Fannie Lou Hamer and the Struggle for Voting Rights and Economic Justice
In this lesson, we will explore the story of Fannie Lou Hamer, from her birth on a cotton plantation in the Mississippi Delta, to her role on the national stage in the struggle to gain political voice for African Americans, and to her later role as an activist for economic justice back home in Mississippi.
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Step 1: Hook (5 minutes)
Ask your students to watch the two-minute video "This Little Light of Mine: The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer" - trailer
- Individual Reflection - Ask students: What do you think Fannie Lou Hamer meant when she said "I question America!"?
- Create a "word splash" - Ask students: What is one word you might use to describe Mrs. Hamer?