The article details Jesse Jackson's early life as the illegitimate son of a stepfather, and how society in the American South prevented Black individuals from enjoying equal rights with whites. In 1960, as a college student, Jackson, along with six Black high school students, staged a sit-in at their local public library, where they were arrested for attempting to use a whites-only facility. This act of non-violent direct action led to a significant change in policy as the library was eventually opened to all races.

In 1964, Jackson moved to Chicago and joined Martin Luther King Jr.'s organization, where he participated in boycotts against companies that denied jobs to Black individuals, advocating for equal respect in both economic and personal dimensions. He was present at the time of King's assassination in 1968, an experience that solidified his role as a prominent civil rights leader. In 1971, after departing from King's organization, he established his own, further asserting his influence in the movement.

Jackson's vision extended beyond racial boundaries as he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, promoting the concept of the "Rainbow Coalition" to unite various marginalized groups. He supported international anti-apartheid movements in South Africa and even lent support to Korean politician Kim Dae-jung, calling him Korea's Nelson Mandela. The article reflects on Jackson's strategic use of media and networking to amplify the civil rights movement, detailing his legacy until his passing on February 17, 2026.