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Rev Jackson against abortion

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by jdclyde

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I was listening to the news and they had the Rev. Jackson on. It is his assertion that there is a conspiracy to get the black mothers to abort their children.

To support this, he claimed there are many more abortion clinics built in black neighborhoods than in white neighborhoods.

He went a step further to say that black women make up about 13% of the population, yet account for over 30% of the abortions.

Is this a new form of racism, of getting a race to abort their babies on purpose?

I do not see racism on a daily basis. Is it alive and well, or are we moving along well?

Please do not turn this into a pro/anti abortion post. That is not the intention of the discussion.

27 replies

by maecuff

It's nearly impossible to read this and NOT turn it into a pro life or pro choice issue.

I've been in this debate before. I have very been clear cut and in this case and I feel that I am qualified to make the statement. If you haven't found yourself in the situation of being pregnant and not able to take care of the child, you need to STFU. (You being people in general, not you specifically, JD)

Now, to answer your question. Of coursr not. How ridiculous. As of this moment, it is legal to have an abortion. Regardless of personal feelings on the issue, if you choose to have an abortion, you can. No one can coerce you to make that decision. God forbid that changes. You and I are quite opposite in many ways when it comes to politics, I would like to think that we are on the same wavelength when I say that this assertion is complete bullsh*t. More abortion clinics are built in black neighborhoods? WTF? You know, regardless of where they are built or not built, the fact is there is still a CHOICE to be made.

by maxwell edison

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This is a race-baiting issue. Jessie Jackson sees racism under every stone he decides to kick. Look at the lunacy of his logic.

A conspiracy to abort black babies is being waged by whom? The "rabid anti-abortionists", as Neil speculated, are white! (I wonder where he got that little tidbit of information, however, or if he just made it up.) And it's the Democrats, in general, who are "rabid" abortion rights proponents. While it's the mean and dirty white Republican male who is anti-abortion. So if it IS a conspiracy, it's being waged by white Democrats!

Sarcasm alert:

Gee, wasn't Robert Byrd a member of the KKK? Now THAT'S a conspiracy!

End of sarcasm alert.

Jessie Jackson needs to be called to task for his stupid and race-baiting comments. Speaking of STFU, that's exactly what should be told to that idiot.

by Member 25348569

I did qualify my amswer in that when we see US anti-abortion clinics and the associated protestors on the TV news or drama over here, they are mainly white. If this isn't a representative sample then I'm not sure who to blame. I did search around to see if I could get some authoritative figures (to avoid a MaxSlap) but as I don't know the racial mix of US groupings with an Anti- slant, I would probably have been able to post a reply to JD sometime Thursday week...

I fell back on the old standby - gut feeling. I would reckon that its as reliable (if not more so) than most statistics! In my defence, I certainly can't find too many convicted anti-abortion terrorists who are black.

I don't think that it's a conspiracy. Oh, and neither do I think that pro-abortionists quite fit into the same "rabid" category as anti's. What is happening, I guess, is that black women want more abortions for whatever reason - and get them.

As for Jesse Jackson. The man's, at best, an idiot and, at worst, a manipulating self-serving git and either way is doing nothing for to solve racial issues in the US.

by jdclyde

I didn't want to lead the discussion one way or the other so I tried to just stay with the new interview.

It seems crazy to think this is a grand conspiracy showing a new level of bigotry?

But then, I am really "sheltered" as far as much of the race hate goes, working in smaller towns that are almost exclusively white.

by maxwell edison

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I don't remember the exact details, but quite a few years ago, I read an article that revealed that Jessie Jackson was born to a 15 year old single teenage mother, and she "almost" aborted that pregnancy.

So I suppose that story could actually support BOTH sides of the abortion issue.

by Member 25348569

As most of the rabid anti-abortionist protestors seem to be white - at least from images from our news programmes - they maybe it makes sense to put the clinics in black neighbourhoods. Less likely to be fore-bombed.

But, whatever the reason, as Mae correctly stated it's all about choice. At least until your old, white, male President and Senate change the law.

by jdclyde

but figured it was just an anti-abotionist in racists clothing.

