Jesse Jackson Dies: Farewell to an Icon of the American Fight for Racial Equality

Reverend Jesse Jackson, a titan of American public life and a mentor to generations of activists, died at the age of 84 at his home in Chicago. His family announced his death, stating he passed away peacefully after a long battle with a rare neurological condition that in recent years had limited his ability to move and speak. Jackson was a key figure for understanding contemporary America; as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he participated in the most important moments of the civil rights struggle in the 1960s. He was with King at the moment of his tragic death in Memphis in 1968, which forever shaped his subsequent life and political path. In 1984 and 1988, Jesse Jackson conducted historic campaigns for the presidential nomination, creating the so-called "Rainbow Coalition" – an alliance of ethnic minorities, the working class, and marginalized groups.His legacy extends beyond the borders of the United States. Jackson was known for citizen diplomacy, negotiating the release of hostages in countries such as Syria and Iraq. In Northern Ireland, he supported the peace process, meeting with leaders such as John Hume in Derry. He revolutionized economic policy by founding the organization Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which pressured major corporations to increase the employment of Black people and support minority-owned businesses. It was Jackson who popularized the term African American, striving to restore dignity and cultural identity to his community. „I may be poor, I may be hungry, but I am somebody!” — Jesse Jackson7 million — new voters registered by Jackson during his campaignsThe leader's death has sparked a wave of tributes from current and former leaders. Joe Biden called him "one of America's greatest patriots," and Barack Obama emphasized that without Jackson's determination, his own path to the White House would not have been possible. Although in recent years he struggled with Parkinson's disease, he remained a symbol of resilience until the end. His passing marks the closing of an era in the history of the fight for social justice, leaving a challenge for a new generation of activists in the face of rising racial tensions in the United States. 1984: 3282431, 1988: 6922607[{"dateISO": "1941-10-08", "date": "October 8, 1941", "title": "Birth", "description": "He was born in Greenville, South Carolina."}, {"dateISO": "1968-04-04", "date": "April 4, 1968", "title": "MLK's Death", "description": "He was present at the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis."}, {"dateISO": "1971", "date": "August 1971", "title": "PUSH Founding", "description": "He founded the People United to Save Humanity organization in Chicago."}, {"dateISO": "1984", "date": "Year 1984", "title": "First Campaign", "description": "First run for the Democratic presidential nomination."}, {"dateISO": "2026-02-17", "date": "February 17, 2026", "title": "Death", "description": "He died in Chicago at the age of 84 after a long illness."}]