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By Jerry Dunfey and Nadine Hack Jerry Dunfey is the 1974 founding president of Global Citizens Circle. Nadine Hack has been actively involved with GCC for 42 of its 52-year history. They have been citizen activists for decades. We asked them to share their reflections about their friend Reverend Jesse Jackson, an international icon, who died at 84 on February 17, 2026.  Reverend Jesse Jackson was a larger-than-life force of nature who deeply inspired people from all sorts of backgrounds, especially but not only African Americans. His ability to build coalitions resonates deeply with Global Citizens Circle mission. We were among those who were privileged to know and work with him for many decades. The first time Rev Jesse climbed aboard Jerry’s motor home that he drove around the country to support important political campaigns was in Atlanta when Ambassador Andrew Young was running for the US Congress. Andy is the honorary co-chair with President Mary Robinson of Global Citizens Circle international advisors. He was the first African American elected to Congress from Georgia since Reconstruction.  Local volunteers and others who’d come to Georgia and joined the bandwagon on Jerry’s RV for Andy’s historic races between 1972 and 1976, along with Rev. Jackson, included US Congress woman Maxine Waters then in the California State Assembly, and Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, a Global Citizens Circle board member for many years, then a legislative assistant to US Congressman Mickey Leland.  In 1984, Jerry’s son Peter Dunfey, brought Rev Jesse to the campus of the University of New Hampshire to register student voters. In 1988, aboard the RV plastered with Keep Hope Alive posters, we traversed through Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx, carrying, as always, campaigners famous and unknown. We have fond memories of dancing in the streets as Jesse got the crowds ‘fired up and ready to go’ long before that chant was used by presidential candidate Barack Obama. The moment the camera focused on Rev. Jesse weeping as 2008 Democratic presidential nominee Obama stepped on the stage in Chicago, was as profound as the Red Sea splitting open. We too wept knowing the pivotal role Rev. Jesse had played in getting our nation to that bittersweet yet joyous hour. Our interactions with Rev. Jesse were not just political. We hosted him and his family at the Parker House Hotel in Boston in the 1980s when his youngest daughter attended boarding school in the region. She most recently visited us in Lutry, Switzerland in 2019 and we remain connected with the other members of his family. From 1974 until the present, Global Citizens Circle has highlighted the voices of social justice activists throughout the world. Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’.s granddaughter Yolanda Renee King co-led a 2019 Circle "In the Footsteps of Giants: Grounding and Growing the Dream." Rev. Jesse was with Dr. King when he was assassinated, as was our Global Citizens Circle co-chair, Ambassador Andrew Young. From 1960 as a student in Greensboro, North Carolina, when Rev. Jesse became active in the civil rights movement, joining the local Congress of Racial Equality chapter participating in sit-ins, through 1966 when he began to lead Operation Breadbasket, a Southern Christian Leadership Conference program in Chicago, until his death, Rev. Jesse “fought the good fight, finished the race, kept the faith.” May his example continue to inspire all of us to create a more just world. Please note: We invite members of the greater Global Citizens Circle community to contribute to GCC Voices. The views and opinions expressed in each blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Global Citizens Circle. May Reverend Jesse Jackson's example continue to inspire all of us to create a more just world." - Jerry Dunfey and Nadine Hack
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 Photo by Gary Butterfield on Unsplash By Mariam P. Sometimes, late at night when I’m studying or the internet is slow, I catch myself wondering about big things , like why people believe what they do, or how the world could be different. In those quiet moments, I realize curiosity isn’t just something nice to have. It’s actually a strong way to deal with a world full of arguments and divisions. We live in times where information comes at us constantly : news alerts, social media threads, heated family dinners. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and retreat into certainty. We scroll past opinions that don’t match ours, mute notifications from “that one friend,” or just nod along in conversations to avoid conflict. But I’ve noticed something: the moments when I push past that instinct and get genuinely curious are the ones that stick with me. They don’t always change minds (mine or anyone else’s), but they change the energy. They make space for something human instead of just positions. Right now, a lot of people pick a side fast and stick to it. They stop listening. But asking questions changes that. A simple “Why do you think that?” or “What made you feel this way?” can open the door to real talk instead of shouting matches. Those basic questions are powerful because they shift the focus from winning to understanding. When we ask them sincerely, we’re saying, “I see you as more than your opinion.” We’re inviting the other person to share the story behind their view , the experiences, fears, hopes, or values that shaped it. Often , people aren’t used to being asked. They expect attack or dismissal so when curiosity shows up instead, it disarms defensiveness. Suddenly, the conversation isn’t a battle; it’s an exchange. I’ve seen it happen in small ways. In online chats with people from different places, when someone asks a real question instead of arguing, the whole mood shifts. People start sharing stories. They don’t always agree, but they start to understand each other a little better. That small shift matters. This works on a bigger scale too. Whether it’s arguments about politics, climate, or rights, things get stuck when everyone thinks they already know the full truth. Questions break that stuck feeling. They let us see new sides, find common ground, and maybe even solve problems together. Think about how polarized things have become , elections, social issues, even basic facts get twisted into team sports. When we assume we already know everything about “the other side,” we stop learning. But curiosity reminds us that no one has the complete picture. Every perspective is shaped by partial experiences. Asking questions helps fill in the gaps. It reveals shared human concerns underneath the divide like wanting safety for our families, fairness in opportunities, or a planet that future generations can thrive on. Those common threads don’t solve everything overnight, but they make collaboration possible instead of impossible.  Photo by Nicole Baster on Unsplash Global Citizens Circle shows this in action. Their Circles bring people together from all ages and places to talk without needing to win. Questions are welcomed, not shut down. Listening happens first. I’ve seen how that builds trust. When people feel heard, they open up. When they open up, change becomes possible. It builds trust and shows that understanding can come before agreeing. Young people especially have this superpower. We’re growing up in a noisy, divided world, but many of us still ask “why” and “what if.” We wonder about fairness, about the future, about how to make things better. That wondering keeps hope alive. It reminds us that the world isn’t finished changing. Every question we ask is a step toward something kinder, fairer, more connected. Of course, asking questions isn’t always easy. It can feel risky especially when opinions run hot or when you’re afraid of looking unsure. But that’s why it’s powerful. It takes courage to say, “I don’t know; tell me more.” It takes strength to listen without jumping in to correct. In divided times, that’s revolutionary. When we choose questions over conclusions, we choose connection over isolation. We remind ourselves and others that people are more than the side they choose to take. We’re stories, struggles, dreams. Curiosity just lets us meet each other there. Here’s something simple anyone can try this week: When you see or hear something you disagree with — in person, online, or even in your own head — stop for a second and ask one honest question. “What’s behind that view?” or “What part of this is hardest for you?” Just one question. And remember: the goal isn’t to agree; it’s to learn something new about the person across from you. If this speaks to you, feel free to share your own question or join a Circle — small steps go a long way. “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” — Albert Einstein Mariam P. is a young Afghan woman passionate about technology, education, and creating opportunities for women. She continues her studies online while volunteering and participating in global leadership programs. She enjoys reading, exploring art, and engaging in a variety of extracurricular activities, including digital projects. Living through years of conflict and restrictions has shaped her belief that learning, commitment, and community are powerful forms of healing and hope. Please note: We invite members of the greater Global Citizens Circle community to contribute to GCC Voices. The views and opinions expressed in each blog post are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Global Citizens Circle. When we choose questions over conclusions, we choose connection over isolation. We remind ourselves and others that people are more than the side they choose to take. We’re stories, struggles, dreams. Curiosity just lets us meet each other there." -Mariam P. |
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