Jesse Jackson - Sadness and Appreciation

The passing of Jesse Jackson brings sadness to me this morning!

Until a few weeks ago, I knew virtually nothing about Bad Bunny.   I can only imagine how so many people who are under 50 or 60 must think related to Jackson.  Do many of them even know who he was? He was not in the news in recent years, and seemingly irrelevant for so many.   I'm sad thinking of this.


Jesse Jackson made mistakes that tarnished his image (at least among white people) at times, was brash, and really spoke his mind.   When one focuses on his mistakes, rather than the great things he accomplished in life, we continue to hold Black Men such as Jesse Jackson to a higher standard because of our racism (or internalized issues related to racism).

Those interested can read of Jesse Jackson's accomplishments at sites such as:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson .


It is important for me to acknowledge a man like Jesse Jackson and appreciate him for what he really was, a trailblazer and one who accomplished a lot in his life.

In reading the details of life this morning I note that he was born in the city where a father and son related to my life partner live.   Both father and son have accomplished noted things in their lives.   They two have had setbacks.   

The father's path includes also having been a quarterback at North Carolina A&T on his way to becoming a judge and lawyer.    The son has been victimized particularly due to racism, which has greatly complicated his life.

Being a Black Man in this country has always been a challenge!   Today as I remember Jesse Jackson, I reflect both on his greatness and the horrific present realities of "being Black" in a country where our former Black President has just been essentially verbally "erased" by our current president.   He, similar to Jackson, didn't take it silently!



We have a long way to go!   Thanks Jesse Jackson for doing your part!



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