Hope in Hard Times: Where were you when Rev Jesse Jackson Shared His Keynote Speech at the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1984?
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 19 hours ago
- 9 min read
February 17, 2026
A Letter from the Editor
Social Justice
One Woman’s Story of Survival and Empowerment
plus, Appreciation for Rev Jesse Jackson
Monmouth County, NJ – Throughout American history, pivotal national events have shaped Americans' collective consciousness. The passing of transformative figures such as the Reverend Jesse Jackson invites reflection on periods when America struggled with the persistent stain of racism. Yet, it is precisely during such times that the nation witnessed the indomitable spirit and resilience of Black Americans. The modern Civil Rights Movement, which spanned approximately 43 years, was ignited by leaders such as A. Philip Randolph—a son of a Methodist preacher, renowned trade unionist, and civil rights advocate. Beginning on August 25, 1925, in New York City, Randolph’s leadership galvanized the fight for justice and equality, paving the way for profound social change.
Notably, Randolph’s efforts, supported by the Black community, broke barriers, enabling Black Americans to access Civil Service Government positions previously denied to them. Allied organizations such as the Niagara Movement—whose mission emphasized full political, civil, and social rights for Black Americans and which later evolved into the NAACP, The Urban League, The League of Black Lawyers, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, established at Howard University, further championed the causes of political and social advancement. Zeta Phi Beta, in particular, committed itself to Black women’s rights, holding its members to exemplary academic standards and fostering a culture of empowerment and excellence. A. Philip Randolph | Biography, Civil Rights, Organizations, March on Washington, & Facts | Britannica
The resolute insistence of Black American citizens on asserting and defending their rights sparked the vibrant Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s through the 1970s. This era empowered Black Americans with the practical ability to exercise their right to vote—a right granted in 1865, but systematically undermined by treacherous Jim Crow laws and the actions of domestic terrorist organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and other white nationalist groups. In collusion with certain non-white criminal elements, these forces sought to intimidate, disenfranchise, and suppress Black citizens, frequently blocking their access to voting, fair housing, and economic advancement. In response, Black Americans—especially Black men—rose with confidence and determination to reclaim their rights, protections, and opportunities. The successful mobilization and activism of the 1960s Civil Rights era signaled a turning point in American democracy and social justice. The Civil Rights Movement | The Post War United States, 1945 to 1968 | U.S. History Primary Source Timeline | Classroom Materials at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress
The passage of the Civil Rights Amendments and Human Rights Enforcement Acts marked a repudiation of the deeply ingrained falsehoods perpetuated by white supremacists and their allies, who, throughout history—including some from Spanish-speaking countries and the Middle East—sought to dehumanize Black men, women, children, and North American Indigenous peoples with dark skin. These groups propagated the myth that these populations were less than human, a narrative used to justify the brutalities of chattel slavery, abuse, and murder. This pernicious ideology falsely claimed that only white individuals possessed true humanity, distorting religious teachings to support these beliefs. Such narratives were employed to rationalize heinous acts and maintain systems of oppression, but the Civil Rights victories of the twentieth century forcefully dismantled these erroneous constructs and affirmed the inherent dignity and humanity of all people. Social Darwinism and racism | History | Research Starters | EBSCO Research
Black Americans and Native Americans courageously rejected these dehumanizing myths, rising to demand and secure the enforcement of their civil rights. However, the subsequent decades brought new challenges. In the 1980s, policies enacted by certain political leaders, most notably under President Ronald Reagan, and the Christian Coalition contributed to the mass incarceration of Black citizens—especially youth and fathers—under the guise of law and order. Simultaneously, the implementation of the Southern Evangelical Baptist “Sanctuary Movement” and shifts in immigration policy redirected resources and opportunities away from Black communities, often to the detriment of their social and economic advancement. Compounding these issues was the devastating introduction of crack cocaine into urban centers, a crisis fueled by both domestic and international actors that wreaked havoc on Black families and communities. Despite these adversities, Black Americans continued to persevere, confronting disenfranchisement, gerrymandering, and gentrification with unwavering resilience. Their steadfastness during this era stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of empowerment, hope, and cheerful determination that continues to inspire reflection and progress for all Americans. The evangelical presidency: Reagan's dangerous love affair with the Christian right - Salon.com
During this period, as influential leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Coretta Scott King, Julian Bond, Brother Andrew Young, Rev. Ralph Abernathy, Stokely Carmichael, Assata Olugbala Shakur, and Angela Davis rose to prominence (to name a few), the 1980s also saw a resurgence in the romanticizing of Confederate history. This movement, driven by the White Nationalist Christian Coalition, which came to dominate the Republican Party beginning in 1980, was amplified by the efforts of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Through widespread propaganda, the "Lost Cause" plus "Sanctuary Movement" narrative glorified Confederate leaders and minimized the harsh realities of slavery. This distorted version of history was widely shared in mainstream media throughout North America and in school systems, giving fodder to the erroneous leadership we have in North America today in 2026.
