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