Jesse Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse Jackson
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Jackson in 2013
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| United States Shadow Senator from the District of Columbia |
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| In office January 3, 1991 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Paul Strauss |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jesse Louis Burns
October 8, 1941 Greenville, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6, including Santita, Jesse Jr., and Jonathan |
| Education | North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (BS) Chicago Theological Seminary (MDiv) |
| Signature |  |
Jesse Louis Jackson (born October 8, 1941) is an American leader. He is known as a civil rights activist, a Baptist minister, and a politician. He tried to become the Democratic Party's candidate for president in 1984 and 1988. He also served as a shadow U.S. senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.
Jesse Jackson started important organizations that later joined together to form Rainbow/PUSH. His oldest son, Jesse Jackson Jr., was a U.S. Representative. From 1992 to 2000, Jackson hosted a TV show called Both Sides with Jesse Jackson on CNN.
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Early Life and Education
Jesse Jackson was born in Greenville, South Carolina. His mother was Helen Burns. His biological father was Noah Louis Robinson.
A year after Jesse was born, his mother married Charles Henry Jackson. Charles later adopted Jesse, and Jesse took his stepfather's last name. Jesse had a close relationship with both men and considered them both his fathers.
School Years and Challenges
When Jesse was a child, other kids sometimes teased him. He has said that these experiences made him want to succeed even more. He grew up under Jim Crow laws, which were unfair rules that separated people based on their race. These laws meant he had to sit at the back of the bus and use separate water fountains. He accepted these rules until the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955. This event showed him that change was possible.
He went to Sterling High School in Greenville. This school was racially segregated, meaning only Black students attended. At Sterling High, he was elected student class president. He was also a talented athlete, earning letters in baseball, football, and basketball. He graduated from high school in 1959.
College and Civil Rights
After high school, Jackson turned down a chance to play professional baseball. Instead, he accepted a football scholarship to the University of Illinois. After his second semester, he moved to North Carolina A&T. This was a historically black university in Greensboro, North Carolina. Jackson said he changed schools because of racial prejudice at the University of Illinois.
At North Carolina A&T, Jackson played quarterback. He was also elected student body president. He became very active in the civil rights movement. He joined protests against segregated libraries, theaters, and restaurants in Greensboro. He earned a degree in sociology in 1964. Then, he attended Chicago Theological Seminary on a scholarship. He left in 1966, just a few classes short of his master's degree. He wanted to focus all his time on the civil rights movement.
Civil Rights Activism
Jesse Jackson became a key figure in the civil rights movement. He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr.
The Greenville Eight Sit-in
In 1960, while home from college, Jackson joined seven other African Americans. They held a sit-in at the Greenville Public Library in South Carolina. At that time, the library only allowed white people inside. The group was arrested for "disorderly conduct." This event showed his early commitment to fighting for equal rights.
Working with Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1965, Jackson took part in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama. These marches were organized by James Bevel, Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders. King was impressed by Jackson's energy and organizing skills. King asked Jackson to set up an office for the SCLC in Chicago.
In 1966, King chose Jackson to lead the Chicago part of the SCLC's economic program, Operation Breadbasket. Jackson became the national director in 1967. Operation Breadbasket helped Black people find jobs. Under Jackson's leadership, the group encouraged Black consumers to boycott businesses. This put pressure on white-owned companies to hire Black people. It also encouraged them to buy goods and services from Black-owned businesses.
Operation Breadbasket held popular weekly workshops in Chicago. These events featured political and economic leaders. They also included religious services with a jazz band and choir.
When Martin Luther King Jr. was shot in 1968, Jackson was nearby. He told reporters he was the last person to speak with King. In 1971, Jackson was asked to move Operation Breadbasket's national office. He refused and later left the SCLC. He then started planning a new organization.
Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition
Jackson officially started People United to Save Humanity (Operation PUSH) on December 25, 1971. He later changed the name to People United to Serve Humanity. Operation PUSH aimed to create better economic chances for Black people and poor people of all races.
In 1984, Jackson formed the Rainbow Coalition. He stepped down as president of Operation PUSH to run for president of the United States. In 1996, Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition joined together.
In July 2023, Jackson announced he would step down as the leader of Rainbow/PUSH. This decision was due to his age and health. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017. He was also hospitalized twice in 2021 after getting COVID-19 and then a head injury.
Political Activism
During the 1980s, Jesse Jackson became very well-known. He was a politician and a strong voice for civil rights.
Running for President in 1984
On November 3, 1983, Jackson announced he would run for President of the United States. He was seeking the Democratic nomination in the 1984 election. He became the second African American to run for president as a Democrat. The first was Shirley Chisholm.
In the Democratic primaries, Jackson surprised many people. He finished in third place. This was behind Senator Gary Hart and former Vice President Walter Mondale. Mondale eventually won the nomination.
Running for President in 1988
In 1988, Jackson tried again to win the Democratic presidential nomination. This time, he did even better. He more than doubled his previous results.
Personal Life
Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown on December 31, 1962. They have five children together: Santita (born 1963), Jesse Jr. (born 1965), Jonathan Luther (born 1966), Yusef DuBois (born 1970), and Jacqueline Lavinia (born 1975).
Jesse Jackson's younger brother, Charles "Chuck" Jackson, was a singer. He was part of the vocal group The Independents. As a solo artist, he released two albums in the late 1970s. He also helped start the career of singer Natalie Cole.
In November 2017, Jesse Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
Interesting Facts About Jesse Jackson
- Jackson became an ordained minister in 1968.
- He received a Master of Divinity Degree in 2000. This was based on his earlier studies and his life's work.
- On November 4, 2008, Jackson attended the rally for Barack Obama's election victory. He was seen crying before Obama spoke.
- He supported federal laws that would allow gay people to marry.
- In the 2016 United States presidential election, he supported Hillary Clinton.
- During the 2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis, he delivered food to activists. These activists were staying at the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C..
- Ebony Magazine named Jackson to its list of "100 most influential black Americans" in 1971.
Honors and Awards
Jesse Jackson has received many awards for his work and leadership:
- In 1979, he received the Jefferson Award. This was for his great public service to disadvantaged people.
- In 1988, the NAACP gave Jackson its President's Award. The next year, they gave him the Spingarn Medal.
- In 1991, Jackson received the American Whig-Cliosophic Society's James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service.
- In 1999, he received the Golden Doves for Peace journalistic prize.
- In August 2000, President Bill Clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest honor for civilians in the United States.
- In 2002, scholar Molefi Kete Asante included Jackson on his list of 100 Greatest African Americans.
- In 2008, Jackson was given an Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University.
- In a 2006 poll, Jackson was voted "the most important black leader."
- In August 2009, he was crowned Prince Côte Nana by the King of Krindjabo. This means he inherited the title of High Prince of the Agni people of Côte d'Ivoire.
- In 2021, Jackson was appointed Commander of the Legion of Honor. This is France's highest award. French President Emmanuel Macron gave it to him for his civil rights work.
- In December 2021, Jackson was elected an Honorary Fellow of Homerton College, Cambridge.
- In 2022, Jackson received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Benedict College.
Famous Quotes by Jesse Jackson
- "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping him up."
- "Time is neutral and does not change things. With courage and initiative, leaders change things."
- "No one should negotiate their dreams. Dreams must be free to fly high. No government, no legislature, has a right to limit your dreams. You should never agree to surrender your dreams."
- "If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds."
- "I was born in a slum, but the slum wasn't born in me."
- "If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it."
- "Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change."
See also
In Spanish: Jesse Jackson para niños
