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After receiving over one hundred e-mails
regarding my appearance on "Hannity and Colmes" Friday
night, I would like to apologize for not being able to respond
to each writer individually. I am therefore writing a response
to those who had legitimate concerns about my comments.
First of all, let me state now I do not approve of Mr. Jackson’s
behavior. In fact, I think it is wrong and a bad example
for the Black community and for America in general. However, I
felt it inappropriate for me to divulge this opinion because it
would have been playing into Mr. Hannity’s game.
Many Republicans are bashing Jackson, not because they care
about the moral fiber of this country, but because they fear his
ability to bring Black voters to the voting booths. They are
trying to taint his reputation and diminish his power (as if he
needs any help with this). My main point that I tried to stick
to throughout the show was the need to get out of our
politicians’ personal lives and focus on the issues.
Second of all, everyone knows what I mean when I say the
phrase "Uncle Tom." If this is a term that is foreign
to you, it is not my job to brush you up (or Mr. Hannity) on
social references that describe a specific population in this
country. I did not refer to anyone specifically as an Uncle Tom;
rather I described Jesse Jackson as just the opposite -- a
courageous man who stands up for the disadvantaged and refuses
to be bullied by white racists.
And yes, in my mind there tends to be more Republicans that
fit the "Uncle Tom" bill than Democrats. Mr. Hannity
knew exactly what I meant. For those of you who were offended by
this comment, I am confused. I was confronting racists directly
and Blacks who enable their actions. It amuses me that those who
e-mailed me to say they were offended by this comment usually
followed it up with a blatant racist comment like "why don’t
you stop pandering to the Black community and worry about your
own kind," and "that is the problem with Blacks, they
are lazy and want nothing but hand outs."
So, Mr. Hannity, as you can see, you are in familiar, if not
righteous company.
Oh, and for those of you who really do not know what
"Uncle Tom" means here is a working definition: a
contemptuous term to describe a Black man who toadies to white
men. Any Black man who is constantly telling the poor that
"Colin Powell can do it, why can’t you?" is an Uncle
Tom in my subjective eyes. These people do not understand the
difference between classes, and do not understand the cycles of
poverty, addiction, and abuse that is prevalent in the inner
cities and that is perpetuated by racists in this country.
Thank you, if not for your support then for you interest in
my views. For the many liberals that support me I assure you I
will continue to work for the disadvantaged and give the
powerless a voice.
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