Fannie Lou Hamer's Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Speech

Fannie Lou gave an unprecedented speech on behalf of the Mississippi Democratic Freedom Party (MDFP). In 1964, civil rights activists and Freedom Summer volunteers organized a “freedom registration” eventually forming the MFDP. The MFDP sent their own delegates for the convention to challenge the so-called “regular” state party. The 68-person MFDP delegation included many local Black activists, including Fannie Lou. They demanded to be seated, heard, and seen. In her address at the convention, Fannie Lou described the violent barriers Black Americans faced when trying to vote. She declared, with tears streaming down her face, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Take a moment to listen to part of her speech.