When I again hear this by Jackson, and just two days ago, it makes me wonder if there are more people out there that actually believe this?
[b]
As it is generally Democrats that make the clinics and run them, exactly WHO is suppose to be behind this "genocide" (as he puts it) against the black community? THAT is what I am hoping to understand.[/b]

I am not here making the anti/pro judgement.

Is this just Jackson stiring the racial pot again to get back in the spotlight or is this really an issue?

by maxwell edison

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Just because "black women make up about 13% of the population, yet account for over 30% of the abortions", it doesn't mean they're being "targeted" for abortion. Perhaps it's indicative of the number of unwanted pregnancies that occur within that particular demographic. Moreover, that particular demographic has a higher rate of births to single women as well -- a MUCH higher rate. AND a much higher rate of one-parent homes.

Since others will call my statistics "biased", perhaps someone else will look them up and post them. Some reputable liberal think-tank should have the numbers.

Abortion clinics are no different than any other good or service. Have the demand, and they shall come to provide the supply.

Jessie Jackson in a race-baiter, pure and simple. And, in my opinion, he's just as big a racist as the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, but much more damaging.

by maecuff

We agree. Except, I don't see how Jessie Jackson could be more damaging than the Grand Wizard of the KKK. I don't disagree that he is a racist, but I don't see how he is more damaging.

by maxwell edison

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....than the Grand Wizard of the KKK?

Who IS the Grand Wizard of the KKK, and when was the last time you saw him get some serious air time (or any air time, for that matter) to spew his nonsense?

I rest my case.

by surflover

Here's births to unmaried mother by race... 68% of black births were to unmarried mothers in 2003... I find that amazing in itself...

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0763852.html

here's the abortion stats by race;

http://www.abortionfacts.com/statistics/race.asp

This is abortions by marital status;

http://www.abortionfacts.com/statistics/marital.asp

** Interesting note on the last one...

% of abortions to unwed mothers is below, (blacks account for a lot more than 30%)

White 106,838 19.26%
Black 436,633 78.72%
Other 11,175 2.01%
Total 554,646

by maxwell edison

I knew what the numbers were, but if I posted them, my sources would be questioned by the ones in denial about the dismal failure of the entitlement state.

by jdclyde

The numbers I stated came directly from the newscast and I have not verified them myself.

You look at this the same way I do, as the man is just nuts and will do and say anything to gain personal power.

" reputable liberal think-tank should have the numbers" Oh there you go with that sense of humor again! I laughed out loud when I read that. Too funny. :^O

First, there ISN'T a "reputable" one. Second, they would never keep track of anything that would show something they don't want people to see.

by maxwell edison

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When I put that in there, without the usual sarcasm alert, I wondered how many people would see through it.

But seriously, as opposed to CATO, Heritage, or Independence Institute, as conservative and/or libertarian think-tanks, can you name even ONE such liberal think-tank? I can't. And it must mean that the ironic truth is that liberal think-tank IS an oxymoron. Liberals don't think, they "feel".

by antuck

Jessie Jackson a race baiter??? Your just saying that because of the truth behind it :)

An interesting point about the race baiter. Some of the black people I talk to, really dislike Jessie Jackson because of his positions. I did some work for Senator Jackson, and during the small talk, mentioned that I didn't want to vote for JR because of his father. They had told me this was something that they do have a concern for, losing votes because of SR. So even his own son has to watch how closely he relates to his dad.

You are right that Jackson is much more damaging then the Grand Wizard of the KKK. Since they give so much media time to Jackson, Sharpton and Faracan (I know I spelt it wrong) they should allow the Grand Wizard his time. It is only fair right? Well personally I don't think any of them should have any public time, but if one does they all should.

by maecuff

The more it makes NO sense. Conspiracy? Does the conspiracy involve impregnating these women so that they can be targeted for abortion?

As far as seeing racism, I live in a small town. Racism runs rampant here. I've never seen more intolerance. We have friends who don't go a week without being call a nigger. He shrugs it off pretty well, but his wife is continuly hurt by this. I am horrified that people can behave so cruelly and I am horrified by the ignorance.

I hear people at work just waiting to blame on black people. Or how Oprah just caters to the blacks. Or complaining about the woman up the street who just had a kid with a black man.

