Story and photo by L. M. Land
Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.
Jackson had fought a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder, which was originally thought to be Parkinson’s. (The diseases are very similar.)
As a early civil rights leader Jackson was a protégé of Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a supporter of LGBTQ rights, a presidential candidate twice (and was a runner-up), a shadow delegate and shadow senator for the District of Columbia, founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) and the Rainbow Coalition to name a fraction of what was accomplished in his 84 years.
As a child, Jesse Jackson grew up under Jim Crow laws in Greenville, South Carolina and was taunted by other children about being born out of wedlock. Those experiences helped motivate him to succeed, instead of demotivating him. He excelled in school, becoming student class president in high school, becoming an honor student and earning letters in sports.
Jackson married Jacqueline Brown in 1962, and the couple had 5 children.
I recall Jackson being in the news constantly for most of my life. My father thought he was just a troublemaker.
My family moved to the south in my school years. The overt racism was shocking to me. I began to understand what Jackson’s goals were. He was not a troublemaker. He was trying to fix the trouble.
I began to understand that he and other civil rights leaders such as Dr. King, Malcolm X and Rev. Al Sharpton were up against a wave so strong and high that it could swallow them all whole.
Dr. King literally was when he was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
Each man had different ways of accomplishing their goal. They were not always right and were not perfect humans. But their commitment and downright bravery has never fallen into question, and they accomplished so much. (By the way, Rev. Sharpton is still alive and fighting for the cause.)
In the most simple terms, all they wanted as and for Blacks was to be able to mingle safely and equally in American society. It’s such a simple concept. And all the gains made by these leaders is being threatened, yet again, in 2026.
Jackson kept on fighting after being confined to a wheelchair.
On October 1, 2024, Jackson came to Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Flint with his son, Jesse Jackson, Jr., as part of a statewide tour to make Michigan aware of how important the presidential race was for Black rights (Harris vs. Trump and Project 2025). He came in a wheelchair, unable to speak or walk, yet he wanted to show up in person. His dedication and drive was truly inspiring.
Jesse Jackson, Jr. came with his father and was the keynote speaker. Pastor Robert Lewis from the Rainbow PUSH Organization in Chicago was also traveling with Jackson and spoke.
At one point, I was honored to be able to speak to Rev. Jackson, hold his hand and thank him for his lifetime of fighting for human rights. He could not respond of course, but he certainly could hear.
Jackson was laid in state at Rainbow/PUSH headquarters on February 26 and 27, followed by formal celebrations of life being held in South Carolina and Washington D.C. from March 1 to March 4, a “People’s Celebration” being held on March 6 at the House of Hope and private homegoing services will be held at Rainbow/PUSH headquarters on March 7.
Jackson will lie in state at the South Carolina State House in Columbia on March 2, 2026. The office of Governor Henry McMaster announced that flags would be lowered in the state from sunrise to sunset on March 2 in honor of Jackson.
Jackson will be buried in Oak Woods Cemetery in South Chicago.
May his legacy live on.
For more information about this remarkable man, visit:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson
https://www.rainbowpush.org/rev-jesse-jackson-bio
Books:
- “A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power” by Abby Phillip (2025): Explores Jackson’s 1980s presidential campaigns and their lasting impact, featuring in-depth interviews and analyzing his role in shaping modern American politics.
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- Jesse: The Life and Pilgrimage of Jesse Jackson ” by Marshall Frady (1996): A deeply reported, classic biographical account of his life and career
.“I Am Somebody: Why Jesse Jackson Matters” by Nishani Frazier (2023): An analysis of Jackson’s importance to the civil rights movement and political landscape.
- “Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson” by Kenneth R. Timmerman (2002): A critical, controversial look at Jackson’s career and methods.
- “Jesse Jackson (People in the News)” by Adam Woog (2003): A biographical profile.
- “Jesse Jackson (Journey to Freedom)” by Brenda A. Meadows (2001): A profile of his life for younger readers.
