Mel King’s 1979 & 1983 runs for Boston mayor, and their development into the Boston Rainbow Coalition, was a major influence on Jesse Jackson’s subsequent development of the NRC. I think Mel is an under-appreciated precursor of (and model for) Jesse Jackson.
Excellent summary. Thanks for sharing it! The days of the Rainbow Coalition were so thrilling - evidence that a mass-based multi-racial, working class movement in the USA might actually be possible. Dale Mitchell
Bill, I have been looking for a post from you in this moment when spotlight on Jesse Jackson is conveying wide, deep, narrow, holistic ,historical, minimalist and idealizing, the whole gamut. Thank you.
Thanks so much. There is much, much more to be said about Jackson and the Rainbow. It will need to play out over time. But what I think needs emphasizing is what I call the "Jackson Moment" (1983-1989) where there was tremendous excitement and myriad possibilities.
It’s a challenge to get my hands on the essentials and the essence of Jesse Jackson’s contributions and impacts, because mainstream media is opportunistic, inept, incomplete, self-serving, corporate, full of amnesia and gaps, twisted and distorted involving double- and triple-standards. Hence I look forward to historic reports and analysis especially during what you refer to as the 1983-1989 Jackson moment, but not necessarily limited to that. I continue to appreciate your rejection of dogmatism, and adherence to facts, wherever the realities take you.
Mel King’s 1979 & 1983 runs for Boston mayor, and their development into the Boston Rainbow Coalition, was a major influence on Jesse Jackson’s subsequent development of the NRC. I think Mel is an under-appreciated precursor of (and model for) Jesse Jackson.
No question about that. I believe that Mel had a stronger view of Rainbow strategy than did Jackson.
Excellent summary. Thanks for sharing it! The days of the Rainbow Coalition were so thrilling - evidence that a mass-based multi-racial, working class movement in the USA might actually be possible. Dale Mitchell
Thanks so much!! I agree that it was a thrilling moment!
Bill, I have been looking for a post from you in this moment when spotlight on Jesse Jackson is conveying wide, deep, narrow, holistic ,historical, minimalist and idealizing, the whole gamut. Thank you.
Thanks so much. There is much, much more to be said about Jackson and the Rainbow. It will need to play out over time. But what I think needs emphasizing is what I call the "Jackson Moment" (1983-1989) where there was tremendous excitement and myriad possibilities.
It’s a challenge to get my hands on the essentials and the essence of Jesse Jackson’s contributions and impacts, because mainstream media is opportunistic, inept, incomplete, self-serving, corporate, full of amnesia and gaps, twisted and distorted involving double- and triple-standards. Hence I look forward to historic reports and analysis especially during what you refer to as the 1983-1989 Jackson moment, but not necessarily limited to that. I continue to appreciate your rejection of dogmatism, and adherence to facts, wherever the realities take you.
I’d also like at some point to discuss the development of the so-called rainbow flag, now an LGBTQ+ meme but earlier a rainbow coalition emblem.