Gov. Reeves: Honor Jesse Jackson’s Legacy and Let Mississippi’s Flags Fly at Half-Staff

By Rep. Kabir Karriem

The passing of Jesse Jackson marks the end of an era in American public life. For more than five
decades, Reverend Jackson stood on the front lines of the struggle for civil rights, economic
justice, and human dignity. His voice thundered in pulpits, echoed through protest lines, and rang
out on debate stages across this nation. Whether one agreed with him politically or not, his
impact on American history is undeniable.

Reverend Jackson walked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the height of the Civil
Rights Movement. He founded Operation PUSH and later the Rainbow Coalition, advancing an
agenda rooted in fairness, inclusion, and opportunity. He ran for President of the United States,
not once, but twice, expanding the political imagination of what leadership in America could
look like. His campaigns inspired millions, particularly young people and communities long
excluded from the political process.

Mississippi knows something about struggle. We know something about courage, and we know
something about redemption.

Our state stands on sacred civil rights ground. From the Mississippi Delta to Jackson, from
Meridian to Philadelphia, history has tested this state in ways few others have experienced. That
history includes pain, injustice, and resistance, but it also includes resilience, faith, and
transformation.

Reverend Jackson’s life intersected with that larger American story. He helped push this nation
and states like ours toward a more inclusive democracy. His work opened doors in boardrooms,
classrooms, city halls, and state capitols. Leaders across generations stand on ground he helped
clear.

As Chairman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, I believe it is both appropriate and
necessary that the State of Mississippi formally recognize his contributions. Honoring him is not
about partisanship. It is about acknowledging the arc of history and those who bent it.
I have respectfully called upon Governor Tate Reeves to order flags across our state to be flown
at half-staff in honor of Reverend Jackson. Flying the flags at half-staff is more than symbolism.
It is a public statement of recognition. It tells future generations that when history called,
Mississippi did not remain silent. It affirms that we understand the weight of sacrifice and the
power of perseverance.

Scripture reminds us in Matthew 25:23: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Reverend
Jackson’s life embodied service to faith, to justice, and to the enduring promise of America.
At this moment, Mississippi has an opportunity to demonstrate true leadership, unity, and moral
clarity. Lowering the flags would not erase our past, but it would acknowledge that leaders who
fought for equality helped shape the freedoms we all share today.

History is always watching how we respond in moments like these. Let Mississippi respond with
dignity. Let us respond with respect. Let our flags fly at half-staff in honor of a man whose life
helped move this country forward.

#

Kabir Karriem is the Chairman of Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus and State
Representative for House District 41.