Jackson Jr.’s political demise quickens search for fresh faces in black leadership [teachers union]

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | November 23, 2012 | DAN MIHALOPOULOS

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Before scandal would shatter his grand ambitions, when he was still a Democratic congressman and the heir apparent to one of Chicago’s most prominent political dynasties, Jesse Jackson Jr. did not shy from criticizing other politicians with heavy baggage.

[SNIP]

“The future of black politics is bright, actually,” Maze Jackson [radio host not related to J. Jackson] said. “You’ll see a new generation of black politicians with new, innovative thought processes. The old generation looked to protect the safety net as a way to empowerment. The new generation is more interested in banking, finance, utilities — things that can be impactful for the long-term.”

With the weakening of most old-line Democratic organizations across the city, Maze Jackson said the group that seems poised to try to fill the vacuum is the Chicago Teachers Union. The CTU, which has many black members, showed its organizational strength during the recent teachers’ strike.

What appears unlikely to many observers is that a relative of Jackson Jr. will succeed him or otherwise come to exert the sort of influence his father enjoyed.

“As far as the broader family legacy, I would say this is a pretty big scar,” veteran Democratic campaign consultant Eric Adelstein said. “It’s very hard to see how that Jackson political legacy is sustained by this generation, given all that’s happened.”

[Catsrus]

Yeah, I know, but it is just so unfair. We can be angry and not sin and I’m angry at the injustice.