Updated at 2:35 pm.
By Christi Parsons
Rev. Jesse Jackson on Tuesday criticized presidential candidates for what he said has been an inadequate response to the arrest of six young African-American teens charged in an alleged attack on a white classmate in a small Louisiana town.
According to a report in The State, based on Columbia, S.C., Jackson singled out Democrat Barack Obama for particular criticism.
Jackson, who earlier endorsed Obama in his run for the party's nomination, reportedly said that Obama is "acting like he's white." Later in the same story, though, Jackson said he didn't remember making the comment.
When Jackson's staff was asked for comment today, his office released a statement saying the remark was taken "out of context" and reaffirming Jackson's support for Obama.
"I reaffirm my commitment to vote for Sen. Barack Obama." Jackson said in his statement. "He has remarkably transcended race, however the impact of Katrina and Jena makes America’s unresolved moral dilemma of race unavoidable. I think Jena is another defining moment of the issue of race and the criminal justice system. This issue requires direct and bold leadership. I commend Sen. Obama for speaking out and demanding fairness on this defining issue. Any attempt to dilute my support for Sen. Obama will not succeed."







Comments
Jesse,
Shhhhhhh
Don't let the cat out of the bag to the guilty white liberals, that Obama is, in fact, 1/2 White.
It will blow their whole concept of the man they plan to vote for including whether or not it will asuage thier guilt.
This story is beyond hysterical.
The left is so pathetic when it comes to race.
Posted by: JD | September 19, 2007 12:05 PM
Sssshhhh,
Don't tell anybody, but Barack is a MULLATO. He spent a couple of years at a MADRASSA.
And last but not least his middle name is (mum's the word) HUSSEIN!
C'mon all you rascist morons let's get it all out there. Be proud of your narrow minded, biggoted crap.
Double the number of Republican blacks in Congress by electing one.
Posted by: Doug Zook | September 19, 2007 12:29 PM
Jesse Jackson is obviously a racist.
!BOGAMA!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 19, 2007 12:49 PM
J.D.: It is a lot more subtle than that. remember in 1992, when Clinton was on his march to the dem nomination (and eight years as president), he denounced some rap singer (Sister Soljer, maybe?) as a hate mongerer and inciter of violence. This helped him somewhat with the perception of Democrats as soft, squishy types who would never do anything to alienate one of the key constituencies, the African-American.
Now Reverend Jackson is, to put it mildly, a polarizing figure. If he criticizes someone, especially in the terms as set forth in the article, thta will be helpful in establishing that candidates' bona fides with the 80% of the country ot the right of Jesse Jackson.
And Jesse Jackson is smart enough to know that.
Posted by: T.J. | September 19, 2007 1:10 PM
Jesse,
Questioning Obama's blackness? What, did Barack flex some power in Illinois that you thought you had? Did he disagree with you? Why the racial overtone?
Mister Kick-back! A true 5 minute muhammed! He's all for action as long as it benefits his agenda and the MEDIA is present!
Jesse, I've often wondered, how did you and your family spend those Kick-backs you received from the Mitsubishi Plant in Bloomington, IL back in the early 90's. Remeber the women harassment suite? That was a grand protest for the people, until you got back door meetings with the car manufacturing company.
Martin King, warned us about this man and his crave for attention. I guess because Obama is the focus, Jesse is upset about not getting enough attention.
Don't you think Barack would better address the social ills of this nation and his people if he were president? Who benefits from this type of rhetoric?
Posted by: Spare Me | September 19, 2007 1:23 PM
So a kid was attacked by six peers and Jesse Jackson is standing up for the attackers??? That is probably why Obama is doing better in presidential polls than Jackson ever did. Obama's mixed race background is no doubt a part of his appeal for his supporters. They hope he can bring the U.S. beyond its history of racial division. He is an articulate politician with a record of success. When he gets some more experience, he may be worth voting for.
Posted by: ttj | September 19, 2007 1:35 PM
"BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH"
George Bush has ignored WHITE AMERICA, BLACK AMERICA, INDIAN AMERICA, MEXICAN AMERICA, CANADIAN AMERICA, and anyone that has sworn allegiance to America and Obama is ACTING WHITE!
