Remembering Jesse Jackson: A Trailblazer in Civil Rights and Politics (1941-2026)

Today, February 17, 2026, marks a somber milestone in American history as we bid farewell to the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the civil rights movement, who passed away peacefully at his home in Chicago at the age of 84. Surrounded by family, Jackson's death comes after a prolonged battle with health issues, including Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). His life was a testament to resilience, advocacy, and the relentless pursuit of justice, spanning from the segregated South to the global stage. As tributes pour in from leaders across the political spectrum—including former Presidents Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and even Donald Trump—we reflect on a journey that reshaped America. 

Early Life: From Humble Beginnings in the Segregated SouthBorn Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson's early years were shaped by the harsh realities of Jim Crow segregation. The son of Helen Burns, a young high school student, and Noah Louis Robinson, a married neighbor and former boxer, Jackson faced taunts about his out-of-wedlock birth, which fueled his drive to excel. His mother later married Charles Henry Jackson, a postal worker who adopted him and gave him his surname. Growing up in a black community under strict racial divides, Jackson attended segregated schools and witnessed the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955, which sparked his awareness of systemic injustice.At Sterling High School, he shone as a student leader, class president, and athlete in baseball, football, and basketball. Declining a minor-league baseball contract, he pursued higher education, initially at the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. However, racial barriers limited his opportunities there, prompting a transfer to the historically black North Carolina A&T State University. There, he quarterbacked the football team, led the student body as president, and dove into civil rights protests against segregated facilities, graduating in 1964 with a degree in sociology.Education and the Call to MinistryJackson's path to activism deepened at the Chicago Theological Seminary, where he studied on a scholarship but left in 1966 to focus fully on civil rights work, just credits shy of a master's degree. Ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968, he later earned his Master of Divinity in 2000 based on his life's contributions. This blend of faith and activism became the cornerstone of his career, as he often invoked moral imperatives in his fight for equality.Rising in the Civil Rights MovementJackson's activism ignited in the 1960s under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel. He joined the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965 and quickly rose in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), heading the Chicago branch of Operation Breadbasket in 1966. This economic arm boycotted white-owned businesses to demand jobs and contracts for black communities, achieving notable successes.Following King's assassination in 1968—where Jackson was present and later claimed to be the last to speak with him—he clashed with SCLC leadership and founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971. PUSH focused on economic empowerment, voter registration, and social services. Jackson's efforts extended to boycotts, like the 1983 campaign against Anheuser-Busch, and protests against police brutality in cases like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. His Rainbow Coalition, formed in the 1980s, united diverse groups for progressive causes, emphasizing inclusivity.
Jackson's foray into politics was groundbreaking. In 1984, he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the second black candidate to mount a nationwide campaign after Shirley Chisholm. Though finishing third with 18% of the vote, he won primaries in states like South Carolina and boosted black voter turnout. His iconic "Rainbow Coalition" speech at the Democratic National Convention highlighted unity among marginalized groups.

International Diplomacy and Later AdvocacyBeyond domestic issues, Jackson was a global peacemaker. He negotiated the release of a U.S. pilot from Syria in 1983, hostages from Cuba in 1984, and POWs from Kosovo in 1999. As President Clinton's envoy to Africa in 1997, he opposed apartheid and accompanied Nelson Mandela upon his release. In his later years, he rallied against voter suppression, urban decay, and wars, speaking at anti-Iraq War protests in 2003. Stepping down from Rainbow PUSH leadership in 2023 due to health, he remained a voice for justice until the end.Personal Life: Family, Challenges, and HonorsMarried to Jacqueline Brown since 1962, Jackson had five children, including former Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. In 2001, revelations of an extramarital affair and child led to public scrutiny and a brief hiatus from activism. Despite this, he rebuilt his image, earning honors like the Presidential Medal of Freedom, France's Legion of Honour, and honorary degrees from universities worldwide. Health Struggles and Final DaysDiagnosed with Parkinson's in 2017, Jackson faced hospitalizations for COVID-19 in 2021 and a head injury. In 2025, PSP—a rare neurological disorder—further deteriorated his health, requiring a wheelchair and home care. He was discharged in December 2025 after treatment for complications. His family announced his passing today via the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, noting he died peacefully. Legacy: A Force for ChangeJesse Jackson's death arrives amid ongoing battles for voting rights, with the Supreme Court poised to rule on key provisions of the Voting Rights Act. As Al Sharpton called him a "force of nature" and Obama hailed him as a pioneer, Jackson's influence endures. From sit-ins to the White House doorstep, he inspired generations to "keep hope alive." His life reminds us that progress demands persistence, and his legacy will continue to guide the fight for equality. Rest in power, Reverend Jackson.