On August 22, 1964, Mississippi civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer delivered a powerful speech at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City, New Jersey, challenging the party’s commitment to racial equality.
Sixty years later, Vice President Kamala Harris made history by accepting the Democratic presidential nomination, marking a monumental milestone as the first Black woman and first Asian American to do so.
Harris’ nomination is a significant tribute to Hamer and other civil rights pioneers who fought against systemic discrimination and paved the way for diverse leadership in American politics.
The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer was a leading figure in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), a racially integrated delegation that sought to replace the all-white Mississippi delegation at the 1964 DNC.
Despite facing violent opposition and political roadblocks, Hamer and the MFDP challenged the Democratic Party’s segregationist stance and demanded equal representation.
Hamer’s speech, delivered before the convention’s Credentials Committee, vividly recounted her brutal treatment by law enforcement and the relentless struggle for voting rights.
Her testimony, which included details of being beaten while in jail after attending a voter registration workshop, resonated across the nation and became a defining moment in the civil rights movement.
“All of this is on account of we want to register, to become first-class citizens,” Hamer declared in her emotional address.
“Is this America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where we have to sleep with our telephones off the hooks because our lives be threatened daily?”
Hamer’s powerful words drew national attention, despite then-President Lyndon B. Johnson’s attempt to overshadow her by scheduling a press conference to divert coverage.
Ultimately, her speech aired during prime time, making it a watershed moment in the fight for civil rights.
Kamala Harris: A Historic Nomination
On the 60th anniversary of Hamer’s historic speech, Vice President Kamala Harris stood on a similar stage at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, carrying forward the legacy of those who fought for equality.
If elected, Harris would become the first female president in U.S. history, shattering multiple barriers and symbolizing the progress that civil rights leaders like Hamer made possible.
Harris’ nomination has stirred emotions and reflections from political figures and activists alike. Actor Wendell Pierce, who has been involved in fundraising for the Harris campaign, noted the significance of this moment, especially in light of Hamer’s struggle.
“Now we are going to nominate a Black woman to this party and change American politics forever,” Pierce said. “I’m going to be a puddle of tears, because I’m going to think about all of those folks who made the ultimate sacrifice because they believed in democracy.”
Honoring Hamer’s Enduring Impact
Throughout the convention, Hamer’s legacy has been a central theme, particularly among Black women leaders. Political strategist Leah Daughtry honored Hamer during a brunch organized by a group of long-standing Democratic Party leaders known as the “Colored Girls.”
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), who was 22 during Hamer’s 1964 address, also paid tribute during her remarks on the opening night of the convention.
“She didn’t get the outcome she was hoping for in Atlantic City, but you can bet that when the official Mississippi delegation was seated at the convention four years later, Fannie Lou Hamer was sitting there with them,” Waters said. “Here we are, 60 years later, at another Democratic convention with Kamala Harris as our party’s nominee.”
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison underscored the historical significance in an MSNBC interview, reflecting on how Harris’ nomination builds on the contributions of civil rights leaders like Hamer, Frederick Douglass, and others.
“This is more than just beating Donald Trump,” Harrison said. “This is addressing Fannie Lou Hamer, who, 60 years ago, testified to the DNC Credentials Committee because she couldn’t be a part of the Mississippi delegation. She said she’s sick and tired of being sick and tired. Well, we are sick and tired of people coming after our freedom, coming after our rights.”
The Changing Face of Mississippi’s Delegation
The transformation in Mississippi’s Democratic Party was also on display during the convention. The current delegation, led by Democratic Party Chair Rep. Cheikh Taylor, proudly acknowledged Hamer’s legacy during the roll call, indicating the progress that has been made.
Kamala Harris’ momentous nomination is more than just a personal achievement—it is a testament to the decades-long struggle for justice and equality led by figures like Fannie Lou Hamer, whose fight for civil rights continues to inspire generations.
This article is culled from a publication by NBC News.
