This episode of "The American Experience" focuses on efforts in Mississippi during 1964 to push for the registration of black voters. Groups like the Citizens Council and ridiculously illegal behaviors (such as publishing the names of those people registering to vote in local newspapers--making repercussions for this very likely) worked hard to keep the whites in control of the state and some white civil rights workers and many blacks fought hard for equality. The results were mixed. Many people were jailed, beaten and a few even murdered. Yet, despite all this, good came of the movement and led to changes in even the white-dominated Mississippi.
The episode was, as usual, extremely well constructed and very effective in telling the story. The best part to me was listening to Fanny Lou Hamer testifying. Hearing a simple sharecropper speak with such power and eloquence was striking...as are all the folks who sacrificed for this movement. Well worth seeing.
The episode was, as usual, extremely well constructed and very effective in telling the story. The best part to me was listening to Fanny Lou Hamer testifying. Hearing a simple sharecropper speak with such power and eloquence was striking...as are all the folks who sacrificed for this movement. Well worth seeing.
