Where the Hell is Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, etc.?

[DemocracyInaction]

They pounced on Imus (rightfully so). Why do they not launch massive campaigns against Beck and Limbaugh? Limbaugh and Beck's crap make Imus' remarks look tame. They are not in policy disagreements with Obama. They are pushing racial hatred and assassination. Why aren't Al and Jessie making advertisers and broadcasting entities shake in their boots? Only thing I can think of is that it seems Al and Jessie can get their faces on Fox regularly but aren't seen much elsewhere. I also have the funny feeling that they don't like Obama taking over their role as the leaders of the Black community.

[dionysus]

1. good question.

[MadMaddie]

2. Where are they? They have been told that their war against

civil rights injustices are done. That was yesterday, they were told that there is no place for them in this new battle of racism. They were told their ways of organizing and fighting the power structure are over. Well funny how things have worked out it is exactly those methods that we need to crush the likes of Beck Limpballs, Hannity, Palin and Savage .

Many people did not understand that the racist propaganda is alive and well in America. People wanted to hide behind their rose colored glasses and think that everything was okay.


That's where they are.


Even though many positive strides have been made, racism in this country has always been bubbling under the surface and now with Beck, Limpballs, Hannity, Palin, Savage and other right wing racists it's out in the open now. Out like it was before, they haven't utterred "Nigger" yet but if you read between the lines and the code talk they just haven't said the word itself.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. + 1

[phoenixriz]

4. Sharpton gave the eulogy at

Michael Jackson's private burial services at Forest Lawn this last week

[DemocracyInaction]

5. Ahhh-out burying "stars"

MLK must be turning over in his grave..........

[jwirr]

6. You are so correct. My sister is in a mixed marriage and the first thing

they learned was where not to go because they would not be safe.

[Clio the Leo]

7. I dont know where Jessie is.......

..... but he can stay put.

[CoffinEd]

8. Maybe they haven't been asked

I recall both saying years ago that they only show up at events where they are explicitly asked to participate. People can believe this or not.

Regarding the Imus controversy, I know that Sharpton (and maybe even Jackson) was contacted directly by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) to bring publicity to the situation. The same is true in the Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell case (Sharpton) and the incident involving students from FAMU (Jackson) during the 2000 presidential selection. Both men were seen at the Jackson funeral and memorial events because they are long-time family friends who were explicitly asked by the family to participate.

Again, people can believe this or not.

As for this "funny feeling:"

"I also have the funny feeling that they don't like Obama taking over their role as the leaders of the Black community."

Last time I checked the majority of black people, including me, who support Obama do not view him as the leader of the "black community," but as the duly-elected President of the United States. Plus, the black community is large and diverse enough to have more than one, two, or even three "leaders." Hell, I think of myself as a "leader" in the black community and I'm sure as sugar that many people never have heard of Coffin Ed before.

Now I would imagine that if Van Jones or the Color of Changed reached out to Sharpton and Jackson for assistance, either or both men would be more than happy to lend their support. But until that invitation is extended, don't expect to see either man jumping on the "down with Glenn Beck" bandwagon anytime soon. As for silencing Limbaugh, what would people have Jackson and Sharpton do? Obama is a public figure who knew that the right-wing would be hurling a tanker-load of crap his way if he became president.

Whether or not people respect Jackson or Sharpton, one thing you cannot accuse them of is caving in to hostile mobs or "withering criticism" from their opponents; especially if they think their positions are fair and just.

Just to be clear, I am not trying to be unnecessarily disagreeable, just offering my humble opinion.