--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We blacks were the first people embracing…" description: "\"We blacks were the first people embracing Obama, long before the people at expensive fundraisers were supporting him. We gave him his first love, 96 pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/jesse-jackson-1161_american_we-blacks-were-the-first-people-embracin_15455.jpg" --- # We blacks were the first people embracing Obama, long… ![“We blacks were the first people embracing Obama, long before the people at expensive fundraisers were supporting him. We gave him his first love, 96 percent of blacks voted for him in 2008. Yet today we are the number one in unemployment, with 16 percent of American blacks out of work.” quote by Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/jesse-jackson-1161_american_we-blacks-were-the-first-people-embracin_15455.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/jesse-jackson-1161_american_we-blacks-were-the-first-people-embracin_15455.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/222/jesse-jackson-1161_american_we-blacks-were-the-first-people-embracin_15455.jpg) > “We blacks were the first people embracing Obama, long before the people at expensive fundraisers were supporting him. We gave him his first love, 96 percent of blacks voted for him in 2008. Yet today we are the number one in unemployment, with 16 percent of American blacks out of work.” [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker highlights early Black support for Obama contrasted with current high unemployment among Black Americans, pointing to systemic inequities despite political victories. **In simple terms:** Early Black support vs. present unemployment disparity Key Takeaway Political enthusiasm hasn't solved economic inequality Themes racial politics economic disparity voter behavior systemic inequality social justice Mood determined concerned hopeful Type political sociopolitical statistical When to use this quote - campaign fundraising - voter outreach - policy analysis - community advocacy Key Concepts political mobilization employment trends racial demographics Practical Applications - policy reform proposals - public awareness campaigns Questions to Reflect On - How can political engagement translate into economic improvement? - What policies could reduce Black unemployment? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american/) [American Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-blacks-380512/) [Blacks People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks-people-262695/) [Blacks Voted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blacks-voted-380510/) [Embracing Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/embracing-obama-380513/) [Expensive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expensive/) [First love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-love/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Fundraiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fundraiser/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Numbers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/numbers/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Percent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/percent/) [Percent Blacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/percent-blacks-380511/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trump/) [Unemployment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unemployment/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [Ninety-eight percent of blacks voted for President Obama. That means these people are tied to that political party in a way that's different from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/killer-mike/ninety-eight-percent-of-blacks-voted-for-president-obama-that-means/) [Killer Mike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/killer-mike/) > [In fact, there is clear evidence of black intellectual superiority: in 1984, 92 percent of blacks voted to retire Ronald Reagan, compared to only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-ehrenreich/in-fact-there-is-clear-evidence-of-black-intellectual-superiority-in/) [Barbara Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-ehrenreich/) > [Opinion polls consistently show that only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions, i.e. support the free market, individual liberty and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/opinion-polls-consistently-show-that-only-about-5-percent-of-blacks/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [Only about 5 percent of blacks have sensible political opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/only-about-5-percent-of-blacks-have-sensible-political-opinions/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [Hollywood is so fixated on keeping it that way because it's generating the buzz, but that representation isn't right. I definitely feel like it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-boyega/hollywood-is-so-fixated-on-keeping-it-that-way-because-it-s/) [John Boyega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-boyega/) > [I encourage more blacks and people of color to get a passport. That's one way to help put people on an equal platform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-d/i-encourage-more-blacks-and-people-of-color-to-get-a-passport-that-s/) [Chuck D](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-d/) > [When you look at where the real problems are among minorities in our society, particularly blacks, it's at the bottom. It's the people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/when-you-look-at-where-the-real-problems-are-among-minorities-in-our/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [ The black socks \[on me at Olympics in 1968\] emphasized the fact that we had so many Blacks and people of color here in… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-carlos/the-black-socks-on-me-at-olympics-in-1968-emphasized-the-fact-that-we/) [John Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-carlos/) > [I wish there was more for minorities than sitcoms. I'd like to see a soap opera about blacks. People don't live in isolation anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxie-roker/i-wish-there-was-more-for-minorities-than-sitcoms-i-d-like-to-see-a/) [Roxie Roker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxie-roker/) > [“Try listening, maybe. Hear what is being said. And remember that it’s not about you. American Blacks are not telling you that you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/try-listening-maybe-hear-what-is-being-said-and-remember-that-it-s/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [“Understanding America for the Non-American Black: Thoughts on the Special White Friend One great gift for the Zipped-Up Negro is The White Friend Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/understanding-america-for-the-non-american-black-thoughts-on-the/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [“And remember that it’s not about you. American Blacks are not telling you that you are to blame. They are just telling you what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/and-remember-that-it-s-not-about-you-american-blacks-are-not-telling/) [Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie/) > [My father kept his distance from working-class American blacks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/constance-baker-motley/my-father-kept-his-distance-from-working-class-american-blacks/) [Constance Baker Motley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/constance-baker-motley/) > [No, Islam did not lift American blacks out of poverty; capitalism did that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-tancredo/no-islam-did-not-lift-american-blacks-out-of-poverty-capitalism-did/) [Tom Tancredo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-tancredo/) > [“People were flattered to be asked about themselves and if she said nothing after they spoke, it made them say more. They were conditioned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-were-flattered-to-be-asked-about-themselves-and-if-she-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jesse Jackson > [If my mind can conceive it ,and my heart can believe it,i known I can achieve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/if-my-mind-can-conceive-it-and-my-heart-can-believe-it-i-known-i-can/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We reveal our joys and successes, we conceal our pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/we-reveal-our-joys-and-successes-we-conceal-our-pain/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [The coffers are full of money and equipment for the Ferguson Police and the Missouri National Guard to put down a potential uprising, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/the-coffers-are-full-of-money-and-equipment-for-the-ferguson-police/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Many are observing Ferguson and witnessing the anger, demonstrations, looting and vandalism and calling for quiet. 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The absence of noise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/many-are-observing-ferguson-and-witnessing-the-anger-demonstrations/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [What's good for the very rich might not be good for anybody but them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/what-s-good-for-the-very-rich-might-not-be-good-for-anybody-but-them/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Those who have the most wealth and the most property, their children have the first, the best, and the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/those-who-have-the-most-wealth-and-the-most-property-their-children/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Most blacks will argue that they excel because of hard work, because of intellect, determination, sweat, blood, tears and risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/most-blacks-will-argue-that-they-excel-because-of-hard-work-because/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Pictures can live in one's memory. That's why they are important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/pictures-can-live-in-one-s-memory-that-s-why-they-are-important/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [A check or credit card, a Gucci bag strap, anything of value will do. Give as you live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/a-check-or-credit-card-a-gucci-bag-strap-anything-of-value-will-do/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [When they wrote the Constitution, only white male landowners had the right to vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/when-they-wrote-the-constitution-only-white-male-landowners-had-the/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I'm too mature to be angry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/i-m-too-mature-to-be-angry/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [We picked their cotton. We cooked their food. We nursed their babies. 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