Do Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson seek equality for people or are they using a script of Animal Farm?

Question

For those of you who've read "Animal Farm" the whole Imus story reminds me of the farmer. The farmer was bad. After they overthrew him, the pigs came to power. The end result was that the pigs designed things so that some citizens were more equal than others. That seems to be path some people desire we move towards or am I mistaken?

Answer 1

I think your analogy from Animal Farm does ring true. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and other pundits who purport to speak for the black community don’t seem to be endeavoring for the establishment of equality among the races. Instead, they seem to be vying for special treatment for their own race.

If you look at Sharpton’s and Jackson’s record over the years, one will notice something that is glaringly missing. What is that? Well, what is so patently absent in their public life is their defense of other minorities (i.e. Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and Asian Americans) and other marginalized groups (i.e. Jews and homosexuals).

If Jackson, Sharpton, and the plethora of media personalities who argue for equality, truly want to substantiate their sincerity of intent with regards to their goal of achieving a egalitarian society, you would see them be equally as vocal when a Mexican gets discriminated against, or when an Asian or Native American’s economic progress is stymied by prejudice, or when Jews and homosexuals are vilified in the court of public opinion.

What we see, quite clearly, is the exact opposite. These two prominent black men are conspicuously silent when the forces of injustice are levied at any other group aside from blacks. If you are truly about the equitable treatment of people you don’t merely become active when someone of your own skin color becomes disenfranchised, you must protest, regardless of who it is that is the victim of inequity - regardless of whether they are black, brown, Asian, Jewish, or even Caucasian.

The Martin Luther King that Jesse Jackson served under, and whose image and reputation that both men try to invoke, shamelessly I might add, would have been appalled at the discriminatory way in which these men use their media clout and political influence.

King’s iconic “ I Have A Dream” speech extolled the vision of a brotherhood of men and women, that gives no regard for the racial, religious and other shallow distinctions that have normally divided humanity. I am sure, to exercise ones democratic right to dissent for the advantage of one group only, would be in King’s mind, a form of discrimination in and of itself.

As far as Imus’ statements go, they may have been in poor taste and insensitive, but I don’t think men like Jackson and Sharpton should have called for his dismal from his long held job. Men like Jackson and Sharpton must keep in mind that their freedom of speech is the very same freedom of speech that should have protected Imus from reprisal of this sort. Once one group seeks to jeopardize the freedom of speech of an opposing party, that group is unwittingly becoming an accomplice to precluding its own right to expression at some future point.

Many will say that Imus’ freedom of speech wasn’t infringed upon because no government censorship was ever exerted on Imus, but it was merely the free market acting out its distaste. This maybe true, but Jackson and Sharpton’s public outcry and insistence on Imus losing his position, sets a bad precedent that could easily be codified into legislation that indeed does curtail our freedom of expression.

Aside from Sharpton and Jackson’s uneven treatment of racial issues, I think their efforts in this case, as in many others, does blacks more of a disservice than anything else. After all, what are we to think when such a mighty media and political blitz is marshaled at a single person for some juvenile remarks made at one race, when other races get equally ridiculed and no one from these minority groups sees the need to take to the streets and protest? To me all Sharpton and Jackson’s efforts do is crystallize a view long held by many in the American public that black culture is a culture forever infected by weakness and victim hood. While other minorities have rose out of oppression, discrimination, and public denigration through hard work, it is only the black race that has vocal proponents like this that, to not mince words, whine incessantly on their behalf.

Maybe it is time that African Americans stop relying on divisive men like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, and start to work for their respect instead of suing, protesting, and intimidating people to get it. Maybe then they will enjoy the success and prestige of other minorities who came to this country after they did, and who have surpassed them socially, economically and politically.

Answer 2

#1. Imus should have known not to say something like that.
#2. He apologized, maybe he should be given another chance.
#3. Rappers (and others) use words & phrases as bad or worse than what Imus said.
#4. Rappers are not "fired" for derogatory descriptions of women or others, rather they are applauded (at least by many in our society)
#5. There seems to be a double standard when Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and others of their ilk have been allowed to bully the media and others into decisions that follow their idea of morality and law
#6. Perhaps some people have too much power and are too full of themselves and people need to stop listening to their advice

Answer 3

LOL!

They exploit the arrogance and ignorance that black American culture has embraced.

There is a saying: it is the dream of the oppressed to become the oppressor.

Well, whites don't oppres blacks anymore. But whites are getting punished for using the very same language in the very same ways as blacks, who go unpunished.

I find it quite sad, the folks who embrace Sharpton and Jackson's rhetoric, and at the same time actually call themselves Christians. There is absolutely nothing loving toward anyone about what was done to Imus. Therefore, what was done to him was unChristian.

Go with God.

Answer 4

I do not think they are attempting to change anything.

1. If the Black Americans that believe the rhetoric each of the people mentioned are constantly spuing it would greatly change Al and JJ's income.
2. If Black Americans were not told how bad they have it, how whitey owes them something al and jj would be out of power.

Look at the Black American leaders since Dr. King and Malcolm X (who was killed because he attempted to teach equality and unity instead of separatism); who is there that will say Take your rightful place in America! Stop poisoning the minds of Black Americas youths! All good People UNITE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! there has been no one.

My Black friends agree. people like al and jj have to keep the wool pulled over as many peoples eyes as they can to keep their empire dollars a' rollin'.

It is up to the good Black, White, and every race in this country to tell all and jj where to go.

Answer 5

Sharpton and Jackson do not care about some thing except the money they earn. they need to whinge about each little thing and keep the turmoil stirred up so as that they are oftentimes on television or write a e book or in basic terms make some funds.

Answer 6

Yes,I've thought of that analogy decades ago.