Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. electrified Chicago State
University's recent commencement exercise as he called upon new graduates
to lead moral lives and work for social change. "You must fight to change
the structure of things. There will always be a struggle," he said adding,
"We can't give up on our people."
Jackson substituted for U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman who was grounded
at a Washington airport due to inclement weather. Herman was scheduled
to receive an honorary doctorate degree at the commencement where approximately
800 students received their bachelor's and master's degrees. Among the
new graduates were 71-year-old Jessie J. Gilmore and his 41-year-old daughter
Andrea K. Gilmore, both of whom received bachelor's degrees.
Jackson was introduced by CSU President Elnora D. Daniel who noted that
he was her classmate at North Carolina A & M University. In an address
that was punctuated several times by enthusiastic applause, he told the
new graduates that by successfully completing their degrees, "the doors
of opportunity have opened in front of your face." But in order to be successful
in the world and contribute to social change, Jackson added that they will
need to have courage, a high sense of morality, the ability to get along
with others and a lifelong commitment to learning. "Tough minds can cut
through rocks. Strong minds can break strong chains," he said.
Issues that Jackson said should engage the attention of the new graduates
include the increasing numbers of black youth in prison, AIDS, the need
for a third airport, treatment of black immigrants and U.S. African policy.
He also urged them to fight for increased access to capital and technology
and look for opportunities in such places as Wall Street and Silicon Valley.
"Invest and grow, rather than just spend," he said.
Jackson asserted that blacks can succeed when given equal opportunities,
noting the success of blacks in football and basketball is no mystery because
of the opportunities available to them in those fields. "Whenever the playing
field is even, we can make it," he declared. "So, in our struggle, we must
give our children the tools to fight."
Jackson told the graduates that "when the storms come, hold on, don't
give up, know who to call, use what you have and keep on kicking. When
you find yourself back to the wall, don't lose the faith." He advised the
new graduates to uphold strong values by developing character, a work ethic
and trustworthiness instead of depending totally on material things. "Values
outlast things, and what matters is not having dirty hands, but having
clean hearts," he said. In order to achieve this, he said youth must "have
some religion. In all bad situations, faith is what keeps us going."
Apparently, this faith enabled 71 year-old Gilmore and his daughter
to persevere to complete their degrees. "I'm very excited that my daughter
and I graduated at the same time. I enjoyed going back to school, it stirred
my intellect," said Jessie who received a Board of Governors degree with
a focus on biology.
Her daughter was equally excited. "I'm happy to fulfilled the dream
my late mother had for me, as well as what I had for myself. I feel I have
finally achieved what I wanted to do," said Andrea who obtained her Board
of Governors degree with a focus on psychology.
Her mother earned a bachelor's degree and pursued her master's degree
in education at CSU during the early seventies. After attending Grambling
State University, Andrea left for Washington for work and marriage. Later,
she re-joined her father in Chicago in the nineties and enrolled at CSU.
Once there, she encouraged her father, a retired CTA driver, who dropped
out of the school to return. Encouraged by information that he was on the
verge of graduation, the father stayed on with his daughter to finish the
requirements for his degree program.
Heeding Jackson's call, the father and daughter plan to continue their
education. "My father plans to take additional courses, and I will be pursuing
a master's degree in human resources management," said Andrea. "I plan
to work in the personnel department of a major financial corporation, and
I will find a way to contribute to society's well being."