Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. Tells Students to “Use That Vote as a Weapon”

Rachel Osier Lindley | February 10, 2016

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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 13^th 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.