NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, died peacefully on February 17 at the age of 84. Geoff Bennett reports on Jackson's legacy and his decades of activism.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- What is Jesse Jackson most known for?
- Where did Jackson grow up?
- How did Jackson become a nationally prominent figure?
- Why did Jackson join the civil rights movement — what was his first act of protest?
- When did Jackson run for president?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- What do you think is the most important aspect of Jesse Jackson's legacy?
- What focus did Jackson take on after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.? Why do you think his approach to civil rights changed?
Media literacy: What else would you like to know about Jackson's life and work? How could you find out?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Jesse Jackson's death is partly notable since he was one of the last remaining civil rights leaders who worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. Another close partner was Andrew Young, who worked alongside Jackson and King, and who spoke to News Hour about Jackson's legacy. After watching this segment, discuss as a class —
- How did the civil rights movement change and evolve after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.?
- How do you think the legacy of the civil rights movement influences rights movements across the United States today?
Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter with Daily News Lessons and community events.
To provide feedback on News Hour Classroom's resources, including this lesson, click here.
