It’s Super Tuesday, so let’s remember Fannie Lou Hamer, a titan of the Civil Rights Movement, whose story deserves to be told and retold.

Imagine growing up in a world where your rights were just a dream. Born into a sharecropping family in 1917, Fannie Lou Hamer lived this reality. The granddaughter of enslaved grandparents, Hamer was in her 40s before she learned that Black people had the right to vote — a right she had been unjustly denied all her life.

Her journey to political activism began in 1962 when she tried registering to vote. This move cost her job, her safety and nearly her life. Yet, it marked the start of her crusade for justice and equality, making her a pivotal figure in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and the 1964 Freedom Summer.

“I Am Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired”

Hamer’s words at the 1964 Democratic National Convention echo through history. Facing threats and violence, she stood up and spoke out about the brutal reality of trying to exercise her right to vote in a system rigged against her. Her powerful declaration, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired,” became a rallying cry for change, highlighting the severe injustices faced by Black Americans.

Carrying Hamer’s Torch Forward

Fannie Lou Hamer’s legacy is not just a chapter from the past; it’s a living, breathing call to action. As we face ongoing challenges to voting rights, remembering her spirit and determination is crucial. Here’s how we can honor her legacy:

• Exercise Your Right: Make your voice heard. Register to vote, participate in primaries, and show up for general elections. Learn here on how, when and where to vote.
• Advocate for Access: Support efforts that fight voter suppression and ensure everyone has fair access to the polls, including early voting and mail-in ballots.
• Educate and Inspire: Share Hamer’s story and the lessons of the Civil Rights Movement to remind others of the power of civic engagement and activism.

Let’s not forget the price Fannie Lou Hamer and many others paid for democracy and equality. This Super Tuesday, and every election day, let’s vote not just for ourselves, but in honor of those who fought for this right.