Jackson's verbal misstep against Obama

I always welcome the opportunity to opine on something beyond the trials and tribulations of the movement for LGBT rights, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson's comments towards Barack Obama provide the perfect opportunity to do so.

The civil rights leader sparked consternation after he told a Fox News reporter before an interview he wanted to "cut his [Obama's] nuts off" in response to his "talking down to black people on this faith based..." Jackson, who was expressing his disagreement over Obama's recent comments in black churches about how men of color need to be better fathers, said he didn't realize the microphone was turned on before he made the comments, but they are the latest in a series of verbal missteps that have taken place throughout this campaign.

As with almost everything associated with this contest, however, the comments are simply part of an arguable much bigger picture that needs to be discussed. An argument can be clearly made Obama's candidacy and message transcends politics based on race and other identities--the post-racial politics if you will. Another possible theory is Obama's campaign poses a very real threat to Jackson and other so-called old school civil rights leaders. One thing remains clear: Obama's candidacy has certainly sparked an arguably long overdue conversation in this country about race and its continued implications. This debate will obviously continue.