Maybe Reverend Jackson needs to remember who the real WHITE MAN REALLY WERE" AND he wouldn't have to look too far and see who really is attempting enslave America.
Where is his comments on S Bill 1639 and its consolidation of all nationalities. Where is his comments on Warrantless wire tapping or the firing of the U.S. Attorneys and their voting caging scheme that disinfranchised african american votes and voters?
SAVE ME THE RHETORIC JESSIE, unless you are willing to come from underneath the (TIT) that you so SERVE!
Your're just jealous he has a better tan than you do!
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 19, 2007 1:38 PM
I am a "white liberal" if you MUST attach labels to people and/or their ideas and thoughts, believes and positions. Mine in fact vary depending on the facts.
HOWEVER, as a general rule, I don't believe anything Jackson says one way or the other, including his little "act" to call attention to yet another "cause" he wants to use mainly to promote himself and his fellow cohorts, Sharpton and Farrakhan.
Maybe I'd would have more incentive to find any of those clowns credible if they would begin by stating their true names, the true facts about their backgrounds, and education and quit insisting on everyone calling them "Rev" when they don't have the credentials to back up that kind of respect either from their schooling, The Bible, or their actions.
In regard to the incident in question, as soon as I learned that any one of those three was involved, my skepticism in regard to the true facts kicked in.
Some day someone should direct their attention to the fable about the 'Little Boy Who Cried Wolf.'
Posted by: Lori Klingman | September 19, 2007 2:24 PM
More Roger Morris hysteria. Dude, please seek help!
Hmmmm, if six white kids attacked a black kid, Jesse probably would be arranging protests galore. Would be holding night vigils and God knows what else. Here, six black kids attack and white boy and Jesse is upset they have been arrested?
Hmmm, where was Jesse when three young black adults were brutally murdered in New Jersey by illegal aliens?
Jackson is a farce, always has been a farce and always will be a farce. If it was six white boys who attacked a black boy then they deserve whatever legal trouble that occurs, just as these six black boys should face for attacking the white kid. End of story. No race necessary. A crime is a crime.
Posted by: John D | September 19, 2007 2:29 PM
Roger, a black kid was attacked by several white and the black kid's head was cracked open by the white kids, and they were charged with a misdomeanor. When the white kid was attacked by the black students their weapon was a pair of sneakers and theses kids were charged/convicted of a felony. Come on...this is nothing but racism. Get your facts straight before you start making racist comments.
Posted by: felecia laurence | September 19, 2007 2:54 PM
Okay America, so black kids are not out tormenting little white kids, regardless of that crime, Jesse Jackson made a statement of color and by color, so you first you have to read between the lines. He was talking to black man in respect to a black man. Its a black thing. What I'm saying is, where is his voice Immigration, where is that silenced, again silenced voice that carried weight and substance.
I care about his plight relating to the kids in all but its isolated and shouldn't be tagged as a staging ground for success in America.
Jessie Jackson needs to let go of his own sins and lead with forgiveness and change. We need National Political Reconciliation in our own streets.
It must be no substance day for John D. Are you scared that Congress won't give George his Surveillance Get out of jail free card and you work for AT&T and they may get sued by millions and millions and millions of americans. BUT HEY OJ GOT BAIL MAYBE DADDY BUSH WILL TOO.
SO JOHN D. you have one vote and one vote all alone in your stall next to the GOP Republican looking to rape someone in America. Hopefully its not one of your five year kids or nephews.
54.1 MILLION PEOPLE THOUGHT JUST LIKE YOU, NOW JUST 16 MILLION LIKE YOU DO.
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 19, 2007 3:36 PM
Okay America, so black kids are not out tormenting little white kids, regardless of that crime, Jesse Jackson made a statement of color and by color, so you first you have to read between the lines. He was talking to black man in respect to a black man. Its a black thing. What I'm saying is, where is his voice Immigration, where is that silenced, again silenced voice that carried weight and substance.
I care about his plight relating to the kids in all but its isolated and shouldn't be tagged as a staging ground for success in America.
