Jesse Jackson, Surgeon General

A lot of attention has been devoted to this moment of candor that brought Jesse Jackson into the spotlight last week. While it's disappointing to see that even the greatest leaders within our diaspora cannot escape the pathology of our mental and social development in America, I think we do ourselves a disservice to honor it with much discourse.

That's my politically correct "King's English" way of saying Jesse is out of line and insecure. If he's stupid enough to say something that inflammatory around the media, then it's time for him to go sit down somewhere, for real. Nobody can argue his love and dedication to the Black community, nor the gains he's made for us as a people in America. But damn, we sure know how to be own own worst-enemy at the most in-opportune times.

Our older Black leadership has built their relevance fighting against a political and social system that has systemically stymied growth and access to opportunity for Blacks. These systems continue today, but not in the same contexts as before. Our new Black leadership has a different approach that aligns better with the contemporary nuances of a progressive, global, and broader multi-cultural world. The old paradigms don't work as well, and can sometimes be misplaced and counter-productive - a la Rev. Wright.

I think the whole episode tarnished Jesse's image the most - because it revealed the irrational and emotional aspects of what happens when someone who used to be "the man" realizes he's now the "old man." Passing the torch can be graceful or clumsy; it depends on the grip each person has on it.

Furthermore, if Obama was off-message, I might be able to see Jackson's point of view. But BHO was saying what we have always known to be true - take responsibility for yourself and your family. We know the system must become more inclusive and enabling to Black people, but showing initiative by refusing personal complacency will get a more positive reaction from policymakers. Let's use a real-life example:
Questions: How long should a single mom working full-time let her able-bodied boyfriend lay on her coach all-day?; How long should she accept her baby-daddy's refusal to contribute child support to her household?
Answers: Not one more day; Not one more day.


Just One Man's Opinion.