On Tuesday, the world learned that the Rev. Jesse Jackson died at the age of 84 after a recent battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jackson was one of the quintessential political and social figures of the second half of the 20th century.th century.
He was a student of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who continued the tradition of nonviolent resistance to injustice. Rev. Jackson was also an institution builder who founded the Rainbow/Push Coalition in Chicago, which continued to work on the ground for social justice. He also twice ran for president of the United States in 1984 and 1988, ushering in a new era of black political leadership and, in doing so, galvanizing millions with his message of hope and inclusion.
It was these very distinct principles that would later be adopted by WNBA players.
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In other words, the issues that Rev. Jackson fought for — racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, and labor rights — are the ones that WNBA players fought for.
Jackson’s groundbreaking presidential agenda centered on intersectional justice, the idea that everyone, regardless of their identity group, should be supported in education, health care and employment. Fast forward, the WNBA players have carried the baton, which was symbolically passed to them by Reverend Jackson, and made it a central point of how they operate.
Over the league’s 30 years of existence, WNBA players have made it their mission to center their lived experiences beyond the court. They insisted that the lives of black and brown women be at the forefront of discussions about racial justice in America.
This philosophy was most evident in Wubble 2020. While George Floyd’s name was spoken loud and clear, WNBA players ensured that Breonna Taylor and other women of color killed by police received the same respect. In a 2020 editorial for the Chicago Sun-TimesReverend Jackson greeted the players and other athletes for taking a collective stand.
Just as Rev. Jackson preached about the importance of voting, the WNBA made it a key part in 2020, when it ultimately participated actively in electing Rev. Raphael Warnock to the U.S. Senate against former Atlanta Dream owner Kelly Loeffler. The same thing happened in the 2024 election cycle, when Nneka Ogwumike took command of LeBron James’ More Than a Vote initiative.
Reverend Jackson strongly advocated for gender equality throughout his career. WNBA players understandably fight for justice in a male-dominated sports landscape, tackling issues ranging from equal pay to increased media coverage.
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Before it became mainstream, Rev. Jackson was a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, including during the 1987 and 1993 marches on Washington for LGBTQ+ rights. Fast forward, and WNBA players have been ahead of the curve when it comes to queer justice, as more and more players are proud and advocating in defense of transgender and other queer people.
Reverend Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition has made it its mission to bridge differences between groups on labor rights and ensure that workers get what’s rightfully theirs. Certainly, the ongoing CBA negotiations, in which actors exercise their power to fight for the wages they deserve, while legitimizing their right to organize, are part of this logic.
In 1984, Rev. Jackson led a march in New York to protest immigration raids and the passage of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), known as Simpson-Mazzoli. Today, WNBA players including Brenna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Brianna Turner and others spoke out against the recent actions of ICE in Minneapolis and the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
During his campaign for president, Rev. Jackson made it a point to advocate for a Palestinian state. Today, Natasha Cloud is one of the league’s most vocal advocates for Palestinian rights. Reverend Jackson was also instrumental in notable negotiations with countries including Cuba, Syria and Yugoslavia, which led to the release of American hostages. In 2022, WNBA players and their allies united to demand the release of Brittney Griner while she was being held in a Russian prison on drug possession charges.
Reverend Jackson’s mission is to “keep hope alive” and WNBA players are following his lead and keeping that hope alive.
