by Alessandro Amicarelli — Rev. Jesse Jackson's death feels, for many of us, like the end of a long season in the history of civil rights in the United States.
For over fifty years, he was a famous name and a regular presence on television. Someone people expected to see turning up at times of protests, rallies, and anytime marginalised communities needed help and support.
For this reason, most people still associate his face first and foremost with the civil rights movement. And religious freedom for Rev. Jackson was part of those battles, a pillar of human dignity.
He spoke up for the right of each person to live and express their faith without fear and always supported vulnerable communities, including religious groups, whether long-established or small and marginalised, when these were targeted.
In his view, a democracy that accepts persecution based on religion has already started to betray itself.
He was highly respected in many circles and often his political views and affiliations were not an obstacle preventing good relations with other intellectually honest people. In fact, Rev. Mark Burns — a member of President Trump's Faith Advisory Board, and so far from Jackson's political world — publicly described him as a man who had spent his whole life fighting for freedom and equality, and the respect was mutual. When this kind of recognition comes from someone who does not share your political or theological views, it usually means there is something more than loyalty involved.
Jesse Jackson partecipating in a rally, January 15, 1975 (credits)
Over the decades, Jackson became one of the firmest supporters of America's religious pluralism. He encouraged interfaith encounters and initiatives to overcome every form of discrimination justified in religious terms. He argued that religious freedom is not a gift handed down from the authorities, instead a basic condition for any society that wants to take democracy seriously.
His entire life, efforts and commitment, demonstrate that defending human rights and freedom of religion or belief (FORB) is not only about giving speeches on public occasions. Instead, it requires a daily effort and commitment to stand with the most vulnerable ones in society.
Like all the big names, also Rev. Jackson had both admirers and critics, attracted both praise and accusations, and was considered either inspiring and uniting or controversial and divisive. But this is just part of life, and every life is unique.
Personally, it was a pleasure to briefly meet Rev. Jackson when he visited England in 2021. Despite his ongoing health problems, he was still fighting with a gentle touch.
Top photo: Jesse Jackson speaking during an interview (credits)
