Jesse Jackson dead at 84

The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., a towering figure in American civil rights, politics, and moral leadership, passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. He died peacefully at his home in Chicago, surrounded by family members, according to statements from his loved ones and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition he founded. No specific immediate cause was detailed in initial announcements, though Jackson had long battled a rare neurological condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), initially misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease, which had significantly affected his health and mobility in his later years.

Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson emerged as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., participating in key civil rights campaigns of the 1960s, including being present in Memphis at the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated in 1968. An ordained Baptist minister, he channeled his faith into activism, founding Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 and later the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which advocated for economic justice, voting rights, and opportunities for marginalized communities.

Jackson's views were deeply rooted in social gospel Christianity, emphasizing justice, equality, and uplift for the poor and oppressed across racial lines. He built a "rainbow coalition" that united Black, Latino, white working-class, and other underrepresented groups in pursuit of shared economic and social progress. A fierce critic of systemic racism, poverty, war, and inequality, he ran groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 as a Democrat, becoming the first African American to mount a serious, competitive bid for the nomination. In 1988, he won 11 primaries and caucuses, securing millions of votes and reshaping the Democratic Party's approach to inclusivity and coalition-building.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson's views on homosexuality (and broader LGBTQ+ issues) and abortion evolved over his long public life, often reflecting tensions between his Baptist ministerial background, his commitment to civil rights and social justice, and the practical demands of Democratic Party politics.

On homosexuality and LGBTQ+ rights: Jackson was a pioneering advocate for equal rights and protections for gay and lesbian people, especially notable in the 1980s when such stances were rare among major political figures. He became the first major-party presidential candidate (in 1984 and 1988) to explicitly include support for LGBTQ+ rights in his campaign platform, calling for an end to employment discrimination, increased AIDS funding and research during the crisis, and lifting the military ban on gay service members. In his famous 1984 Democratic National Convention "Rainbow Coalition" speech, he was the first speaker at a national convention to mention "lesbians and gays," declaring that "the Rainbow includes lesbians and gays" and that no American should be denied equal protection under the law. He spoke at the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (the only 1988 Democratic candidate to do so) and consistently framed LGBTQ+ equality as part of the broader fight against discrimination. By 2012, he strongly supported same-sex marriage equality, praising President Obama's endorsement and likening the push for it to historical struggles against slavery and anti-miscegenation laws. He argued that discrimination against any group harms all, and that equal protection must extend to LGBT people, including the right to marry the person of one's choosing. While acknowledging traditional religious teachings that view homosexuality as sinful (and the challenges this poses for some faith communities), his public positions prioritized civil rights, non-discrimination, and inclusion over personal moral judgments on sexual orientation.

On abortion: Jackson's stance shifted markedly. In the years immediately following Roe v. Wade (1973), he was outspokenly pro-life. He called abortion "genocide," compared it to the dehumanization in slavery ("the name has changed, but the game remains the same"), endorsed a constitutional amendment to ban it, supported the Hyde Amendment restricting federal funding, and wrote in 1977 that human life is sacred as a gift from God, beginning at conception, and that society cannot casually take it without moral consequence. He emphasized that politicians often favored abortion funding over aid for the poor and born children. However, by the time of his 1984 presidential run (and continuing through 1988 and beyond), he adopted a pro-choice position aligned with the Democratic Party platform. He described himself as personally morally opposed to abortion ("not pro-abortion") but supportive of women's "freedom of choice" and the right not to have private religious or moral views imposed via public law or government interference. He came to back keeping abortion legal, including federal funding in some contexts, arguing that the focus should be on supporting families and the poor rather than restrictive laws.These positions highlight Jackson's broader philosophy: extending human rights and dignity to marginalized groups while navigating the intersection of faith, justice, and electoral realities.

His oratory was legendary—passionate, prophetic, and rhythmic—often drawing from biblical themes to call for moral renewal and "keeping hope alive." Jackson remained a vocal advocate into his later years on issues including police reform, economic disparity, international peace, and human rights, even as his health declined. He stepped down from leading Rainbow/PUSH in 2023 due to age and illness but continued to inspire through his enduring example of faith-driven service.

As a Baptist minister whose life was dedicated to Christian principles of love, justice, and redemption, Jackson's legacy reflects a profound commitment to the Gospel's call to serve "the least of these."

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.  

And let perpetual light shine upon him.  

May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,  

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  

Amen.  

May the Lord comfort his family, friends, and all who mourn this giant of faith and justice.