RIP, Jesse Jackson

Farewell Jesse Jackson, who mounted presidential runs based on his experience in the Civil Rights movement. 

 I recall seeing Jackson once. His presidential campaign came to the University of Arizona in Tucson in April, 1984. I waited outside Centennial Hall with the crowd. We expected his motorcade shortly. There was a nervous energy in the crowd I didn't like. This looked a setup for an assassination. 

Twenty feet away, at the front of the crowd, a photographer with a fancy camera took pictures. Suddenly, the motorcade began arriving. The photographer calmly set his camera onto the pavement, turned left, and slugged the man standing next to him. Boom! Unexpected chaos in the front line! 

 Jackson's limousine pulled up at that instant, the door opened, and he stepped out. Guards blithely ushered him into the auditorium. Apparently unexpected chaos is quite expected in those circles. In seconds, the tense moment was over. We entered the hall and watched Jackson give his speech.