Story By:
SAMANTHA CHERY
C
hanae Jackson, 41, loves nothing more than enjoying weekends with her children, aged 21, 20 and 16. Whether they’re popping popcorn, arguing the results of their latest round of Uno or Monopoly, discussing politics or religion, or leaving the movie theater dewy-eyed after a showing of The Hate U Give, Jackson cherishes each moment as they reflect and giggle through the night. They can’t frequent movie theaters anymore due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but their TV lineup includes Fresh Off the Boat, The Goldbergs and Family Guy, which Jackson allowed the kids to watch even when they were younger.
Chanae
Jackson
The Woman Behind
Accidental Activism
Jackson would stay in her happy place at home and at peace, but the world outside their home doesn’t mirror the future she wants her kids to inherit. Every day she fears that someone will inform her that one of her sons has been detained by police or killed. She waits for the day that her son can have the same opportunities as his friends with the same experiences but European-sounding names. Gainesville and Ocala residents know Jackson as the “accidental activist.” She speaks her mind, and people listen to her. But not many know who she is outside of news stories. Her goal wasn’t for her name to be magnified in news stories. She calls her advocacy selfish, as she simply strived to affect change for her children. When her colleagues became too busy or too hesitant to be the public face of change the community sought, she felt she had no choice but to fill the role of activist. “I’m just doing the things I’m supposed to do,” she said in the Facebook Live discussion “Uncomfortable Voices: Economics and Reparations,” hosted by Rev. Ron Rawls. gainesvilleblackprofessionals.com
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