I saw Jesse Jackson speak at Stanford in 1988. He spoke in, with perfect irony, White Plaza. He was an extraordinary speaker, a master of classic oratory. Conservative writer P.J. O’Rourke famously gave him a backhanded compliment on it:
/1

I met Jesse Jackson when I worked at Air America radio. A thrill to be standing so close to history. Rest In Peace.

Lessons on Jackson's Rainbow coalition:

1️⃣ "[platform] reflected its actual coalition—not just a wish list—incl. civil & labor rights, rural economic policy, antiwar planks + more"

2️⃣ "fronts must organize nationally + locally"

3️⃣ "to outlast an election, a front must be built as an independent org"

RIP
Rev. Jesse Jackson , photographed for @wcp.bsky.social , 1990

also ill just fucking say it, yeah theres a lot of queerphobia in black communities so when a monumental leader like jesse jackson openly defends queer people at the height of the aids epidemic that MEANS something to people. that isnt NOTHING. thats not fucking NOTHING. thats not an afterthought.

The cooption of Black struggle by the democratic party & its liberal values has Black folks who are into that thinking the left is the enemy when every Black hero they have a poster or t shirt of is a leftist. And Jesse Jackson, who I have undying love for, is also part of this complicated story.

YouTube video by prochoicestrategery Jesse Jackson's David and Goliath speech

RIP Jesse Jackson

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H6v...

I'm saddened by the loss of my dear friend and mentor, Rev. Jesse Jackson. His leadership inspired generations and guided my political career. He’ll be remembered for his dedication to human rights, economic justice and for challenging us all to rise to the occasion and to always “Keep Hope Alive.”

My dad was a Korean immigrant who was the grievance officer, newsletter editor and vice president of his local union for years. He died in 2000, but cast his last vote for president in the 1988 Michigan primary for Jesse Jackson. As he told me later, there wasn't another candidate he believed in.

Of course I find out that Jesse Jackson died from an Instagram reel...

YouTube video by CBS Chicago Rev. Jesse Jackson weeps in Grant Park after Barack Obama elected president in 2008

I saw the news of Obama’s election in 2008 on a TV in the Harvard Graduate School of Education library, where I was helping close up after a work study shift.

As y’all know, I’m contractually neutral on politics. But when I saw Jesse Jackson weeping, I lost it. youtu.be/Dgs8siSNXNU?...

When Jesse Jackson Came to ‘Sesame Street’: ‘I Am! Somebody!’

When Jesse Jackson Came to ‘Sesame Street’: ‘I Am! Somebody!’ www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/a...

I saw Jesse Jackson speak back in 1988, and I’ll never forget his words.

He stood tall and proud against a system that’s rigged against working class Americans of all races, creeds, and walks of life. His message will live on always.

Rest in power, Reverend.

February 17, 2026 - Reverend Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon, dead at 84 Simon's live report on the death of Reverend Jesse Jackson at the age of 84, with particular focus on the role he played leading America's anti-apartheid movement.  For South Africa's &quo...

Mine on the death of Jesse Jackson, and the role he played in America's anti-apartheid movement during the Reagan/Thatcher era. For Newzroom Afrika TV in South Africa, with Xoli Mngambi anchoring.

🎧: audioboom.com/posts/886236...

Today we celebrate the legacy of Reverend Jesse Jackson, whose 1988 presidential campaign was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America.

Jackson was a powerful force in American politics and one of the most vocal critics of the Democrats and Republicans' neoliberal austerity agenda.

Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has passed away at the age of 84. My thoughts are with his family.

I wanted to share this clip from his appearance on Sesame Street in 1971. His important words ring just as true today as they did back then.

I briefly met Jesse Jackson in the 1980s. I was making a documentary film for/about awesome activist nuns working in the sanctuary movement for Central Am. refugees endangered by the Reagan admin. JJ came to a church & met one of the families; he did so with no fanfare & with care to keep them safe.

Jesse Jackson dedicated his life to amplifying voices too often unheard and fighting for dignity and opportunity for all.

A towering voice for the marginalized, his impact on our country will not be forgotten.

Rev. Jesse Jackson played a big role, supporting and caring for Ms. Glenda Cleveland,

the Black Woman who lived down the hall from serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer

and who’s countless calls to police were ignored and even mocked by

two police who were later hailed as Officers of the Year.

Today, America has lost Reverend Jesse Jackson: a patriot who had the love in his heart to preach a gospel of hope, and the courage in his soul to challenge our nation to truly live up to its ideals.

Jesse Jackson: A Tribute Jackson played a huge role in creating the America Donald Trump wants to destroy

Jesse Jackson played a huge role in creating the America Donald Trump wants to destroy deanbaker22.substack.com/p/jesse-jack...

Reverend Jesse Jackson's march for jobs -- around the White House. By photographer Thomas O'Halloran, 1975. Photograph shows Jesse Jackson surrounded by marchers carrying signs advocating support for the Hawkins-Humphrey Bill for full employment. Library of Congress Prints & Photographs Division. https://www.loc.gov/item/2003673988/

"You can’t plant a seed & pick the fruit the next morning."

So many lessons to learn from Rev. Jackson's (1941-2026) 💔words AND his years of on the ground organizing, in interracial coalitions, to challenge racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ, poverty, unfair labor, militarism, mass incarceration, & more.

Someone I know made a remark that stunned me to absolute silence in a Teams chat. He said, and I quote: "It's funny how Jesse Jackson and Rush Limbaugh died on the same day."

I'm glad I wasn't in the same room because I can't imagine the face I made was a pleasant one to behold.

Thousands Marching with Poor People's Campaign Prevented from Entering Capitol Grounds After 40 days of nationwide actions, the Poor People's Campaign culminated in a march to the U.S. Capitol.

Reverend Jesse Jackson fought for civil rights and worker’s rights with the Poor People’s Campaign. He marched on the Capitol with William Barber and other notable figures in 2018 with the Poor People’s Campaign.
#JesseJackson
dcmediagroup.us/2018/06/23/t...

From SNL in 1984: Reverend Jesse Jackson in THE QUESTION IS MOOT.
Listen to him and tell me how comes that it feels in 42 years nothing has really changed?

Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.

Today, the ACLU of Northern California mourns the passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson. It was our honor to work with him directly over the years on many civil rights issues in California. Through his life’s work, he articulated and advanced the vision for the multi-racial democracy that American must be.

Rest in Power, Jesse Jackson ❤️‍🩹 🕊️

The passing of Jesse Jackson is a good time to remember that “American Christianity” cannot, indeed must not, be reduced to conservative white church traditions. The black church tradition from which Jackson & many others came is a vital, prophetic counterpoint whose voice is as important as ever.

It seems like everyone has a story:
What it meant when Jesse Jackson spoke. How righteous he was. When I met Jesse ...

My photo with Jesse Jackson.
I interviewed him once.
We were both at a memorial service.
He read to children.
Good with the gays.
Good with the Palestinians.
He was at Occupy!

YouTube video by CBS News From the archives: Jesse Jackson reacts to Barack Obama's election win in 2008

racist donald trump said the late jesse jackson couldnt stand barack obama.

jesse jackson, the day after election night 2008 youtu.be/pmq5g1vzK6g