He’s been called the “conscience of the nation” and “the great unifier,” and for about an hour Monday night, students had the chance to listen to the Rev. Jesse Jackson speak about the contrasting philosophies on the environment, education, women’s rights and health issues between Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore.
More than 500 people stood and applauded in a packed EMU Ballroom for several minutes Monday to welcome him to the University. Many cheered, a few chanted and some even cried.
Although his earlier scheduled visit to the University was canceled so he could fulfill his promise to stand on the picket lines with striking transit workers in Los Angeles, Jackson made it up to the local community. The former Democratic presidential candidate spoke to the overflow crowd in the ballroom and then spoke again in the lobby to a group of at least 200.
From exercising his student activism in the civil rights movement and officially assisting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to being the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq in 1990, Rev. Jackson has been known as one of the most prominent political figures in recent history. His presentation created a loud and supportive audience reaction .
Following the lead of other high-profile Democrats who visited the University recently, including feminist Gloria Steinem and former presidential candidate Bill Bradley, Jackson emphasized the high stakes of this year’s election. He also stressed his belief that the election isn’t just about the candidates, but about the teams that stand behind them.
“We can’t just look at the candidates through a keyhole,” he said. “We have to look at them through a door and see who else is behind that door.”
Jackson said that Bush’s team represents corporate powers that only support a selective population.
“They threaten everything we’ve gained in half a century,” he said. “We must maintain the American dream.”
Jim Edmunson, chair of Forward Oregon, said Jackson is a successful speaker because he reaches out to everyone and doesn’t focus on special-interest groups.
“Rev. Jackson speaks to every person,” he said. “He speaks to people’s souls.”
Jackson, who is also the president of the social justice organization National Rainbow Coalition, especially commended Gore for having the first Jewish Orthodox running mate.
Despite a few critical comments from Nader supporters, Jackson said that Gore was not the lesser of two evils, but a candidate whose team supports a women’s right to choose, affirmative action, Medicare, a clean environment and education opportunities for everyone.
Following the trend of many Democrats, Jackson intimated that Nader’s campaign is misguided.
“You can use a vote to make a point, or to make a president,” he said. “We can turn to each other or turn against each other.”
Jed McGuire, co-chair for College Democrats, added that Jackson’s extensive background in human rights and passion in bringing unity among different races and classes makes him one of the most influential speakers in America today.
“He’s very accomplished in what he’s done,” he said. “He carries a very strong and positive message.”
Kawezya Hutchinson, a freshman biology major who was undecided on who to vote for before hearing Jackson’s speech, said that although his main points convinced her to vote for Gore, some of his ideas were exaggerated.
“When he talked about who was on Bush’s team, he named all the bad guys,” she said. “And he left out some of the reasons Bush and Cheney voted on some of the issues Jackson was against.”
Jackson also planned to speak in Corvallis and Portland after his visit to Eugene. Edmunson said Jackson chose to speak to college campuses in Oregon because of students’ vital role in this year’s election.
“The attention the nation has turned to Oregon in this election is nothing short of phenomenal,” he said.
At a press conference before his speech, Jackson emphasized the hardships many people had to go through before they could legally vote. He said that on Nov. 7, everyone who is 18 years old should honor that struggle.
“Take your souls to the polls and use the power that you have,” he said.