Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Tells Students to “Use That Vote as a Weapon”
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. visited Birmingham this morning to talk to local community leaders and students about empowerment and the importance of being civic minded. Jackson was keynote speaker at Wenonah High School’s 13th Annual Unity Breakfast. He urged the crowd to follow the political process and register to vote.
“If you can learn the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance, you can also to learn to register and vote,” Jackson said. He told students that a diploma symbolizes knowledge and wisdom, but a voter card symbolizes power and responsibility.
“What makes America great is we have the right to fight for the right. Use that vote as a weapon,” said Jackson.
Rachel Osier Lindley,WBHM
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Birmingham leaders sing “We Shall Overcome.”
He told students they can draw deeper meaning from the recent success of Alabama’s college football programs.
“Whenever the playing field is even, the goals are clear, the referees are fair and the score is transparent, we all get along,” Jackson said. “Those we must apply to medicine and science and education.” Jackson said the same schools that produce the best athletes can also produce scholars in chemistry and math.
Jackson also criticized Alabama for not expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, saying it forced the state’s poorer residents to make impossible choices between things like food or healthcare.
“We should all live above that standard. America’s too wealthy to have this many working poor people,” he commented.
Jackson says it’s hypocritical to accept government money for roads and military bases but not for health care.
Rachel Osier Lindley,WBHM
Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. poses with Birmingham political and religious leaders.
Q&A: How a conservative Mississippi mom became an advocate for legalizing drugs
Christina Dent talks about founding End It For Good, her journey to rethinking drugs and addiction and how Mississippi can change its approach, too
With Indus Waters Treaty in the balance, Pakistan braces for more water woes
In an unprecedented move, India held the water treaty in abeyance after blaming Pakistan for a deadly attack in April. Pakistan denies involvement in the attack and accuses India of "weaponizing water."
IRS says churches can now endorse political candidates
Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.
A Planet Money guide to 5 fascinating new econ papers
The Planet Money newsletter rounds up some new economics studies.
Trump says U.S. will resume sending weapons to Ukraine after pausing last week
With Russian attacks escalating, Ukraine is dependent on air defense systems and munitions supplied by western allies to protect Ukrainian cities.
100 years after evolution went on trial, the Scopes case still reverberates
One hundred years ago, the small town of Dayton, Tenn., became the unlikely stage for one of the most sensational trials in American history, over the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution.
