Jesse Jackson Essay, Research Paper

?Up with Hope: A biography of Jesse Jackson? Dillon Press, 1986 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.