The news of the passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a Civil Rights Icon and close adviser to the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, at age 84, is a reminder of his prominence and significance in the Civil Rights Movement, and as a Democratic Presidential contender in the 1980s.
Jackson was a charismatic, inspiring preacher and second place finisher in primaries in 1984, when behind Walter Mondale, and again in 1988, when behind Michael Dukakis.
Jackson was present when King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, and spent decades carrying on the King tradition of non violence, and commitment to progressive causes.
Jackson was the first serious black Presidential candidate, and drew great respect, although he was criticized for his scandalous private life romantic scandals, nothing anymore seen as unusual, although more so decades ago.
Jackson led the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit social justice organization that rallied people of all backgrounds around promotion of civil and human rights.
Jackson was eloquent and charismatic, and united people of all races, as well as sexual orientation, a pathbreaking change in the Democratic Party.
It can be asserted that without Jackson’s Presidential runs in the 1980s, there might not have been the future of Barack Obama.
And Jackson also helped to free hostages in various nations, due to the respect and fame that he brought in his negotiations with foreign governments.
Jackson’s impact remains part of the Democratic Party and progressive tradition, as the best hope for the future of America!