Our Time Has Come: A Delegate's Diary of Jesse Jackson's 1984 Presidential Campaign

From his perspective as a fully accredited, elected Jackson delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention, Lucius Barker tells the story of his active participation in the drama-recounting the excitement and challenges, successes and achievements, and the problems, disappointments, and frustrations; describing what he believed to be the campaign's deeper sense and meaning; and recording his views of its great historical significance.

Barker, a Jackson delegate at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, offers a social scientist's views on Jackson's first bid for the presidential nomination. He discusses such matters as the context out of which Jackson's candidacy evolved (and Barker's own commitment to it), the mixed signals conveyed by the support of some black leaders for Mondale, the much-publicized "Hymie" remark and its effect on the Jewish community, and the development of the candidate's views on various issues. Barker draws lessons from the campaign, mainly the need for black Americans to develop a common unifying strategy. Jackson's "Our time has come" address at the '84 convention is reprinted in an appendix. Barker is a professor of political science at Washington University in St. Louis.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Barbara Reynolds's Jesse Jackson (JFJ Assocs., 1985, rev. ed.) castigated the man as egotistical and marginally competent and ethical. Barker (Washington Univ., St. Louis) has written a friendly work based on his involvement in the 1984 presidential bid. He recounts his thinking, as President of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists, on the advantages of a black candidacy and describes the San Francisco delegates, "Hymietown" incident, release of Lt. Goodman, and Louis Farrakhan. Insightful coverage of the convention rules and suggestions for the future. Highly recommended.Frank Kessler, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.