He saw the assassination of Martin Luther King at the Lorraine motel in Memphis, Tennessee. Forty years later, he celebrated with the joyful crowd in Chicago’s Grant Park when Barack Obama won the election, tears rolling down his cheeks.
Jesse Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday at 84, was recognized by Martin Luther King III and his wife Andrea King as “a living bridge between generations”. He was the most significant African American political voice connecting King and Obama. His two bids for the Democratic nomination paved the way for a Black president. He created a “rainbow coalition” that still influences the Democratic party today.
The impact of Jackson’s dedication to broaden voting rights, support marriage equality, seek racial justice, and merge a progressive agenda with Christian beliefs can be seen in leaders like Senator Raphael Warnock and Bishop William Barber as well as movements such as Black Lives Matter. His efforts to push for sanctions against apartheid South Africa, advocate for Palestinian rights, and oppose the Iraq war served as a model for leftist foreign policy.
“My constituency is the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected and the despised,” Jackson, a Baptist minister, stated during the 1984 Democratic national convention in San Francisco. “They are restless and seek relief.”
Jackson’s journey reflected changes within the Democrats and America itself over more than eight decades. He was born in Greenville, South Carolina during Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency-just two months before Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
It was also during Jim Crow’s era of racial segregation. Jackson always remembered when his mother first took him to sit at the back of a bus. On Saturday mornings he worked at a bakery where there were separate water fountains for Black and white people. He once remarked: “I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had a shovel programmed for my hands.”
In 1960 Jackson joined his first sit-in in Greenville and participated in Selma-to-Montgomery civil rights marches in 1965 that caught King’s eye. As an organizer in Chicago, he met with King at the Lorraine motel in Memphis in 1968; he would forever remember hearing that fatal gunshot.
“Every time I think about it, it’s like pulling a scab off a sore,” he told The Guardian in 2018. “It’s a hurtful, painful thought: that a man of love is killed by hate; that a man of peace should be killed by violence; a man who cared is killed by the careless.”
A shift was occurring within politics as Democrats began to embrace civil rights fully culminating with President Lyndon Johnson advocating for landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 while Republican Richard Nixon’s “southern strategy” aimed to attract socially conservative white voters from southern states.
Jackson publicly claimed himself as King’s successor. He fought for underprivileged communities on issues from voting rights to healthcare access. Just like King condemned Vietnam war policies; Jackson visited South Africa shortly after Steve Biko’s death advocating US sanctions against apartheid while supporting Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid campaign.
He founded two activism groups: Operation Push in 1971 followed by National Rainbow Coalition twelve years later which merged into one organization back in 1996.
Unlike King though Jackson ventured into party politics contemplating forming his own party back then around 1971 before campaigning energetically alongside Democrat Jimmy Carter during 1980 gaining momentum registering Black voters along this way.
Although he once expressed reluctance about running due primarily to perceptions from white Americans regarding their inability appreciating him fully-he made history becoming second-ever major party candidate seeking presidency from minority background behind former congresswoman Shirley Chisholm back during elections held earlier back then-all before finishing third place behind Walter Mondale & Gary Hart respectively during primaries round-up!
Returning again four years later came out victorious winning thirteen primaries/caucuses landing second spot next only Michael Dukakis ensuring vital conversations regarding African American matters remained central focus within Democratic platform altogether! At convention event itself Jack argued fiercely against what he’d deemed ‘reverse Robin Hood’ approach taken up by Ronald Reagan administration distributing wealth solely among privileged few leaving lower-income folks left struggling immensely!
Reflecting afterward said: “I was able to run twice redefine what’s feasible raising bar higher not just women but others too creating pathways ahead.”
John Lewiscommented once stating how important those initial efforts paved road towards future opportunities saying they unlocked doors allowing minority individuals walk through potential paths leading presidency!
Recently Kamala Harris recalled fondly her drive across California attending law school proudly displaying Jesse’s bumper sticker recalling moments received overwhelming support displayed thumbs-up gestures honking horns alike resonating positively amongst people everywhere she went!
Also advocating cultural recognition change importance highlighted need identify individuals identifying themselves African Americans believing holds integrity emphasizing historical relevance fitting neatly into context overall representing diverse ethnic groups found across nation united together sharing common backgrounds being honored thus collectively respected reflecting maturity achieved over decades gone past!
His presidential campaigns throughout ‘80s laid groundwork ultimately culminating towards historic election marking milestone alongside arrival first-ever African-American president nearly two decades forward- witnessing momentous occasion shed tears pouring joyously amidst crowds gathered celebrating victory marking new chapter beginning since inception democratic ideals we all aspire strive achieve continuing coalition including progressives minorities alike joined forces pushing forward irrespective any divides sought undermine unity established!”
Statement released via Obama echoed sentiments shared expressing gratitude acknowledging Michelle seeing firsthand engagement politically inspiring young minds present even kitchen table setting drawing parallels past struggles arising eventually led campaigns paving pathways toward highest office obtained landslide victories standing tall upon shoulders predecessors’ legacy shaped future generations onward march together hand-in-hand down path brighter horizons await us all ahead!
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