Jesse Jackson speaks at University of Oregon
EUGENE, Ore - A standing ovation of nearly 700 people welcomed Reverend Jesse Jackson to the University of Oregon's EMU Ballroom.
Jackson came to the school to discuss the topic, "With Justice for all: Human Rights and Civil Rights at Home and Abroad."
"We are bigger than one language but not bigger than one message of hope and peace and shared security," he said. "That is the common message."
Jackson's speech touched on historic victories - like blacks and women being granted the right to vote. He urged students to exercise their right to vote and fight for the world they want to live in.
He said now is the time to stop poverty, fear-mongering, hate crimes, and Wall Street corruption.
He told students to stand up to credit companies, and demand they pay zero percent interest on student loans.
"My point is you come out of school with guaranteed debt and not a guaranteed job," he said. "And while looking for a job the clock is ticking on you. It's fundamentally unfair. We must not allow young Americans to be trapped by schemes cooked up on Wall street and protected by corruption in Washington. You must fight back."
Some of those who attended Jackson's speech told KVAL his visit to Eugene wasn't only historic, it was time appropriate.
"A lot of people are upset about the hate crime that happened not too long ago," said student Wendy Haselhuhn.
Jackson's appearance follows the recent vandalism of the campus LGBTQA office. There have also been ongoing debates over the Pacifica Forum, and whether the group should be allowed to meet on campus. The Pacifica Forum features debates with self-proclaimed Neo-Nazi's and discusses controversial topics such as the Holocaust denial.
Jackson addressed these issues. "Number one, know hate when you see it. Number two, don't join it," he said. "They have the right to speak, but that doesn't always make it right."
"It's good to hear both sides," said Beverly Morehouse who attended the speech. "It's important to have free speech but like he said, when it becomes negative and hurtful, we don't need that."
Reverend Jackson spoke at the University in 2000, and before that, in 1988. This is when he was seeking the Democratic Party's nomination for President.
Jackson told KVAL that over the years, his message has not changed much. "We need a health care bill. 50 million Americans, they are without health insurance," he said. "We are too wealthy up top to have so much poverty at the bottom."
"These are tough and difficult days," said Jackson during his speech. "But we will learn to live together and not die alone. We will keep dreaming."
