What shocks me is that this is not that long ago. This is the 1960's. Some of our parents or grandparents were born around this time. This is not remote in the timelines of history.

I wanted to discuss part of Ms. Hamer's biography that struck a chord with me. In Hamer’s biography I was appalled by the “Mississippi appendectomy” This is where a uterus is removed unnecessarily to reduce the Black population. This was forced sterilization. This is atrocious. It shows the treatment Blacks and especially Black women faced in the Jim Crow south era. That the treatment was not just political but extended to all areas of life, even medicine.

This last sentence stands out to me because it shows the strength she had to face mountains of adversity. Further, her testimony highlighted the Black freedom struggle and they hypocrisy of American freedom. That even though politically they could vote, due to Jim Crow literacy tests, economic and political pressures they were being disenfranchised. Further, the depraved treatment that Fannie faced at the hands of White males in power is tragic. Fannie’s cause to empower others and help them vote will always have a place in history. May we learn from her, her struggles, and understand that freedom is the accumulation of actions and sacrifices of those before us.

Hamer's life story and testimony at the 1964 DNC is important because it tells the stories of the violence, economic and social suppression that Blacks had to face. Further, these stories need to be told. They give voice and power when they are told. Her testimony serves as a reminder of the many barriers, struggles, and hardships Blacks faced when trying to vote, even after being granted the right to vote. Stories like this give a voice and face to the Black freedom struggle.

The Black men were forced to participate in the beatings and honestly if they didn't the beatings would probably be worse. Further, the Black men could have been killed.

The second part of the testimony that stood out was when Ms. Harper was also beat in her cell. The brutality and viciousness of forcing the other Black men to beat her is sadistic. This form of cruelty is done to continue to control, manipulate, and put Blacks “in their place”. These specially stood out because of the abject barbarism and ferocity that Blacks were treated with, simply for being Black is demoralizing.

Clearly Black leaders were targeted. Ms. Hamer as an activist was targeted since she helped others register to vote.

This stood out because of the the humiliation and violence that Blacks had to suffer through just to vote. The fact that she asked God to have mercy on them was heart breaking.

The implication of this word is to put them on unequal footing. This is a reminder in the Jim Crow south that Blacks are below Whites socially.

This shows the trumped up charges often created in the Jim Crow South. These were used to jail and harass Blacks.

In the biography reading, Fannie had to leave. Her husband had to stay to help the plantation owner help with harvest. It is heartbreaking that the family was split up by the plantation owner because he was so adamant about keeping Blacks from voting. This represents life in Jim Crow south because the plantation owners and wealthy whites continue to have power economically and socially. They are trying to retain the hierarchy and political power that favored White southerners.

What stands out to me is that the plantation owner is mad that she had tried to register. This is because it shows the social pressures present to keep Blacks from voting. Even though slaves were freed, many plantation owners still felt that Black bodies and the work they performed was owned by them. This shows that despite political progress, there was still much social progress that needed to occur. This is best exemplified by what the Plantation owner believing that he has the right to tell Ms. Hamer that she cannot vote. Here, the plantation owner is attempting to use social pressures and economic pressure to keep Ms. Homer from registering.

This shows that voting was akin to being considered the same as Whites. Ms. Hamer wanted to be a first class citizen and that was done by voting. Looking at this historically, Blacks were considered second class citizens because they could not vote. Second the barriers that Blacks faced to even be able to register to vote such as distance or lack of registration sites. Third, the discussion of the literacy test harkens back to Jim Crow. Remembering from the American Yarp, this was one of many ways to disenfranchise Blacks. Specifically, literacy tests were administered by white men who would often fail Blacks “indiscriminately” but pass Whites. Poll taxes that Blacks had to pay to vote, but whites were often grandfathered in. Extending this to present day do we see disenfranchisement today?

Voter suppression is seen with the multiple barriers present to disenfranchise Ms. Hamer and Blacks. For example the lack of registration places. Ms. Hammer had to travel 26 miles to even register.

Current day connection: Many states have decreased the number of polling places and limited hours. Does this impact a certain demographic? What about service workers such as those in the restaurant industry or shift workers?

From the biographical reading we learn that the Freedom Summer of 1964 is where Hamer organized white and black college students to help Blacks enroll. This is a testament to her organization and the importance of outreach. Discussion point? We still have voter outreach now, have we progressed in society?

Booker T. Washington gave the Atlanta Compromise Speech at Cotton States and International Exposition in Atlanta in 1895. Washington’s speech centered on economic expansion of Blacks. Utilizing the “cast your bucket down” analogy, Washington argues for Blacks to make their life where they are, in the south. Further, he argues for Blacks to make friends with their neighbors; southern Whites. Washington also argues for Whites to “cast down their buckets” amongst Blacks. He provides emotional support for this by argument that Blacks have already brought you productivity (during slavery) taken care of your sick loved ones, raised your children. That Blacks will take unusable land and make it fruitful. One major concession that Washington states is that blacks should care more about economic progress, and not worry about social equality. Washington argues that the gaining of rights is a progressive and accumulative path. That people should not be upset that they don’t have all of their equality and rights at this moment, to be patient and that it will eventually come. Washington specifically states that they should intertwine in all ways but social. To argue for this now is foolish. Last, Washington argues that it is just as important to know how to exercise the rights that Blacks want, as it is to gain rights. for It is important to remember that the context of this speech is not just for Blacks, but also White southerners. Washington’s speech due to who it was aimed for seemed to have an undertone of appeasement. Washington argued for a slow progressive acquisition of rights for Blacks.

W.E.B. DuBois argued against Booker T. Washington in The Souls of Black Folk. First, DuBois argues that Washington’s focus on economic gains is to the detriment of other quality of life indicators, including social, political, and power structure advancement of Blacks. This calls into question the two competing views between Washington and Dubois, they both aim for Maslow’s hierarchy. Washington is more concerned with basic needs, while DuBois is more concerned with the top of the hierarchy; self-actualization. The strongest argument DuBois presents against Washington’s view is that Blacks have for the last 10-15 years focused on economic gains, to the detriment of other areas. This includes disenfranchisement, laws that establish the inferiority of Blacks, and the withdrawal of support and funds for higher education for Blacks. DuBois argues that Washington makes a logical fallacy when he assumes that Blacks are inferior to Whites. That giving up political power, insistence of civil rights, and higher education for Blacks has been detrimental to the progress of Blacks in America. DuBois argues that optimal economic gains are difficult without political power

In the end, Dubois and Washington argue for two different approaches to gaining rights for Blacks. Washington argues for a piecemeal and stepwise assertion of rights. DuBois argues that Blacks should have all their rights at the onset. Their view points were both shaped by their personal experiences in the fight for rights for Blacks. In conclusion while DuBois’ approach is the moral approach, Washington’s may have been the practical approach.

That self respect is worth more than economic safety

Argues against the inferiority of Blacks.

DuBois argues against Washington-He says that Washington is paying too much attention to economy and is forgetting the higher aims of life.

It is more important to be able to be freed, then be on equal social footing.

Help the newly freed slaves they will turn barren soil into productive land. These freed slaves are the best citizens. They have proven their loyalty to you through working the fields, taking care of your kids, and watching over your sick loved ones.

He tells Whites to cast down their buckets amongst the 8 million former slaves in the south. Because they know them already.

This is an analogy of taking a chance to better yourself where you are.