Rev. Jackson’s death inspires young people to be more present in their community

Nadiyah Spikener’s admits her knowledge of Reverend Jackson L. Jackson is limited, but she says that “it’s her duty to be here with everyone else in the community, and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Spikener, 24, attended day two of a public service for Reverend Jackson as he lay in repose. She was among hundreds that lined up along Drexel Blvd. from 50th street to 49th street Friday outside Rainbow Push’s headquarters in Kenwood to pay their respects to Jackson, who died Feb. 17 at 84 years old.

Like Thursday’s service, which drew thousands of people, photos and videos of notable moments in Rev. Jackson's life played on a screen at the front of the line. His "I am somebody" speech and gospel music blared from loudspeakers.

During her early education growing up in Naperville, Spikener said she learned about the Civil Rights Movement, though it was mostly focused on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.

Spikener said that she’s here to “support a legacy that’s been going on throughout the years, way before I was born.”

She believes that Rev. Jackson’s death may be a catalyst for young people to learn more about their history, have a stronger presence in their communities, and lean towards self-determination.

“This may be a moment to realize that maybe we need to do more for ourselves, and do more for our community like he has, and just start somewhere.”

Spikener said it's important to begin early, “whether it’s volunteering, doing side missions, or work, starting in churches.”

Xavier Myles, 12, came from Flossmoor, IL with his dad to attend Friday's service. He knows that without the sacrifices of Rev. Jackson, he might have attended segregated schools.

“It helps me go to public schools today and I’m in the classroom with white people. I feel proud that we’re not separated like they used to be.”

Tyler Myles, 31, said Jackson’s enduring legacy will be that he was a champion for all people. She thinks that message is especially important in today’s fraught political moment.

“There are a a lot of evils and their main agenda is to try to divide us and I think he was very much about trying to bring everyone together for the greater good,” Myles said.

Myles’ mother Lisa Myles grew up attending Rainbow PUSH's Saturday morning events. Tyler attended events there, too. Today’s advocates can learn from Jackson’s approach to coalition building and spend more time within communities, she said.

“Whats different about our time is that I think sometimes with social media and media in general people think that the performative major actions are what drive most of the change," Tyler said.

She added: "He was out there in communities and for me it's about realizing the struggle is a day to day thing and being out there speaking to your neighbors, getting to know people that live on your block, speaking to the people that are at the grocery store."

Zora Baker, 11, had the day off from school so her dad Harrison Baker took the opportunity to head to the public viewing service. He said younger generations need to learn about Jackson and the broader history of the struggle for civil rights because some of the things Jackson fought against are reemerging.

“It's important that as my generation gets older and moves out, that our younger generation is able to step in and continue this work because the fight is back on,” Harrison Baker said.

His daughter took that message to heart.

Jackson’s life reminds her that “I have greater things I can do in life and there are still problems in the world that we need to fix, and people like me and my friends can help fix them,” Zora said.

Micah Tyler, 13, and his two sisters traveled from Hazel Crest with their grandmother to pay their respects to Jackson and learn more about him.

“For a young Black man like myself I should take note of what he said,” Micah said, adding that he admired Jackson’s presidential runs and that he told young people that they are ‘somebody.’”

His sister Shemiyah, 11, said she wanted to learn more about a pastor “who preached very well and taught young Black people about history.”

Their grandmother, Lazane Tyler, said they took the day off from school because she wanted her grandchildren to be a part of history and make memories that they will carry with them.

“[So] you could say that you were there,” Lazane Tyler said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.