Talk:George Jackson (activist)/Archive 1

Old comments
This article appears to link to the wrong Gary Thomas. I don't know if there is an article on the correct fellow.


 * Thanks for reporting that. I've changed to the link. -Willmcw 19:33, 13 December 2005 (UTC)

The following section was added recently... ''Stanley Williams dedicated his 1998 book "Life in Prison," in part, to George Jackson. In Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's response to Williams' appeal for clemency, the governor claimed that this dedication was "a significant indicator that Williams is not reformed and that he still sees violence and lawlessness as a legitimate means to address societal problems."'' I find myself curious if the language used here might express a POV with regards to recent events revolving around Williams, or if perhaps the latter section regarding Schwarzenneger's comments might be better left in the page regarding Williams.


 * Quoting Schwarzenegger's POV doesn't make it the article's POV. It's relevant in that it shows Jackson is still a controversial figure. I think this article concentrates to heavily on conflicting accounts of Jackson's death and has not enough about his life.--Jack Upland 03:45, 13 January 2006 (UTC)

The pistol mystery
I modifed the "if not ... then who?" part. It read like original research (or a verbatim copy of someone else's research) Also, just because one is tried and not convicted, or is not even tried, does not automatically mean that someone else did it. All it means is that the jury thought that it couldn't be proved that the defendants did do it. This part read like the work of a conspiracy theorist. --71.141.136.236 10:03, 15 February 2006 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Book cover, Soledad Brother by George Jackson.jpg
Image:Book cover, Soledad Brother by George Jackson.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

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BetacommandBot (talk) 19:04, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Wikiproject Prisons
If anyone's interested, I've proposed a new wikiproject for the creation of articles regarding specific prisons here. --Cdogsimmons (talk) 01:40, 23 June 2008 (UTC)

Jackson was in jail for crimes
Jackson was in jail not because he was an innocent. The revolutionary James Carr's book cuts through the crap, no wonder it is no "further reading".--Radh (talk) 09:58, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

Davis
Jackson used weapons registered in Davis' name, this is a fact. Even french intellis who know that Davis was harrassed by the fbi on false charges, write this in their book (the one on Genet and the Panthers cited in your article.--Radh (talk) 10:05, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

please provide source for this comment.....
"Other observers point to the fact that Jackson and Black Panthers founder Huey Newton were locked in a power struggle over the leadership of the organization at the time of his death. Since Newton benefited from Jackson's death -- Jackson not only became the premier Black Panther martyr, but one of Newton's major rivals had been eliminated and the Black Panthers' treasury had been enriched by inheriting the profits from Jackson's best-selling book, "Soledad Brother" -- some have claimed that Newton somehow engineered the conflagration.

George Jackson's own sister Penny Jackson was one person who believed that her brother had been assassinated by the Party. She made a trip to the Oakland headquarters of the Black Panthers to denounce them, holding the Party responsible for his death. "

I would like to see a source for the above comment because I find based on my knowledge of Jackson and Newton I find this comment very hard to believe. In Elaine Brown's autobiography "A Taste of Power" she stated that Newton and Jackson had a strong friendship-like brothers and they had the highest respect for each other although they never physically meet. There was never indication of a power struggle at all.

Besides would it really make sense for Jackson to be in a power struggle with Newton for an organizaion he physicaly cannot control or direct since he was in prison and his vistor list was strictly monitored? His own soon to be sister in law was prevented for visits and Elbaine Brown stated in her book that she had to wait 6 months to get clearance to see Jackson. I strongly believe Jackson's day to day focus was educating himself and others at the correctional facility, staying alive(he was facing threats from other inmates as well as the guards), and trying to get released from prison.

At any rate I look forward toward viewing the sources of the info i quoted. I hope someone could provide it soon


 * Seems to be just a highly unlikely rumor, and a damaging one at that. Newton has always expressed respect and love for George; Huey even called Jackson his "hero". Had there been a major disagreement between Newton and Jackson before George's death in 1971, don't you think it would have been publicized. After all, the mainstream media was happy to publicize the split between Cleaver and Newton as a sign that the Panther party was disintegrating. So why would they be tight-lipped about Newton and Jackson supposedly in a power struggle and angry at each other? And furthermore, George was killed by a prison guard, not a Black Panther. So that would mean that the prison guards would have somehow been in cahoots with the black panthers, and sacrificed three murdered guards in order to help the Panthers kill George. It doesn't make sense, and the rumor needs to die out. 74.185.0.47 (talk) 22:24, 7 July 2008 (UTC)


