Rev. Jesse Jackson has been pushing for civil rights for more than 50 years. Now, the National Urban League is honoring him with a lifetime achievement award as it wraps up its annual conference in Columbus.
"I was jailed with seven classmates in 1960, 50 years ago," Jackson says. "And since that time, until now, we have never stopped fighting to open doors and build bridges and tear down walls."
He acknowledges that he, other activists and the country have made progress. But Jackson says continual action is needed if America wants to maintain those advances.
"All that we have gained is under attack," Jackson says. "And that's why there is such anxiety in the air today."
He points to an increasingly wide income gap, a lack of health care for those who need it, and incidents rife with racial tension, like last year's protest in Charlottesville that ended with one woman dead. But he argues that a rising tide lifts all boats.
"That which is good for black America is good for everybody," Jackson says.
When comparing 2018 to the turmoil of 1968, he says the tumult still exists, but it isn't as clear-cut as it was a half-century years ago.
"Then the divisions were just black and white, many divisions now are vertical. For example, in this state and in the nation, more than half of Americans make less than $15 an hour," he says. "They work but they cannot make ends meet. They work but they cannot afford education. They root for Ohio State football, but they can't afford to go to a game."
But he says history still gives still reason for optimism.
"I'm inspired by the victories we do have," he says. "When it's real dark, a little light will do you. We made progress across the years. That progress is now threatened."
