Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > October > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJackson on Genarlow: ‘We’ve endured the crucifixion, and now we see the stone is rolling away’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just got out of the presser with the Rev. Jesse Jackson and several Democratic state legislators — all on the topic of Genarlow Wilson.
Here’s a sound clip with most of Jackson’s comments.
Some highlights:
— “He’s now free,” Jackson said. “He should be freed today without any additional encumbrances.”
— Justice delayed is often justice denied, Jackson said. “But here justice late is justice welcome.
— “In some sense, Genarlow’s case is a wake-up call, a chance for us to reflect and to review, to go forward by hope and not backward by fear,” Jackson said.
But most interesting was the prayer at the end of the press conference, which Jackson led.
“We thank You for his parents, who would not surrender in the face of tyranny,” Jackson said. “Now its morning time, and we feel a sense of joy that it’s morning time. We’ve endured the crucifixion, and now we see the stone is rolling away.”
“In Genarlow Wilson, You say the ground is no place for a champion. And so we rise.”
The decision by state Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is black, to lead the legal effort to uphold Wilson’s sentence had created a strain in Georgia’s African-American community.
After Jackson prayed, state Sen. Vincent Fort announced that Baker had decided he would not appeal the state Supreme Court’s decision — prompting applause led by Jackson, who thumped on a brace he wore on his right arm.
“There have been difficult times that have bordered on the cusp of divisiveness,” Fort said. “Maybe we can bind the wounds back up.”
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Comments
By Diogenes
October 26, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
OMG, the hyperbole is staggering. We’re now equating simply the latest in a sea of minority juvenile delinquents, raised without values by no one, with a Christ figure. Somewhere, MLK is spinning in his grave.
By GeezGuys
October 26, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this
A 17 year old gets a 15 year old drunk and high. With a pack of buddies (one of whom has impregnated a 12 year old) he participates in an orgy while being videotaped. This is your Jesus figure?
Glad I’m not African-American. I don’t have to be part of a community with a 70% illegitimacy rate who encourages this predator to think he’s a hero figure. Well, enjoy your existence at the bottom of the American ladder. There’s a reason you’ve been there for the past hundred years, and it’s got nothing to do with slavery. And African-Americans will go nowhere as long as they share the viewpoint of Jesse Jackson over Thurbert Baker.
By Diogenes
October 26, 2007 3:36 PM | Link to this
Look, I agree the sentence was too harsh, and am satisfied that it has been reduced, but … to hold this kid up as a racial icon is just … utterly insane.
I cannot imagine any white individual who breaks the law or otherwise engages in deviant behavior being held up and celebrated by other whites becaue of their race — hey, I think Britney and Lindsay and Kid Rock all deserve what’s coming to them, and it has NOTHING to do with their race.
Conversely, every time that a TI or an OJ or a Vick or a Wilson is held up and celebrated by the African American community, I fear that negative white stereotypes are simply confirmed, and white contempt and disdain grow just a little more entrenched. Is that really what we want? Does NO one in the blak community understand this?
By Lee
October 26, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Well said GeezGuys.
Several years ago, I watched a news clip of the Atlanta police, who had chased and apprehended a black rape suspect for raping a young black girl, into one of Atlanta’s notorious housing projects. The black residents were incensed, not because this guy raped a young girl, but because the police had the audacity to arrest a black man in their housing project. The police almost had a mini-riot before they could get out of there.
That was probably 25 years ago. I see things haven’t changed in the black community.
By Eric
October 26, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Genarlow Wilson is the one to be forgiven. He is not the Forgiver. Clearly, the loonie left worships at the alter of political correctness, but even Jesse and the Atlanta liberals went too far comparing Genarlow to Jesus.
By Diogenes
October 26, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
And for the loonie left to try to put this whole story into a context of racial conspiracy and racial redemption is AGAIN utter lunacy. He was being prosecuted by a black attorney general, and a respected black member of the Georgia Supreme Court voted to KEEP him in jail! Reasonable minds can differ as to whether this kid’s sentence was fair, but for the race pimps to turn this into an inflammatory tale of racial struggle with religious overtones is both farcical AND contemptible. Lord, forgive them, because they know not what damage they cause … .