 * You can not seriously think Elaine Brown is a neutral source? It seems that Dave Hilliard made these accusations, who may know something about the BPP. A fact: In 1972 one time Jackson bodyguard James Carr (who has no W entry) was gunned down in the streets. As far as I can see from internet sources 2 Panthers or at least people associated with the party were convicted.--Radh (talk) 10:36, 9 May 2009 (UTC)

political prisoner, my ass
Please read Carr.--Radh (talk) 14:47, 26 May 2009 (UTC) There are libraries, you know. Carr was closer to Jackson than you are, I presume and knew about his politics.--Radh (talk) 10:52, 5 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Stop promoting books on wikipedia.67.197.146.127 (talk) 10:40, 5 January 2010 (UTC)
 * I stand by what I posted. How many times are you going to promote James Carr on George Jackson's talk page? 67.197.151.203 (talk) 11:12, 6 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Until you read him? But, nobody has to read him or anything else or even WP. And if you can show me someone, who says that Carr is irrelevant to Jackson, go ahead. If you just don't like Carr's ideas, this is Original Research or something.--Radh (talk) 13:31, 6 January 2010 (UTC)

Jackson used politics as cover for his criminality saying “Marxism is my hustle."
[User:ExistentialBliss] altered: "Jackson used politics as cover for his criminality saying “Marxism is my hustle." ... to ... "Jackson said, “Marxism is my hustle.”

The text below from substantiates "Jackson used politics as cover for his criminality".

It soon become clear to anyone who cared to look, however, that Newton and the Panthers were clever street thugs who used revolutionary slogans to avoid accountability for their crimes. As one of the New Left’s favorite black criminals, Soledad Prison inmate George Jackson, once put it, “Marxism is my hustle.”

ExistentialBliss: please justify your claim in the face of the citation. Deicas (talk) 05:17, 22 January 2010 (UTC)


 * I didn't delete what Jackson said; I deleted the interpretation that was placed before it. You should clarify who interpreted Jackson's words in that manner. Because Jackson himself did not say, "I used politics as cover for my criminality." It is an opinion of what he meant by what he said. You should have quoted the researcher who surmised that that is what Jackson meant.ExistentialBliss (talk) 07:22, 22 January 2010 (UTC)


 * The article that is being used as a source here is written by someone closely related to the issue. Thus the source may not meet the requirement of being independent, and an inline attribution seems appropriate. Cs32en   Talk to me  20:04, 22 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Clarification has now been established because Jackson's words have been distugiushed from the source's words. Thank you to who made the change. ExistentialBliss (talk) 22:15, 22 January 2010 (UTC)
 * This seems like the best result. Collaboration works again.  Regards, ClovisPt (talk) 23:29, 22 January 2010 (UTC)
 * Agreed. ExistentialBliss (talk) 13:41, 23 January 2010 (UTC)

Correction
"Judge Haley and prisoners William Christmas, James McClain, and Jonathan Jackson were killed as they attempted to drive away from the courthouse." Jonathan was not one of the prisoners as the wording suggests. I have corrected it to read "Judge Haley, Jonathan Jackson, and prisoners William Christmas and James McClain were killed as they attempted to drive away from the courthouse." Irish Melkite (talk) 08:59, 7 April 2010 (UTC)

Attica Prison Riot
Was there ever any connection between Jackson's death and the Attica Prison Riot in September 1971? Was his death ever considered as a catalyst in it. Does anyone have any information on this? From what I understand Blood in My Eye is not allowed in Attica Correctional Facility. 69.119.207.171 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 04:23, 24 May 2010 (UTC).

Popular culture section
I am going to remove most of it, save a few of the truly notable items, unless anyone objects. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 21:09, 3 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I would definitely save anything that is cited, the Bob Dylan Song, and the film Black August. The rest of it could go here, so people can look for cites if they so desire. It would interesting to see that stuff in the article cited and in prose. We may want to give people a few days to respond. In the meantime, I tagged the section as needing more references. Location (talk) 21:33, 3 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I would agree. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 21:42, 3 February 2011 (UTC)

Rewrite
Any issues? I have lurked here on Wiki and contributed off and on anonymously for years, but this is the first overhaul done under an account. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 22:31, 4 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Looks good. I would consider using the various citation templates (e.g. Template:Cite book) to make verification of statements a little easier. Location (talk) 22:41, 4 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Will do ... after my weekend of course. I think I will also try and tackle some of the pop culture references as well. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 22:42, 4 February 2011 (UTC)

