The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and two-time presidential candidate who led the Civil Rights Movement for decades after the revered leader’s assassination, died Tuesday. He was 84.
His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed that her father died at home, surrounded by family.
As a young organizer in Chicago, Jackson was called to meet with King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis shortly before King was killed and he publicly positioned himself thereafter as King’s successor.
Jesse Jackson is the epitome of “I don’t like you, but I respect you” for me. Despite jumping the shark and spending more time these days promoting his image than fighting the good fight, his contributions will never be forgotten.