Jesse Louis Jackson, President of the National Rainbow Coalition, is one
of America's foremost political figures. Over the past three decades he
has played a major role in virtually every movement for empowerment, peace,
civil rights, gender equality, and economic and social justice.
Reverend Jackson has been called the “conscience of the nation” and “the
great unifier,” challenging America to establish just and humane priorities,
and bringing people together on common ground across lines of race, class,
gender, and belief. Years before they were common positions, Reverend Jackson
was advocating national health care, a war on drugs, dialogue with the
Soviet Union, and negotiations in the Middle East. His strong stand against
apartheid in South Africa in 1984 made it an issue on the national conscience.
Jesse Jackson's two presidential campaigns broke new ground in U.S. politics.
His 1984 campaign won 3.5 million votes, registered over a million new
voters, and helped the Democratic Party regain control of the Senate in
1986. His 1988 candidacy won seven million votes and registered two million
new voters. Reverend Jackson won a historic victory, coming in first or
second in 46 out of 54 contests. His clear progressive agenda and his ability
to build an unprecedented coalition inspired millions to join the political
process.
As a highly respected world leader, Jesse Jackson has acted many times
as an international diplomat in sensitive situations. In 1984 Reverend
Jackson secured the release of captured Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman
from Syria, as well as the release of 48 Cuban and Cuban-American prisoners
in 1987. He was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and
Iraq in 1990.
In 1990, in an impressive victory, Jesse Jackson was elected to the post
of U.S. Senator from Washington, D.C., a position also known as “Statehood
Senator.” The office was created to advocate for statehood for Washington
D.C.. The District of Columbia, with a population higher than five states,
has no voting representation in Congress. A hallmark of Reverend Jackson's
work has been his commitment to the youth. He has visited thousands of
high schools, colleges, and universities, encouraging excellences and challenging
young people to stay in school and away from drugs, Jesse Jackson has also
been a major force in the American labor movement. He has worked with unions
to organize workers, mediated labor disputes, and he has probably walked
more picket lines and spoken at more labor rallies than any other national
leader.
TOPICS:
Social Issues, Civil Rights, Education, Democracy
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