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If Barack Obama shattered the glass ceiling when he became America’s first black president, Jesse Jackson created the cracks.
Jackson himself had run to secure the presidential nomination more than 20 years before Obama, but had failed to win over Democrats.
There were lots of reasons for that, particularly the different political eras the men ran in.
But their styles were notably different: Jackson was rhetorically fiery and entirely shaped by protest and the civil rights movement. Obama was post civil rights, and adopted a much cooler strategy, endeavouring to work within the system not rail against it.
Jackson denied he held any resentment, but had to apologise during Obama’s campaign in 2008 when a hot mic caught him making crude comments. He had also accused Obama of talking down to black people.
Jackson was hugely supportive in the end, and was famously seen in tears in Grant Park, Chicago, on the night Obama won.
He went on to describe Obama’s win as the culmination of a 60-year race by black people for full political inclusion.
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, who worked closely with Jackson during the civil rights movement, describes him as his mentor and says he has just "prayed with his family by phone".
Jackson was a "consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world", Sharpton says in a statement on X.
"He shaped public policy and changed laws. He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits," Sharpton says.
"He told us we were somebody and made us believe. I will always cherish him taking me under his wing, and I will forever try to do my part to keep hope alive.
"A giant has gone home. Sending prayers, so many prayers, love, and heartfelt condolences to the Jackson family and to every person around the world whose life he touched and who loved him."
www.bbc.com
Jackson himself had run to secure the presidential nomination more than 20 years before Obama, but had failed to win over Democrats.
There were lots of reasons for that, particularly the different political eras the men ran in.
But their styles were notably different: Jackson was rhetorically fiery and entirely shaped by protest and the civil rights movement. Obama was post civil rights, and adopted a much cooler strategy, endeavouring to work within the system not rail against it.
Jackson denied he held any resentment, but had to apologise during Obama’s campaign in 2008 when a hot mic caught him making crude comments. He had also accused Obama of talking down to black people.
Jackson was hugely supportive in the end, and was famously seen in tears in Grant Park, Chicago, on the night Obama won.
He went on to describe Obama’s win as the culmination of a 60-year race by black people for full political inclusion.
Civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton, who worked closely with Jackson during the civil rights movement, describes him as his mentor and says he has just "prayed with his family by phone".
Jackson was a "consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world", Sharpton says in a statement on X.
"He shaped public policy and changed laws. He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits," Sharpton says.
"He told us we were somebody and made us believe. I will always cherish him taking me under his wing, and I will forever try to do my part to keep hope alive.
"A giant has gone home. Sending prayers, so many prayers, love, and heartfelt condolences to the Jackson family and to every person around the world whose life he touched and who loved him."
US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84 - live updates
Jackson, who marched with Martin Luther King Jr in the 1960s and later ran for president twice, died peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.
www.bbc.com
