A towering figure of the American Civil Rights Movement has fallen silent. Reverend Jesse Jackson, who stepped forward to carry the torch after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., passed away Tuesday at the age of 84, surrounded by his family in Chicago.
His daughter, Sanita Jackson, described him as a “servant leader,” dedicated not only to his family but to the marginalized and unheard voices across the globe. The family’s statement reflected a shared life, acknowledging they willingly shared him with the world, and in turn, the world embraced them.
Reverend Al Sharpton, a protégé and fellow civil rights champion, mourned Jackson as a “consequential and transformative leader” who irrevocably altered the course of the nation and the world. Sharpton recalled Jackson’s profound impact, reminding all that he instilled hope even in those who felt broken, declaring that a “giant has gone home.”
Jackson’s legacy is powerfully encapsulated in the words he repeated throughout his life: “I Am Somebody.” This simple, yet profound declaration resonated with millions, a defiant affirmation of worth for the poor, the young, and those struggling against systemic injustice. He championed the idea that inherent dignity existed regardless of circumstance.
A young Jackson was present with Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, just days before the tragic assassination. He then boldly assumed the mantle of leadership, dedicating his life to fighting for the rights of the underserved, both within the United States and internationally.
His tireless advocacy spanned critical issues – securing voting rights, expanding job opportunities, improving access to education, and ensuring equitable healthcare. He relentlessly pushed for Black pride and demanded representation in the highest echelons of corporate power, striving to build a truly inclusive society.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson was a gifted athlete, initially earning a football scholarship to the University of Illinois. Faced with racial barriers that limited his position as quarterback, he transferred to North Carolina A&T, where he excelled both on the field and in the classroom, becoming student body president.
It was on that campus that Jackson fully immersed himself in the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, finding his calling and dedicating his energy to the fight for equality. This commitment led him to Chicago in 1965, where he collaborated with Dr. King on Operation Breadbasket, a powerful initiative to compel businesses to hire Black workers.
Following King’s death, Jackson founded Operation PUSH in 1971, an organization with a broad and ambitious agenda. Through strategic lawsuits and impactful boycotts, PUSH forced corporations to invest millions in diversifying their workforces and actively recruiting from communities of colour.
Jackson’s vision extended to the highest office in the land. He launched two presidential campaigns, in 1984 and 1988, achieving remarkable success in the latter, winning 13 primaries and caucuses. His supporters rallied around the hopeful cry of “Keep Hope Alive.”
Even before Barack Obama’s historic presidency, Jackson’s campaigns were seen as groundbreaking. Congressman John Lewis predicted that Jackson’s runs “opened some doors that some minority person will be able to walk through and become president.” He fundamentally shifted the landscape of American politics.
In his later years, Jackson faced significant health challenges, including a neurological disorder that impacted his speech and movement. Yet, his commitment to justice remained unwavering, continuing to protest racial injustice and advocate for change, even during the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement.
He remained actively engaged in civic life, appearing at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and speaking out on critical issues like the conflict in the Middle East, demonstrating his enduring dedication to peace and justice until the very end.
Reverend Jesse Jackson leaves behind a legacy of courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to equality. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, their children, and grandchildren, a family that shared him with the world and now mourns the loss of a true American hero.
