FREE ESSAY ON JESSE JACKSON

JESSE JACKSON

Dorothy Chaplik "Up with Hope: A biography of Jesse Jackson" Dillon Press, 1986
Summary
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