Letting Go of the Things You Love Most

We have feelings-deep feelings of things unresolved. Unaccomplished things from our past that were never quite taken care of in days gone by. Through all the successes that we may have achieved, the few lingering things that never made it across the finish line become items that gnaw at us. They wake us up at night, and are the subjects of drifting moments when sitting at long dinner engagements. We are haunted by the unfinished business of our lives.

Many of these incomplete matters get converted into dreams for others. What we didnt accomplish becomes food for others, a hope for those who are dear to us, a wish to project a sense of accomplishment to those around us.



Jesse Jackson, Sr. was the first candidate of African American descent to win a presidential primary. His victories in Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana in 1984 set up victories in the same states in 1988, while adding Michigan, Alaska, Georgia, and Alabama. These historic campaigns reflected a maturing Black electorate, a growing discussion on poverty, and became the foundations of a winning coalition that would project Bill Clinton to the presidency in 1992. Jackson's trailblazing efforts registered millions of new progressive voters, and engaged the Democratic ideal in a nation growing more conservative. Indeed, had the Jackson candidacy not occurred, it is conceiveable that the US may have have had uninterrupted Republican Presidents from 1980 to the present.



The unfinished business of Jackson as an African American aspirant for the presidency, has now fallen to Barack Obama. The Senator from Illinois has been buoyed by the Black vote as well as a disaffected electorate who is ready for change. While the direct influence of Jackson has not been a factor in Obama's run, his indirect influence is notwithstanding.



So the recent comments by Jackson, caught unawares on a Fox newsreel as he was preparing for an interview, that Obama has been talking down to Black people and that Jackson wanted to castrate Obama, have become as straight line winds, knocking over the common reasoning of the day. Why did Jackson have such a vitrolic reaction to Obama's comments on Black fathers?

Sure, Obama didn't ask Jackson for the mantle of his previous candidacy, but Jackson has endorsed him nonetheless. The "talking down" to Black people that Obama did- telling Black fathers to be more involved- was more of an accepted discussion that commonly is agreed upon than a cutting edge political issue of the day. While the rhetoric around absent Black fathers has had its day in the sun; the rub is in why absenteeism occurs- personal responsibility or pared opportunities- and nothing more.

This whispered tirade seemed out of place forthe topic, a sotto voce expression of deeper tensions. What created Jackson's reaction? Why the embitterment? Why the empassioned disrespect to the younger man who might accomplish what you set out to do in 1984 and 1988? Obama's ascent to the head of the Democratic party was a deferred dream fulfilled. Jesse aught to be as a proud uncle watching a nephew take a sport that they both love to new heights.

After pondering this, I believe that part of this answer can be found in the other Jackson, Jessie Jr., and his purview in today's political spectrum.

Jessie Jr. is a political figure that has found his own place outside of his father's legacy. Preferring diplomacy and tact to the 90's style publicity policy-making of his father, Jesse Jr. has become a very popular congressman among his peers, easily reelected to office for successive terms, and has toyed with moving to the Senate. He has publicly disagreed with his father's positions, and has done so with an independent streak that has provided askance looks from other Black legislators. He maintains his passion for civil and human rights inherited from Dad, but he talks about economic outcomes and the need to deal with these policy issues of jobs and poverty from the economic model. A departure from Jesse Sr., yes- but more of a generational sequencing of thoughts that drives to new theories than an abdication of the Jackson family mantra.

Perhaps a possibility that Jessie Sr. wanted might have been for Jesse Jr. to build on his legacy and run for president. How poetic would it be if the first president of African decent to have been the son of the trailblazer? Jesse Jr. fits the mold of an Obama, a Harold Ford, Jr., a Deval Patrick- new Black Democrats for a new progressive era. It would not be a great leap to believe that Jesse Jr. would have the prayers of his father, and the hopes of his presidential legacy with hem specifically. To build a dynasty, power must be passed to the next generation. What a gift to a son- 6.8 million voters nationally who voted for the dad in 1988- a substantial base to build on for a presidenial run.


How difficult must it have been to see, Jesse Jr. , with little hesitation, supporting Barak Obama, and to become his national co-chair, no less? The princely heir to a presidential legacy supporting a newcomer, a person not of the lineage, the neophyte in politics. Jesse Sr. may be feeling as though his hard work over the years is being profiteered, and by a seeming ingrate at that.

In bibilical times, King Saul had a similar relationship with his son Jonathan, and Jonathan's best friend, David.