By Athena
October 26, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this
GeezGuys
curious if you realize it was a party? they were all getting drunk it was new year’s eve. Wilson didn’t get the girl drunk or coerce her in anyway way. She wasn’t complaining. Had no problem being video taped in the act.
They were a bunch of horny teenagers who clearly needed adult supervision.
I really don’t understand why what his buddy has done in the past has any baring on Wilson and the girls action. Clearly this boy needed to pick better friends but that shouldnt put him in jail for 10 years. They were two high school kids .. this whole thing was just retarded.
By balancing distortion
October 26, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
Geezguys and Lee,
You’re both wrong to assume that Jesse Jackson’s comment is representative of what every African American thinks. It doesn’t. It’s representative of Jesse Jackson, and perhaps some of his supporters. You obviously haven’t interacted with a diversity of black people — if you’ve interacted with any at all — to make such a blanket generalization.
By GeezGuys
October 26, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
It was a party with a bunch of older guys, who had been in trouble already, with girls who were younger, semiconscious, or both. You don’t understand why the prosecutor viewed this situation differently than a couple of kids making out in a back seat?
I’d say if one of my friends had 29 arrests, yeah, I needed to pick better friends. Because they might decide to get some younger girls (at least this one wasn’t 12 years old like his buddy’s other squeeze) and videotape everything.
If you think you spend any amount of time like that without engaging in real criminal behavior, you’re the retarded element here.
By RJ
October 26, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this
Laws are binding rules for the benefit of society. In a criminal context, they describe a prohibited conduct and the penalty for violation. Justice, on the other hand, pertains to fairness and merit. In other words, does the punishment fit the crime? This particular case highlights the incongruence between law and justice.
Thurbert Baker, the Senate Majority Leader, the Prosecutor, and a judge acknowledged that the punishment was excessive but failed to do anything about it. That is the travesty here. It could be you, your brother, sister, father, or mother in a similar situation, but for a different reason.
By wackolibhack
October 27, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that that kid got a Lewinsky and was put away.
By Wackolibhack
October 27, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this
Bush makes Jackson say stupids things. It it is not Jackson’s fault. It is Bush’s fault. Whaddya have to say about that, you Neocons?
By mrcleanisin
October 27, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
First, the age of consent in Georgia was only recently raised from 14 to 16; had they left it at 14 then none of this would have happened. More importantly, had the jury only been presented the rape case of the 17 year old girl, then Wilson may (or may not) have been convicted of a real crime. Statutory rape (and oral sex) are not real crimes; they are moral sins. Old case law even quotes scripture to justify statutory rape laws. But don’t forget, even though Wilson was freed, what he did is still a crime in Georgia and carries one year in prison, so let’s see how many now get arrested thinking it’s OK to have sex with a 14 or 15 year old. The other issue to be resolved is why is it less of a crime for a 17 year old than a 19 or 25 or 45 etc?
By Blair
October 27, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
People seem to forget the Genarlow Wilson case involved six males and two girls. One of the two girls, a 17-year-old, claimed she was raped. The evidence included an amateur videotape showing Wilson engaging in sex with the 17-year-old and then being offered and receiving consensual oral sex from the 15-year-old girl. According to press reports, the 17-year-old looks sleepy or intoxicated in the video, but never asks Wilson to stop. Waking up naked and disoriented the next morning, the 17-year-old claimed to have been raped.
Five of the six males involved pled guilty and accepted plea bargains. Wilson was the only one who decided to take his chances in court. A jury acquitted Wilson of raping the older girl, but convicted him of aggravated child molestation against the 15-year-old. They had no other choice, since the 15-year-old girl was under the age of consent.
Wilson is scheduled to go on national television to tell about his quest for justice. Wonder if they will show the videotape? The girl who gave her consent to be videotape giving consensual oral sex would probably not object and might even welcome the exposure. Videotaping 15-year-old girls engaged in sex probably violates child pornography laws, but aren’t these laws based on old-fasioned morals?
By Wackolibhack
October 27, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
If Bush would do something about this economy then kids could have jobs and not have time to get in trouble with Lewinskys. This is all Bush’s fault.
By GodHatesTrash
October 27, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s filthy culture breeds kids with filthy behaviors.