Despite these divisive forces, Rev. Jesse Jackson, guided by faith and a steadfast determination to address the injustices wrought by racism, made history as the first openly Black man nominated for president by the Democratic Party. This leads to a pivotal question: Where were you when Rev. Jesse Jackson delivered his powerful keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1984? I recount my own experience in my book The Bad Dream Part 1 & 2: An American Prophecy. The wave of hope I felt that day is unforgettable. Tulsans remember Rev. Jesse Jackson’s time in town and legacy
I was in my fourth year of homelessness, living at the Colonial Motel in Asbury Park, NJ. A few months earlier, I had given birth to my daughter, Sophia, a distant cousin of Coretta Scott King. Due to the realities of homelessness in the early 1980s, local employers would not hire anyone without a permanent address. As a result, a generation of young people was shut out of job opportunities unless they could rely on a family member’s address. During my six years of homelessness, I had no phone—a common situation for teenagers expected to leave home at eighteen. Rent, House Prices, and Demographics | U.S. Department of the Treasury
Briefly, I found shelter in Long Branch when Sophia was an infant, but a family altercation between my mother and my first husband occurred while I held my six-week-old baby, Sophia. Thankfully, my twin sister came home with her boyfriend and beat my first husband to the ground. It all happened so quickly, and by the time my mother’s family was informed of the incident, and spoke to my landlord, he refused to accept my rent. As a result, the situation disrupted Sophia's and my stability. In a moment of crisis, I had to protect my child while witnessing turmoil, and the complexities of my family’s relationships contributed to our continued housing instability. That led to three more years of homelessness for my child and me as a young Black mother. Eventually, I found an apartment at Grant Court in Long Branch, where I began working for the Long Branch Housing Authority and launched the Project Hope initiative to support local youth and families. This journey, filled with obstacles and determination, is detailed in my book The Bad Dream Part 1 & 2: An American Prophecy. The Bad Dream Part 1 & 2: An American Prophecy: Brittingham-Edmond, Karen: 9798278385844: Amazon.com: Books
By the time Sophia was three months old, we were living at the Colonial Motel, where my husband had left us for about a week. And we had access to a television in a room that had not seen a fresh coat of paint in years, with a floor in desperate need of cleaning. Often, I went without food so I could provide formula for Sophia, who was the light in my life. Then, on that memorable evening, Rev. Jesse Jackson appeared on television, and it was as if hope itself illuminated that humble room.
His words resonated deeply, moving me to tears. I knew, as did many other young Black Americans in their late teens and early twenties, that we could not vote for our mentor, Rev. Jackson, due to homelessness while in the midst of economic divestment that was actively exporting job opportunities abroad. Without a valid address, voting was out of reach, even though we longed to participate. (Or at least I knew I did.) One of my childhood memories was seeing Rev. Jesse Jackson on Sesame Street on PBS Channel 13 when I was eight years old. He was telling every child that they were somebody and that we all were children of God. And that reflection, as well as seeing a Rev. Jesse Jackson running for president of the United States, blessed me. What Led to the Rise of Homelessness | SoCal Connected | News & Public Affairs | PBS SoCal
At that moment, I promised myself that if Sophia and I survived homelessness and found a home, I would honor Rev. Jesse Jackson and all civil rights activists who championed the best for Black children. I kept that promise. Though certain members of my mother's family later claimed credit for saving the Bucky James Community Center and creating Project Hope, I am proud to have founded Project Hope after obtaining a home for my daughter, Sophia, and me at Grant Court and becoming a full-time employee at the Long Branch Housing Authority in 1987.
