Jesse Jackson and the N-word

Over the past 40 years, political correctness has changed what is acceptable language to use in public within the United States. For the most part, this has been a good thing. It has caused legislatures to reword laws so that they are gender neutral and reduced the use of hate words in public. Like any movement, it tends to be carried to extremes, but it has made significant contributions to "domestic harmony."

The first generally accepted example of political correctness was abolishing the use of hateful words against the African-American communities. Surprisingly, this is also the ethnic group in which hate words continue to be the biggest problem. Even well educated people in the African-American community continues to use hateful terms against other African-Americans; terms that they would not tolerate if used by a person of another ethnic group.

Why would they do that? It is not a lack of education. It is caused by people not understanding the logic of the situation. Reverend Jackson should understand it as the Golden Rule, but clearly doesn't (as translated from the Bible): "Do not do to another what you would not want another to do to you". Any other! Using language such as that recently attributed to Reverend Jackson is a sign that he is not comfortable with his heritage, and so he belittles his people.

African-Americans do not have a patent on hate speech. Many ethnic groups suffer from from epithets specific to their race or religion. My ethnic group still suffers greatly from hate speech and prejudice (as a small minority, we work quietly against these problems).

As descendants of slaves, most African-Americans deserve a hand up in education and avoiding prejudice. But in return, they have an obligation to assist the process. Reverend Jackson shows us that even those famous for fighting for equality do not always follow-up with action of their own.

The issues of self confidence and respect for one's race apparently are behind Reverend Jackson's recent hate speech against one of the presidential candidates. Reverend Jackson is apparently afraid of those with self confidence and who expect others of his race to work toward self respect.

What do you think?