Blood in my Eyes and Fay Stender
I would like to work both the publication of "Blood in my Eyes" and Jackson's relationship with Stender into the article, but not quite sure how to go about it. Any ideas? ZippoHurlihee (talk) 18:18, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
 * What did you want to say about them? If you have enough outside commentary in reliable sources about "Blood in My Eye", you could add those bits. Fay Stender was notable enough that you could start by working her into the Soledad Brothers and Huey Newton articles, or you could create an article about her given that she was relatively notable for two or three independent events. Location (talk) 18:43, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Funny you should mention that. I just created the article. I some of the material from Stender's new article, how she got Genet to write the intorduction, as well as Jackson's pressuring her to bring contraband into the proson certainly could be mentioned here. The Horowitz/Collier article has a great deal more additional material on both subjects. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 18:53, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Good work! I'll try to help you with this later. One idea is to expand the Stender article as much as you/we can, then duplicate the Soledad Brothers/Jackson/Newton connections in those articles. Location (talk) 18:58, 11 February 2011 (UTC)
 * Thanks. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 19:00, 11 February 2011 (UTC)

Rename article
It seems appropriate to rename this article George Jackson (Black Guerilla Family) instead of George Jackson (Black Panther). After looking into this subject it seems that the founding of the BGF is really his legacy and his membership in the BPP is, in retrospect, a sidenote. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 16:01, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * He is more well known as one of the Soledad Brothers than as the founder of the Black Guerilla Family. Other options for renaming are George Jackson (inmate), George Jackson (prison activist), or George Jackson (Soledad Brother). You may want to use the template found at Template:Requested move to get more feedback from other editors on this. Location (talk) 17:17, 14 February 2011 (UTC)
 * George Jackson's claim to fame is his connection to the Black Panther Party. The average person doesn't even know anything about the Black Guerilla Family. ExistentialBliss (talk) 23:02, 16 February 2011 (UTC)
 * I am not sure I agree. I think, without question, his most enduring legacy was the formation of the BGF. ZippoHurlihee (talk) 14:56, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

This article is FULL OF IT!
I'm not saying he was a saint but this article relies way too much on prison guards to describe Jackson. I can say from both experience and statistics that prison guards can and often are racists. We should NOT use them as the main description on Jackson. I guarantee you the prison guards are lying. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.146.74.239 (talk) 20:25, 2 September 2011 (UTC)
 * You may want to be more specific in your objection because I don't see that any prison guards are used as references in this article. Location (talk) 20:37, 2 September 2011 (UTC)

Travesty
I am not that familiar with using Wikipedia - but the main article is a travesty. There is quite a bit about Jackson in the following book Peter Collier & David Horowitz "Destructive Generation: Second Thoughts About the Sixties" (New York,   Simon & Schuster, 1996) pp. 22-66. It does not paint such a flattering picture. Someone should add that link for "further reading." Also there is a quote from Jackson that according to Collier a& Horowitz (p. 38) was published posthumously as a revolutionary will. The quote is "the power of the people lies in its greater potential violence." I think the main page needs wholesale revisions. Hopefully someone will do this. Whoever does it should probably include the fact that there was an attempted murder attempt on Jackson's lawyer Fay Stender by Edward Glen Brooks, a follower of Jackson. This and much more is covered by Collier & Horowitz in their book. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Just for the taste of it (talk • contribs)

--Horowitz is a mentally unwell loon. Information from him would almost certainly not meet wikipedias standard of legitimacy. Seriously, the dudes a cuckoo clock. 59.167.111.154 (talk) 01:34, 13 December 2012 (UTC)

More about his books
Partly agree with the above opinion. The article says he wrote two books (or is it a book of letters?), and that it was thanks to them he achieved fame. So there should be a lot of information about the content of these books. Now, there is nothing. That would also serves as an important context for his alleged escape attempt. I suspect that the emphasis on the "criminal" part of the story is the result of someone's POV agenda.--91.148.159.4 17:01, 23 February 2007 (UTC) - The presence of citations of David Horowitsz of all people indicates that yeah, we've got a conspiracy theorist whackoing about the editing here. Very much a bias. 59.167.111.154 (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 01:41, 13 December 2012 (UTC)

Cranky citations
I note a lot of citations to David Horowitz. Horowitz is a cranky conspiracy theorist, and he's really not the sort of source that fits wikipedias credibility guidelines. George Jackson is a legitimate object of historical research and interest, and including far-right loonie sources like Horowitz just confuses and detracts from the academic credibility of the article. This needs a serious cleanup! 01:38, 13 December 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 59.167.111.154 (talk)
 * You may want to be more specific in your objection. The material cited to Horowitz states that Jackson had committed five armed robberies and the he joined the Black Panther Party after meeting Huey Newton in prison. I don't see that the material is particularly controversial, and it receives in text attribution anyway. Location (talk) 17:51, 25 May 2013 (UTC)