Once finally stable with housing, I organized efforts as a dedicated employee and community member, with the support of mentors like Mrs. Jean Hastings, my high school cross-country teammate, David Brown, and retired veteran Mr. Avery Grant. For more than a decade, Project Hope provided free summer and after-school programs for families in Long Branch. Plus a wonderful visit from jazz artist Mr. Wynton Marsalis. We assisted Long Branch Councilman Frank Palone in obtaining his position as a congressman who, at one time, gladly helped Black citizens. As a result of Project Hope, we would hold regular community roundtable discussions and NAACP memberships as a result of the rising police brutality cases that Black citizens, incarcerated family members, were sharing. That included claims that police officers were placing drugs in their cars in order to arrest them on trumped-up charges.
During that time, I met a young man from Chicago with presidential ambitions— 19 years later, Senator Barack Obama would become the first unashamed Black president of the United States, carrying the banner of hope to inspire a nation. This experience affirmed for me—and should for all of us—that nothing is impossible with faith and perseverance. As long as we reject racism and embrace hope, we can shape our destiny. I share more about this remarkable era in my book, The Bad Dream, Parts 1 & 2: An American Prophecy. The Bad Dream Part 1 & 2: An American Prophecy: Brittingham-Edmond, Karen: 9798278385844: Amazon.com: Books
So that is where I was when Rev. Jesse Jackson addressed the Democratic National Convention on July 17, 1984. And how “keeping hope alive” inspired me to do the impossible. I challenge you to reflect: Where were you when America nearly had its first Black president in the 1980s? Were you able to vote, or were you among those systematically excluded from civic participation by policies and propaganda that pressured Black single mothers in New Jersey to expel their children from the home upon graduating high school? Were you a college student, proud to support Rev. Jackson, or were you in the military serving our country? The Rev. Jesse Jackson, leader of Civil Rights Movement for decades, dies at 84 | PBS News
Were you swept into the Cradle to Prison Pipeline described by the Children's Defense Fund when President Ronald Reagan initiated the mass incarceration tactics of the 80s that enforced mandatory prison for petty offenses? While certain departments of our government were paying drug lords from outside countries, plus organized crime syndicates here in your state, to poison Black communities and snare the future leaders of our people tempted to make more money than the $3.50 an hour jobs offered at McDonald’s while local rents went quickly from $75 per month for a one bedroom apartment to $500, $750, and $800 per month during the early 80s causing mass homelessness? "KEEPING CHILDREN OUT OF THE PIPELINE TO PRISON" - Children's Defense Fund
Consider this history, share your story with the next generation, and encourage yourself and them to vote with conscience. Remember, it was Black citizens who won the Civil War and then fought for the right to vote, changing the political landscape and safeguarding a future where every voice matters. That means that you too can make a positive change in your life, your community, and that you don’t have to follow the propaganda that sets up Black children for failure, by their very own local towns' Black leadership and long-time White racist that they capitulate to, which plots against the future of Black America’s children. But instead, you can look up and over them and focus on leadership like Rev Jesse Jackson to encourage you to shoot for the stars. And know that you are well able to accomplish your goals, victories, and calling as long as you press towards the mark of the high calling in Jesus Christ, because you are somebody.
Please enjoy Rev Jesse Jackson’s affirmation for the people. I am Somebody!
I am Somebody!
I may be poor,
But I am Somebody.
I may be young,
But I am Somebody.
I may be on welfare,
But I am Somebody.
I may be small,
But I am Somebody.
I may have made mistakes,
But I am Somebody.
My clothes are different,
My face is different,
My hair is different,
But I am Somebody.
I am Black,
Brown, or White.
I speak a different language
But I must be respected,
Protected,
Never rejected.
I am God’s child!
I am somebody.
I am a child of God.
I may not be educated, but I am somebody.
I may not have any money, but I am somebody.
I may not eat steak every day, but I am somebody.
I may not look the way you look, but I am somebody.
If my mind can conceive it, if my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it because
I am somebody! "
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