Jackson's Motives Less Than Pure? Now That's a Shocking Development

0 Comments | Insight on the News, April 30, 2001 | by John Elvin

Stop the presses," declared columnist John Kass of the Chicago Tribune upon learning that the Washington Post had discovered that the Rev. Jesse Jackson is "a corporate shakedown artist." Kass claimed to be appalled at indications that Jackson is "playing the public race card with help from timid TV news networks in order to leverage big bucks from American corporations."

Kass was not quite as surprised as he made out to be. He said that reporters have known for years that Jackson's "race-baiting has carried a price tag," but they've been reluctant to chase the story for fear of becoming another of Jackson's targets. They also could count on Jackson for good quotes and howling-mob film footage. "Through this condescending bargain, this queasy media pact laced with white liberal guilt and white liberal racism, Jackson has prospered," the columnist asserted.

Kass said Jackson makes "about $460,000 a year to minister to the poor," a figure that conceivably might not reflect his total gleanings. Surely Jackson must derive some comfort beyond the spiritual for having installed his sons and various friends in key positions with companies and pressure groups he has spawned in the course of various crusades.