Jesse Jackson

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson has died. He was 84. Jackson was a protege of the Rev. Martin Luther King and became a leader of the Civil Rights Movement for decades after King was assassinated in 1968. A two-time presidential candidate, Jackson led a lifetime of political crusades. He advocated for the poor and underrepresented on issues from voting rights and job opportunities to education and health care. He scored diplomatic victories with world leaders and channeled cries for Black pride and self-determination into corporate boardrooms. He used his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to pressure executives to make America a more open and equitable society. His family confirmed he died Tuesday.

In 1988, the Reverand Jesse Jackson began a movement to change the designation of “Black” to “African American” to symbolize the Black American’s historical connection to the continent. The designation and use of “African American” was the first-time blacks in the United States had been acknowledged as Americans.But what does it mean to be American?

Governor Rick Scott and other Republicans have repeatedly expressed anger about critical comments made last week by the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Judging by…