I shot four homegoing events for the Rev. Jesse Jackson, two public viewings of him lying in repose and two formal services. Many evocative images came out of those two weeks. The public outpouring was in the thousands, and many people shared personal interactions they had with Rev. Jackson, which was a testament to his decades of community work.
The bereaved Jackson children held space for others' grief while managing their own — much of it on a national scale. Elected officials and public figures spoke passionately about Rev. Jackson’s impact on the social and political fabric of our nation. Many of their remarks were charged with indictments of the present and hopes for the future, which they ascribed to Rev. Jackson.
The final homegoing service March 7 at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters was the most intimate remembrance. Rev. Jackson had purchased the building, previously used as a synagogue, in 1971. Since then, it’s been the site of many organizing meetings and community programs and or spiritual fellowship.
How did you get this photo?
This service was the end of a marathon of coverage. The day before, I’d spent 10 hours shooting and editing the public remembrance at House of Hope. I was at Rainbow PUSH early to capture what I thought would just be the procession in and out of the building, as we were under the impression we would not be allowed to photograph inside. To my surprise, there was a change in plans and the press was allowed in the sanctuary. This was the first time I’d been in the space during the day, and I was moved by its beauty. The room was held up by ornate pillars and outfitted with stained glass windows bathing a warm yellow glow across the pews. I spent most of the service focused on the stage, shooting many speakers and performers, including the legendary Stevie Wonder. But as the service drew on, I zoomed out and focused on the environment. I moved stage right and focused on the windows, cranking my exposure down so that the packed house became a sea of silhouettes. The sharp contrast between the window light and the shadowy room created a dynamic image that encapsulated the gravity of the moment.
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with an RF 28-70mm f/2L lens
Plus, 36 more powerful photos from Sun-Times photographers:
Flanked by family members, Jacqueline Jackson walks behind pallbearers carrying Rev. Jesse Jackson’s casket to the hearse after his funeral at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters, 930 E. 50th St., on the South Side on March 7.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Yusef DuBois Jackson, center, is comforted by a supporter and the Rev. Al Sharpton, right, as he gets emotional after the funeral for his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 7.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson hugs another mourner after the funeral for his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 7.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Santita Jackson performs at the final homegoing service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on March 7.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph wipes a tear at the final homegoing service for Rev. Jesse Jackson on March 7.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A mourner attends the final homegoing service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson on March 7.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Mourners gather for the final homegoing service for Rev. Jesse Jackson on March 7.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Jesse Jackson Jr. watches as pallbearers for his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, carry his casket into House of Hope for his funeral service March 6.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
The crowd cheers for the Rev. Al Sharpton’s speech during the funeral service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope on March 6.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Former Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the funeral service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope on March 6.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, former President Barack Obama, Jill Biden and former President Joe Biden join thousands for the funeral service honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope on March 6.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Jennifer Hudson sings at the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral service at the House of Hope on March 6.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Thousands gather for the funeral service honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson on March 6.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former President Barack Obama speaks during the funeral service honoring Rev. Jesse Jackson at House of Hope on March 6.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Hundreds wait in line to pay their respects to the Rev. Jesse Jackson as he lies in honor inside the South Carolina Capitol Building in Columbia, SC., on March 2.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Family members join hundreds of local elected officials for a private service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson in Columbia, SC., on March 2.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Hundreds attend a private service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the South Carolina Capitol Building in Columbia, SC., on March 2.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Jesse Jackson Jr. greets mourners before they enter Rainbow PUSH Headquarters to pay final respects to his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson on Feb. 27.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Foreign dignitaries join family members of the Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Hyatt Regency offices in the West Loop on March 5.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Damage from a tornado that touched down in the Kankakee area and the village of Aroma Park on Wednesday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
On Wednesday, an American flag sits in the bed of a truck surrounded by damage from a tornado that touched down in the Kankakee area and the village of Aroma Park.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Individuals look through the damage from a tornado that touched down in the Kankakee area on Wednesday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Nick Cronin, of Peotone, on Wednesday surveys the land where his mother’s home used to stand on South Sandbar Road near East 3rd Street in Kankakee after tornadoes moved through the area the night before.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
A photo sits stuck in a tree Wednesday after tornadoes destroyed multiple homes on South Sandbar Road near East 3rd Street in Kankakee.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Bob Wehrle had to be rescued from the basement of his home, which was destroyed by tornadoes on South Sandbar Road near East 3rd Street in Kankakee.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Damage is shown Wednesday from a tornado that hit the Kankakee fairground and reached Aroma Park.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks with Patricia Kime outside her destroyed home as local officials survey tornado damage near Norman Street and Strasma North Drive in Aroma Park on Thursday. Kime rode out the tornado inside her home with her husband.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Firefighters with flashlights walk along US-52 near Daddy Details at 15 W. Industrial Drive after a tornado touched down in the Kankakee area Tuesday.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Protesters call for an end to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran during a demonstration in Federal Plaza in the Loop on Feb. 28.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Activist Andy Thayer calls for an end to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran during a demonstration in Federal Plaza in the Loop on Feb. 28.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Protesters call for an end to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran during a demonstration in Federal Plaza in the Loop on Feb. 28.
Giacomo Cain/Sun-Times
Dancers with the Empiire Dance Co. practice for an upcoming ensemble in the basement of the Hamilton Park field house on March 4.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A pedestrian walks a dog near Belmont Harbor on the North Side as a dense fog blankets the Chicago area March 6.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Illinois State Police scan the expressway for evidence from a shooting near Lombard Avenue and the I-290 expressway in Oak Park on Monday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fog and storm clouds hover around the Chicago area on March 6.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
People walk along the BP Pedestrian Bridge between Millennium Park and Maggie Daley Park on Monday.