Jessie Jackson Essay, Research Paper
This book is about a virtuous leader, Jesse Jackson. It
explains how he grew up in a hard time for blacks and how he was
committed to being somebody. When Jesse was a little boy his grandmother
urged him saying, ?Jesse, promise me you?ll be somebody.? The Reverend
Jesse Jackson understood the power of hope. Jesse?s childhood was tough
for him. His mother and father weren?t married when she had Jesse and the
community?s disapproval was felt. Another reason for the tough times in
Jesse?s growing up was the discrimination against blacks. The tough times
never got in Jesse?s way; he was destined to be somebody. Jesse had several
jobs while he was growing up, to keep him off of the streets, earning extra
money for the clothing he liked to wear. His first job was at the age of six, he
worked in the wood and coal yards owned by his grandfather. He also was
very active in his schooling, always trying to better himself and learn new
things. When he was twelve years old he joined the reading club at the
County Library for the Colored, where Jesse found books to satisfy his
curiosity and his love for words. Jesse was also involved with sports and
other activities. When he was in high school he was always running for all the
class offices and any leadership position, because of his smarts and ways with
the crowd he was usually the one to win the positions. Jesse graduated tenth
in his class and went off to college to the University of Illinois on an athletic
scholarship. He was offered six thousand dollars a year to join the New York
Giants, but he felt that he should better his education. When Jesse got to
Illinois he found that segregation was as bad there as in the south. He was
only allowed to play certain positions because of his race, he wanted to play
quarterback but that was only for the whites. By the end of his freshmen year
he transferred to another school, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical
State College (A&T), a small all-black school. Jesse was quick to join the
action around his new school. While Jesse attended college at North Carolina
A&T, he joined many clubs and began to act in the civil rights movement.
After Jesse Jackson graduated from college he did political work in North
Carolina. He spent several weeks with Noah, Junior, his father?s son, while
brooding about his future. He was trying to decide whether he should
become a minister just like his grandfather or if he should further his
education. He later decided to study to become a minister. While Jesse was
studying to become a minister he led several of civil rights movements and
spoke with many people. He worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on
several operations. After Dr. King was assassinated he formed his own
organization helping out African-Americans. Analysis This book shows a
good example of leadership. Jesse Jackson was always trying to better
himself and become somebody. He always did what he thought was right
trying to help out others. If you believe in something it can be done. Jesse
Jackson wanted to be somebody and that was just what he did, he became
somebody. He fought for what was right and did a lot for the black
communities. In a way you could Jesse Jackson is a hero. He did a lot in
helping the civil rights movement and making things better for
African-Americans. Many people admire the things he has accomplished