When most people think of the Civil Rights Movement, they think MLK and Rosa Parks. Now, don’t get me wrong – they were awesome and their mark is definitely still felt today. However, today I’d like to talk about another Civil Rights activist, and one we don’t hear about as much: Fannie Lou Hamer.
The first time I heard of this amazing woman was a couple years ago in one of my classes. I immediately admired her because she had the courage to do what many of us don’t – lose everything in order to help others. After deciding to register to vote, Fannie Lou Hamer not only lost her job but was kicked out of the plantation where she’d lived for 2 decades.
After all that, Fannie went as far as to say that that’s what made her free to serve her people. This is part of what kicked off her activist life. Fannie became a voice for the people – at times quite literally, for she was known for her singing. Her involvement in peaceful demonstrations with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee eventually led to her being jailed.
This part of her story has been what’s stuck with me most. While in jail, Hamer was beaten plus she had to witness others being beaten and the police forcing other African Americans to beat each other. After her beating, Hamer spent a lot of time thinking about how Christianity worked in white people who could so easily mistreat Blacks.
It was following this line of thought that, on the day of her trial, Hamer delivered a blow of truth to the very man who had led her to her previous beating: "Do you people ever think or wonder how you'll feel when the time comes you'll have to meet God?" Needless to say, the jailer was speechless.
Fannie Lou Hamer left behind her a beautiful legacy. Her recordings are readily available online. She inspired the Black community to vote during a time where they were beaten, insulted, hosed, and worse for wanting to exercise their rights. She became a national party delegate for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and, despite her loss, had the courage to run for Congress.
As I look back on Fannie Lou Hamer’s life, and especially her moment with the jailer, I can’t help but think of today’s USA. A country that loves freedom so much yet, we ban people, we build walls, and we kill each other day after day. Now, as a Christian myself, I can’t help but remember her words when I see all that’s happening. I think if we asked this question today, we’d be stumped too.
