Civil Unrest

Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977)

When Brenda Knight was researching women's history a few years ago, she came across an entry that changed her life. In an encyclopedia of African American women, there was a biography of Fannie Lou Hamer, a woman 40-year-old Knight had never heard of. Hamer's story (along with others) touched Knight so much that she not only wrote a book called Sheroes,but she made it her mission to make Fannie Lou Hamer a household name.

"I was really upset I hadn't heard of her in school," Knight, Director of Sales and Editorial Development at Conari Press, said. "I thought she was cut off from history even though she was very important and made history."

Just who is Fannie Lou Hamer? Odds are you have not heard of her. Before she wrote her book, Knight asked people if they knew who Hamer was, and out of 300 people, maybe four did. "I thought, this woman's contribution is so important," said Knight. "I'm going to make sure that everyone I encounter knows who Fannie Lou Hamer is."

The youngest of 20 children, Hamer was working the fields with her sharecropper parents at the age of six. She only received a sixth grade education. She answered the call for volunteers in 1962, when the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) was looking for people to help challenge voter registration procedures that excluded African Americans.

Hamer lost her job and continually risked her life for her activism. She helped organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party to help challenge the white domination of the Democratic Party. In her role of vice-chairperson, Hamer gave a nationally televised address to the Credentials Committee at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. She described acts of violence, including her own experience of a jailhouse beating that left her disabled.

Throughout her life, Hamer was committed to improving life for poor minorities in her state. She worked with the National Council of Negro Women and helped organize food cooperatives and other services. She continued to be politically active, opposing the Vietnam War and helping convene the National Women's Political Caucus in the 1970s. At one of President Lyndon Johnson's speeches, Hamer rushed the stage and said, 'What are you going to say about the fact that most American soldiers are black? What are you going to say about that, Mr. President?'

Hamer is buried in her hometown of Ruleville, Mississippi, where her tombstone reads, "I am sick and tired of being sick and tired."

Knight, however, is sick and tired of Hamer being erased from history. When asked why this occurred, Knight responded, "Because she was black and a woman and perceived as a radical when she was trying to get basic rights. And probably because she was disabled."

During Knight's book tour a year ago, which included national television and radio, Knight had the opportunity to talk with thousands of people about Hamer. Knight estimates she asked about five million people, and out of that group, a mere eight (at most) recognized the name.

Hamer made a sacrifice to help people, Knight believes, and not many people do that. "That takes courage," says Knight. "That's remarkable."

And that, folks, is the definition of a 'shero.' History books take note.

Another project has de Leon excited. "We're working on the development of a memorial meditation garden here at our headquarters where Cesar is buried," de Leon said. "We will begin ground work soon and have a projected completion date of April 23rd, the anniversary of Cesar's death."

	CIVIL UNREST Summary \| MLK \| Malcolm X \| Unknown hero Non-Mainstream Heroes Fannie Lou Hamer \| Cesar Chavez