Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In 1972, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister, revealed another side to himself: poet. He sought to use poetic language and rhythm as a tool for mass communication, making his messages and ideas in his organizing work accessible and also memorable.
Jackson reads three original poems: "Survival to Me," "Why Lie?" and "Stand Up, Black Man."
Jackson speaks on the art of communication, and the legacy of Black leadership, from Booker T. Washington to Malcolm X to Dr. Martin Luther King, and what it means to organize a movement in the economic era of the 70s.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This April, for National Poetry Month, THIRTEEN celebrates voices in verses, stories of artistry and expression, and special selections from the THIRTEEN archives.
SOUL! was a variety-talk show featuring African-American artistry, community and culture. It was also a platform for political expression and the fight for social justice. It showcased live performances by funk, soul, jazz, and world musicians, and had in-depth interviews with figures from politics, sports, the literary world and more. WNET recorded the series with the then-new technology of videotape.
#NationalPoetryMonth #JesseJackson #SOUL #THIRTEEN #BlackHistory #Poetry #CivilRights #BlackCulture #Poetry #THIRTEENWNET
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For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
In 1972, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister, revealed another side to himself: poet. He sought to use poetic language and rhythm as a tool for mass communication, making his messages and ideas in his organizing work accessible and also memorable.
Jackson reads three original poems: "Survival to Me," "Why Lie?" and "Stand Up, Black Man."
Jackson speaks on the art of communication, and the legacy of Black leadership, from Booker T. Washington to Malcolm X to Dr. Martin Luther King, and what it means to organize a movement in the economic era of the 70s.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This April, for National Poetry Month, THIRTEEN celebrates voices in verses, stories of artistry and expression, and special selections from the THIRTEEN archives.
SOUL! was a variety-talk show featuring African-American artistry, community and culture. It was also a platform for political expression and the fight for social justice. It showcased live performances by funk, soul, jazz, and world musicians, and had in-depth interviews with figures from politics, sports, the literary world and more. WNET recorded the series with the then-new technology of videotape.
#NationalPoetryMonth #JesseJackson #SOUL #THIRTEEN #BlackHistory #Poetry #CivilRights #BlackCulture #Poetry #THIRTEENWNET
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
