“I was never a ‘political’ person,” says activist Jackie King. “I was always more concerned about college, living up to other’s expectations, being socially ‘correct,’ finding a job I did not like, keeping that job, paying bills, becoming a cog in a machine. I rarely thought about politics.”
Despite her reluctance, something would eventually change.
“I would rather live in Eden,” King says. “But I don’t live there. And though sometimes I wish to just sit under a tree and wait for the winds of war to blow over us, something won’t let me. What I am learning is that evil never sleeps.”
Indeed, while many view political involvement as a hobby – or something productive to pass the time, King holds a much deeper perspective. She sees activism as more of a duty – an obligation to stand up for what she believes is right in a world where so much has a tendency to go wrong. She credits her initiative to stand up for her beliefs to meeting her husband, Don.
“I can’t remember getting involved with anything political until I met Donald, whose family was very active as conservatives in Houston and later Huntsville,” King says. “I did not seek anyone with whom to discuss politics or governance until I met Donald. I became much less reserved regarding politics.”
That’s quite an accreditation – considering she is now regularly involved with a myriad of causes and organizations, including serving as a precinct chair with the Navarro County Republican Party and helping found the Conservative Society of Navarro County. She also recently helped organize against the City of Corsicana to successfully stop a facility to house illegal immigrants in Corsicana.
“What I want to see happen is a renaissance of the American identity, though complex and not pure, as a light on a hill – unified, courageous, good, and just,” King says of her involvement. “I want an America that pushes back the evil that is washing over our country, our world.”
She doesn’t plan on backing down, either. “I am planning on going back to Austin to speak with legislators – and they are going to hear from me about MY favorite topics!”
When she’s not engaging elected officials and fighting for her beliefs, King says she and her husband love watching movies, and learning about how to better tend their farm, where they care for several different breeds of animals. Yet, even in her spare time, she endeavors to stay informed on matters of political and historical importance.
“The last books I read were ‘One Second After’, ‘One Year Later’ and ‘Why did God Allow Six Million Jews to Die in the Holocaust?’ Jackie says. “I would rather look at seed catalogues.”
Activism can be very hard work, and can take a lot of sacrifice – mentally, physically, and financially. Texans can learn a lot from conservatives such as King, who do not take their own efforts lightly and continue to stand for their beliefs – despite the ever-present temptation to simply ignore the issues and let the chips fall where they may.