I am in NO way justifying racism on either side. Just that it's still a problem and it's NEVER going to get better until people on both sides admit that they are part of the problem.

by jdclyde

If you get people like Jackson running around inflaming things by saying things like this, who does that help and how?

It is sad to hear what you are seeing and what your friends are dealing with. I never see it in my life. It isn't that I avoid mixed company, it is just where I grew up (middle class town) and where I now work.

by jdclyde

The Grand Wizard does not get GLOBAL airtime, and meet with world leaders.
[b]
Jackson can say racist things and get away with them.
[/b]
And if I recall correctly, back when he ran for President, he WON Michigan? (to my shame)

Jackson can spend charaty funds to support his love child and get away with it.

The "Rev" has this love child, and it is seen as no big deal. What happens to a Republican that does the same?

by jdgretz

but there are a group of people who have it in their best interest to continually see racism in everything that happens - the Reverends Jackson and Sharpton are at the head of this list. Just think, if there wasn't institutional racism in this country what would Jessy Jackson, Al Sharpton and the leaders of the NAACP do for a living?

Is there racism in the city/state/country/world? Yep and there always will be to some extent.

Is it as pervasive as the above mentioned want us to believe it is? Nope.

Just my $.02

YMMV

by cactus pete

That person is a relative unknown because of the general common sense that issues of the KKK should be left unbroadcasted. If anyone does know who this is, please do not post it.

Max, I think resting the case may be premature, as you haven't defined the word "damaging" in your argument. I think the physical types of damaging done by the leader of the KKK and Jackson might be somewhat different.

Fine, Jesse really torques you, but I don't think he'd ever torch you.

by maxwell edison

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I define damaging, in this context, this way. In my opinion, Jessie Jackson is damaging in that his methods do more to perpetuate racism, racial divides, and racial hard-feelings than they do to eradicate it. He's further damaging because his following is much larger than that of the KKK, and he's taken more seriously by a larger segment of the population, not to mention the main-stream media. He's damaging because he has actually blackmailed businesses into capitulation with his false charges and media hype, something the KKK might have done 50 years ago, but he gets away with today. He's damaging because he seems to want to relive the 60s in everything he does. Jessie Jackson is damaging because he's given the aura of legitimacy, while the KKK is not.

They'll probably always be individual racism and race-based hatred, which is pretty much what the KKK is today; but Jessie Jackson continues to institutionalize it. Jessie Jackson is nothing but a Martin Luther King wanna' be, but he'll never be. The KKK of 1955 is not the KKK of 2005. Their torch has, for the most part, been extinguished; while Jessie Jackson, on the other hand, continues to fuel the fire of racism, and he does it front and center.

By the way, that cute play on words (Jesse really torques you, but I don't think he'd ever torch you) reminds me of the way Jessie Jackson, himself, plays on words. They might have clever ring to them, but are rather meaningless in reality.

by cactus pete

The cuteness was unintentional at first, but I couldn't resist leaving it in there...

Mind you, I'm not a Jackson torchbearer, but you and Mae didn't seem to be on the same page with respect to the word "damaging"...

And you had both been agreeing so well up to that point...

by surflover

" if there wasn't institutional racism in this country what would Jessy Jackson, Al Sharpton and the leaders of the NAACP do for a living?"

What do they do NOW for a living ? :^O

by john.a.wills

Seeing that Planned Parenthood has its roots in the eugenics movement of the early 20th Century it's not surprising that supposedly inferior racial and social groups get targeted for contraception, sterilization and abortion. One of Haldane's "Possible Worlds" essays makes it pretty plain.

by dr dij

if black people as a group are poorer statistically and poorer people tend to have more children then he most likely left off the statistics that show that even with abortions, they probably have the same or more children overall.

It wouldn't have supported his view if he had mentioned this also. So he is a hate monger trying to stir up trouble via inaccurate or incomplete statistics.

thank lack of effective sex ed in schools for fact that many teenagers get pregnant. most likely more in poor neighborhoods, and they have the sense to realize they not grown yet and don't need a kid at that time.

by lc1edu

Mr. Jackson needs a reality check. No one is being targeted for abortrion. These clinics are found where the largest % of single paren pregnancies occur. In the end it is up to the party.

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