Jesse Jackson and his "foot-in-mouth" syndrome and the Black Establishment

After the whole House health care bill debacle where Alabama Congressman and Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Artur Davis, was one of only few dissenting votes against the health care bill on the grounds of small businesses and his awaiting the Senate version, he was lampooned by the splaboo Jesse Jackson.

'You can't vote against healthcare and call yourself a black man'

The remark stirred a murmur at the reception, held by the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Foundation as part of a series of events revolving around the 25th anniversary of Jackson’s run for president. Several CBC members were in attendance, including Chairwoman and Congressional Democrat Barbara Lee, who had introduced Jackson.

Jackson seems to have a have an issue with black politicos that doesn't fall line-in-toe with the Democratic establishment.  Just last year, Jackson had went on FOX News Channel and had thought he had his mic off when he said "I want to cut his nutts off" about then Democratic candidate Barack Obama on how black men needs to step up as fathers and father-figures.

So this is no surprise to me at all.

However, after a day of ridicule and apparent deep afterthought of his comments, Jackson released another statement yesterday via his organization the Rainbow Coaltion:

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 19, 2009)— “I talked to Congressman Artur Davis today to assure him of my abiding admiration of him as a leader who is engaged in a huge challenge.

I offer no challenge to his integrity as a leader. Representatives should all vote their conscience in the interest of their constituency.

There is a growing disparity among the black and the poor and we desperately need voices and votes.

Among the black and the poor, the infant mortality rate is higher, life expectancy is shorter, poverty is growing and unemployment is highest.

We need comprehensive healthcare that is more accessible and less expensive for all Americans. The historical Davis journey as a change agent continues and his latest quest deserves the support of the caring.”

He better backpedal because it seems to be a common remark I hear from so many blacks that want to question whether or not somebody is 'black enough' because they don't fall into the communal mindset of the majority.  Also Jackson knows he has become an irrelevant political pimp with little to no influence on the decisions of the younger generation of black voters when it comes to black issues.  He hasn't been relevant since the late 1980's and early 1990's at best.

What pisses me off more than anything is the fact that there are fools out there even on Left in Alabama blog where they think the Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC) and the black establishment will show Artur Davis because he didn't do what he was 'suppose' to do on waiting his turn with the Alabama 7th Congressional district seat to now the health care vote.  If we all were to wait our turn on things and always kiss somebody's ass. 

I find it borderline pathetic because there are posters on there giving life and validation to the irrelevancy of people like Joe Reed, the Alabama black Democrats "leader".  This is the same dumbass that inaccurately predicted Hillary Clinton would win Alabama in the 2008 Democratic Primary by endorsing her before even listening to Barack Obama's platform.  It was dumbfounding yet predictable because the Black Establishment ideology comes from the same place where black conservative comes from (which can even be connected to why so many blacks doesn't accept black LGBTs as well but that another conversation).  It's sad commentary on the agenda of those who claim to represent the black voters, but can't even change and evolve with society and time. 

Here's an except from The Hill:

He came to Congress soon after winning a primary against a CBC-backed member, Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-Ala.), whose surrogates had questioned whether the Harvard-educated former prosecutor was “black enough.”
The CBC’s political action committee gave $10,000 to Hilliard to fight off Davis. Then-Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gave even more. But when Davis faced his own primary in 2004, no such help was forthcoming.
“I’m sure I asked,” he said with a laugh on Thursday.
One CBC staffer quipped that Davis  is part of the 42-member caucus “by default.” In an interview, Davis noted he bucked the party on legislation on terrorist surveillance and hate crimes, adding, “I was the only [CBC] member who didn’t sign the letter demanding that [now-Sen. Roland] Burris get seated. I didn’t think that was a racial issue.”

The Black Establishment is another contributing reason why I'm no longer a Democrat since they are always wanting to put somebody in their place.  Yet wasn't that what they were fighting against just 5 decades earlier when they were trying to gain a place at the table in Congress, state legislatures, city council, and other organizations where blacks weren't permitted to serve?  They seem to want to disenfranchise young up incoming black politicos like Obama, Davis, etc. who doesn't want to be directly tied to the identity as being black all the time when they are running for statewide or diverse electoral pool in such offices like mayor, governor, etc. 

Yet, there is always a double standard because the Democratic Establishment will bend hand over foot for a "Blue Dog" white Democrat running to secure an office.  It seems that this a triangulated racial bias when it comes to blacks that doesn't confirm to stereotypical platforms when it comes to public office, but the same principles never seem to apply when a white does the same thing.

Now, I don't agree with Artur Davis on quite a number of things including the stance on same-sex union/civil unions, ENDA, or health care reform, but at least he is able to stand out on his own principles.  It is obvious that because of these traits at the moment he is more electable on the Democratic side than Ron Sparks.  He doesn't have to confirm to anybody's standards to be liked or electable.  However, there are just as many Democratic purists as there are Republican purists, but the "tent" is bigger with the Democrats so they just don't make up the majority.  

Once again, incidents like this reminds me why I am non-conformist along with being my own person because nobody will have your back regardless if you do want they want you to do or not.  Regardless, this also reminds me why I will continue to be an Independent thinker and voter.