Jackson Urges National Unity

The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson called on the nation to come together and abandon the "bitter fruits of governance based on inequality, division, and short-term profit" during a speech at the Kennedy School of Government last night.

Jackson, president of the National Rainbow Coalition and a former Democratic presidential candidate, urged an overflow audience of more than 700 people to "renew our nationhood."

Jackson called for increased public emphasis on education, infrastructure investment, affordable housing and research and development in areas such as renewable energy and transportation. He also endorsed the implementation of a universal health plan.

Jackson urged domestic businesses to invest in America rather than abroad.

"American corporations must feed the flower that they rob," Jackson said. "When corporations receive a tax break, that's corporate welfare. They're on the tax rolls. They have a responsibility to reinvest in the community or country that provided the break."

American companies must manufacture products with the American consumer in mind, he said.

To illustrate his point, he asked the audience: "How many of you own an MX missile?" As the audience laughed, he added: "How many of you own a VCR? Not one of those VCRs was made in the U.S."

But Jackson attacked what he said was burgeoning anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S. and decried racism of all sorts. He said Americans are using the Japanese as scapegoats for their economic problems.

He also criticized the Bush administration's policy of turning away Haitian refugees, comparing it to the refusal of the U.S. government to accept Jewish refugees in 1939.

The influential Democrat bemoaned the lack of caring in American society and said, "I promise you, when I become president, that will change," eliciting cheers from the audience.

Jackson was unwilling to discuss which of the current Democratic presidential candidates would be most likely to implement his proposals. He would not endorse any of the three candidates, saying only that each one "represents for us a relief."

At one point in his hour-long speech, Jackson made an impassioned call for increased voter registration. He asked all unregistered voters in the audience to stand and urged them to register that very night at the Kennedy school.

"Come right on down," he shouted, pointingthose who were standing in the direction of theregistrar present at the speech.

Jackson's plea apparently took hold, as longlines formed to register after the speech

"Come right on down," he shouted, pointingthose who were standing in the direction of theregistrar present at the speech.

Jackson's plea apparently took hold, as longlines formed to register after the speech