Civil Rights Activist Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., was hospitalized overnight at Howard University Hospital for observation after falling and hitting his head while entering a campus building at Howard University. According to Frank Watkins, Jackson’s spokesman, a CT scan and other tests were conducted and came back normal.
Jackson’s daughter, Santita Jackson, posted on Twitter, thanking everyone for their prayers. “Family, he’s resting comfortably & doing well: we thank u 4 ur prayers! Fighting 4 u is what he’ll always do. His goal is 2 ensure the well-being of@HowardU students: #MissionAccomplished.
Jackson was attending a meeting with Wayne A.I. Frederick, President of Howard University, and the students protesting the living conditions at the campus. For three weeks, dozens of Howard students slept outside in tents near Howard’s Blackburn University Center. The students posted the living conditions of rodents, mold, leaky ceilings, and flooding on social media. This is not Howard’s first protest. Students protested in 1968, 1989, and 2018, demanding campus reform, housing issues, and other problems.
Jackson, 80, who has Parkinson’s disease, has been hospitalized twice this year. In February, Jackson underwent gallbladder surgery. In August, Jackson tested positive for COVID-19 that required physical therapy that affected his Parkinson’s and his ability to talk and walk.
After COVID-19 treatment and physical therapy, Jackson has resumed public speaking and travel.
Tammy Gibson is a black history traveler and author. Find her on social media @SankofaTravelHr
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