
Jesse Jackson: The American civil rights activist who popularised African American over Black
Jesse Jackson, who died at 84, was instrumental in popularizing the term "African American" to reclaim cultural identity and dignity for Black Americans. Jackson's advocacy led to widespread adoption of the term in the late 1980s, influencing schools, organizations, and official guidance. The shift to "African American" marked a significant psychological and cultural turning point, though debates over terminology continue today.