By the mid 20th century, Mississippi’s African Americans had suffered from nearly 75 years of slavery by another name - Jim Crow discrimination. In 1964 in Mississippi, people died in an effort to force the state to allow African Americans to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Although the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer has passed, the struggle for voting rights is still pertinent.
According to the NAACP, states have recently passed the most laws limiting voter participation since Jim Crow. Moreover, these laws also disenfranchise other people of color, the elderly, poor and disabled.
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African American and white supporters of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party holding signs in front of the convention hall at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, Atlantic City, N.J.; one sign reads "Fighting for the right to vote MFDP."
Courtesy of Library of Congress
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Delegates and stage at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, Atlantic City, N.J.; sign over stage reads "Let us continue..."
Courtesy of Library of Congress
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SNCC Field Secretary Sandy Leigh (New York City), director of the Hattiesburg project, lecturing on the MFDP to Freedom School students in the sanctuary of True Light Baptist Church. He illustrates his lecture by writing on a blackboard: "Why MFDP Challenge.” (undated photo)
Randall (Herbert) Freedom Summer Photographs, McCain Library and Archives, University Southern Mississippi
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Jim Kates in a discussion with a local woman on her front porch. (undated photo)
Mauer (John B.) Freedom Summer Photographs; McCain Library and Archives, University Southern Mississippi
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Two men, one African-American, one Caucasian, probably visiting ministers with the Hattiesburg Ministers Project, and Freedom School teacher Dick Kelly (right) (Chicago, Ill.; a student at the University of Chicago) explaining voter registration procedures to an African-American female resident on her front porch.
Randall (Herbert) Freedom Summer Photographs, McCain Library and Archives, University Southern Mississippi
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Local African American female resident picks up a leaflet while a Caucasian female volunteer checks a card file at a table in the front entrance of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Miss., during Freedom Summer, 1964. A large sign posted on the front of the church reads “Help Make Mississippi Part of the U.S.A.” The occasion is a mass meeting in the church in support of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP).
Randall (Herbert) Freedom Summer Photographs, McCain Library and Archives, University Southern Mississippi
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African American male teenager in a plastic raincoat walks south under the shop signs of African American businesses in the 500 block of Mobile St., across the street from COFO Hattiesburg project headquarters at 507 Mobile St. in Hattiesburg, Miss. during Freedom Summer, 1964. Two of the shop signs advertise the business of prominent civil rights activists. Jean’s Beauty Shop, located at 510 Mobile St., was owned by Mrs. Peggy Jean Connor. Sharing the same building was the Shoe Shine Parlor of her father John Henry Gould, also an activist. None of the buildings shown in this photograph remain standing.
Randall (Herbert) Freedom Summer Photographs, McCain Library and Archives, University Southern Mississippi
With the 2015 anniversary of the Voting Rights Act as well as the presidential primaries and general election, voting rights will remain at the forefront of a national debate.
With historical footage and interviews with Freedom Summer architects and volunteers, as well as present day activists, “1964: The Fight For A Right” uses Mississippi to explain American voting issues in the last 150 years.
For instance, why are red states red?
Produced by Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Distributed by American Public Television.
