“Up with Hope: A biography of Jesse Jackson” Dillon Press, 1986 This book is
about a virtuous leader, Jesse Jackson. It explains how he grew up in a hard
time for blacks and how he was committed to being somebody. When Jesse was a
little boy his grandmother urged him saying, “Jesse, promise me you’ll be
somebody.” The Reverend Jesse Jackson understood the power of hope. Jesse’s
childhood was tough for him. His mother and father weren’t married when she
had Jesse and the community’s disapproval was felt. Another reason for the
tough times in Jesse’s growing up was the discrimination against blacks. The
tough times never got in Jesse’s way; he was destined to be somebody. Jesse
had several jobs while he was growing up, to keep him off of the streets,
earning extra money for the clothing he liked to wear. His first job was at the
age of six, he worked in the wood and coal yards owned by his grandfather. He
also was very active in his schooling, always trying to better himself and learn
new things. When he was twelve years old he joined the reading club at the
County Library for the Colored, where Jesse found books to satisfy his curiosity
and his love for words. Jesse was also involved with sports and other
activities. When he was in high school he was always running for all the class
offices and any leadership position, because of his smarts and ways with the
crowd he was usually the one to win the positions. Jesse graduated tenth in his
class and went off to college to the University of Illinois on an athletic
scholarship. He was offered six thousand dollars a year to join the New York
Giants, but he felt that he should better his education. When Jesse got to
Illinois he found that segregation was as bad there as in the south. He was only
allowed to play certain positions because of his race, he wanted to play
quarterback but that was only for the whites. By the end of his freshmen year he
transferred to another school, North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State
College (A&T), a small all-black school. Jesse was quick to join the action
around his new school. While Jesse attended college at North Carolina A&T,
he joined many clubs and began to act in the civil rights movement. After Jesse
Jackson graduated from college he did political work in North Carolina. He spent
several weeks with Noah, Junior, his father’s son, while brooding about his
future. He was trying to decide whether he should become a minister just like
his grandfather or if he should further his education. He later decided to study
to become a minister. While Jesse was studying to become a minister he led
several of civil rights movements and spoke with many people. He worked with Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. on several operations. After Dr. King was assassinated
he formed his own organization helping out African-Americans. Analysis This book
shows a good example of leadership. Jesse Jackson was always trying to better
himself and become somebody. He always did what he thought was right trying to
help out others. If you believe in something it can be done. Jesse Jackson
wanted to be somebody and that was just what he did, he became somebody. He
fought for what was right and did a lot for the black communities. In a way you
could Jesse Jackson is a hero. He did a lot in helping the civil rights movement
and making things better for African-Americans. Many people admire the things he
has accomplished.