Jacqueline Jackson Explained

Jacqueline Jackson
Birth Name:Jacqueline Lavinia Davis
Birth Date:7 March 1944
Birth Place:Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S.
Occupation:Author; peace activist
Party:Democratic
Children:5, including Santita, Jesse Jr., and Jonathan
Notable Works:Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray

Jacqueline Lavinia "Jackie" Jackson (née Davis, later Brown, born March 7, 1944) is an American author and peace activist. She wrote Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray, a compilation of letters she had sent to her son Jesse Jackson Jr. while the latter was incarcerated. Married to Jesse Jackson since 1962, she has been described by The Los Angeles Times as "elusive, private and largely unknown to the public."[1]

Early life

Jackson was born Jacqueline Lavinia Davis on March 7, 1944[2] in Fort Pierce, Florida, to Gertrude "Gertie" Davis (March 7, 1927 – July 13, 2017), an "unwed migrant worker who earned 15 cents an hour picking beans."[3] [4] Jackson never saw her father.[5] Her mother married Navy Chief Petty Officer Julius Frances Brown Sr. when Jackson was five, and the family relocated to Newport News, Virginia.[6] In an interview Jackson stated she believed her mother to be "too strict" when she was a child. She considered becoming a nun when she was a teenager, but eventually decided not to pursue that path.[7] She has four half-siblings through her mother. According to biographer Marshall Frady's book Jesse, Jackson's maternal grandmother was a prostitute.[8]

Jackson attended Huntington High School in West Virginia before entering North Carolina A&T State University, then known as the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina.[9] While a student at A&T, she was a civil rights protester.[10] In an interview with the Public Broadcasting Service, she recounted writing a persuasive paper on how China should get a seat in the United Nations.[11] Jackson ended up dropping out of A&T when her first child, Santita, was born.[12]

Career

Author

In 2013, Jackson's son Jesse Jr. pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign laws and was incarcerated for 30 months. While her son was in prison, Jackson wrote him a letter every day.[13] After Jesse Jr. was released, Jackson compiled the letters she had sent to him in a book Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray,[14] which was published by Skyhorse Publishing.[15] To promote the book, Jackson and Jesse Jr. appeared on CBS This Morning[16] and WGN (AM).[17] Salon wrote, "They used their media appearances to discuss criminal justice reform, the moral failures of the penal system and how best to assimilate ex-convicts, especially those who are not former members of Congress, into roles of productive citizenship."[18]

Peace activism

In 1979, Jackson traveled with activist Jack O'Dell to Beirut to speak to Palestinian leaders, including Yasser Arafat.[19] Writing for Ebony in 1984, journalist Hans Massaquoi stated Jackson was "an eloquent spokesperson for oppressed minorities, including Black women."[20] In 1985, Jackson led a delegation of 10 women to Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia for relief efforts during droughts across those countries.[21]

In 2001, Jackson was arrested at Camp Garcia Vieques in Vieques, Puerto Rico with nine other activists for misdemeanor trespassing while protesting the United States Navy's bombing tests in the area. She was ordered to comply with a strip search and body cavity search; while she lifted her breasts and undressed, she would not comply with the body cavity search. Because of the incident, she was placed in solitary confinement.[22] She was held in jail in San Juan for 10 days, refusing to post the $3000 bail.[23] [24] During the stint in jail, she rejected several meals.[25] Jesse came to meet her when she was released.[26] She stated, "This has been a very humiliating experience and dehumanizing experience for me."[26] She received the Peace & Justice Award from Rainbow/PUSH for her efforts during the protest.[27]

Jackson was the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Carolina A&T State University in May 2021 "for a lifetime of dedicated service".[28]

Politics

During her husband Jesse's run for the US presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket in 1984, she spoke at a fundraiser at Howard University, where she stated, "Any woman who cannot vote for Jesse Jackson betrays her own cause."[29] During Jesse's run, Jackson insisted the campaign not answer questions about their personal lives. She was criticized for wearing designer attire and for her "extravagant taste in fashion", wearing dresses by Cuban designer Adolfo, American designer Bill Blass, and Greek designer James Galanos.[30]

During the United States presidential election of 2008, Jackson supported Hillary Clinton as the nominee over Barack Obama. Discussing politics on NPR, she said:

Personal life

Jackson met Jesse during her freshman year at A&T College. On December 31, 1962, in her sophomore year, the 18-year-old Jackson married Jesse at his parents' home.[31] [32] Together they have five children: Santita (1963), Jesse Jr. (1965), Jonathan Luther (1966), Yusef DuBois (1970), and Jacqueline Lavinia (1975).[33]

According to a 1987 article in the Chicago Tribune, Jackson "held the majority of the family's assets in her name", including stock worth above $250,000 in the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, an owner of radio stations. She also owned a home with Jesse on the South Side of Chicago worth $100,000. At that time, the family's assets were approximately between $397,000 and $600,000.[34]

