Jackson visits SU to rally march support

Political activist and motivator Rev. Jesse Jackson is still fighting the fight in the name of African-Americans, and now he wants the students of Southern University to join him.
During a surprise campus visit on Tuesday, April 11, Jackson addressed the SU student body in the Cotillion Ballroom of the Smith-Brown Memorial Union highlighting the importance of marching for Hurricane Katrina victims, fighting for Southern and the recent comments made by radio talk show host Don Imus.
“The students at Southern University can make a difference,” Jackson said.
Jackson said his the initial purpose of his visit was to encourage students to participate in the “Reclaiming Our Land,” march scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 28 in post-Katrina damaged New Orleans.
The march is being sponsored through Jackson’s Rainbow Coalition.
“There are still 200,000 citizens that are displaced around the country,” Jackson said. “We must take a stand.”
“There have been 150,000 applications for people to get homes and only 3,000 have been approved,” he said.
Jackson linked the importance of the march’s purpose to political problems that could arise for New Orleans is citizens of the Crescent City remain displaced.
“We need to realize that this is not just a New Orleans problem, it’s an issue for all blacks in Louisiana,” said Deion Dorsett, vice-president of Southern’s Student Government Association. “If people do not return, we could loose political seats.”
Jackson also made reference to the state Congress’ discussion of the possible closure of Southern University.
“If we do not have representation when political figures discuss closing Southern University, the idea may become a reality,” Jackson said, glancing over his shoulder at System President, Dr. Ralph Slaughter, for confirmation.
Jackson challenged members of the SGA and the university’s Greek organizations to encourage the student body to get involved with the march.
“We are going to do door to door campaigning to get the students involved,” Dorsett said. “We want to fill all of the buses that President Slaughter offers us.”
In addition to the significance of the march, Jackson also discussed the comment made by Imus when he referred to the black girls on the Rutgers basketball team as “nappy-headed hoes” on his syndicated radio talk show.
“It’s sad that Imus is getting more sympathy than the girls,” Jackson said.
When asked how he felt about political figures, such as Sen. John McCain, who stated the apology was enough and he would go back onto Imus’ show for an appearance, Jackson said, “Political leaders should not be a part of Imus’ show anymore. McCain’s comment speaks a lot of his character.”
“We must realize that our struggle for equality is still not over,” Jackson said.