Politically correct article?
George Jackson seems to be a figure who is able to divide people. But some facts are indisputeable. That includes his criminal carreer. George Jacksons criminal carreer began at age about 10, probably earlyer. But he was always released to his fathers custody. Finally he was sentenced indefinite sentence of one year to life because of his previous convictions. Please try to find the facts. This kind of articles destroys the good reputation of Wikipedia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Velijoze (talk • contribs) 18:42, 8 February 2014 (UTC)


 * That's because someone is keeping a constant eye on this article, arbitrarily removing edits that they don't personally approve of, read: removing edits that are more truthful, that they don't like. This is not uncommon. An edit war involving Frances Fox Piven brought on a near lawsuit from an attorney, on orders from Piven, because Piven did not approve of unfavorable edits to any Piven related articles. These are dangerous people. My guess is that it is either Bettina Aptheker or someone related to Bettina Aptheker who has prevented truthful representation in this article, because Bettina Aptheker wrote extensively on Jackson and the Soledad Brothers and also because of Bettina Aptheker's long time tie-in to Angela Davis, who was brought up on multiple charges related to Jackson, and later fled the country as a result of those charges. 10stone5 (talk) 02:20, 16 November 2014 (UTC)


 * What was the arbitrarily removed edit that you speak of? - Location (talk) 19:53, 16 November 2014 (UTC)

This article is absurd
I cannot fathom why this article has nothing to do with George Jackson's life and thought, and almost everything to do with his death and his supposed culpability in various kilings. George Jackson is internationally recognized as a major theorist of the struggles of third world peoples and people of color in the United States. The bias of this article is unsightly, to say the least - if you are reading this, please fix it by discussing his thought and work, or I will when I have more time in a month or so. Gjashnan 18:20, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

I agree. This article needs to be improved dramatically, with more facts and citations. And substantial time paid to the theories and writings of Jackson. I only wished I knew enough to do so accurately. May 2007

I strongly agree. When I've had the opportunity to read Jackson's works again, I'll return to make edits, unless someone here is able to do so before then. Hash789 (talk) 01:11, 21 June 2010 (UTC)

One of the worst most clearly racist articles I have seen in Wikipedia, I hope those with knowledge and balance can make it better so it has some merit. Bear in mind racists are using it as a source to incite racial hatred. There are reasons a Nobel Prize Winner chose to highlight George Jackson as a major example of injustice in America. EDLIS Café 23:34, 26 December 2017 (UTC)

Assessment reverted
I recently assessed this article but just noticed that reverted my assessment without explanation. What did I do wrong? The reverting guidelines recommends that the reason for reversion be explained, even in the case of vandalism. Undoing my assessment changes without explanation means I have no understanding of what I have done wrong or even if I have done wrong. So I am resorting to discussion in order to work out why my edit was reverted because I think that action was unnecessary and like throwing the baby out with the bathwater. So now I want to achieve consensus before I make another editing attempt, as I want to avoid an edit war.

My edit was intended to achieve the following: I am surprised such an edit provoked any editor to such an extreme reaction as reversion, as if these changes were vandalism. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 09:48, 7 July 2021 (UTC)
 * 1) Move the Vital Article notice to the top of the talk page, above the WikiProject banner shell, so it is more obvious.
 * 2) Rate WikiProject Organized Crime as C Class, to be the same class as all the other projects.
 * 3) Add importance ratings for WikiProjects that needed an importance rating but didn't have one. Because this is a vital article I assessed the article's importance as "High".
 * 4) Sort the WikiProjects alphabetically. The order in the banner shell is not material but an alphabetical order makes identifying project duplication easier.
 * 5) Add the B-class template to the Crime WikiProject as requested in the Crime banner when it attains C class. This addition would be transparent until the article was rated B class and the questions given an positive "Yes" or negative "No" answer. The current setting is neutral.
 * 6) Update an article WikiProject assessment that has not changed since 2013.


 * In the absence of any response or discussion over the last few weeks about my earlier assessment, I assume that I had done too much in one edit. After awaiting a response but having received none, I just have have now rated this article as High for the crime related WikiProjects because this is a vital article at level 5. - Cameron Dewe (talk) 05:36, 4 September 2021 (UTC)