INSPIRED BY THE REV JESSE JACKSON

Jesse Jackson was one of my first heroes.  I grew up in the Reagan era of the 1980's. As we all know, self  was in, and caring for others was out. I can remember when Jackson declared his run for the Presidency for the 1984 election, my Dad grumbled something like, "He'll never make it." And he didn't, but he made an impact.

Jackson championed issues like economic inequality,  poverty, cutting military spending and civil rights for all.  He was also the first major politician that I saw to stand up at a political convention and mention equal rights for gays and lesbians.

When he ran again for the 1988 Presidential race, I took it upon myself to write him a sort of heart felt fan letter, thanking him for the views that he championed. It took awhile, but I got back a signed photo (above) and a nice letter.

As a Senior in High School I wore one of his campaign buttons to school. Now, I live in a small rural town in Northern Maine. I don't think we had one African American in our high school at the time. I remember some redneck kid whispering to his friend in reference to Jackson button,"That's a N*****."

Despite Maine being one of the whitest states in the country, we do have quite a populist streak and a reputation for giving a lot a support to candidates like Jackson, Dennis Kucinich, and Paul Tsongas. Jackson got 27%  to Dukakis's 46% of the vote in Maine's Democratic caucuses in 1988. This proved that he could garner white support and this was trumpeted by the media.

He visited Northern Maine in the early 1990's, this was around that time the defense department announced the impending closure of Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Me. I got the chance to see him speak at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. There was standing room only, and they had spillover into another room where they set up a television to broadcast the speech. The Maine legislature had recently voted against equal rights for gays and lesbians and I got to ask him a question about that. He spoke very eloquently on why he supported equality for all peoples, of any color, creed, religion and sexual orientation.  

I have followed Jackson over the years, I have been impressed by some of his actions and unimpressed by some others. At first he did not support gay marriage, just civil unions, but he did come around and is now a supporter.

Jesse Jackson is 71 now and probably in the twilight of his career. We've heard more about the struggles that his namesake, Jesse Jackson, Jr, has had with depression. But I will never forget the hope that Jesse Jackson,Sr. made me feel during a pivotal time in my life. His message was sorely needed at that time.
-Natty