A black rainbow
Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bill Cosby, and Mayor Ray Nagin marched across the Crescent City Connection Bridge Saturday to protest the upcoming elections in New Orleans.
I have a few observations:
One of the first things I noticed is that the Rainbow Push Organization represents one color; black. Jesse assumes that everyone displaced from New Orleans is black at least those are the only ones he cares to represent.
He further assumes that these people's rights are being violated, because satellite-polling centers are not placed in states with evacuees.
A further assumption or implication is that all of this is a conspiracy perpetrated on blacks.
OK, let's say this is a debate and those are his claims.
The satellite voting idea was discussed, but not implemented for several reasons, none of which were to keep black people from voting, unless Jesse is right. I suppose New Orleans with its black administration and the state government under democratic control could pull such a thing off.
My understanding of the satellite voting option is that it would be too much work for too few votes. People can vote absentee easily and there is no need to put voting centers in all 50 states.
How can the city of New Orleans afford to dispatch election workers nationally? Where would they be located? No matter what, people would have to travel possibly hundreds of miles making the absentee option more pragmatic.
Let's face it. If I lived 300 miles away from Dallas and that was the only place to vote in Texas, I would mail in my vote.
Jesse says that satellite voting was done for the Iraq election, so the Iraqi citizens have more rights than US citizens. I don't see him heading to Iraq to enjoy the expanded freedoms that country offers over America.
This all assumes there are substantial numbers of voters displaced who want to vote, but cannot for some reason. The Times Picyune on 3/25/06 discussed how most voters are still in the metro area:
A substantial majority of New Orleans' registered voters still reside within the city or its suburbs, and their racial makeup closely mirrors that of all registered voters before the storm, according to new data commissioned by the secretary of state. -
Continue reading TP article
One of the news videos showed a lady who said something to the effect, "I marched all the way from Arizona." She went on to talk about standing up for her rights. My thought was that if she could make it all the way from Arizona to protest, she could have just made the trip to vote. See the video
Why can't you just mail in the ballot? I have heard some who hold to the conspiracy theory that there is no guarantee the vote would be counted. How do we know our vote will be counted in the first place? It comes down to policies and procedures that are already established and faith that those hired or elected to do the job will do it.
How do I know the guy at McDonalds did not spit in my food?
How do I know the pharmacist did not give me expired pills?
How do I know if the stuff I pump into my car's gas tank is real gasoline and not water?
To live in society, we have to trust people.
Jesse and his followers do not trust anyone unless things unfold the way “they” want them. They see a racist behind every bush and not just someone with an opinion, but someone motivated to make their life miserable.
Who has the energy? I am too busy working and taking care of my own stuff. Where do these people find the time to march, bitch, and complain so much?
A few weekends ago there were a lot of white people protesting the war in our town. My thought was they were a bunch of middle-aged hippies trying to relive the glory days of the 60's. They love to protest, march, and have sit ins.
I had a similar thought watching Jesse, Al, Bill, and Ray waling across the bridge with about one- thousand people following them. They are going back to the civil rights well of the old days. They see every issue a marchable offense. As if a bunch of people tying up traffic speaks to their poor logic. As if whipping up emotions with a bullhorn really does anything at all.
Speaking for myself, I have been called a racist so much through Jesse’s worldview, that I have become desensitized to the claim. No matter what the issue, his accusation is always the same. He is the little boy who cried wolf. He has become a caricature. Sadly, when racism does happen, he will have no credibility with people outside his organization to address it.
If the election is flawed it is flawed for everyone no matter what skin color you have and no matter what special interest group you belong to. Until we look at each other - black, white, gay, straight, male, female, and "insert your group here" and only see fellow Americans, we will continue to waste time and energy blaming, accusing, marching, and scheming.
Mr. Jackson, if you want me to consider your issues, why not present your arguments logically without accusation. Do not just complain about what you do not like and demand your way. Instead of marching and only being open to your solution why not try to fix the problem yourself. Take your influence and mobilize people to work.
I wonder how much money has been spent by the Black Rainbow to organize marches, traveling, and all of the related expenses. I wonder how far that money could go to help the people he claims to represent.
Mother Theresa just helped people, and there are many like her who see a need and do what they can to meet it, giving no thought to news cameras.
The next time you are tempted to march for a cause, why not roll up your sleeves and work for that cause.
We have enough whiners in the world, but we could use a few more workers.
Until the next time
John Strain