Jessie Jackson needs to let go of his own sins and lead with forgiveness and change. We need National Political Reconciliation in our own streets.
It must be no substance day for John D. Are you scared that Congress won't give George his Surveillance Get out of jail free card and you work for AT&T and they may get sued by millions and millions and millions of americans. BUT HEY OJ GOT BAIL MAYBE DADDY BUSH WILL TOO.
SO JOHN D. you have one vote and one vote all alone in your stall next to the GOP Republican looking to rape someone in America. Hopefully its not one of your five year kids or nephews.
54.1 MILLION PEOPLE THOUGHT JUST LIKE YOU, NOW JUST 16 MILLION LIKE YOU DO.
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 19, 2007 3:38 PM
T.J.,
Good call. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Doug Zook,
Not to nitpick (well, yeah, it is, I guess), but double of zero is still zero. I understand your point, though.
Posted by: JB | September 19, 2007 3:58 PM
John D,
As usual you are living in delusion where you believe white criminals receive the same punishment under law as black criminals for the same crime. This Jena 6 case is just another example of the f'ed up justice system in 21st Century America.
Posted by: jethro | September 19, 2007 4:08 PM
Jethro, nowhere do I say there is always equal justice in this country based on race. Clearly more work needs to be done in that regard. And in many ways.
At the same time, hmmm OJ got out of a double murder; R Kelly is still waiting trial for child sex problems from 4, 5 years ago. Snoop Dogg has been arrested how many times and still makes his millions? Same goes for 50 cent. Or how about the railroading of the Duke boys in the Duke rape BS? And didn't Jesse condemn those Duke boys???
Posted by: John D | September 19, 2007 4:44 PM
Felecia,
The white kid was knocked unconscious by the six black thugs who then proceeded to stomp and kick him while he lay helpless on the ground. The victim required hospitalization for his injuries. Jackson and the others who are trying to absolve the attackers just because they are black are pathetic.
Posted by: Chris | September 19, 2007 6:10 PM
Tj has an interesting point.
The other view is that ol' Jesse might be a little jealous of Senator Boy Wonder and be loosing his group as "the official national spokesman for African-Americans".
Or he just missed having his mug in front of the caneras.
Posted by: Terry | September 19, 2007 7:10 PM
Who really cares what Jesse has to say. The old wind bag is a do-nothing, media seeker.
Posted by: Darkwater | September 19, 2007 7:37 PM
Jesse Jackson is half right about Obama, which is about 50 percent better than he usually is. Obama acting white? Maybe because he is half white.
Posted by: Shaniqua | September 19, 2007 9:44 PM
Typical Jesse Jackson, I don't remember saying that! Liar! Racist! Democrat! Do we see a trend. For your information
Rev.Jackson there are alot of good people in this world many of different religions, color, backrounds. Stop making everything a "Black & White issue.
Paul Jaeger
Canton, Ga.v
Posted by: Paul Jaeger | September 20, 2007 8:24 AM
Felecia, speaking of facts, please provide information that says a black kid was attacked and injured by several white kids. I have not read that anywhere.
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 9:37 AM
Jesse Jackson is not MLK, nor is he Malcolm X, Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, W.E.B. Dubouis, or Booker T. Washington. All of those men wanted to help their race. Jesse just wants money. If jesse thinks he can score he will raise some noise then when you give him 6 figures he'll go away. But if you give him 7 figures he will go from critizing to praising you. No need to change policies of your business to be more fair to minorities just give him enough money and he will do a 180 degree turn and started praising your business. You can buy Jackson and Sharpton just like you can buy off a hit man or a prostitute. Neither are worthy of the legacy of MLK, Malcolm X, et al.
Posted by: Christian | March 19, 2008 7:32 AM
I cannot believe the response from the Obama camp on this one...plus, can you believe that Jackson would respond to reporters with a racial epitaph? Unbelievable:
http://www.socoolaz.com/article.cfm?articleID=30224
Posted by: Grayheck | July 9, 2008 6:03 PM
And the Obama camp responds in this manner?
http://www.socoolaz.com/article.cfm?articleID=30224
Posted by: Grayheck | July 9, 2008 6:19 PM