actions and words.

Despite their remarkable accomplishments in the past Jackson and Sharpton seem intimidated by 0bama's taking the reins on issues of race and equality.

They are only human, they have the strengths and weaknesses that people do and I'm afraid that they have given into their weaknesses.

Once again, your response was thoughtful and effective on all fronts, I appreciate it.

[BigLib]

Jackson committed the unforgivable sin- disrespecting The Chosen One.

Show him the underside of the bus.

[celticjag]

Gee, wouldn't it be nice if the Rev Al had treated Imus with the same understanding and tolerance? Just a thought!