|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Civil rights activist and former presidential candidate Jesse Jackson, Sr., passed away this morning.
Jackson, Sr., like his mentor, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave Americans, and particularly Black Americans, hope for a better, brighter future of racial reconciliation.
“Keep hope alive” was one of the phrases he coined. In 1941, Jesse Louis (Burns) Jackson was born in South Carolina.
From an early age, Jackson committed to helping the less fortunate. Jackson became the third Black person to seek the Presidency of the United States.
Frederick Douglass was the first African American to run for the Presidency in 1848, followed by Shirley Chisholm in 1972.
In 1848, Douglass received a single vote at the National Liberty Party Convention.
An Uncharismatic Pool of Democratic Donkeys: Democratic Presidential Hopefuls.
Jackson sought the Presidency in 1984 and 1988.
His run was the most impactful of all three candidates, and paved the way for Barack Obama to run in 2008 and become President.
Barack Obama served two terms. In 2017, Obama was succeeded by President Donald Trump, Sr.
Rev. Jesse Jackson In An Undated Photo
In 1991, President Bill Clinton created a Washington, D.C. shadow Senator position for Jesse Jackson, Sr. Jackson served in that position until 1996.
In 1996, Jackson formed the Rainbow Push Coalition, a Chicago-based, multi-racial nonprofit organization.
Jackson’s goal for the organization was to be dedicated to civil rights, economic equality, and social justice for the marginalized.
Jackson’s legacy, characterized by courage and resilience, will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations in the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.
Jackson, Sr., and Chisholm did not make it to the primary elections but still secured 52 delegate votes.
By the time Jackson ran for the Presidency in 1988, he secured over 1,000 delegates. Jackson became a major force in the Democratic Party. That is what Jackson meant when he chanted the phrase, ‘Keep hope alive.’
Jackson became an adviser to several Democratic presidents. Today, President Trump posted a wonderful tribute to Jackson on Truth Social.
“He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and ‘street smarts.’
He was very gregarious – someone who truly loved people!” Trump wrote.
“Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him,” he added.
“Think globally, act locally.”
It is crucial to be forward-thinking but not a forward person. “Be kind to everyone you meet because each carries his heavy burden…” Plato.
Embrace the three Constants: change, justice, and rightness.
The thought police are busy at work trying to suppress free speech. If allowed their march to madness, they will arrest your very thoughts.
Free Speech is thy Lord.’