David was anointed to be the next king of Israel, but Saul wanted his son to succeed to the throne. It drove Saul crazy to see Jonathan aquiesce to David, but Jonathan saw something special in David, and could not hold him from his destiny as King of Israel. He supported David, despite his father's machinations, and expressed his undying loyalty to him. Eventually Saul's sins led to his undoing, and Jonathan's, while David went on to become a legend.

Jesse Sr. has apologized to Barack for his poor comments, and has quickly been seen posturing to atone for the words. While the punditry takes Jackson to task, it maybe that Jesse Sr. greatest mistake lies not in the errant comments wantonly whispered- but in not letting go. The thing you love most- your life's work and the effort to give your children every advantage from it- is in the heart of good men. The challenge comes when the children choose a different path, an individual idenity that follows a corollary or a tangent. To let go of the dreams for a son, while embracing the goals of another man's dreams is a grand step, filled with the pitfalls of loss. The ghosts of campaign's past haunt the elder Jackson, causing the mercurial flashpoints seen on the Fox network.

It is time for Jackson to pass on his past efforts, and provide new avenues for the persumpive nominee of the Democratic Party. Although it is not his own son, Barack Obama also has dreams from his father- one that was never there for him as in the Jesse Jackson clan. Perhaps Jessie Sr. could be a great role model for absent Black fathers- by making more room for another man's son - and honoring the desires of his own.

Speak to My Heart

The Fall Classic has taken shape. Not the college football bowl season-that wonderful vestige of frontier wars and backyard brawls that have defined much of the character of our states. Instead, I refer to the 2008 presidential election, which is finally down to two candidates.



Yes, this has been the most exciting primary season in a long time, with passions running high on the Democratic side. The internecine war between Clinton and Obama, even had conservatives mesmerized and taking sides. Dinner tables were split, barbershops were fractioned, and even individual minds experienced cognitive dissonance over this protracted primary. What a show, a really big show. We also can't forget the other candidates, who represented the long term policy establishment, the growing Latin American communities of the U.S., the downscale Democrats of rural America, the anti-war activists and the blue collar voter in Blue states.



The Republican primary (remember that?) also started with a fire, with an upset in Iowa. The GOP flirted with different leading men- the polished Northern governor in Mitt Romney, the charming Southern preacher in Mike Huckabee, the Hollywood star turned politician in Fred Thompson, and the pre-coronation of America's Mayor in Rudy Guliani. Campaigning almost through the Christmas Holiday season, the people from the party of Lincoln found themselves succeeding in pulling only small clusters of voters. The resurrection of John McCain, who had been labeled as a ship dead in the water, or at best limping to port while listing to starboard, became the comeback story of the hour.



But the McCain victory, while a feel good story for a war hero and proven maverick from the George Bush (I & II) policies, seemed more of a lesser of evils victory verses a consensus choice. In fact, after being declared the presumptive nominee, John McCain lost several primaries and competitors on the supposed fringe (read Ron Paul) still pulled percentages in the 20's. The selection of John McCain became a watershed event in the strictest sense, where the run off allowed for the collection of rain that fell on loose soil. McCain is found holding the earth vessels filled collected precipitation, hoping to quench the thirst of a parched nation.



The challenge for John McCain is not his stance on the war, as a combat veteran his stance against the Bush administration was admirable in the face of friendly fire. Nor it is his tepid grasp on the economic landscape; his advisers could steer him there; and its not his age- he has a vitality that comes across the screen- if you didn't know his age, you are not drawn to it by his mannerisms.



McCain's problem is that he is not touching the sentiments of the American people. For all the talk of Iraq and Afghanistan, the people of these United States are not so moved by the sacrifice of the soldiers as they are by the instability of their families. The foreclosure of homes; the lack of good paying jobs; the erosion of educational institutions- our nation is concerned about matters of the heart-food, family, and the fuel to provide for them. He speaks to America's pride in country.



Conversely, Obama and the Democrats have honed a message that is speaking to people at the emotional level, one that is inspiring all areas of the Democrat Party. No matter what subgroup, the party of Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Clinton is fully engaged in a message of change and hope. This compelling message is taking root and has become saturated in the skins of many Americans.



America is not crying for the Straight Talk Express to speak to its heart, Obama is currently doing that quite well.



In the fall, our nation will be once again gripped with its passions- football, family, food- and this year- politics. The states of the union are imbued with time honored passions that make for wonderful football rivalries; will McCain find an issue to reach the heart of America?