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Jesse Jackson: The Man, Political Ethic, and Life Practice appellation of a great man of history, but also an active philosophy, a code of ethics, and a uniquely powerful form
of democratic engagement. Those of us who remain to admire his accomplishments and reflect on his legacy can
never live as Jesse Jackson, but we can exercise and adopt the Jesse Jackson school of thought, method of politics,
he philosopher Albert Camus wrote that inhabitants of an oppressive society should dedicate themselves to and dedication to service.
Tliving as “neither victim nor executioner.” Rev. Jesse Jackson’s life was that of an emancipator; his words and
deeds an ongoing, on-the-ground emancipation proclamation. The cumulative effect of his work emancipated I’ll never forget visiting Selma, Alabama for the fiftieth anniversary of Bloody Sunday. I traveled with the Rainbow/
Americans from the psychological and social duality of executioner and victim. With the democratic lifestyle, PUSH delegation by bus from Chicago to Selma. At the end of two days of non-stop activity, while Rev. Jackson
policy program, and affirmation of the rallying cry, “I am somebody,” Jackson helped to free Black Americans from marched, spoke, gave interviews, and met with local leadership, PUSH volunteers sat in their bus benches
the role of victimhood. He also presented a beautiful alternative to dominant society for white Americans, freeing expressing frustration that they were not able to spend more time with Rev. Jackson. His busy schedule simply did
them from role of executioner, occupier, and oppressor. The search for “common ground,” as Jackson called it not allow for social visits.
during his presidential campaigns, his oratorical weaving of a “patchwork quilt,” and his construction of a “rainbow
coalition,” signaled to all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, class, or sexuality, that they could have lives Before the bus driver could put the hulking vehicle in drive, we saw a small vehicle with an attached trailer
brimming with dignity, integrity, and purpose. The purpose is nothing less than the fulfillment of America’s long- rounding the corner. Like an injured quarterback, Jackson was stretched across the trailer. Wearing a three-piece
neglected democratic promise, the activation of love as a political force, and the striving toward a peaceful world. suit, his ankles were swollen, knees rickety, and his brow soaked in sweat. With all the strength that remained
in his body, he climbed aboard the bus and gave a characteristically powerful speech. Then, he took a few steps
Growing up white in the Chicago suburbs, I intuited that Rev. Jackson, the former aide to Dr. King who I often closer to a volunteer who was wearing a scarf on her head. Her hair was gone from chemotherapy treatments. Rev.
saw on television, offered me liberation from the cold materialism and cruel racism of American culture. When Jackson led the volunteers in prayer for her healing, recovery, and happiness.
studying his political life and influence, I met, interviewed, and learned about countless people, from Chinese
immigrants in San Francisco to gay activists in New York; from inner city Blacks to rural white farmers; from He made his way back to the trailer. As it pulled out of view, he had a raised fist in the air.
Native Americans on reservations to Latinos in towns along the Texas border, who saw, felt, and understood in
Jackson’s message and mission the means to a better life and better society. The prayer and the image capture Rev. Jesse Jackson, the man and the practice: Always in service, always giving,
always devoted to the freedom of others.
If we are to take seriously the United States of America’s claim as country of freedom, Rev. Jesse Jackson deserves
recognition as a founding father. As was always the case, Jackson himself put it best when giving the eulogy for Anyone looking to live as neither victim nor executioner, but instead as emancipator and healer, could find no
a founding mother, Rosa Parks. He explained that when American leaders discuss the promotion of democracy better inspiration – no better model – than Jesse Jackson.
around the world, whether they know it or not, they are not referring to Jeffersonian democracy. Because it
includes slavery and gender subjugation, Jackson said, “it has no export value.” Instead, they speak of “Parks-King
Democracy.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a founder and framer of “Parks-King Democracy.” Parks-King-Jackson Democracy is the
vision of a country worthy of the investment of citizenship, worthy of the sweat and tears of dreams, worthy of
faith.

Fighting with nonviolence against the racist terrorism of Jim Crow, working to end economic apartheid, running
for president to democratize the Democratic Party and give representation to the rainbow that is the American
polity, and waging successful diplomatic missions around the world to free hostages, liberate political prisoners,
and open communication for peaceful collaboration: These efforts were all crucial to Jackson’s elevation of Parks-
King-Jackson Democracy. They were all critical to Jackson’s promise of emancipation for anyone with the courage
and compassion to participate.

“Freedom” and “democracy” are grand terms that resound in academic auditoriums and legislative chambers,
imbuing history with large proportions. Rev. Jackson with analytical brilliance and commitment to action,
understood that they are also lived values of experience and witness. Taking politics from pathos to the pavement,
Jackson exercised a humanitarian lifestyle of justice, feeding the poor, sleeping beside the dying, and comforting
the afflicted. In all of my travels with Rev. Jackson, I never saw him behave rudely or shortly to someone seeking an
autograph, photo, or handshake and word of encouragement.

For Rev. Jackson, there was no separation between democratic theory and everyday practice.

Even in his absence, we can look at his life as an invitation, viewing the name “Jesse Jackson” as not only the
Contributing Editors: Bob Borosage, Dana Canady, Shelley Davis, Hermene Hartman, Darcell Rocket, Butch Wing, Elise (NEED LASTNAME)