Lessons from the Rev.

I was profoundly moved by the appearance of the Reverand Jesse Jackson at this year’s democratic convention. The Democratic Party and the country are better because of him. As Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said, “The progressive caucus arose from the vision of Jesse Jackson.” He paved the way for Barack Obama and made space for Kamala Harris.  His two-time run for the presidency brought a deeper understanding to the country of the dignity of those who had been locked out, locked up, despised and disrespected. His 1984 speech to the Convention, “Our Time Has Come” speech  stands out as a compelling vision of the values essential for a living democracy.

But as I watch the crowd welcome Jackson with thunderous applause, I was not thinking so much of his extraordinary contributions to the defining moments of the black freedom struggle and expanding democratic participation. Rather, I was remembering his bold initiatives in freeing people held as hostages around the world. In the midst of another “hostage crisis” Jackson has a lot to teach us. 

The contrast between the vision of international relationships that he represents, and the current approach of most Democrats is clear.  For Rev. Jackson, the spirit of respect, justice, and dialogue are the foundations of international relationships. His record emphasizes the power of a commitment for peace over violence.  It stands in sharp contrast to that offered by Ms. Harris during her acceptance speech. Harris, in the tradition of most democrats emphasized military might, saying, “I will ensure America always has the strongest, most lethal fighting force in the world.”

Harris would be a better candidate and a better president if she spent some time looking at what Jesse Jackson achieved by taking a far different approach.

In 1984 during the Regan presidency, amidst great criticism , Jesse Jackson, with the help of Louis Farrakhan went to the middle east and negotiated with Syrian President  Hafez al-Assad and Hezbollah for the release of US Navy Pilot Lt. Robert Goodman after his plane hand been shot down over Lebanon.  Jackson said at the time, "I leaned heavily upon him (Assad) to not let us go back empty handed," said Jackson. "Our mission was noble. It was for the best in our own country and for the best of Syria at the same time and because of that, Mr. Assad let him go."

Later that year Rev. Jackson secured the release of 48 Cuban and Cuban American prisoners in Cuba and brought them back to the US.

In 1985 he intervened with Hezbollah when they captured a TWA plane and took 153 people hostage, including 40 Americans.

In 1988, when he made his second bid for the democratic presidential nomination, he reached out again to Yasser Arafat and members of Hezbollah as well as officials in the mid-east to negotiate the release of captured Americans in Lebanon. The boatages were being held by militants loyal to Iran.

In 1991 He won the release of foreign nationals being held in Kuwait after meeting with Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. 

In 1999 he went to Yugoslavia during the Kosovo war and negotiated the release of three US hostages captured on the Macedonian border while part of a peacekeeping unit.

In 2012 he intervened with President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia for the release of two Americans serving prison sentences for treason.

Over the course of his life, Jesse Jacksons “played a significant role in securing the release of numerous American hostages held captive abroad.” His ability to reach people, to move them toward a greater sense of humanity did not come from a command of lethal force but because of his “unwavering commitment to justice and diplomacy.” He has saved lives and earned him global recognition as a skilled negotiator.

Rev. Jackson depended upon empathy, concern, and respect. He was and is a man trusted because he continues to press for justice. He has refused to cast people as enemies to be destroyed but has tried to understand that acts of desperation represent longings for freedom and desires for dignified lives.  Jackson reminds us that there are better ways to act, to acknowledge that everyone is “somebody.” Everyone deserves hope.