Jesse Jackson speaks at our center. This photo provided by courtesy of Job Corps center operators under contract to the US Department of Labor.
Jesse Jackson Visits Our Center
February 12, 1994
When the final standing ovation had died, he left as quickly as he had arrived-but not without leaving his mark. During the 4 hours that the Reverend Jesse Jackson spent at the Humphrey Job Corps Center on a bright Saturday last month, several hundred people were witness to his powerful oratory that covered a spectrum of topics from his Rainbow Coalition's national campaign to save our youth. “Keep hope alive!” and “Stop the violence!” were the messages that he resounded loud and clear during the hour-long youth rally speech in the gym, and than again at a leadership luncheon put on by the center's culinary class. In addition to attracting several politicians and other prominent figures, the event received local and national media coverage, including a live broadcast on KMOJ radio.
I am somebody! From his opening chant, Reverend Jackson engaged the crowd, challenging everyone to take responsibility in making America better. “To be a cynic,” he declared, “is to lose confidence in yourself.” Although he called attention to governmental policies that do not address the problems of youth, he kept coming back to the issue of individuals' attitudes: “we have the power (to change) right now! That's a mind thing!” Evelyn Stewart, a Job Corps student who gave a speech before Jackson, had already given the crowd a reason to believe that, with guidance and self determination, young people can turn their lives around. Hugging Jackson after her speech, Evelyn's picture appeared in both the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Minneapolis Tribune newspapers the next day.
Job Corps and job training Jackson felt, “should be the centerpiece of urban policy,” adding: “if we do not teach young America how to work, and equip them with the skills to work… then their life options are reduced.” Educational programs must focus on “worth of work” he argued: “in the absence of jobs and job training, and character and capital development, we have schools closing and jails expanding.” He paused and then shouted: “Schools cost less than jails!”
Hubert H. Humphrey, the late state senator and U.S. Vice president from whom the center rakes its name, received a glowing tribute from Rev. Jackson during the rally. “It is a joy and a delight for me to stand in a place that lives everyday to impact the life and living of Hubert Humphrey,” he said. “In this century of political leaders, (with) diverse points of view, none has made a greater imprint in the sand of time…We must stress forever our thanks to Hubert Humphrey and his legacy of service.”