In August 2021, Jackson and her husband were hospitalized with COVID-19.[35] She had not been vaccinated.[36] On August 27 she was in the intensive care unit at Northwestern Memorial Hospital while her husband was transferred to a rehabilitation facility.[37] On September 4, she returned home.[38] After recovering from COVID-19 she publicly stated than everyone should be getting vaccinated and following CDC guidelines.[39]

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Sipchen . Bob . Abrams . Garry . The Elusive Jackie Jackson : Articulate and Charismatic, She Balances Keeping Her Identity and Living in His Shadow . July 8, 2021 . The Los Angeles Times . May 18, 1988 . February 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210225014440/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-05-18-vw-2904-story.html . live .
  2. News: Olphin . Olivia . Who is Rev Jesse Jackson's wife? Meet Jaqueline L. Jackson . July 8, 2021 . The Focus . May 2021 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803171020/https://www.thefocus.news/culture/jesse-jackson-wife/ . live .
  3. News: Romano . Lois . The Pride of Jackie Jackson . July 8, 2021 . The Washington Post . January 24, 1988 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803171011/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1988/01/24/the-pride-of-jackie-jackson/0d2e8b34-3121-483c-90ba-dcf4cd7f72d4/ . live .
  4. News: Mother-in-Law of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Gertrude Davis Brown Passes At 90 . July 8, 2021 . Chicago Defender . July 19, 2017 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803170958/https://chicagodefender.com/mother-in-law-of-rev-jesse-jackson-gertrude-davis-brown-passes-at-90/ . live .
  5. News: Martinez . Al . Jackson's 'exciting' wife campaigning dramatically . January 28, 2022 . The Los Angeles Times . May 30, 1984 . A17.
  6. News: Gertrude Davis Brown Death Notice . July 8, 2021 . Chicago Crusader . July 2017 .
  7. News: Gaiter . Dorothy J. . Jacqueline Jackson Carries Her Share of Campaign Burden . January 28, 2022 . The New York Times . April 29, 1984 . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128163338/https://www.newspapers.com/image/624507574/?terms=%22Jacqueline+Jackson%22&match=1 . live .
  8. Book: Frady . Marshall . Jesse . 2006 . Simon & Schuster . 9781416543497 . July 8, 2021 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803170958/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Jesse/QeXuaFDq4p4C?hl=en&gbpv=1 . live .
  9. News: Evertz . Mary . Jesse Jackson's "most loyal critic' to visit . July 9, 2021 . Tampa Bay Times . September 29, 2005 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803170959/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/05/16/jesse-jackson-s-most-loyal-critic-to-visit/ . live .
  10. Jesse Jackson . Journal of Defense & Diplomacy . 1988 . 6 . 53 . Defense & Diplomacy, Incorporated.
  11. News: Interview with Jackie Jackson . August 6, 2021 . PBS . January 16, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210116065828/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/jesse/interviews/jackie.html . live .
  12. News: Hamilton . Mildred . Jacqueline Jackson follows her own agenda . January 28, 2022 . The San Francisco Examiner . May 14, 1984 . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128163346/https://www.newspapers.com/image/460930677/?terms=%22Jacqueline+Jackson%22&match=1 . live .
  13. News: Howard . Marilyn K. . Book Review: Loving You, Thinking of You, Don't Forget to Pray: Letters to My Son in Prison by Jacqueline L. Jackson . August 3, 2021 . Columbus Free Press . October 10, 2019 . October 28, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191028080730/http://columbusfreepress.com/article/book-review-loving-you-thinking-you-don%E2%80%99t-forget-pray-letters-my-son-prison-jacqueline-l . live .
  14. News: Jesse Jackson Jr. says his mother's determination pulled him out of a dark place in prison . August 3, 2021 . CBS News . February 6, 2019 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002506/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesse-jackson-jr-and-mother-jacqueline-letters-to-my-son-in-prison/ . live .
  15. News: Jesse Jackson Jr.'s mother is releasing of book of letters . August 3, 2021 . Associated Press . September 25, 2018 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109031828/https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/9/25/18354432/jesse-jackson-jr-s-mother-is-releasing-of-book-of-letters . live .
  16. News: Jesse Jackson Jr. says his mother's determination pulled him out of a dark place in prison . August 6, 2021 . CBS . February 6, 2019 . November 8, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002506/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jesse-jackson-jr-and-mother-jacqueline-letters-to-my-son-in-prison/ . live .
  17. News: Williams . John . Jesse Jackson, Jr. and Jacqueline Jackson on publishing "Letters to My Son in Prison" . August 3, 2021 . WGN AM . February 18, 2019 . January 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210128022958/https://wgnradio.com/john-williams/jesse-jackson-jr-and-jacqueline-jackson-on-publishing-letters-to-my-son-in-prison/ . live .
  18. News: Masciotra . David . Jesse Jackson Jr. warned us about democracy: It's hobbling, "on one broken leg, and drunk" . August 3, 2021 . Salon . June 13, 2021 . August 1, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210801140025/https://www.salon.com/2021/06/13/jesse-jackson-jr-warned-us-about-democracy-its-hobbling-on-one-broken-leg-and-drunk/ . live .
