US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time candidate for the U.S. presidency, has passed away at the age of 84. His family confirmed that he died peacefully on Tuesday morning at his home, surrounded by relatives. Jackson had been battling significant health challenges in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder.
In a statement, the Jackson family remembered him as a "servant leader" who dedicated more than six decades to the fight for justice, equality, and the empowerment of the marginalized. "His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions," the family said, "and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."
A Protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and a Voice for the Voiceless
Born Jesse Louis Burns in segregated Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most recognizable and influential activists in American history. His journey into activism began in earnest during his college years at North Carolina A&T State University, where he participated in sit-ins to desegregate local businesses. By 1965, he had joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and became a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., marching alongside him in Selma and later being appointed to lead Operation Breadbasket in Chicago.
Jackson was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis when Dr. King was assassinated in 1968. In the turbulent years that followed, Jackson emerged as a primary voice for Black American aspirations. He founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971, focusing on economic empowerment and pressuring major corporations to provide jobs and business opportunities to African Americans. His powerful oratory and signature chants, such as "I Am Somebody" and "Keep Hope Alive," became anthems for a generation seeking dignity and political power.
Redefining American Politics: The Rainbow Coalition
Jesse Jackson’s most significant impact on the American political landscape came through his historic runs for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. While he was not the first Black person to seek the presidency, he was the first to mount a serious, nationwide challenge that captured millions of votes and fundamentally altered the Democratic Party’s platform.
Former President Barack Obama, who was seen being embraced by an emotional Jackson on election night in 2008, noted that Jackson "laid the foundation" for his own path to the White House. "We stood on his shoulders," Obama said in a tribute, echoing the sentiment of many political leaders who viewed Jackson as the bridge between the civil rights era and the contemporary age of Black political representation.
A Global Diplomat and Humanitarian Legacy
Beyond his domestic activism, Jackson was a prominent international figure who often stepped into sensitive diplomatic roles. He successfully negotiated the release of American hostages and political prisoners in several countries, including Syria in 1984, Iraq and Kuwait in 1990, and Yugoslavia in 1999. His advocacy against apartheid in South Africa and his early support for Palestinian rights often placed him at the center of international controversy, yet he remained a steadfast proponent of peace and self-determination for oppressed peoples globally.
In 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, recognizing his lifelong commitment to human rights and social justice. Even as his health declined, Jackson remained active, appearing at rallies for voting rights and standing with the family of George Floyd in 2021. His death marks the end of an era for the American civil rights movement, leaving behind a legacy of grassroots mobilization and a defiant insistence on the promise of democracy for all.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their five children, as well as a daughter from a previous relationship. Across the United States, flags have been ordered to fly at half-staff as a nation remembers a man who spent his life "redeeming the soul of the nation."
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84
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