The labor movement has lost a steadfast ally in Jesse Jackson, a leader who never separated the fight for civil rights from the fight for workers’ rights. Reverend Jackson stood with and for working people at every turn, understanding that economic justice is inseparable from racial justice, and that strong unions are essential to both. He believed that dignity on the job was a cornerstone of democracy itself.
After he campaigned for the Democratic presidential nomination, Jackson delivered the keynote address at the 1984 Democratic National Convention in San Francisco. There, he gave voice to his vision of a “Rainbow Coalition”, a movement rooted in the nation’s racial, religious, and economic diversity. This coalition was a call to build solidarity across lines too often used to divide working people.
His historic presidential campaigns reshaped the American political landscape. They expanded the definition of leadership and inspired generations of Black leaders and working-class leaders of every background to step forward. By insisting that the concerns of everyday workers belonged at the center of national debate, he helped unions claim their rightful place in the broader struggle for justice.
As we mourn the loss of Reverend Jackson, we also honor the enduring legacy he leaves behind. For unions and working families, his life stands as a reminder that solidarity is our greatest strength. He challenged us to dream bigger, organize broader, and fight harder for a country where every worker is respected, protected, and paid fairly. His voice may be stilled, but his call to build a true Rainbow Coalition of working people continues to echo in every picket line, bargaining table, and ballot box.
