Rev. Jesse Jackson Encourages ‘Healing and Rebuilding’ at Hampton University

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks words of "healing and rebuilding" to a gathering at The Emancipation Oak at Hampton University, Sept. 20, 2017. Photo by Andrew Morrison

HAMPTON, Va. (Sept. 20, 2017) – On a hot Wednesday afternoon, standing in front of the historic Emancipation Oak at Hampton University, civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson preached a powerful message to bridge the gaps that divide our nation.

Whether talking about voter registration, medical treatment inequality or the country’s racial division, Jackson emphasized unity through respect.  Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey is a long-time friend of Jackson, and applauded his message to the gathering of students, alumni, staff and friends of the university.

“Reverend Jackson has long been a champion of people hungering for equality and justice,” Harvey said. “His message of respecting everyone, no matter their station in life, is both refreshing and encouraging.”

Promoting voting as well as peaceful, respectful disagreement with those who want to divide the public, Jackson is in the midst of a statewide “Healing and Rebuilding” tour.

“We must tear down statues of hate and erect statues of hope and healing. We will not return hate with hate,” Jackson said. “We are connecting Roanoke to Lynchburg; Hampton to Franklin; Emporia to Suffolk, Portsmouth and Norfolk. We are connecting Richmond to Arlington.”

Jackson’s mid-day stop at Hampton University (“I feel like I’m back home here”) was also meant to remind people that people in America by law have the same rights, but by practice, don’t.

“Working class men and women of many races and many colors, have many needs,” Jackson said. “When the lights are out and it’s dark, we all look amazingly similar. In the dark, the issue is not black and white, it’s wrong and right.”

His visit came after a late morning tour to Hampton University’s Proton Therapy Institute. Jackson spoke about how important health care is for all citizens, no matter what their economic condition.  He pointed out that cancer is the No. 1 killer in Virginia. Black men are twice as likely as white men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than twice as likely to die from it, too. He added that incidences of cancer in Virginia are expected to outpace population growth through 2020.

Jackson repeatedly said that all citizens should have equal access to health care, that health care cannot be exclusive to only those who can afford it.

“Health care for all is a right thing,” Jackson said.

Jackson also called on state lawmakers in Richmond and Washington to understand the importance of environmental science, calling the recent destruction from hurricanes Irma and Harvey “man made.”

He sees the need to reduce student loan debt and provide jobs that pay well.

“A formal education is a right thing,” Jackson said. “Decent housing is a right thing, too.”

At the heart of Jackson’s tour is a call to action for Virginia residents to get out and vote in the November election.  He ensured that voter registration officials were on hand, and before closing the event in prayer, Jackson encouraged everyone at the event to register, because voting for like-minded people is the most certain way to affect change.

“If we vote, we will determine the next governor of this state and the next president,” Jackson said.

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