The Life and Legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Leader

I was saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson. The world has been reacting to his death and has honored him for his influence on political and social issues, both in this nation and around the world. Rev. Jesse Jack son ran for president of the United States twice in 1984 and in 1988. He spoke in Buffalo on several occasions.

I saw him at St. John Baptist church when the late Rev. Bennett W. Smith was the pastor. He was an amazing speaker who could excite any crowd. He also spoke at other churches around the area. He also spoke at Kleinhans music hall when he was campaigning for president. He had several uplifting quotes that inspired his audiences.

Jesse Louis Jackson was born in 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, the son of Helen Burns and Noah Robinson. She was an unwed teenage moth er. His grandmother and mother loved him and raised him to the best of their ability. His father refused to accept him. He was one of the well-to do Black people in the area. However, Jesse Jackson found acceptance from his stepfather Charles Jackson, who adopted him as his own son.

Jesse became an athlete and scholar. He received a scholarship to study at the University of Illinois. He left because the coach refused to give him a chance to play quarter back, a position that he starred in high school. He enrolled in the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in Greensboro, North Carolina, and he became quarterback of the football team, as well as president of the student body.

While at the University he became involved in a number of protest movements against inequality. He ended going to the theological seminary and the rest is history. He emerged as a strong supporter of Dr. Martin Luther, Jr. He created a number of civil rights organizations including Operation PUSH, which stood for People United to Serve Humanity.

It was dedicated to raising the economic standards of African Americans. He created the motto for people and youth which he was known for all over the country “I Am Some body.” He was also famous for saying “Keep Hope Alive.” He became more involved in politics and ran for president in 1984 with a coalition of people from all races called the “Rainbow Coalition.”

He faced charges of antisemitism because of his association with Nation of Islam of leader, Louis Farrakhan and his reference to New York city as Hymie town. He apologized for the remark and continued to unite people from all races. He became popular and coined the phrase, “Keep Hope Alive.”

He had many problems in his personal life, but he emerged as a leader who worked for all people, especially those who experienced inequality and injustice on all levels, which he took the lessons he learned from working with Dr. King and the civil movements to coun tries around the world. Visiting many places in South Africa working against apartheid and making close relation ships with many African leaders. He brought many prisoners of war home and produced one of the largest turnouts of African American voters in any presidential election!!

Despite the challenges that he faced, Rev. Jesse Jackson was an inspira tion to many people. He had a chapter of PUSH located on the corner of Jefferson and East Utica Street. I attended many of those meetings and he was always serious about changing the lives of African Americans and poor people wherever he went.

Today, Rev. Jesse Jackson remains one of our most significant civil rights leaders of all time. He will always be remembered as a man who kept “Hope Alive.” in many ways as possible. Even with his health issues including suffering from Parkinsons disease. His run for president set the foundation for Barack Obama to become our first Black President!