Good afternoon, my readers. You’ve probably heard the news about the passing of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson.
News broke this morning of his passing- he was 84 years old. Reverend Jackson led a life long struggle for the rights of the downtrodden and ignored. Black progressive politics was in a few ways based on the Jackson model. His Rainbow coalition was about uniting different groups of people around an agenda that would help all.
Those who recall his two presidential runs of the 1980s readily point out how they paved the way for other Black politicians on the national level.
In this moment, one of the most powerful messages he used to reiterate was the saying “I am somebody” This was a pushback against the notion that you had to have a title or name to be heard.
Rest in peace, Rev. Jackson.
Thank you Marc. I’m heavy-hearted. I’m grieving the personal loss of my cousin and now hearing of the passing of Mr. Jesse Jackson this morning has deepened that sorrow.
In the late ’80s, as I was coming into adulthood, I remember believing in his uplifting words. I wanted to remain hopeful — that Black communities would rise, that better jobs and greater opportunities would come. I saw glimpses of that hope within my own
family and eventually I felt proud to be a young black single parent. I took my baby and buggy to The Metropolitan Museum of Art on week days. I wanted the stigmatism of being black welfare recipients to fade away. As I strapped my six month old to me and parked the classic carriage in the museum lobby, I would talk to my baby girl Ciara and ignore the Gawking expressions of some of the other museum staff and visitors. Eventually, I made my way from welfare to a good job as an Office Administrator of a Union for many years. Thank you Mr. Jesse Jackson who taught me to believe in his words
“Keep hope alive.”
Good morning, Tanya. You have my sincere condolences on the loss of your cousin.
Thank you for sharing your personal story of how Rev. Jackson inspired you. I appreciate your comment.