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Snapshot 12:Tue, Feb 17, 2026 4:48:36 PM GMT last edited by KateHennig

Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84
Above: Then-presidential candidate Jesse Jackson's campaign event in Ohio on April 17, 1984. Image credit: Robert R. McElroy/Contributor/Getty Images

The Spin

Jesse Jackson transformed American democracy by building a multiracial Rainbow Coalition that reshaped the Democratic Party and paved the way for Barack Obama's presidency. His presidential campaigns shattered barriers, proving a Black candidate could win White voters and forcing delegate rule changes that enabled future victories. Jackson's moral leadership elevated the voiceless through decades of tireless activism.

Jesse Jackson stoodwas outa aspragmatic, astreet-smart grittyoperator leaderwho withachieved streetreal smartsresults whoby teamedpragmatically upcrossing smartlyparty lines and working with folksfigures like Donald Trump toon nailtangible criminalwins justicethat reformpartisan andDemocrats lockoften inblocked long-termor fundingignored. forFar HBCUs.from Hisa pushrigid forideologue opportunitytied zonesto sparkedone realparty, economicJackson's winsgrit, forpeople-loving Blacknature, businesses and showedwillingness howto crossingcollaborate partyshowed linesthat getstrue stuffprogress done.comes Afrom manpractical whobipartisanship lovedand peopleresults, andnot keptfrom hopefueling alivedivision provedor bipartisanshiprelying buildson lastinggovernment changehandouts betterand thanmoral divisiongrandstanding.


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All rights reserved.

Version 6.18.0