UAW Gives Jesse Jackson Sr the UAW Social Justice Award
At the 39th UAW Convention, the Spirit of Jesse Jackson Reminded Labor of Its True Power
The emotional high point of the 39th UAW Constitutional Convention came when the union presented its highest honor, the UAW Social Justice Award posthumously to civil rights and labor icon Reverend Jesse Jackson.
Accepting the award on behalf of the family, Jesse Jackson Jr. delivered a message that tied the history of the civil rights movement directly to the modern-day fights of working people.
Moving the Fight to the Shop Floor
Jackson Jr.’s speech wasn't just a standard thank-you note; it brought his father’s most famous phrase right onto the factory floor:
"Keep hope alive in the factory. Keep hope alive in the union hall. Keep hope alive in the classroom and the sanctuary. Keep hope alive in every home where parents work hard and they dream of a better and brighter tomorrow..."
The core of the message was sharp: working-class people aren't looking for handouts. They want parity—a fair share of the wealth their own labor creates.
Why It Mattered for the Convention
This wasn't just a nostalgic tribute; it set the tone for the UAW's future:
- Civil Rights are Labor Rights: Rev. Jackson spent his life proving that racial and economic justice are the exact same fight. By honoring him, the UAW reminded delegates that building a diverse, unified front is the only way to beat corporate greed.
- Fuel for the Battles Ahead: With the UAW currently launching massive campaigns to organize non-union plants across the country, the call to "keep hope alive" gave delegates the exact moral fuel they needed to take back to their local union halls.