Fannie Lou Hamer
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Biography Fannie Lou Hamer was born on October 6th, 1917. She was born in Montgomery County in Mississippi. Born during an era of injustice, segregation, and lynching’s this pushed Fannie to become an activist. Fannie was an advocate for African American voting rights, civil rights, and women rights. Fannie died on March 14th, 1977 of cancer in Mound Bayou in Mississippi.
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Contributions During the Democratic National Convention, Fannie testified the treasonous acts of violence made against her and many civil rights activists. Her testimony reached many people and exposed the racial injustice made towards African Americans who would try to vote or even register. The speech Fannie gave during the Democratic National Convention generated a movement which led to the Voters Rights Acts of 1965.
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Significance During Fannie’s lifetime, Fanny endured so much hate for something most of us take for granted which is voting. Fannie was beaten by crooked cops who left her physically disabled after attending a voting rights workshop. The least we can give her is a monument which can symbolize a new era while not forgetting what America was about during the 1900s.
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Monuments Locations The monument would be put by the Mason Pond. If any Mason student were to be pass by wanting a tranquil place to be due to stress, they would be able to see the hardships that Fannie went through before reaching success. It would provide strength to keep going serving as a remembrance to use our rights for good while remembering Fannie had to go through for us to be able to vote freely. New Orleans would be the second location. Reading the article of how former Mayor Mitch Lieu made the decision to take down the statue of Robert E Lee, who symbolized white supremacy and a lost cause, I believe Fannie Hamer should take its place. The statue of Fannie Lou Hamer would symbolize a new era of unity while helping the south and this country heal from its past mistakes instead of ignoring/justifying them.
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“I am sick and tired of being sick and tired