Jesse Jackson... Just Shut Up

[Zippa D Doodah]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117959937.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Just in time for the Academy Awards, Jesse Jackson's renewing a push for greater inclusion of minorities in showbiz.
The civil rights leader asserts that the timing's right to raise the issue, at a time when there's been widespread recognition received by such actors as Forest Whitaker, Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson - all front-runners for Oscars.

"While I feel joy for those outstanding performances, my concern is that people will take these as a substitute for progress," Jackson said in an interview Wednesday with Daily Variety. "We want to keep the light on unfinished business."

Jackson - who protested the 1996 Academy Awards due to the lack of African-American nominees - said that membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences needs to be expanded to include more African-Americans than the current 110 of 5,830.

"It's really an issue of infrastructure," Jackson added. "The voting doesn't at all reflect the current reality of the population."

Jackson's in Los Angeles this week to lay the groundwork for an April conference, organized by Rainbow Push Entertainment Project and focusing on the issues of parity and equity.

No date's been set yet but the confab would be designed to bring together top execs and experts to seek solutions in several areas of concern:


Hosts on many cable networks are nearly all Caucasian, or as Jackson puts it "All day, all night, all white."

Minorities have limited access to jobs at major talent agencies.

Casting of minority actors remains a problem. Jackson noted, pointing to a UCLA study by Russell Robinson, released in December and showing that found 69 percent of Hollywood roles were reserved for white actors.


Every time I start to regain just an iota of respect for the guy, he opens his yap again for the twin purposes of spotlight hogging and money grabbing. What is wrong with having a slate full of people of color among Oscar nominees? I'm just not buying what he is peddling. Today my "just shut up" award goes to Jesse Jackson.

 

[Charade]

I agree. He's an enabler of racial tensions.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I agree. He's an enabler of racial tensions.

As soon as he gets involved, I tune out. Same with Al Sharpton. The sad thing is their involvement probably turns off a LOT of people from worthy causes and issues.


Should there be more minorities in show business, sure. There should also be more minority coaches in the NFL, NBA and MLB. However, putting anyone in any position only because they fit a profile isn't really a good thing in the long run.

 

[smartestnumber5]

While I don't know what his actual motivations are for bringing this up, it doesn't seem like he said anything that isn't true.

Indeed, I think there is definitely a disproportionate representation of whites in the media. I believe recent studies have found that there is a gender imbalance as well--males continue to significantly outnumber females in representation, especially in children's television.

 

[Christine]

While I don't know what his actual motivations are for bringing this up, it doesn't seem like he said anything that isn't true.

Indeed, I think there is definitely a disproportionate representation of whites in the media. I believe recent studies have found that there is a gender imbalance as well--males continue to significantly outnumber females in representation, especially in children's television.

Age discrimination is also a factor. I can't tell you how many articles I've read where older actresses (say, over 40) talk about the absolute lack of roles for mature women.

Also wondering, what *are* the statistics? What is the percentage of blacks in the U.S. and what is the percentage of active black actors?

 

[freckles and boo]

While I don't know what his actual motivations are for bringing this up, it doesn't seem like he said anything that isn't true.

Indeed, I think there is definitely a disproportionate representation of whites in the media. I believe recent studies have found that there is a gender imbalance as well--males continue to significantly outnumber females in representation, especially in children's television.

When I was an undergraduate in theatre, a discipline that often leads to film and television careers, there were about 220 undergraduate students in my department. Of that number, there were about a dozen black students representing both the production and acting majors. I sincerely believe that it has less to do with discrimination (although I can't deny it exists) than the fact that when black kids get to college they often don't pursue arts careers. Often African-American parents want their kids doing something that will not be as risky as the arts. They want their smart kids to be teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists, etc. Obviously there are exceptions, and many white parents feel the same way about arts careers. I don't believe there is a great conspiracy keeping people out of these positions. It is the same reason that there aren't as many black CEOs, etc. When more black college kids get those MBAs and finance degrees, this will change, too.

 

[NewJersey]

As soon as he gets involved, I tune out. Same with Al Sharpton. The sad thing is their involvement probably turns off a LOT of people from worthy causes and issues.


Should there be more minorities in show business, sure. There should also be more minority coaches in the NFL, NBA and MLB. However, putting anyone in any position only because they fit a profile isn't really a good thing in the long run.

Whenever I see Sharpton or Jackson in the news, I'm always very suspicious of what they are actually aiming to accomplish. They are more concerned about themselves than advancing any civil rights issues. The Sean Bell case from last month (the groom who was shot 13 or so times in NYC) was really tragic, but I really doubt Sharpton cared on iota about that family. He was more concerned about getting his face on television, without adding an ounce of credibility to the case.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I don't believe there is a great conspiracy keeping people out of these positions. It is the same reason that there aren't as many black CEOs, etc. When more black college kids get those MBAs and finance degrees, this will change, too.

ITA.

I honestly think that Jesse Jackson makes things worse. I personally tune him out, but I'm sure that there are plenty of people who give what he says credence.

Does racism exist? Absolutely. Is it wrong? Absolutely. Is it the prime reason that many people are under-represented in many fields? Heck no.

 

[ozarkmom]

Jesse and Al make me want to throw up! Do either of them have a JOB or have they ever had a job?? What church are they reverends at? I don't think they do one thing to help civil rights at all.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Jesse Jackson is a racist. What does he want? More African American actors to be nominated for Oscars simply because they're black, not necessarily because of their acting abilities?

So now several African American actors have been nominated, and he's still not satisfied. Just another way to get his mug on TV and push the race card.

