Jesse Jackson Jr.

Children of privilege need to "develop a keen sensitivity," says this young congressman.

Growing up the son of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson was an education in politics. "I was with him when he met Castro, the pope, Arafat, Rabin."

THE JACKSON FILE Born: March 11, 1965, while his father was at the historic voting rights protest in Selma, Ala. "Excited by the moment, he almost named me Selma. Thank God I have a mama." In his office: Displays a life-size Michael Jordan poster with his father's head pasted over the basketball star's. "He's the Michael Jordan of what he does." Personal: Wife Sandra is a lawyer; no children. He has two brothers and two sisters.

When the Illinois Democrat took office in 1995, he wore the pin, and people on Capitol Hill were deferential and friendly. But without the pin, he says, many see him as just another black man to be feared or avoided. "Sometimes when I leave [the Capitol] at night, cabs won't pick me up. That's OK. In my district, I represent a lot of young African-American males. Not wearing the pin reminds me of the task at hand."

Jackson, 32, learned the value of symbolism from a pro: his dad, the civil rights leader. The younger Jackson is adept at describing how his mostly poor and black district, on Chicago's South Side, is forgotten. "I bought a map of Chicago the other day. My district wasn't on there, but it included the [affluent] northern suburbs. We literally have to fight to get on the map."

His detractors say Jackson is too young and ambitious, and rode to Congress on his father's name. He snaps back with his qualifications: law and theology degrees, and a childhood spent learning world politics at his father's side. "I was with him when he met Castro, the pope, Arafat, Rabin."

If you come from a privileged background, as he did, he says, find ways to heighten your sensitivities. He recalls a plane ride with his father years ago. "When you fly high," his dad said, "you miss a lot of details."

"He was speaking literally, looking at the land below, and figuratively. He was telling me: 'You've got the wind at your back -- two parents, a good education, you've never been hungry. But you're missing things by not knowing tough times.' He wanted me to develop a keen sensitivity to those who are less fortunate."

That's why the younger Jackson tries to walk Capitol Hill as an anonymous black man. "It's important to me that I not wear that pin."

JACKSON'S ADVICE