Jesse Jackson addresses students at Jefferson High School
 September 2, 2009 - The Rev. Jesse Jackson brought his anti-violence, give-peace-a-chance message to Jefferson High School when he
addressed 500 students Wednesday, September 2, 2009, in the school’s auditorium.
Rev. Jackson’s remarks focused on the theme “Learning to Live Together: Life's Choices and Consequences," and he interacted with the assembly by leading a spirited series of repeat-after-me mantras. The noted civil rights leader went on to speak to Jefferson’s junior class and students in government and economics courses about the work of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and its “Student Pledge of Excellence in Education and Against Drugs, Guns and Violence.” That pledge asks students to commit to:
1. Attend school daily and strive for excellence in all they do.
2. Respect the authority of parents and teachers.
3. Study three hours each night without interruptions from anything or anyone.
4. Read each day.
5. Complete all classroom and homework assignments.
Rev. Jackson discussed bridging the achievement gap and empowering students academically, socially, politically and economically. He also expressed support for the Rockford Public Schools’ vision and agenda, and he spoke to students about how the public schools can be a mechanism to heal the community.
Admission to Rev. Jackson’s talk was restricted to students, staff and invited guests. He spoke for approximately 30 minutes and afterward personally greeted students. The general public was not asked to attend, but media representatives were invited to record and broadcast the event.
|