 

[cardaway]

Jesse Jackson is a racist. What does he want? More African American actors to be nominated for Oscars simply because they're black, not necessarily because of their acting abilities?

So now several African American actors have been nominated, and he's still not satisfied. Just another way to get his mug on TV and push the race card.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Jesse Jackson is a racist. What does he want? More African American actors to be nominated for Oscars simply because they're black, not necessarily because of their acting abilities?

So now several African American actors have been nominated, and he's still not satisfied. Just another way to get his mug on TV and push the race card.

ITA, well said.

 

[freckles and boo]

Jesse Jackson is a racist. What does he want? More African American actors to be nominated for Oscars simply because they're black, not necessarily because of their acting abilities?

So now several African American actors have been nominated, and he's still not satisfied. Just another way to get his mug on TV.

I don't think Jesse Jackson is a racist. I think he is an old-school civil rights leader who doesn't understand that he can't step into every fray. He could do a lot of good if he picked better battles. He has, in the last few years, championed some questionable causes that make even liberals like myself wonder what he is thinking. I think he is trying to remain relevent and he just doesn't get that he is turning more people off by fussing about wealthy actors who can take care of themselves than people in poverty in New Orleans or destined for slaughter in Darfur. There are places where black people truly could use a leader with some authority, but Hollywood isn't one of them.

 

[Aidensmom]

Like freckles and boo was saying, I think people's choices of careers and life paths have more to do with how many actors of each race there are than any type of discrimination does.

There are many jobs more traditionally held by men, more traditionally held by women, more traditionally held by race A, more traditionally held by race B.....I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as no one is being kept out of a career because of their gender or race. The field I work in more traditionally is male-dominated, but I believe it is just because a higher percentage of males tend to me mathmatically oriented, its just the way the brain is wired.

I think the tactics of Jesse Jackson often are counterproductive to advances in race relations.

 

[Gary M]

I know it isn't PC to bring this up, but should there be more White players in the NBA and NFL? If not, why not? What % of coaches in sports should be African-American? The African-American population in the USA is about 13% of the total. I know the % of Black coaches in the NBA is way higher than that. I guess I'm wondering what figure of employment is acceptable, before Jesse Jackson is happy that enough Blacks are represented. I work in a sport where I'm a minority in that sport and I'm White.

A few years ago a Black State Senator in Indiana was all over the media saying there weren't enough Black state police in our state. It was discovered that the % of state police troopers in Indiana was higher than the % of Blacks in the Hoosier State. He didn't do his research and keep his mouth shut after he was told the facts.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I don't think Jesse Jackson is a racist. I think he is an old-school civil rights leader who doesn't understand that he can't step into every fray. He could do a lot of good if he picked better battles. He has, in the last few years, championed some questionable causes that make even liberals like myself wonder what he is thinking. I think he is trying to remain relevent and he just doesn't get that he is turning more people off by fussing about wealthy actors who can take care of themselves than people in poverty in New Orleans or destined for slaughter in Darfur. There are places where black people truly could use a leader with some authority, but Hollywood isn't one of them.

Could not have said it any better myself. (Except I'm not liberal )

 

[Kim&Chris]

I know it isn't PC to bring this up, but should there be more White players in the NBA and NFL? If not, why not? What % of coaches in sports should be African-American? The African-American population in the USA is about 13% of the total. I know the % of Black coaches in the NBA is way higher than that. I guess I'm wondering what figure of employment is acceptable, before Jesse Jackson is happy that enough Blacks are represented. I work in a sport where I'm a minority in that sport and I'm White.

A few years ago a Black State Senator in Indiana was all over the media saying there weren't enough Black state police in our state. It was discovered that the % of state police troopers in Indiana was higher than the % of Blacks in the Hoosier State. He didn't do his research and keep his mouth shut after he was told the facts.

Excellent points. Oddly, I don't see Jackson anywhere near NFL games arguing that there aren't enough white, American Indian, Asian, homosexual or female players. I guess he's a "civil rights leader" who chooses only to champion the civil rights of only certain people.

 

[undertheradar]

Isn't Jesse Jackson the one who "counseled" Bill Clinton for his "transgressions" while he was in office? This is the same Jesse Jackson who stated that he had an affair due to his heritage? He may have been a motivator in his early years, but now I just view him as a troublemaker. I also would like to know what his supposed legal job is and who pays for it.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

When I was an undergraduate in theatre, a discipline that often leads to film and television careers, there were about 220 undergraduate students in my department. Of that number, there were about a dozen black students representing both the production and acting majors. I sincerely believe that it has less to do with discrimination (although I can't deny it exists) than the fact that when black kids get to college they often don't pursue arts careers. Often African-American parents want their kids doing something that will not be as risky as the arts. They want their smart kids to be teachers, doctors, engineers, scientists, etc. Obviously there are exceptions, and many white parents feel the same way about arts careers. I don't believe there is a great conspiracy keeping people out of these positions. It is the same reason that there aren't as many black CEOs, etc. When more black college kids get those MBAs and finance degrees, this will change, too.

I'd have to agree with this. I attended The Boston Conservatory and studied opera. Now, in my 5 years in school, there were a total of 3 African-Americans in the Opera Dept. And of the entire school? I'm guessing no more than 10, that I can think of. I'd be willing to take that to 15, just in case I missed a couple of people, but certainly no more than 15. The arts just isn't a field that's populated with African-Americans. I hope that changes. One of the best Counter-Tenors (for those who don't know, extremely high male voice, like a male alto) I've heard was a young African-American kid. His church raised enough money for his first 2 years of school, and then he was given a full ride because of his awesome talent.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Hollywood is one of the most liberal and inclusive segments of our society, so I really think he's barking up the wrong tree on this one.