The Death of Jesse Jackson. How His Activism Changed the Democratic Party and Had Global Reach

The death of Reverend Jesse Jackson on February 17 prompts reflection on his multifaceted legacy as an icon of the second generation of the civil rights struggle in the U.S. and beyond. Jackson, born in Greenville, South Carolina, promoted for decades a vision of America where excluded people become the central focus of politics. His "radically inclusive" perspective significantly exceeded what the Democratic Party considered possible after the successes of the 1960s civil rights movement era. He deeply believed that lasting change in America must come through the transformation of political and economic power in the Southern states, viewing Atlanta as a particularly strategic location for strengthening this effort.

His activism was not limited to domestic politics. Jackson actively engaged in international affairs, from supporting the fight against apartheid in South Africa to publicly advocating for Palestinian rights. As reported by The Guardian, when Jackson called for including support for a Palestinian state in the Democratic Party platform, he encountered strong resistance. „While we had strong support from delegates at the convention, there was still a fear factor that the issue couldn't be discussed” — James Zogby. This highlights his willingness to tackle controversial topics on the global stage. At the local level, as recalled by The Washington Post, Jackson was mentioned as a potential successor to Washington Mayor Marion Barry when he became embroiled in drug-related scandals in the early 1990s. Speculation about Jackson's candidacy persisted both before and after Barry's arrest in 1990, showcasing his commitment to fighting for the rights and representation of residents of District of Columbia.The U.S. civil rights movement achieved key legal victories in the mid-1960s under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., leading to the passage of landmark acts: the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting racial segregation) and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (protecting African American voting rights). Jackson continued and expanded this fight in subsequent decades.

Following Jackson's death, a series of commemorative ceremonies have been planned. As reported by Axios, his body will lie in repose at the headquarters of the organization he founded, Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and public memorial services will continue until early March. Jackson's legacy is thus complex: it encompasses his influence on the shape of the Democratic Party, his strategic faith in the power of the South, his local engagement in Washington issues, and his unwavering defense of human rights on the international stage. His life and work remain an example of political activism that transcended geographical borders and conventional discourse boundaries.