A pardon is due to Jesse Jackson, Jr. and his ex-wife, Sandi. They were both public servants.
Jesse has really remarkable academic ability. He has degrees in law, theology, and business administration. Reverend Attorney could also be his title.
From 1995 to 2012, he represented the Second Congressional District in Congress. The first publication to seriously consider his candidacy was the newspaper N’DIGO. In a tough campaign against powerful seasoned politicians, he prevailed.
Just to be clear, I’ve known Jesse Jr. since he was a small child. I have been “Aunt Hermene” to him. When he told me he intended to run for office, I advised we start by making sure you’re not just the person who bears your father’s name. Thus, a serious story about a budding politician was necessary.
From 1995 to 2012, Jesse’s term, he invested $2.5 billion in his district. His accomplishments—like the Ford Heights Water Project and his efforts to raise $5.8 billion for the purpose of clearing and cleaning brown water—had a beneficial long-term effect.
Additionally, he has made constitutional amendment proposals on a number of important problems, demonstrating his dedication to public service. He established the foundation for the Pullman Historic District, which was designated as a national park by President Obama.
He led a bipartisan effort that established a statue of Rosa Parks in the Statuary Hall in Congress. She was the first Black woman to be so honored. His book, The Finger of God: From the Lineage of David to the Presidency of the United States, is a masterpiece as he links the Bible to the thinking of America’s founding fathers.
Because of his interest, Jesse has always been a tech enthusiast ahead of the curve. He is a scholar and writer as well. Having seen his father’s efforts first hand—from campaigning to Nelson Mandela’s release—he is a politically brilliant.
Jesse Jr. and Sandi had career mishaps. They misappropriated campaign funds for personal use. We have seen politicians do much worse. Be clear: he stole no money; he spent campaign money for personal use. Both served time in jail for their misdeeds.
It’s time to move on at this point. Why? When weighed against his good works, his offenses were small. His leadership is a beacon that his town needs. During his prime, there was conjecture that he could become the mayor of Chicago, senator, speaker of the house, or president. Now that the roles have been filled, this entire conversation has disappeared.
Jesse Jr. is a political brain who needs to come home. Home could be the leader of his father’s organization, Rainbow Push, a political consultant, a political pundit, an analyst and a writer of new books. He is politically astute, and his talent should be used. He could make the case for prison reform and pardons because he knows it firsthand.
His intelligence and the carrying on of his father’s civil rights struggle on the political and economic fronts are invaluable to the Black community. We need a voice to call attention to the waywardness in today’s society, where corporate diversity and affirmative action are disappearing and books are being banned. We mutter about restitution after every election. Compensation must have a voice. Voting is an issue that must always be addressed. His father and politicians took advantage of the chance to register voters in each campaign. More voters have been registered in America thanks to the Rev. Jesse Jackson than any other individual. Jesse Jr. has witnessed social justice projects from marches to pulpit preaching.
The Republicans have produced a document, Project 2025, that defines and outlines what a Trump America might look like. Black America needs a manifesto to talk about new goals for Black America. Jesse could author such a document with others.
From 2007 to 2013, Sandi Jackson served as an Alderman for the 7th Ward. She had a housing complex planned for the extreme south side of the lakefront as part of her economic plan for the 7th Ward. She is also worthy of forgiveness. They were a couple that reared their kids in difficult situations. Both of them attended school, lately earning their college degrees and starting their young jobs.
Jesse deserves a pardon because the Black community fully deserves his talent and politics.
