The Reverend Jesse Jackson called Blair a national model of education and diversity during the Oct. 20 PTSA meeting but said schools must take more measures to ensure that all students succeed. Citing the diverse cross section of the at least 300 people attending his speech, Jackson, a civil rights leader and former presidential contender, said that Blair represents the integrated society that Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for in his civil rights struggle and that King would be proud of Blair. Jackson repeatedly praised Blair as being the American dream, a place where people from all backgrounds come together to learn. We must spread this dream and spread this hope. Duncan enjoyed Jackson's speech.
Strong minds break strong chains.
Jackson urged parents and teachers to push students to achieve their full potential. Make them smart, make them computer literate, teach them the discipline of studying. Although some students have less educational support at home than others, they too can succeed, Jackson said. Jackson emphasized that all students must be looked after in the educational process. That message resonated with principal Phillip Gainous who, after Jackson's speech, said that he believed that Jackson was speaking to him.