1964 Philadelphia MS---Schwerner, Goodwin, Chaney, civil rights workers murdered--MS Summer
In 1964 groups trying to get blacks registered to vote decided to work hard in MS. They asked for college student volunteers, esp white students. Whitesò on the reasonable belief that racists would be less likely to attack them. They had their white skin and most likely some money in their family, so there might not be retaliation
Two of my friends in grad school signed up and urged me to do so too. I just couldn't. From all I had read of the various civil rights actions, MS flat-out scared me silly. Even today I still feel freaked-out when I see or hear the name of that state
So they went off to the training workshop, and a few weeks passed. Then it was reported--2 white guys and a black guy working on the project in MS had disappeared. I was so scared it might be my 2 friends! A bit later the names were released. Not my friends! But 3 guys had been murdered for their belief in and work for civil rights and were mourned by their friends and families.
And Reagan and his campaign had the nerve to use their deaths to win points with 'states rightists' to win the election!
= new reply since forum marked as read
