Is Jesse “Too Black�?

Now for Jesse Jackson. It seems to me Jesse is being a bit "too Black". He needs to reverse his cranial inversion, remove the dirt from his eyes and ears, and see and hear the truth and not make racist remarks that inflame the situation.

[Commentary]

I read a column about the Jena 6 and Jessie Jackson’s comment about Senator Barack Obama being “too white”.

I did a google on the Jena 6 and, on the surface, it appears there are definitely some issues that need to be resolved. For example, why, as long as that tree was on school property, did kids even have to ask to sit underneath? Secondly, it was not as though action was not taken against those who placed nooses in the tree. I understand the suspension. I also understand folks being upset that it was done in the first place – indicating deeper issues needing investigation, analysis, and discussion.

At first glance, based on a brawl, the charges of attempted murder are over the top. It was good that the higher court overruled that the individual involved be tried as an adult. However, what are all the facts? Were there prior arrests, etc.?

I served 20 years in the Air Force and was fortunate to be in a position of command five times. I learned early on there are three sides to every story; your side, my side, and somewhere in the middle the truth. The truth needs to be found and equal justice served.

Now for Jesse Jackson. It seems to me Jesse is being a bit “too Black”. He needs to reverse his cranial inversion, remove the dirt from his eyes and ears, and see and hear the truth and not make racist remarks that inflame the situation. There will be little, or no, reaction for Jesse’s comments from the “white” community.

When Ross Perot used the term “you people” when addressing an NAACP gathering during his run for the Presidency, you would have thought the world was coming to an end by the push back he received. However, when Katie Couric used that term, “you people”, when addressing Denzel Washington on national TV, there was no outrage from the Black community because Denzel is viewed as being “too white” also. Well, I want to be “Black” like Denzel.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who Jesse Jackson marched with, dreamed of a day when people would not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I agree there is enough discord in Jena to require additional investigation into what led up to this situation, assessment of what may need to be changed, and then appropriate action taken. However, Jesse needs to take a good long look into the mirror with a little characteristic called “hypocrisy”. Who did you march with? Do you remember his name? Do you remember what he stood for?

While I am not necessarily a Barack Obama supporter, I believe the man has integrity from the perspective he is honest about what he is saying and his desire to serve the country. With Obama it’s not so much about power, but about standing up for what he believes in.

There are issues I will disagree with him all day about, but, I trust him to say what he means and mean what he says – the only Democratic front runner who will hear that from me. If that is being “too white”, well Jesse, you could use some “skin” color change yourself.


Hollister is a retired Air Force Colonel who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Publisher’s comment: We wonder what kind of decisions the good colonel made while serving in the military if he believes mere suspensions for hanging nooses were sufficient punishment; the initial charges against the African American boys included attempted murder.
 
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