Did you read Jesse Jackson’s accusation that Barack Obama is “acting white”? He made this slur while championing the cause of some black kids accused of assaulting a white kid. Evidently Obama’s concern over the case was not “black” enough for Jesse.

Then Jesse went on to offer advice to Obama. To make his campaigning more effective. The advice was along the same lines.

Jackson reckons the assault case is a defining moment “... just like Selma was a defining moment.” More is the pity.

Jackson is mired in the past. Which is why he clings to Selma. And clings to events and tragedies of the civil rights movement of those times. He clings to affirmative action. He clings to anything that encourages people to think of their race first, their nationality second.

Jackson was not electable for a simple reason. He regarded himself as black first. And as an American second.

Obama has more of a chance than Jesse ever had. Because he seems to consider himself as an American first. And as a black, second. Or third. And lots of Americans who have been polled seem to agree with that order of things.

Too many people have grown accustomed to thinking of themselves as something first and American second or third. They are Native Americans. Or Asian Americans. Or Hispanic Americans. Or gay. Or feminist. Or, of course, African Americans.