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He has hosted nationally syndicated TV and radio programs.

* He has authored books.

* He ran two respectable but unsuccessful campaigns for the Presidency.

* He served as Shadow Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 through 1997.

* And more

In spite of his accomplishments, however, many don't trust Jesse and never will no matter what he does. When he confessed to an affair, the fruit of which was a daughter, along with misspending public money (in 2001), he was gleefully written off as finished. Not only did his disparagers expect him to die a painful and immediate death this, they thought, showed him to be the lying, thieving con-artist they always considered him to be. In their minds the real Jesse was finally exposed. But, alas, he didn't go away. He is still standing; still making mistakes but still standing. Not as tall as he once did and I doubt he could make a serious run for the presidency now but, much to the surprise of many, Jesse hasn't gone away and the big question is why.

Well, for those who don't like Jesse, the answer will always be, "he is a conniving, slippery so and so who can squirm his way out of every mess" but the facts say something quite different.

For over 40 years, Jesse has provided the collective voice for all the pain and outrage felt by marginalized minorities, especially in the USA; a cause that needed very strong leadership. The reality is, addressing civil rights injustice in the early years was more like a contact sport than a diplomatic process and Jesse was the man for the job. He played "smash mouth politics" about as peacefully as could be done. No other civil rights leader has risen to the same heights, lasted as long or had the same level of influence.

When Jesse was born, racism had been a scar on the social life of America far too long and he, following the demise of Dr. King, willingly stepped in to address the need. Not everyone supported his bid for leadership, white or black, but he was driven and he couldn't be stopped. He was a strong and natural leader who played no favorites and he has done a remarkable job. His speaking style is a bit punchy and very boisterous but, more than any other person, he has raised the consciousness level on civil injustice for all Americans even the ones who resist.

Jesse has often been accused of working only for himself and his transgressions have been magnified to substantiate the claim. Yes, he is human and makes his share of mistakes but the real Jesse truly cares and he has

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