Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights era icon and former District of Columbia senator, passed away on February 17th during Black History Month. Jesse Jackson’s life is a prolific example of the essence of fighting the good fight and faithfully succeeding in doing so. Jackson became a major influence during the civil rights era when he joined Martin Luther King Jr’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in the early 1960s.
He marched right alongside other civil rights leaders utilizing the non-violent approach to achieve justice and racial equality for all. The idea of boycotting businesses as a way to cause effect began with Jesse Jackson. In our modern times, equal opportunities exist for black individuals and other people of color but this was not always the case. During this decade, Jesse encouraged others to boycott white owned businesses to aid them in understanding the importance of hiring black people.
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Civil rights founding father, MLK Jr. had his very last moments within Jesse’s arms after having had brief discussions with his Southern Christian Leadership Conference colleagues. Once Martin Luther King Jr. passed away, Jesse took on the torch and was deemed to be King’s successor. Jesse Jackson was always a champion of black businesses. In 1971, he organized the Black Expo in Chicago, Illinois as a way to promote black capitalism. Black businessmen from 40 different states attended this 5 day expo. The event became a major indicator of the economic and political advancement of the black citizen in America.
With a key mission to continue advancing the human race, Rev. Jesse formed Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 and finally, the Rainbow Coalition in 1984. He had a burdensome desire to improve opportunities for black and underprivileged people all over the world. Through his organizations, he was was able to pursue social justice while engaging in political and civil rights activism. During the year 1984, Jesse came the first African American man to run and campaign for the office of President of the United States. During his run, he garnered millions of votes. Though he ultimately did not win the presidency, he walked so that future African American presidential candidates could run. He set the stage and tone for what it means to be an influential black person in America.
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Rev. Jesse’s influence pervaded the United States borders and he became an outspoken activist for human, political, and civil rights issues around the world. Jackson helped to free American Navy pilot, Robert Goodman, in 1983 after traveling to Syria and pleading with Syrian president, Hafen Al-Assad for his release. Few may know that Jackson also played a key position in helping to end the South African Apartheid. During his life tenure, Jackson was every bit of a dignitary as he also met with world leaders in Venezuela, Thailand and the United Kingdom for peace talks as well as politically motivated discussions. He sought to encourage better cross-community relations between British and Irish governments.
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Jesse Jackson was a charismatic and transformative leader who lived to challenge injustices faced by black people. He also lived to be a champion for the poor. We honor him for his brilliant work as an organizer and strategist who managed to shape the political discourse within America while being an African American man. His work and the many positive actions that he conducted on behalf of black Americans and underprivileged people will be remembered for many years to come. Every one mattered to Jesse and every one was somebody. Last but not least, we cannot forget Jackson’s serious aptitude towards faithfulness. He believed that "love must endure for many seasons." His marriage to his wife, Jacqueline was a huge testimony of his faithfulness as they were married for 64 years.
1941-2026
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