Voice Of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer

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3- Poetry

Bibliography: Weatherford, C. B. (2015). Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement.  (E. Holmes, Illus.).  Press.

ISBN-10 : 1536203254

Plot Summary: Voice of Freedom is a beautiful book written in verse that chronicles the life of civil rights activist, Fannie Lou Hamer. Starting in Sunflower County, Mississippi in 1917 this lyrical book takes the reader on a journey from Hamer’s birth into struggle, through her fight for civil rights and finally her recognition as an activist shortly before her death. Hamer was the youngest of 20 children born to sharecroppers at a time when “cotton was king and Jim Crow was the law.” Although her life was hard and she was working by the age of 6, Hamer had a loving family. Her mother loved her fiercely and taught her to be strong and love herself. Her strength is woven throughout the pages of this book. She adopts two daughters after she was forced into sterilization. She continued to show up to exercise her rights even after she was beaten. When she was banned from running for congress on the Democratic ticket, she ran as a “Freedom Democrat”. The beautiful illustrations by Ekua Holmes supports the powerful words written in verse. With a quilt like quality, the illustrations amplify Fannie Lou Hamer’s larger than life persona. The book includes an author’s note, a time line and sources from where Hamer’s direct quotes came from.

Analysis:

Fannie Lou Hamer’s name is not one that comes to mind when civil rights activists are discussed. She is a lessor know freedom fighter whose story is so deserving of Carole Boston Weatherford’s beautiful words. The book is written in first person poem prose which makes the words flow off of the pages. Hamer’s own authentic quotes are used so the reader gets a glimpse of how she would have sounded. The quotes are cited in the final pages of the book which allows the reader to see the context of each quote. On the pages themselves, her words are italicized. Black people work so hard, and we ain’t got nothing to show for it. (page 3). The author beautifully captures Hamer’s life of determination, hope and strength. Each page flows on to the next, but can be read as a stand alone verse. For example, page 12 that is titled “Motherhood” could be presented alone to a class. The 3 paragraph verse tells the story of unjust Mississippi laws that sterilized poor women without their consent.

The mixed-media illustrations by Ekua Holmes complete this book with their rich tones and powerful statements. The pictures are weaved together like a quilt with the backgrounds vibrant and colorful. Hamer is often depicted as the only person with facial details on the pages. The faceless people in the crowd all take backstage to her detailed and strong presence. Although the book doesn’t end with her death, the timeline provided at the end completes her life’s work.

Reviews:

The combination of history, poetry, and brilliant watercolor illustrations makes this a picture book on the Civil Rights Movement that should not be missed.
—School Library Connection

A welcome addition to civil rights literature for children … Hamer’s determination, perseverance, and unwavering resolve come through on every page. Holmes’ quiltlike collage illustrations emphasize the importance Hamer placed on community among African-Americans. Young readers who open this book with just a vague notion of who Fannie Lou Hamer was will wonder no more after absorbing this striking portrait of the singer and activist. Bold, honest, informative, and unforgettable.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Awards: According to Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database:

Connections:

*Pair this book with other books that celebrate woman in the civil rights movement. Compare their acts and voices. The Story of Ruby Bridges by: Robert Coles ISBN-13 : 978-0439472265. Rosa’s Bus: The Ride to Civil Rights by: Jo S Kittinger ISBN-13 : 978-1629798486

*Use pages in the book as stand alone poems. Have students work in groups to analyze a single page and respond in their own way (poem, letters, essays, songs) with how they would help the cause if they could. For example; page 3-sharecropping, page 12- Mississippi law on forced sterilization, page 17-poll tax, page 28- Africa (missing culture).

Accommodations:

*If students struggle with comprehension when reading verse, give them background information. BrainPop has a great video on Fannie Lou Hamer.

https://youtu.be/Mt0SheUGFpk

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