DeKALB – Rev. Jesse Jackson, who helped lead the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, died Tuesday at his home in Chicago.
Jackson dealt with health challenges in the years leading up to his death, which included a neurological disorder that affected his ability to move and speak.
Jackson was also a two-time presidential candidate and the protege of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jackson has visited NIU on several occasions. Jackson’s first visit was on Feb. 18, 1987. During the visit, he was a featured speaker and discussed issues related to Black History Month and his views on world peace.
On Oct. 20, 2005, Jackson visited Altgeld Hall to give a lecture on voting rights. Jackson opened his lecture with a brief history of slavery and civil rights up to 1965. Former NIU President John Peters welcomed Jackson and thanked him for helping NIU understand public service.
Jackson also joined NIU students and the DeKalb community on Feb. 15, 2008, to cope with the loss of five students after a shooting in Cole Hall.
The most recent visit from Jackson was in 2017 to celebrate the Pick Museum of Anthropology presentation of “Quilts and Human Rights.”
Joseph Flynn, a professor in the curriculum and instruction, explained his experience watching Jackson speak at DePaul University.
“Reverend Jackson is an icon,” Flynn said. “He started by just speaking to the class. But of course, that eventually led into his sermonizing rhythm.”
Through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization founded by Jackson, many were able to advocate economic justice and social change through education, business and politics.
“His work, along with a number of other thinkers, scholars and activists, really helped solidify my desire and direction to always work on issues related to equity and justice in my field of education,” Flynn said.
Jackson was 84 at the time of his death.
