By June Boyd
Guest Column
Rest well and so long, Rev. Jackson. The legacy you left us will forever be recognized.
Now, March 2026, more than ever, our people will march together to seek justice. We may not have a Pettis bridge, but you can believe we will march.
Never, in my lifetime have I seen our people so threatened: our voting rights, equal rights, our history, fair and equal employment, even to the point of denying people on food stamps a can of pop.
In the past, we have had our issues: jealousy of another’s success; selling drugs, killing our brothers and sisters, and even subjecting teens to this madness. The dignity you meant for us to practice: the “I am Somebody” challenge, the “Keep Hope Alive” thought, has been etched in stone for all of us who believe.
It is a new day, a time to recognize the real deal. The war in Iran, Ukraine, Gaza and who knows what is to come. We are all in jeopardy. For the parents, grandparents, anyone who has a child in his or her care, niece, nephew or God child; grab their hand, walk with them, and show them a future of survival.
Our ancestors paved the way for us, we must now prepare a safe path to justice and happiness for our children. It must begin at home: love your family, make sure an emphasis is placed on quality education, demand it, and know how important it is. More than ever, study the technology, and every facet of it.
Whoever you are, born into God’s world, you are entitled to every opportunity; not to be discriminated against because you might be a different color, race, sexual preference, religion, age, disability or gender; fight for your rights.
Recently, there are those in power who have decided if you do not look like them, you are not equal.
In the memory of our beloved Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and hundreds of others, this is the year we must as people, come together, register, vote and continue to fight for our God given rights we are entitled.
Keep Hope Alive
I had the opportunity to hear Rev. Jackson’s speech at the 1988 Democratic Convention when he was a candidate for President, (I was one of his delegates). That speech has gone down in history as one of the best, and it was a memory for a lifetime.