Ghosts of Mississippi

Historical Themes Civil Rights Movement Racism in America Hate Groups/Hate Crimes The South then and now (1990s) Making up for past injustices Legal Process

Ku Klux Klan Founded in the years after the Civil War by Confederate veterans Opposed Reconstruction acts by violence, intimidation, and murder Is it legal to be part of this group? Why?

KKK Today Membership reached as many as 5,000,000 in the 1920s Estimated 5,000 people part of 40 different groups with hundreds of chapters in each Enemies list includes Jews, Catholics, LGBTQ community, and immigrant groups

WHITE SUPREMACIST GROUPS Aryan Nations Creativity Movement/World Church of the Creator National Alliance National Socialist Movement The Nationalist Movement White Revolution

Hate Crimes Victim is targeted because of his or her membership in a certain group Defined by race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, class, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, gender identity, etc. Physical assault, damage to property, bullying, harassment, verbal abuse or insults, or offensive graffiti or letters (hate mail).

Emmett Till 14 year old beaten, shot to death, and thrown in the river All White Jury found two defendants NOT GUILTY after an hour "Your ancestors will turn over in their grave, and I'm sure every last Anglo-Saxon one of you has the courage to free these men.“ –Closing Statement

Mississippi Burning-1964 Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner 7 KKK members were convicted and sentenced from 3 to 10 years (none served more than 6 years) 2005 Edgar Ray Killen-Convicted and sentenced to 60 years

Medgar Evers “It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don’t choose to live anywhere else. There’s land here, where a man can raise cattle, and I’m going to do it some day. There are lakes where a man can sink a hook and fight the bass. There is room here for my children to play and grow, and become good citizens—if the white man will let them....” —Medgar Evers, “Why I Live in Mississippi”

Civil Rights Leader and active member of the NAACP Lawyer for James Meredith who was first African American to graduate from University of Mississippi Killed on June 12, 1963 by Byron De La Beckwith, a fertilizer salesman and member of the White Citizens' Council and Ku Klux Klan

Historical Liberties/Omissions Portrayal of DeLaughter’s family (first wife, in-laws, parents) Restroom meeting Press Conference not held on steps in front of large crowd Reaction of white Mississippians