Lock up the parents, and make sure they don’t breed anymore.
Trash.
By RJ
October 27, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Morality and illegality are two different animals so to speak. Definitions of both change from time to time. For example, up until the 1960s it was not unusual for a 16 year old girl to have had a child. As a matter of fact, it was not unusual to move from childhood into adulthood, skipping adolescence… all legal and expected. This non-position called adolescence (12-17) was made legal in America in the last 50 years. Lawmakers decide what’s legal, which is not always right. In this case, legislators recognized the adverse affect of the excessive punishment in the law that convicted Genarlow Wilson and changed it this last session of the General Assembly…they just did not make it retroactive to cover his case. Why? It took the judicial branch of government to undo this wrong.
Notwithstanding the biological capabilities of adults, children render children decisions because they lack the wisdom that comes from experience. Should their lives be ruined or should they be given another chance to learn, move on, and become a productive citizen?
This case is about more than the distasteful act and the stupidity of taping it. It is about redemption, correction, checks and balances, how elected officials misuse the authority we entrust to them,and much more.
By Wackolibhack
October 27, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
It is not the parents fault. It is Bush’s fault that this whole deal happened.
By RJ
October 27, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
Wackolibhack, You are off subject. If you have nothing of substance to contribute it’s alright not to submit a comment, particularly a repetitive one. There are times I find myself in that position…when I do I just read, listen, and learn.
By mw
October 28, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
This drought has made me realize that maybe Speaker Murphy did know a thing or two about running the State of Georgia. I guess we should be careful what we label pet projects…
By Wackolibhack
October 28, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault I do not know how to blog. Or is it Bush’s fault that you don’t get sarcasm, RJ? Who knows? Not Bush!!!!!
No jail for young men who get teenage Lewinskys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Wackolibhack
October 28, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
And another thing. I do not take Rev. Jackson seriously about anything, ever. He is part of the Bush Cabal to keep minorities down.
By mrcleanisin
October 28, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
RJ, just how long ago do you think having sex with a 14 or 15 year old became illegal in GA?
By RJ
October 29, 2007 7:09 AM | Link to this
mrcleanisin, Consensual sex among teenagers is a major point of this legal action, not consenual sex among teenagers and adults. Should they both be judged by the same standard? Should both impose the same penalty? I suppose the variance in punishment between the two is predicated on the notion that an adult is more mature and thus, more capable of exploiting the young. Seems reasonable to me.
By deemason
October 29, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
For those of you that don’t get it…African Americans are NOT putting these kids up as heros, we are asking for equal justice. Yes it is a racially charged case just like Jena 6. We DO NOT condone their behavior, we want EQUAL justice. I would agree with RJ in the elected officials misusing their authority, but I can’t because so few blacks vote for offices other than the president.
By Malika
October 29, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
The Reevvrund Jacksuuund said that Genarlow is “a champion.”
I guess it takes “a champion” to know one.
Office Pool idea: How long until Genarlow is back in the slammer?
By wackolibhack.
October 29, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Bush will have that kid locked up pronto. It is Bush’s fault there is crime in this country.
Sarcasm aside…. I give him 14 months before he is locked up again. what the general consensus at your office Malika?
By TJ
October 29, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
GeezGuys
The 15 year old had not been drinking and wasn’t high.
Also, Jesus is not the only individual to ever be crucified.
By Craig
October 29, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this
Some of you morons might want to reconsider some of the stupid things you’re saying. Mr. Wilson is exhibiting a lot more class than many of you put together.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/10/29/wilson.released/index.html
By wackolibhack
October 29, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
It is Bush’s fault that I and others are morons and have no class.
By mrcleanisin
October 30, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this
RJ, you didn’t answer the question. How long has it been illegal in Georgia for an adult to have sex with a 14 year old? Answer: since 1996. Does this mean all those men having sex before (I believe) 1996 were perverts? Not according to the letter of the law. Age of the older person does not matter if the victim is below the age of consent in most states. The so-called Romeo defense is a recent invention.
By RJ
October 30, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this
mrcleanisin, Thanks for the information, which I did not know. Forgive me for getting too preoccupied with making my point.