Acting White or Acting Black?

It's finally happened.  The pressure of being a public figure under constant scrutiny has driven Jesse Jackson over the edge.  The good Reverend has accused Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama of "acting like he's white".  The comment was made in reference to the "Jena 6" incident in Jena, Louisiana.  Jackson felt that Obama should have jumped on the opportunity to promote himself and his campaign.  Later he claimed he didn't recall making the comment.

I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how Mr. Jackson differentiates between "Acting White" and "Acting Black".  Is it just one attribute, or several?  Perhaps Mr. Jackson is taking his cues from today's society about how black Americans should act.  Does "Acting Black" require using poor grammar, excessive slang, and drug- and gang-related terminology?  Does "Acting Black" mean wearing oversized sportswear and lots of ornate gold jewelry, and getting your teeth capped in gold plate?  Does "Acting Black" mean showing disdain and disrespect to authority, treating people (especially women) like objects, and generally being self-absorbed to the exclusion of everyone else?  Or does "Acting Black" mean living in government-funded low-income housing, relying on programs like Welfare, and sitting back and expecting the government to take care of you instead of trying to take care of yourself?  I'd be very interested in hearing what your qualifying criteria are, Mr. Jackson.  No matter which one you pick, you don't show African-Americans in a very good light.

Maybe Obama needs to rut around behind his wife's back for a few years.  Maybe he needs to impregnate a few young ladies and pay them each month to support his illegitimate children and keep the affairs quiet.  Maybe that would make Mr. Jackson feel that Obama is "black enough".  On the other hand, maybe Obama needs to ignore Mr. Jackson's comments and do what apparently the good Reverend has been unable to do all these years.  Maybe he needs to be honest and trustworthy, and be a role model for men of all colors.  Then it wouldn't be a matter of acting white or black.  It would be a matter of acting like a decent human being.