Jackson Does Not Recall Saying Obama is "Acting Like He's White."

WASHINGTON -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson told The Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday night he doubted a flare-up over a remark attributed to him about White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) "acting like he's white" would harm the campaign. He called discussions about the blackness or whiteness of the biracial Obama "absurd."

Jackson, who has endorsed Obama, on Tuesday was conducting a voter registration drive in South Carolina, a crucial early primary state with a substantial African-American vote. A big black voter turnout would help Obama.

The Wednesday edition of the State, a South Carolina newspaper, said that Tuesday, "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 the arrest of six black juveniles on attempted-murder charges in Jena, La."

Jackson said he did not recall making the racially charged remark.

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Comments

[OckhamsElectricRazor]

There is nothing sadder than seeing a fallen idealist. Remember his courageous role in the civil rights movement? The Rainbow Coalition? His brilliant oratory and unrivaled ability to define an issue? He seems now cynical, empty and morally compromised. Jackson needs to just fade away and allow the great person that he once was to hold sway in the public memory.

[Jonni Rae]

Jesse is not a fallen idealist. He is the reason the Barack Obama is receiving the wide support he is getting now. Jesse broke the ground for him. He is getting old now and less active. He was in SC registering voters for the primaries Thursday. He is still involved, doing what he can to bring justice and morality to this great nation. He is not a sad figure at all. He is a hero.

[POSTHRUDAHART]

He's an opportunistic race baiter as his his pal Al. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Warmglobe]

I want to understand what he means by "not acting" white. I "presume" that he believes that all men are equal. So why would people of differentr colors act differently? And what is "acting" white actually?

[shag11]

To hell with Jesse Jackson. He outlived his usefulness a long time ago. He's long been only interested in self-enrichment, from a financial standpoint, for many years.

[fourex]

Jesse, Obama is not acting. He is white, one half. Jesse, you got to get that racist 'one drop rule' out of your system

[init]

Jesse, you probably didn't say it. Rove and his like only know one thing: Dirty Polictics. With ALL of the money gone, race is now the last card. White people unhappy, and frustrated, the race card is all that is left.

[ceasenake]

Obama is half white.

Obama was raised by his affluent white grandparents in Hawaii.

He's not acting.

[Jonni Rae]

Read his book. His parents were not affluent. He earned scholarships for his academics.

[ceasenake]

Jesse,

If Obama is going to be president he's going to have to "act white".

[ceasenake]

The libs don't know who's side to be on in this dust-up.

Do you agree that Obama is acting too white?

Probably not, but who can say if that's a bad or a good thing? After all - there's no way he's going to go to the "white" house by bustin' a sag and turning his ballcap sideways.

Is it OK for the Rev. Jackson to point it out if he is?

Probably, but he shouldn't have done it in "mixed" company - he should have done it behind closed doors.

[naschkatze]

Why don't we just call Barack Obama and Tiger Woods biracial, period? Are the black genes somehow dominant? That's not always the case even in the matter of skin color.

[Jonni Rae]

I agree. There are millions of Americans who are mixed. In fact we are mostly all mixed, even caucasians. What is this obsession with race and ethnicity? It is simply fear? Stop it.

[Ginzaman]

Just keep your mouth shut Rev. and concentrate on drawing attention to actual problems. Instead of being the problem.

[speakingtruth2power]

My handle is in part, a recognition to the speeches Jessie Jackson gave leading up to his candidacy for President. Those who choose to deny the power and conviction he spoke with, in support of their own prejudices, have no heart.

Those too young, lack a solid reference to times when fascism was a loosing cause and power to the people was prevalent. Today we see the depravity of the conservative agenda as they deny their own tenets in favor of raw power. The political pendulum is starting to swing OUR WAY AGAIN!!!!

[PaceSetter]

Oh come on. "I don't recall" is a disease sweeping the nation.

Get a grip people! You say things, do things - even if you later regret it, YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE!

People are now using "I don't recall" like the fine print on the social contract. Just 'cause you pretend you don't remember - we can see, we can hear, we're not stoopid. You're still f*cking responsible! (You paying attention Abu Gonzales?)

It's really the American disease of the new millennium. Everyone wants all the benefits of a new world order, but no one wants to take any of the responsibility.

Hey, Jesse, Obama's not acting white or black, he's acting like a politician who's scared to piss off anyone in case they don't vote for him.

[jackjett]

Jesse Jackson and Rev Alice Shaprton are the Spinal Tap of Black Politics.

This shit they are pulling in Jena serves no purpose than a pathetic attempt to regain the spotlight from Obama.

Non Entities serve no purpose for any cause.

Jack Jett

[Destin]

Funny how this doesnt' come out til he goes to endorse Obama, the biggest threat the GOP considers to themselves.

Believe me, if Jackson did in fact say such a thing, we'd have never, ever, heard about OJ's latest legal woes. Cause the Jackson comment would have swamped all news and GOP would be running their typically racist tv commercials about it.

[SeanGardner]

I hit Jackson pretty hard yesterday for the "acting like he's white" remark. And I still stay by what I wrote. Because like I said to a friend today, "I didn't say that" is much stronger than "I don't recall". Much stronger. And Jackson didn't flat out say he "didn't say it".

My friends who believe Jackson didn't say it, and that the media simply twisted his words, submit that Jackson endorsed Obama in the Spring so he definitely likes him. Ok, he likes him. But I believe the main reason Jackson hitched his wagon to Obama's bullet train is because Jackson wants to stay relevant with the youth vote that.

I've defended Jackson, and even Al Sharpton in the past. And even on this very blog. As incendiary and confrontational as they are, they are relevant. Truly. And I agree with what the blogger NYCIC wrote above:

"America will always choose, among blacks, the one who seems more amiable, more eager "to go along, to get along". Arrogance and firery rhetoric won't do. America is, and always will be, threatened by a vociferous black man. In the field of sports, aside from his indomitable prowess on the links, this is why white America can so easily love Tiger Woods, rather than Allen Iverson, say."

Jackson and Sharpton are not the "go long to get along" types. But Obama himself can't be characterized like that either. Obama has a knack for not telling interest groups what they want to hear (http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2007-08-29-1958176412_x.htm), and, if you read the current ESSENCE MAGAZINE on newsstands now, Obama reveals some hard truths about how the legacy of discrimination has affected African-Americans.

Jesse's two successful campaigns in the 1980s pushed the door open for blacks wanting to take part in back-door political strategy, not just "get out to vote" activities. Thank you Jackson.

Now its Obama's turn, and I believe he is doing a great job, where the victims of Hurricane Katrina are concerned, and where the JENA 6 are concerned.