m eo
By Kiron Terrell
kterrell@email.Linc.edu
Recently Jesse Jackson's indiscretions have been the
object of much debate. America, and more specifically its
African-American population, was appalled to hear of
the Rev. Jackson's fathering a child out of wedlock.
"How could a 'Reverend' do such a thing?", people
asked. "How' could Jackson be such a hypocrite?",
inquired the media.
But may 1 be bold enough to ask, what is the big deal?
Jesse Jackson's first response to his circumstance mir
rored every individual's actions when they are wrong:
cover it up. F lowever,
unlike Bill Clinton - and
Senator Packwood,
Newt Gingrich and Bob
Livingston - Jackson
avoided further shame
by publicly announcing
his misdeed.
Sadly, this is not the
first time a prominent
black figure has foimd
himself in this situa
tion. Jackson joins the
illustrious company of
Irvin "Magic" Johnson
and Bill Cosby in the
annals of infidelity.
Magic, who contracted the HIV virus from his extra-mar
ital affairs, became an AIDS awareness piaster boy and is
now enjoying success as a businessman.
Bill Cosby served as America's father for over eight
years on his self-titled NBC television show. The news of
his infidelity temporarily shocked his supporters, but all
has been forgiven and forgotten.
But what about the good Reverend Jackson? Jackson
clearly is not the first minister to be caught having an
extra-marital affair
Despite the title, Jackson is only human and flawed
like every one of us. Being an ordained minister does
nothing to curb Jackson's carnal desires; and his promi
nence certainly dcx?sn't do much to reduce temptation.
He just gets the unique pleasure of having national atten
tion fixed on his mistake.
Though many still find it difficult to discuss, there was
another great man of God who shared Jackson's weak
ness.
The extra-marital exploits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
have been widely documented in the years since his pass
ing. UNC-CH Professor Chuck Stone, who was
acquainted with King, often points this out, referring to
King as "a sexual tiger" However, because of Dr. King's
awesome contributions to the Civil Rights Movement
and to the world, his foibles are forgotten and ignored.
We do not live in a time where such discretion is even
imaginable.
If Martin would have had to overcome CNN, Headline
News and the World Wide Web along with every con
ventional method of
media and communica
tion probing into his
personal affairs, would
he have made such
great strides in the
struggle for equality?
Perhaps we are focus
ing our attention in the
wrong direction.
Instead of pointing fin
gers at Jackson, the
African-American com
munity should assess
what will result from
his actions.
Recently, Jackson has
been a political voice for black Americans. He has been
the loudest advocate for the Florida disenfranchisement
claim; he was also emerging as one of President Bush's
most strident and effective opponents.
In addition to injuring and temporarily stopping his
fight against Bush. Jesse Jackson also lost an opportuni
ty to become president of the Democratic National
Convention.
Now the black community must consider ways to soft
en the blow to its recent political image. Jackson has
showm his flaws, and he is being properly impaled for the
irresponsibility of his actions. But he has always selfless
ly fought the good fight. He has always stood and been
counted when we needed someone to be - and even
when we didn't. As a united community, we need to
learn from his mistakes. Let us always remember, only
the individual without sin has the right to cast the first
stone.
9
Black INK