Elise Garcia
01.03 Assignment
July 9, 2015

Dear President Barack Obama,
I propose that you use your executive powers to create another holiday in this country. I would like to put forth the suggestion that a national holiday be created in honor of Jesse Jackson. A lot like you, Mr. Jackson was a junior senator before seeking to run for the presidency, although in his case the office of president will not likely be his legacy. It is for this reason and so many more that I think he deserves consideration for his own national holiday. Mr. Jackson represents Americanism, both in its roots; that which seeks to succeed against all odds, often with little more than sheer will to achieve a dream, as well as a more modern interpretation of success Jesse Jackson negotiated the release of 22 American’s in Cuba pursuant to an invitation by Fidel Castro. It is no coincidence that Castro believed Jesse Jackson was a man he could trust, in addition to having written to Castro on several occasions, he had been a longtime associate and protégée of Rev. Howard Schomer, a well known leftist and communist supporter. Mr. Jackson himself had a long history of association with international communist front organizations and terrorist groups. He also maintained a relationship with Hunter Pitts O’Dell whom Kennedy had urged Martin Luther King to distance himself from, due to his Communist Party Affiliation and key financial operative and party functionary with the communist party whom Jackson employed as his international affairs advisor. This could hardly have escaped the notice of Castro. In fact, on June 12, 1982 Jackson’s operation PUSH sponsored a rally organized by the Communist Party USA and the Soviet backed U.S. Peace Council “calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Military” and according to The Communist Party’s Daily World it attracted more than a million people. Jesse Jackson was drawn to Dr Martin Luther King he would stop at nothing to bring himself to the attention of Dr. King. He was also very active in the Selma to Montgomery Marches. Jesse Jackson was very committed to building his own legacy that he caused genuine concern with Dr Martin Luther King over this but impressed by his “drive and organizational skills”, King had offered Jackson a position earning $3,000 a year. Jackson demonstrated such a commitment to engendering himself to King he then quit school. This commitment to community and civic duties would cause him to fail in every single academic setting of his life. Despite receiving one athletic scholarship to attend the University of Illinois, Jesse Jackson was more committed to serving his causes and was put on academic probation by the second semester. He was faced with flunking out or leaving voluntarily to pursue civic commitments and he chose America over his own personal betterment. Later at Chicago Theological Seminary, and committed to the cause at Selma, he “stopped showing up for classes” according to his professors. He had been a student less than a year and even failed to fulfill the mandatory course in sermon writing and delivery. Jackson told that professor, that he didn’t need to go to classes, that he was special; special enough to deserve his own holiday. Jackson did not sign up for classes that fall as his mind was made up to put America before himself although according to Chicago Theological Seminary archives, he would have been required to give up only one hour a week for classes. Realizing how special Jackson was, CTS awarded him a master’s degree in divinity in 2000. It is not every student that can receive such an honor 33 years after being dropped.
America is dramatically different due to the life and actions of Jesse Jackson. He has also been instrumental in pushing social reforms, helping minority owned businesses and securing employment for many minorities. Very early on, Jackson rather astutely realized that black consumer boycotts could be hugely successful in effecting change. This change was called, “Operation Breadbasket”. By using a board member on a black owned bank to finance his efforts, Jackson then “assumed the look and wardrobe of a leader” As the board member stated, “We could not have him as our leader and not supply the appearance and the satisfaction that go with it.” It is not every man that is willing to change his personal image to suit the dreams of others. The first target of Operation Breadbasket was Country Delight Products. This was a local dairy that employed no blacks but was solidly implanted in black neighborhoods. Jackson met with Country Delight and attempted to negotiate a change to black employees but was unsuccessful. Instead of giving up as lesser men might have done, he persuaded 100 black preachers to instruct their parishioners to boycott Country Delight Products and by the end of the 4 day Easter Weekend Country Delight had lost over a half a million dollars in products that had soured on the shelves and within a matter of days, Country Delight met with Jackson to offer 44 jobs to blacks. Jackson repeated this with Pepsi, Coke, 7-UP and many others but still did not rest on his laurels. After guaranteeing 184 new positions for blacks at Hi Low Grocery Stores, and some of them in management positions, he also demanded shelf space for minority owned products who were financial supporters of his cause. This level of commitment was not lost on General Motors who subsequently offered him a position on their board of directors.
I believe civic and political participation is that which allows a citizen to earn his or her freedoms; this is one of the reasons I have chosen you to consider this American Success Story be elevated. Our calendars are littered with holidays that do nothing to impact people’s lives. Jackson is a great man who has made an impact on America, from Civil Rights Leader, to American Patriot, to international diplomat, to defender of the poor, creator of jobs, motivator, speaker, reverend, community organizer, Corporate Board Member, one who does not judge, millionaire, father, and general American success story, please consider Jesse Jackson Day as a National Holiday.
Sincerely Yours,
Elise Garcia

Works Cited
"Jesse Jackson." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 09 July 2015.