by betty warner

Created on: July 25, 2008   Last Updated: June 30, 2011

The words that Jesse's Jackson spoke about Obama were mean and nasty. They were unbefitting of an esteemed leader in this society. The Reverend assuredly has his woes and frustrations as we all do. But just like the rest of us humans he should be held accountable for his behavior. No one can regulate the thought life of another person. That person does however have the responsibility to control what comes out of his mouth. We must all hold him accountable.

This is another example of not being up front. It infuriates me to no end that Black Leaders are coddled when they make a mistake. To me that is a form of discrimination. We are all equal human beings capable of greatness as well as blunders. Take your bitter pill when you have it coming. Blacks are as strong as any other race. Wrong is wrong no matter what color it comes in. There is no favor necessary. There is only entitlement for who you are and what we do.

This shallow excuse-oriented behavior and now massive denial syndrome is exasperating. It is so destructive to our society and our so-called democratic process. It keeps us from moving on. Our current political activity is approaching soap opera proportions. We live in a country where there is incredible disparity against the minority population. Face it. It is a fact. There was and continues to be hurt and pain. Face it. It is fact. Just because we have hope for a better day and a new way does not make these facts go away. It only helps us not to face the damages and casualties that are left behind.

The new generations are filled we hope of progress towards prosperity and a world that can work closer together. We all want that. There is a lot of meat in the adage of old folks that directs 'one not forget where one comes from'. Many are informed through experience or the history books of the events that have taken place in this country against the Black population. It continues no matter what form it takes nowadays. We must remember and understand that these movements and atrocities affected people not cattle or physical structures. There was and continues to be pain and anger on both sides. So where does it go? Oh, we just don't talk about it any more. You think that will do it. I think not.

The world is watching the Obama's, Reverend Wright's, and Jessie Jackson's here in America. Why aren't we? It is because we are in such denial and fear that we cannot see how this is all playing out. Obama is a novelty. He has milk and honey dripping from his lips. It comes at a time when the world, particularly America, needs some exoneration for their past deeds. He is a ray of hope, but it's like a rainbow. This is the Pied Piper Syndrome. He puts the white linen on before clearing the table. Wright is a realist and a casualty of past deeds against the Black people. He says put it all on the table lest you mislead the people. The Piper had the audacity to denounce his own brother. What about that the little glimpse of character? Jackson has worked tirelessly for civil rights. Now he is being given the impression that all of that is old- fashioned and out-dated. He made the critical mistake of allowing his integrity to be put into question. The people allowed him to take on the same prevailing attitude that is abounding now. Let us not speak on it and move on. There should have been some restitution. Is it so shocking that a man of his caliber, the real Jessie, say such a thing?

There has to be a balance between what we perceive and what is truly real. We are all brothers under the skin, believe it or not. Healthy and right living requires accountability.

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