Joseph S. Nye, dean of the Kennedy School of Government (KSG), introduced the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson as "the most impressive orator of our time" at yesterday's KSG Class Day

speech.

"Whatever happens," quipped Nye before Jackson's talk, "it is difficult to sleep through one of his speeches."

Indeed, as Jackson spoke, there was nary a shut eye at the ARCO Forum. Jackson, who is president and founder of the Rainbow Coalition (please see profile, page B-5), drew large amounts of applause throughout his speech, pausing only to allow for occasional whoops and cheers of approval to die down.

Jackson's talk, true to form, was interspersed with biblical analogies and parables.

"Jesus was born in the slum," Jackson said, comparing Christ's plight to that of countless disenfranchised groups in the U.S., "to an unmarried mother, who didn't have the right to vote, who didn't have the right pedigree. He was born outside, with the smell of manure. Jesus was born in the slum, but the slum was not born in him."

Jackson started off his talk by condemning the growing disparity in wealth between rich and poor Americans.

"For the rich there is no ceiling," Jackson said, "for the poor there is no floor."

This disparity, according to Jackson, cut across ethnic lines, despite popular stereotypes.

"Most people are not black or brown; they are white, female, and young....Most poor people are not on welfare; they work everyday. They catch the early bus. They sweep the floors. They clean our soiled sheets when we get sick. And when they get sick, they can't afford to sleep in the beds which they have made," Jackson said.