Jesse Jackson says Obama nomination crowns civil rights movement

Political observers of a certain age these days remember the Rev. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns in the dimness of two decades ago.

Today, Jackson says the anticipated nomination of Sen. Barack Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate represents a crowning achievement for the civil rights movement as well as an "I-told-you-so" moment in the history of U.S. race relations.

Jackson appeared before the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune today in advance of the annual Rainbow PUSH Coalition convention that begins Saturday. He also said that he, unlike numerous other observers this year, was largely satisfied with the proportional Democratic delegate selection system that was a key to the extended party nominating -- a system Jackson was substantially responsible for in 1988.

Jackson called Obama's nomination "the last lap of a 54-year marathon race" that began with the U.S. Supreme Court's 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education ruling, followed by a series of civil rights events that included the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I have a dream" speech.

"People have been too quick to say, 'Back in the civil rights day,' " Jackson noted. "The civil rights movement never stopped. Its form may have changed from certain kinds of demonstration activity, but the struggle to get the right to vote was not led by either party. They celebrate the results of it, but in those marches, neither party invested in the success of those marches or martyrs."

Our colleague Rick Pearson has the rest of the Jackson story over at the Swamp.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[VJ Machiavelli]

I wonder what Jessie will say if Obama loses in November to McCain ?

VJ Machiavelli
Http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[Alessandro Machi]

It is most ironic that a fine candidate like Barack Obama actually just barely lost the election, but was hoisted over the finish line by collusion and scandal.

Without Fair Reflection, there is no real democracy.

http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com

[kat]

The only thing black about Barack Obama is his wife and his skin tone.

Seems it wasn't too long ago that black leaders wouldn't claim him because he wasn't a real black man, i.e. descended from slaves and/or raised black. It was only Bill Clinton's remarks about South Carolina that polarized and unified black voters behind Obama. Before that, they were snubbing him in a Condoleeza, Colin kind of way as a person who had embraced the white world. Blacks seemed to resent Obama's success for than basking in them as a product of black achievement. Black often criticize other blacks who they see as living in white world. That usually includes people like his wife too who, if truth be told, would tell you that she felt ostracized by blacks when she chose the Princeton path.

The fact is, Obama is the product of a white upbringing and he was also more than willing to label his white grandmother and benefactor as a bigot in order to gain votes.

If Obama has prevailed as a black man he has done it despite people like Jessee Jackson rather than because of them.

[It's Not About YOU]

Jesse, it would be great if you and Al and Louis stayed out of this election.

Thanks

[A McCain Democrat]

First, let me say I think its great to have all races and genders represent the United States of America as political servants. Let me say this again... political servants. Politicians are suppose to serve the country, not serve themselves. I find Obama someone who just talks, flip-flops, and honestly, I don't really know where he stands because he "changes" his position so many times. He's going to say anything to get elected. I also find him divisive... just look at his church he's had gone for 20 YEARS, before his church became too politically damaging. Then he starts talking again, and pulls the wool over everybody's eyes. That's "change" we can't believe in!