The Internet Monk
"the power of opinion, the phenomenon of speech, the beauty of truth"
A Webjournal and News Review by Michael Spencer
Updated 12/4/00
Shoes Too Big to Fill (Con't)
by Michael Spencer
There
was a time in Jackson's career that he seemed to understand the
difference between being a statesman and being an agitator. Strangely,
as he has gotten more visible clout, Jackson has become markedly
paranoid and intemperate. He seems unable to differentiate between
leading a mob and leading a movement.
Because he is perceived as the only national level leader of the Civil Rights legacy, Jackson is a man whose phone calls always seem to get answered. Using his ministerial credentials, he has made himself a chaplain to Clinton and Gore. When the occasion requires, he can be eloquent and thoughtful. All this stands in contrast to the disturbing (and increasingly frequent) occasions when Jackson sounds like someone actually losing their grip on reality: seeing police dogs and lynch mobs no one else can see; hearing voices and picturing himself as a Black Moses.
In a recent article, Camille Paglia noted that the African-American community seems to suffer from a kind of internal peer pressure to squash diversity. This is observable in a number of cultural arenas, not the least of which is any kind of political leadership. Are there any voices within the African-American community that can say it's in no one's best interest to have a leader with such a shrinking vision and such childishly provocative methods? Is it disturbing to anyone that Jackson's turn of leadership lends credibility to despicable characters like Sharpton and Farrakhan? Has anyone considered how intelligent young whites react to Jackson and the image of black victimization he portrays? Many young whites were won over to a view of black equality by the dignity of MLK. Jackson seems to do the opposite.
Jackson may imagine himself joining the pantheon of Civil rights heroes and making his place in history along side MLK. It is safe to say that Jackson's legacy will be viewed more with pity than appreciation. Don't be surprised to see Jackson finally bring unprecedented shame and embarrassment to the very movement he claims to lead.