Jesse Jackson Autobiography

Jesse Jackson Autobiography

Full Name: Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson
Date of Birth: October 8, 1941
Place of Birth: Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Died: N/A
Place of Death: N/A
Classification: Leaders & Revolutionaries


Known throughout the world as a human rights activist and in the United States as a fighter for racial equality, Jesse Jackson is a staunch politician and an outspoken supporter of improving conditions for the working class and poor. He has earned his place as one of history’s most prominent leaders for his work at home and abroad. He has personally been responsible for the release of several POWs held in other nations, and has rejected Bush’s international policies from the beginning.

Born in South Carolina, Jackson played sports and participated in American football at the University of Illinois and at North Carolina’s AT&T University. Although he is an ordained Baptist minister and has earned a Master’s degree in Divinity, he didn’t complete his studies at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Jesse Jackson is best known for his participation as a leader of the civil rights movement. Jackson supported Martin Luther King, Jr. in all he did and was present the moment of his assassination. As the years progressed, Jesse had to end his work with King’s organizations due to a falling out with other leaders. He then started his own group, which was dubbed Operation Push. This was later combined with the Rainbow Coalition.

Jackson ran for president twice in the 1980s, once in 1984 and another time in 1988. While he won several votes in the south, it wasn’t until his later running that he was better funded and organized. He surprised the nation when he won eleven primaries and especially when he won the Michigan primary with 55% of the vote. His popular Rainbow Coalition stood for the rights of everyone, no matter their skin color, religion, ethnicity or sexuality. He has been considered by many as one of the most liberal nominees ever running for president. In the biography of Jesse Jackson entitled America’s David, the author states that Jesse was always accepting of everyone around him, and that he was a fierce competitor in school politics and sports, always wanting to be number one.