The Arab American Stripe: How Jesse Jackson Built a Truly Universal Rainbow
+++ Rev. Jesse Jackson +++
I moved to Washington, DC, in 1984 from my small but wonderful hometown, Niagara Falls, NY. As a newly minted lawyer, I was full of energy and excitement to play a part in making positive change in the world. I had been hired by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), a relatively new but much-needed civil rights organization founded by the recently retired US Senator James Abourezk.
As if this amazing opportunity was not enough, I was quickly assigned to work on the historic Jesse Jackson Presidential Campaign. This was a totally unexpected but truly life-changing opportunity. One of the most exciting and awe-inspiring years of my life, I would not only take part in internal policy and legal meetings but also travel all across the country on the somewhat rickety campaign plane with the civil rights icon and the team.
Our Arab American stripe of the Rainbow Coalition would help identify fellow community members and potential electoral supporters across the nation to arrange gatherings, spread the word, and, of course, seek donors, no matter how large or small. Jesse would draw sold-out crowds, whether it was a local grassroots event or a private function with the likes of Roberta Flack and Lionel Ritchie.
Most of these events were peaceful; however, during one gathering at the home of Arab American DJ, Casey Kasem, the Secret Service had to physically stop threatening thugs who tried to crash the event, only to later find them climbing trees to continue their attacks.
The very fact that Jesse reached out to our community was both earth-shaking and heart-warming, especially at a time when some Presidential candidates were being bullied into actually returning donations from Arab American supporters. This was a novel form of racism never seen before in US politics, and Jesse refused to cave but instead stepped up his outreach and acceptance of all those willing to work for the common good.
Not only did Jesse embrace us as equal fellow Americans, but he stood up for our Constitutional rights in America and for the international law rights of Palestinians under occupation. When Jesse advocated for “civil rights at home and human rights abroad”, it was not an empty campaign slogan. He truly meant it and acted on it.
Jesse was less a traditional politician and more a refreshing, trusted agent of change who personally reached out to all disenfranchised communities and told us that no matter how small or powerless each group might have felt, together, if we worked together and organized, a sea change would occur. One day, when discussing the consolidation of power and the revolving doors of Washington, he told me, “Former people, just get more former.” It was inspirational and allowed us to believe that our generation could, in fact, participate in the political process and make the necessary changes.
Although he may have lost the election, he won the overwhelming respect and admiration of all who had the good fortune to hear him and his call for universal peace and justice. Fortunately for me, I was one of them.
May his memory be eternal, and may we honor his legacy by continuing his crusade and “keep hope alive.”
Albert Mokhiber
February 17, 2026