Black Historian Reggie Jackson Explores Race in Wisconsin

He is known in parts of Wisconsin for digging into difficult discussions around race. Reggie Jackson isn’t just doing this in cities across the state. The award-winning journalist, historian, and co-founder of Nurturing Diversity Partners is also sitting down with residents in rural areas. Jackson joins Earl Ingram, host of The Earl Ingram Show, for a special segment during Black History Month. He shares what he knows about the deeply rooted racial challenges that continue to shape society. 

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Listen to the complete segment here:

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Jackson was born on the edge of the Mississippi Delta. He was 8 when his family moved to Milwaukee for work. He often uses his own experiences – from his years in the U.S. Navy to work with local schools – to explain the importance of confronting misinformation. He also challenges people to look beyond the surface-level to find credible sources. 

“History is often told from a single perspective,” Jackson explains. “This happens when marginalized voices are silenced. So, critical thinking is important when we are evaluating history, particularly around issues of race.” 

Ingram asks him what he’s seeing when it comes to race in America today. Jackson says he has concerns around the nation’s current direction. And he stresses that he believes racism is still alive and well, despite the claims of a “post-racial” society following Barack Obama’s presidency. 

“While racial inequality has been addressed in civil rights laws, the changes haven’t eradicated deeply ingrained disparities,” Jackson says. “Widespread misinformation on social media often leads people down misleading paths when it comes to understanding historical and racial issues.”  

Jackson’s insights are important during Black History Month and every month. He urges communities in the state to confront uncomfortable truths and consider reframing how history is taught. 

“To move toward genuine racial equity, we need to be open to engagement with diverse conversations and perspectives,” Jackson says.  

Jackson will return to The Earl Ingram Show throughout the month for additional discussions about Wisconsin’s racial dynamics. He and Ingram both hope it will continue to push conversations forward in the pursuit of a just and informed society.  

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