Does Rev Jesse Jackson have Parkinson's disease? Sick trolls target him over appearance at Derek Chauvin trial

Among those rejoicing over the Derek Chauvin trial verdict and his being convicted for the murder of George Floyd, is Rev Jesse Jackson. Rev Jackson, a celebrated political activist, Baptist minister and politician, who worked for Martin Luther King Jr flew to Minneapolis for the verdict. 

With his presence at the verdict being telecasted, multiple Twitter users were quick to comment on how Rev Jackson seemed as though he had 'a few strokes' and 'didn't know how he got there', owning to his rigid facial expressions. However, what few know is that Rev Jackson suffers from Parkinson's disease. He was diagnosed with the same back in 2015. 

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When was he diagnosed with Parkinson's disease?

Having played an important role in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under Martin Luther King Jr, Rev Jackson is a known political activist who has spent most of his career fighting for equal and civil rights as well as partaking in political activism. He even ran a presidential campaign for the 1984 elections, where he ran for president.

As a Democrat, he was the second African-American after Shirley Chisholm to gain a nationwide campaign for president. However, in 2017, the now 79-year-old Rec Jackson announced that he had Parkinson's disease. He began noticing symptoms three years prior, although NPR reported that he was diagnosed in 2015. While addressing the same, he put out a heartfelt statement, talking about his struggle with the disease thus far.

The statement read: "On July 17, 1960, I was arrested, along with seven other college students, for advocating for the right to use a public library in my hometown of Greenville, S.C. I remember it like it was yesterday, for that day changed my life forever. From that experience, I lost my fear of being jailed for a righteous cause. I went on to meet Dr. King and dedicate my heart and soul to the fight for justice, equality, and equal access. In the tradition of the Apostle Paul, I have offered myself — my mind, body and soul — as a living sacrifice.

"Throughout my career of service, God has kept me in the embrace of his loving arms, and protected me and my family from dangers, seen and unseen. Now in the latter years of my life, at 76 years old, I find it increasingly difficult to perform routine tasks, and getting around is more of a challenge. My family and I began to notice changes about three years ago. For a while, I resisted interrupting my work to visit a doctor. But as my daily physical struggles intensified I could no longer ignore the symptoms, so I acquiesced.

"After a battery of tests, my physicians identified the issue as Parkinson's disease, a disease that bested my father. Recognition of the effects of this disease on me has been painful, and I have been slow to grasp the gravity of it. For me, a Parkinson's diagnosis is not a stop sign but rather a signal that I must make lifestyle changes and dedicate myself to physical therapy in hopes of slowing the disease's progression.

"I am far from alone. God continues to give me new opportunities to serve. This diagnosis is personal but it is more than that. It is an opportunity for me to use my voice to help in finding a cure for a disease that afflicts 7 to 10 million worldwide. Some 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson's every year.

"I will continue to try to instill hope in the hopeless, expand our democracy to the disenfranchised and free innocent prisoners around the world. I'm also spending some time working on my memoir so I can share with others the lessons I have learned in my life of public service. I steadfastly affirm that I would rather wear out than rust out.

"I want to thank my family and friends who continue to care for me and support me. I will need your prayers and graceful understanding as I undertake this new challenge. As we continue in the struggle for human rights, remember that God will see us through, even in our midnight moments.

KEEP HOPE ALIVE!Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr."

What did Twitter say that caused an uproar?

Rev Jackson who was in Minneapolis for the verdict had an official tweet put out on his Twitter handle, along with a photo. It read: "An emotional and historical moment. We never lost a battle we fought & we never won a battle unless we fought. Keep Hope Alive. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd #TearsShed #EqualJusticeUnderTheLaw #GeorgeFloyd #VerdictHeard"

Twitter was quick to hop on the bandwagon to brutally troll the political activist over the fact that he looked 'lost'. "Jesse Jackson's face is cracking me up" tweeted a user. "Jesse Jackson look like Spongbob dad," joked another. "Did Jesse Jackson have a few strokes? He looks like a Teddy Ruxpin left in the rain, dried off, then someone put a baby's Easter suit from JC Penny's on him, then propped him up," asked another user. 

"Why Jesse Jackson looking like he don't know how he got there......" tweeted another. "Oh, everybody always knows what Jesse Jackson's going through, tho: being a lyingass racist piece of shit criminal and deadbeat dad," added another. 

But while some poked fun at his appearance relentlessly, others pointed out that he had Parkinson's and face rigidity, calling out people for their mean-spirited tweets. "Saw too many comments mocking Jesse Jackson for his expression. “He looks lost,”. Nah. The man has Parkinson’s. I took care of a gentleman w/ PD; part of the pathology is facial rigidity. Breaks my heart." tweeted a user. 

"Rigidity of facial muscles is just one visible symptom of Parkinson’s Disease, which is more common in men. See the url at the bottom for image credit. All my best to Rev Jesse Jackson" added another, while highlight the various symptoms of the disease. 

"Things about Jesse Jackson some of you kumquats should know.... 1.LONG before the sperm and egg met 2 create some of y’all parents he was putting in WORK 2. He has Parkinson’s 3. He recently just had surgery and only just got out of rehab LAST MONTH...disrespectfully go to hell" said another, without bothering to mince words.