Jesse Jackson To H-F Students: 'Choose Direction, Not Complexion'

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR, IL — The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson told more than 700 students and staff at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School that expelling the students who posted videos of themselves in blackface on social media will not solve racial tensions, but “grappling” with issues of racism, hate and ignorance in school will go a long way toward healing.

He addressed the students at an assembly Tuesday to discuss the video that ignited racial tensionsin Homewood late last month. He shared messages of positivity and offered advice about how to deal with racism and racist acts. H-F's students should choose “direction, not complexion” and to continue to “learn to live with people across lines of race, religion and gender," he said.

The assembly included a nine-member student panel, as well as remarks by Jackson and Principal Jerry Lee Anderson. Superintendent Von Mansfield and the Rev. Janette C. Wilson of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition also participated on the panel.

“We have a great school here,” Anderson said at the assembly. “We can’t let this break us.”

Students on the panel, which included black, white, male and female teens, spoke about their shock and hurt over their peers' actions.

One black teen said the incident was “an eye-opening experience,” that revealed an “ambience of negativity” that he did not know existed at H-F.

Jackson, too, said he was disturbed by the images but was not surprised because racism is pervasive.

He urged students to remain focused.

“Excellence is a weapon," he told them. "Strong minds break strong chains.”

At the end, Jackson told seniors that they should graduate in the spring with a diploma in one hand and a voter registration card in the other.

Also see:

H-F Students' Blackface Photos Rock Homewood; H-F Walkout Planned

H-F Students Walk Out Of School After Blackface Controversy

H-F Releases Plans As Board Condemns Students' Blackface Videos

Peace Forum Held Sunday After H-F's Student Blackface Controversy