Group think is a “disease” that afflicts minority groups. You must follow every thing the minority leadership says and does if you don’t you are traitor, a sellout. That was the implication by Reverend Jesse L. Jackson on Wednesday to Congressman Arthur Davis (D-Al) at a Reception for Congressional Black Caucus Fund.
Rev. Jackson in a speech in at tribute to him on the 25th anniversary of Presidential Campaign said, “We even have blacks voting against the healthcare bill from Alabama,” Jackson said at a reception Wednesday night. “You can’t vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man.”
While Jackson didn’t say Davis by Name. Davis is the only Congressional Black Caucus member to vote against the bill. Davis is running for Governor of Alabama in the Democratic Primary.
Davis’ office said he would not engage Rev. Jackson. But issue this statement.
“One of the reasons that I like and admire Rev. Jesse Jackson is that 21 years ago he inspired the idea that a black politician would not be judged simply as a black leader,” Davis’s statement said. “The best way to honor Rev. Jackson’s legacy is to decline to engage in an argument with him that begins and ends with race.”
“The poorest people need health care protection,” Jackson said. “They have the highest infant mortality and the lowest life expectancy. They’re dying from lack of access.”
Many in attendance taken aback. Most were supportive of Jackson’s remarks Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) called Jackson remarks “Accurate” but he didn’t “You can’t vote against health care and call yourself a black man.”
“If it is an issue that disproportionately impacts black folks, race has to be considered,” Cleaver said. Jackson, he added, “is expected by his constituency to call balls and strikes.”
As a black man I thank Rev. Jackson as well the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.for paving the way. However, some of us have different points of view. It seem the our leadership stuck in victimization mode. The we must walk in lock step or be called an uncle Tom, a sellout, a House Ni__er.
I for one did not vote for Barack Obama for president. President Obama is my President. He has taken some the most radical policies that I ever seen in young (I’m 42) life. The stimulus plan has backfired, bailout of banks has benefited the industry not the customer. Ownership of car companies and Cash for clunkers benefited mainly the European and Japanese automakers. Ford Motor Company also benefited because they didn’t seek bailout funds.
Now Health care. The congress should have improve Medicare and Medicaid which give the poor better access to health care . Tort reform would give victims of medical malpractice more money that now goes to attorneys. Portability which allows people to buy health insurance across state lines.
Sometimes we need different points of view to help. There is no shame of being a conservative or “moderate” the black community needs embrace different points of view. I take a moderate or conservative political view.
Welfare is necessary in very difficult times but then we need to get off for other who need it more.We need to show we can survive including myself us move up.
These no shame have a good education and talking proper English. When I younger people made fun of me because I talked white. (I also went a white church in Anaheim,CA the church’s Sunday school program ran buses to my neighborhood as well in Northwest Orange County picked me up from my parents moved from Central Long Beach to Hawaiian Gardens where they now live. )
President Obama is indeed a role model in the fact he had book smarts as well as street smarts.( I confess I don’t have street smarts). Only time will tell more kids will take after him (not necessary politics-wise.)
We need to know history. Most African-American age 60 years and older remember when welfare did not exist. We had our own businesses. Neighbor help neighbor. Because of “Jim Crow” laws we had to fend or our selves. Today, thanks President Johnson’s “War on Poverty” which brought welfare to scene. It was to be temporary, but some cases families are now in third generation of welfare. It is seen easy money. There used was shame now its very acceptable to on it.
It was only with President Clinton and Republican congress that has come to an end. Now President Obama and Democrat controlled House and Senate are attempt to roll back the progress what President Clinton made.
The Black community (let alone other minority groups) to think out of the box and discover conservative view points are valid as much liberal they might learn something.
The Hill
