COLUMN: Speaking of Pardons, Here’s Why Jesse Jackson Jr. Deserves One

The quest for redemption is a journey as old as time. The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that no fall from grace is irredeemable.& But for many of the 1.2 million incarcerated Americans, redemption remains a distant hope, an unreachable shore. Upon their return home, they can face burdens like shame, blame and guilt, along with the diminished prospects of enjoying a normal life where finding sustainable employment and affordable housing remains elusive. Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising star in the Democratic Party and a proud member of one of America’s most influential political families, embodies the universal certainties that impact all of us: fallibility and the quest for that redemption. For 17 years, Jackson served as a Congressman for Illinois’ Second District, advocating for healthcare, education and job creation in the predominantly Black communities of Chicago’s South Side and south suburbs. However, his congressional career ended in 2013 after he was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for using campaign funds for personal expenses. Today, Jackson is on a different campaign—to secure a pardon for himself and to champion forgiveness and redemption for millions of formerly incarcerated individuals. A Legacy of Public Service Jesse Jackson...