Our Time Has Come

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. (February 29)