  19. Book: O'Dell . Jack . Climbin' Jacob's Ladder . 2012 . University of California Press . 9780520274549 . 43.
  20. Massaquoi . Hans . I'd Make A Great First Lady . Ebony . July 1984 . XXXIX . 9 . 25.
  21. Jackson Reports on Visit With Pope and Groups In Europe . Jet . January 28, 1985 . 67 . 20 . 7.
  22. News: Wickam. DeWayne. July 2, 2001. Jackson's wife subjected to embarrassment. The Noblesville Ledger. live. January 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220128163325/https://www.newspapers.com/image/354119813/?terms=%22Jacqueline+Jackson%22&match=1. January 28, 2022.
  23. Rev. Jackson's Wife, Jacqueline, Jailed in Puerto Rico Bombing Protest . Jet . July 9, 2001 . 100 . 4 . 6 . July 8, 2021 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803171000/https://books.google.com/books?id=q7UDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6&dq=jacqueline+jackson+and+reverend+jesse&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjsxvKHpdTxAhW5GDQIHRzIDvo4FBDoAXoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=jacqueline%20jackson%20and%20reverend%20jesse&f=false . live .
  24. Book: Snodgrass . Mary Ellen . Civil Disobedience An Encyclopedic History of Dissidence in the United States . 2015 . Taylor & Francis . 9781317474418 . 318 . July 8, 2021 . August 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210803170959/https://www.google.com/books/edition/Civil_Disobedience/mGrxBwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=jacqueline+jackson+and+peace+protest&pg=PA318&printsec=frontcover . live .
  25. News: Jesse Jackson's wife finishes sentence for Vieques protest . January 28, 2022 . Associated Press . June 28, 2001 . 4.
  26. News: James . Ian . Jaqueline Jackson completes sentence for Vieques protest . January 28, 2022 . The Desert Sun . June 28, 2001 . 8.
  27. Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Celebrates 30th Anniversary . Jet . Aug 27, 2001 . 100 . 11 . 51 . 0021-5996.
  28. News: Jackson . Jesse . Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson Will Become an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters For a Lifetime of Dedicated Service . July 9, 2021 . Chicago Crusader . May 8, 2021 . May 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210508181831/https://chicagocrusader.com/jacqueline-lavinia-brown-jackson-will-become-an-honorary-doctor-of-humane-letters-for-a-lifetime-of-dedicated-service/ . live .
  29. News: Gaiter . Dorothy J. . Jacqueline Jackson Finds Own Role . July 8, 2021 . The New York Times . April 18, 1984 . January 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180130033258/http://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/18/us/jacqueline-jackson-finds-own-role.html . live .
  30. News: Amon . Rhoda . Running On Politics And Panache . January 28, 2022 . Newsday . June 7, 1984 . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128163338/https://www.newspapers.com/image/704154972/?terms=%22Jacqueline+Jackson%22&match=1 . live .
  31. Book: Leeman . Richard W. . American Voices An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Orators . 2005 . Greenwood Press . 9780313327902 . 192.
  32. Book: Haskins . Jim . Benson . Kathleen . African American religious leaders . 2008 . Wiley . 9780470231425 . 128.
  33. Web site: Voices & Viewpoints: Jesse Jackson. . July 10, 2008 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20030820164407/http://www.tms.tribune.com/htmlmail/consumer/profiles/bios/jacksonbio.htm . August 20, 2003 .
  34. News: Gibson. Ray. October 29, 1987. Jackson report shows pay from family firm. 5. Chicago Tribune. January 28, 2022.
  35. News: Falconer . Rebecca . Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson hospitalized with COVID . 22 August 2021 . Axios . August 21, 2021 . 22 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822021835/https://www.axios.com/jesse-jackson-hospitalized-covid-e9e1a12b-755e-4b52-958f-0694771ef478.html . live .
  36. News: Kenney . Madeline . Wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson now 'a true proponent' of vaccination as they recover from COVID-19 . November 15, 2021 . Chicago Sun Times . September 18, 2021 . September 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210922194447/https://chicago.suntimes.com/coronavirus/2021/9/18/22681009/rev-jesse-jackson-jacqueline-wife-covid-recovery-rainbow-push . live .
  37. Web site: 2021-08-27. Rev. Jesse Jackson Moved To Rehab Facility As COVID Symptoms Subside, But Wife Jacqueline Moved To ICU. 2021-08-29. en-US. 2021-08-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828235326/https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/27/rev-jesse-jackson-covid-rehab-facility-wife-jacqueline-jackson-icu/. live.
  38. News: Rose . Andy . Jacqueline Jackson, the wife of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, is home after hospitalization for Covid-19 . 18 September 2021 . 18 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210918110940/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/us/jacqueline-jackson-covid-hospital-discharge/index.html . live .
  39. News: Kennedy . Madeline . Wife of Rev. Jesse Jackson now 'a true proponent' of vaccination as they recover from COVID-19 . June 13, 2022 . Chicago Sun Times . September 18, 2021.

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