A Source of Pain': Jesse Jackson Defends Rev. Wright Against Media 'Degradation' & Manipulation

Over the past week, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has re-emerged in both media and political circles. Following author Ed Klein's release of his new book, "The Amateur," the fiery faith leader has received quite a bit of coverage. Last week, The Blaze shared exclusive audio tapes of Wright's three-hour interview with Klein. We also covered a now-debunk GOP plan to potentially use Wright as a 2012 political tool against President Barack Obama.

In light of the deluge of coverage surrounding the preacher, who has come under fire numerous times before for harsh rhetoric and bizarre rants, the Rev. Jesse Jackson has come forward to defend Wright. On MSNBC's "The Daily Rundown" with Chuck Todd, Jackson proclaimed that it is a personal "source of pain" for him to see the media's treatment of the controversial pastor.

(Related: ‘The Amateur’: Did Obama Book Author Violate Journalistic Ethics by Lying to Rev. Wright During Their Interview?)

"I know it’s a source of pain for me to see him used as an object of degradation and manipulated the way he’s been used the media as if he’s some sort of enemy of the state," Jackson said of Wright. "It’s not fair and it’s not true. It pains me to see him used as an object of degradation."

According to Jackson, Wright's goodwill and the help he has offered to people in need is being overshadowed by the divisive media persona that has been created.

“I remember when parents were kicking their youth out of houses, called AIDS a kind of leprosy, he had a ministry. I remember when gays were being in isolation and committing suicide, he had a gay ministry," Jackson continued. "So his ministry has been a most profound one. That’s why people like a young Barack Obama and Michelle would go to that church, because it was such a well-ministered church."

Jackson went on to liken the medias' maligning of Jackson to that of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man he claims was accused of being a communist. In a similar fashion, Jackson contends that both Wright and King were unfairly used as objects of degradation.

Watch Jackson explain these feelings, below:

(H/T: Huffington Post)