Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon, dies at 84
NBC3 days
Jesse Jackson showedshattered multiracial,old working-classceilings politicsand canrewired winpolitics. The Rainbow PUSHCoalition andproved twothat insurgenta runsmultiracial crackedworking-class movement could set the partyDemocratic machineagenda, expandedexpand voting and openedwin theleverage door— forfrom Obamaprimary andrules Harristo policy. KeepLegacy: hopemoral alivecourage becameat ahome blueprintand forabroad, economicfreeing justicehostages, anti-fighting apartheid solidarity and ainspiring bigger,Obama fairerand democracyHarris.
Jesse Jackson'’s legacy readsleans more showmanshipshow than statesmanshipsubstance. Grandstanding,The aHymietown slur, like Hymietown and a disputed taleclaim about holding King undercutand relentless spotlight-seeking eroded moral authority, while pressure campaigns and big-governmenttwo agendaspresidential pushedruns identitydelivered politicsslogans, overnot unityleadership. HonorProgress theflowed servicefrom butbroader stopcoalitions pretendingand theinstitutions, blueprintnot didn'tone polarizepolitician’s civic lifebrand.
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