It was twenty years ago.... last month.

Just 'cause I have it and you can't stop me, here's the editorial I wrote for the final issue of my high school newspaper in my senior year (May 1988).

Jackson: More than just a token
    Well, it looks like we're in for another long summer of missing our favorite shows because of hour-long political advertisements and tedious debates that feature two or three candidates repeating themselves and trying to stay out of trouble.
    This year, however, there's a twist. For the first time ever, there is a serious contender in the race with a new attitude, a new approach, and a base of support that is rock-solid. Over the past year or so, the name Jesse Jackson has become a household word, and the center of the biggest election controversy since Gary and Donna had their little fling in the sun.
    Despite his relatively clean record compared to some of the other candidates, Mr. Jackson is facing odds of about 50 to 1 against getting elected, or even getting the Democratic nomination. Of course he does have one major obstacle to surpass if he is to receive the support he needs and we all know what that is.
    "Jesse is black, so he can't be president." Sound familiar? The one seemingly insurmountable problem he faces is the mass of racism that exists in our society today, whether in the form or bigoted organizations such as the Klan, or just the "closet racists" who believe that all non-caucasians are inferior.
    All of this is just an insignificant factor in an election that is probably already decided. I hate to say it, but it would appear that Mr. Reagan (as skillfully portrayed by George Bush) is going to run away with the whole thing. I suppose that we will have to let the stars guide our course for the next four years.
    Democratic critics are saying that a nomination of Jackson would insure a Republican victory. I don't think his nomination would make a significant difference in the voting, but it most definitely would be a major step towards equal rights.
     Assuming Jackson doesn't get nominated, he would appear to be the logical choice for a vice-presidential running mate for Dukakis, considering that he is running a close second in the polls. Logic, however, is usually not a very strong convincing factor when it comes to politics, and most politicians are not very eager to risk their proverbial necks on anything even the slightest bit controversial.
     Between the support Jackson gets because he is black and opposition he receives for the same reason, this should prove to be an interesting summer for politics. I'm not suggesting you vote for Jackson, nor am I implying that you are a racist if you don't; just close your eyes, listen to what he has to say, and decide for yourself.

Author's note: It was very difficult for me to resist editing this historical document both for style and content, but this is what I was thinking at the time and this is what I wrote. Also note that this was at a high school in South Carolina and a teacher stopped me in the hall the next day and asked me if I was serious.

Historical note: Jackson did not concede the nomination until he got to the convention, despite the fact that had been mathematically eliminated well before that time. He said he wanted to ensure his supports' issues were represented at the convention. (Historical note grammar note: notice the proper use of the word 'ensure' as opposed to 'insure' which was improperly used in the article)