Post by Auset on Jan 13, 2005 15:06:19 GMT -5
Mississippi 1964
Today a U.S. citizen of any race can vote by simply filling out a registration form. It is not necessary to pass an exam or even to be able to read. However, as late as the 1960s, blacks in the South were prevented from voting. Despite the Constitution’s 15 Amendment that guarantees all citizens the right to vote regardless of race, southern blacks typically faced encumbrances such as poll taxes and literacy tests.
It was typical for Southern whites who attempted to register to be registered, but blacks living in the South encountered various barriers. In Indianola, Mississippi, African Americans were given a 22-question questionnaire that included a problem requiring the interpretation of any one of the sections of the Mississippi Constitution. In addition, to discourage blacks from registering, the names of those who attempted to register were posted in the newspaper.
It was common for a person to be fired for attempting to register or for registering.
Despite these barriers, some were able to register. However, engaging in the political process of attending precinct and county meetings proved to be challenging. To prevent the attendance of blacks, schedules and places where the meetings were to be held were changed, and in some cases, blacks who showed up were not permitted to go in.
It was in this context that the 1964 Freedom Summer project in Mississippi was organized by Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organizer Bob Moses and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), which was comprised of Mississippi civil rights groups. Mississippi was chosen because only six percent of African Americans were registered to vote.
The goal of the project was to register voters, build Freedom Schools to counter the inadequate separate and unequal schools, establish community centers to provide medical and legal services, and to garner support for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic party (MFDP) that was formed in the spring of 1964. The party’s formation was a response to the exclusion of blacks from the Democratic Party in Mississippi. The goal of the newly formed party was to elect an integrated slate of delegates to the National Democratic Convention in August in Atlantic City.
To assist in accomplishing the goals of the freedom project, volunteers were needed. After substantial debate, it was decided that the project should be integrated, and the recruitment of white volunteers began. It was anticipated that by recruiting northern whites, many of whom were college students, it would capture the attention of the media. In June 1964, 700 student volunteers began training in Oxford, Ohio.
Today a U.S. citizen of any race can vote by simply filling out a registration form. It is not necessary to pass an exam or even to be able to read. However, as late as the 1960s, blacks in the South were prevented from voting. Despite the Constitution’s 15 Amendment that guarantees all citizens the right to vote regardless of race, southern blacks typically faced encumbrances such as poll taxes and literacy tests.
It was typical for Southern whites who attempted to register to be registered, but blacks living in the South encountered various barriers. In Indianola, Mississippi, African Americans were given a 22-question questionnaire that included a problem requiring the interpretation of any one of the sections of the Mississippi Constitution. In addition, to discourage blacks from registering, the names of those who attempted to register were posted in the newspaper.
It was common for a person to be fired for attempting to register or for registering.
Despite these barriers, some were able to register. However, engaging in the political process of attending precinct and county meetings proved to be challenging. To prevent the attendance of blacks, schedules and places where the meetings were to be held were changed, and in some cases, blacks who showed up were not permitted to go in.
It was in this context that the 1964 Freedom Summer project in Mississippi was organized by Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) organizer Bob Moses and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO), which was comprised of Mississippi civil rights groups. Mississippi was chosen because only six percent of African Americans were registered to vote.
The goal of the project was to register voters, build Freedom Schools to counter the inadequate separate and unequal schools, establish community centers to provide medical and legal services, and to garner support for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic party (MFDP) that was formed in the spring of 1964. The party’s formation was a response to the exclusion of blacks from the Democratic Party in Mississippi. The goal of the newly formed party was to elect an integrated slate of delegates to the National Democratic Convention in August in Atlantic City.
To assist in accomplishing the goals of the freedom project, volunteers were needed. After substantial debate, it was decided that the project should be integrated, and the recruitment of white volunteers began. It was anticipated that by recruiting northern whites, many of whom were college students, it would capture the attention of the media. In June 1964, 700 student volunteers began training in Oxford, Ohio.
