A journalist writing for The Root has reported that the Rev. Jesse Jackson sexually harassed her after a speech at a previous employer. Apparently the Reverend grabbed her thigh, and said:
“I like all of that right there.”
The journalist, named Danielle Young, is a writer-producer at The Root, described her experience with Jackson in a 2,000-word article published on Monday. She alleged that Jackson felt her inappropriately while they took a photograph together after a keynote speech.
She wrote of the experience:
“I walked toward Jackson, smiling, and he smiled back at me… his eyes scanned my entire body. All of a sudden, I felt naked in my sweater and jeans. As I walked within arm’s reach of him, Jackson reached out a hand and grabbed my thigh, saying, ‘I like all of that right there!’ and gave my thigh a tight squeeze.”
The journalist claimed to be so shocked and uncomfortable that she started to laugh.
“And I continued to giggle as he pulled me closer, stared down at my body, smiled, and told me he was only kidding… the entire time, my co-worker snapped photos.”
The article included several photos of Young and Jackson, including one with Jackson’s right arm around her neck while his left arm embraces Young’s arm across her body.
Young also said of the experience:
“Jackson’s tight grip doesn’t even measure up to what any of the victims of Harvey Weinstein and others have had to endure; however, I was uncomfortable and had to swallow the lump in my throat as I stood right beside the civil rights leader… My silence gave Jackson permission to continue grabbing at the next pair of thick thighs he liked. I’m hoping that my voice does the opposite.”
Young has also accused director John Singleton of inappropriate behavior toward her, with reports being somewhat confirmed by colleagues also attending the event.
Source: New York Post