DUers, if you had a chance to get a message to Rev. Jesse Jackson

[prolesunited]

what would it be?

What would you like to tell him? What do you want him to know? How would you like him to use the media spotlight?

Also, while we're on the topic, what do you think of him and the contributions that he has made?

[absyntheNsugar]

1. COME BAAAAACK!!!!

We miss him!

[GOPisEvil]

2. I'd remind him of the 14th Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause.

Re: his comments on "gay marriage not being a civil right".

Overall, I'd say he has done many fine things, but he has occasional missteps. I heard him speak live once. Best. Speech. Ever.

I would ask that he remind the people who follow and respect him just who their politcal friends are, and to not be swayed by the false prophets of the GOP.

[Bertha Venation]

3. I'd tell the good rev that I am married.

Not unioned. Not partnered. Not coupled.

Married before family, friends and God.

His opinion of what marriage is or is not does not change that fact.

It's the same thing I'd say to Santorum or Kerry or anyone else who claims heterosexual rights to "the sanctity of marriage."

Unfortunately, proles, I can't answer your final question. I don't know enough about the man. My statements above are based on his of recent days.

[prolesunited]

9. Here's a link

to his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Web site:
http://www.rainbowpush.org/FMPro?-db=RPOfrontpage.fp5&-format=rainbowpush/frontpage/results.htm&-lay=front&constant=1&-find

And here is his bio:
http://www.galegroup.com/free_resources/bhm/bio/jackson_j.htm

[leftchick]

4. I would like him to address the potential for vote fraud in 2004...

The potential is huge and needs to be addressed by all of our representatives. I also believe the voter rolls will be purged of many black folks in many states this time. Not just Florida where it was perfected. Go Jesse! Let's talk about it!!

[reprehensor]

6. I second that emotion. n/t

[reprehensor]

5. DLC and the PPI...

The 'New Democrats' have chosen to embrace a vision of Foreign Policy not entirely dissimilar to the one proposed by PNAC. Perhaps not quite as heavy on pre-emption, but still very much status quo for the Military Industrial Congressional Complex.

I would encourage the Rev. to be vocal about this topic. America is travelling down the wrong path. It's time to change direction and embrace renewable energy, stop waging wars for the oil and gas industry, and stop being the bully of the world.

Democracy is not a nutrient that can be injected willy-nilly into 3rd world countires, the desire for Democracy must come from within.

[hang a left]

7. I'd like to ask him a question.

I'd query, "Jesse, what do you guys talk about at those Council on Foreign Relations meetings?"

[chiburb]

8. Well, I'll start...

My message & question:

Please clarify your remarks at Harvard re G/L/B/T marriage. We KNOW they weren't brought here in chains, but do you see the inequality parallels at all?

Media spotlight:

I'd like to see him go to Iraq and spotlight the plight of Iraqi citizens who are part of the "human struggle" too.

What I think of him and his contributions:

It's kind of a "familiarity breeds contempt" thing for me. I grew up here (Chicago) with Jesse and saw/see evidence of his ego and reverse racism (at times). I DO NOT minimize his contributions to the greater good of ALL of us by shining the light on the injustices practiced on SOME of us. On balance, he's done much more good than bad.
Also, isn't that almost always the case: be it Carol Mosely-Braun, Jesse, Al Gore in Tennessee, whomever, whereever... the closer you are the more critical you are?

Finally, apologize for me: In 1975 he walked past me on a plane to Jamaica and I called him Reggie (hey! The A's were in the World Series again!).

On edit: There were NO responses when I started typing, hence my header...)

[chiburb]

10. Hey Proles...

Why do you ask?

[prolesunited]

11. No reason

:-)

Actually, I'll be seeing him Saturday.

I really thought there would be more interest in this. :shrug:

[Jose Diablo]

12. Tell him he needs to get back on message with

what MLK started before he was shot.

The system is rigged against both poor blacks and whites.

Get back to his 'rainbow' coalition and raise holy hell. We are tired of this shit and we ain't gonna take it anymore.

I think his hearts in the right place, but he has been fighting against the wind. But the wind is shifting with jobs going overseas. I think all the people are ready to look at the crummy tax system that keeps poor people poor, lack of jobs caused by 'elitist' corporate leaders. Corrupt voting systems keeping bums in office.

Hell Prole, you know what to say.

[prolesunited]

13. If you look at his Web site

and some of his recent speeches, I don't think he really has lost his focus. However, I think he has been marginalized by both the media and the powers that be.

[tigereye]

15. funny I was just saying that I remember how energizing his

campaign and Rainbow Coalition was in 88 (that was the year, right?) in another thread, and how excited he was and his supporters were to be represented and supported at the convention. I love his fiery and unrepentant rhetoric, although I do not agree with all of it. We need some good orators to fire people up. I voted for him in our state primary that year... I usually vote for the most liberal cand. in the primary - hell I stumped for Jerry Brown in the 92 election. I felt Clinton was too slick at the time... would have preferrd Hillary, actually.

[Chovexani]

14. I think Jesse is a good guy.

I think Jesse is a good guy. He has made some good contributions and is a powerful fighter for justice. I also think he is a human being just like everyone else and makes mistakes. I would ask him to clarify his remarks about gay marriage, specifically bearing in mind the needs and concerns of Black GLBTs. When I was 8 I wore a Jesse Jackson for President button to school. I'm a fan, so when he says things like that it hurts.

I don't think he has lost focus but I think he, like all our leaders, needs to be reminded of the people he represents. I agree with you that the media has tried to marginalize him, as they do to anyone with a progressive bent.

[Ediacara]

16. Please rethink your position on gay rights

is what I would tell him.

[anti-NAFTA]

17. Is he literally against gay marriage

or is he just against comparing it to the black civil rights movement?

[prolesunited]

18. Anyone else

have ideas — not that this isn't a great start.

[jonnyblitz]

19. why are you meeting with him soon or something?

how cool. :P :hi: