Freedom Rides Museum

For this week’s , we are continuing our theme of protest and movement songs in popular music with “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson. “Man in the Mirror” was released in January of 1988 as the 4th single on Jackson’s “Bad”. The song spent 16 weeks at #1 and went triple platinum. The song reached #21 in the UK, and then peaked at #2 in 2009 following Jackson’s death.

The song speaks of making an inner change and then focusing on changing the world around you for the better. The simple message is clear: “I’m starting with the man in the mirror. I’m asking him to change his ways.” The video reinforces this message with scenes from the Civil Rights Movement, armed conflicts, and current events of the time. You can watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

Happy Birthday to Quinland Gordon who was 45 years old when he traveled from New Orleans, LA to Jackson, MS on September 13, 1961.

Happy Birthday to Matthew Walker Jr. who was 19 years old when he traveled on a Trailways bus from Montgomery, AL to Jackson, MS on May 24, 1961.

Happy Birthday to Miriam "Mimi" Real "Feingold" who was 20 years old when she traveled on a Trailways bus from Montgomery, AL to Jackson, MS on June 21, 1961.

It’s , and this week we are spotlighting Jean Thompson. Thompson was born on January 13, 1942 in Lake Providence, LA. She grew up in New Orleans and was active in the CORE chapter there along with her sisters and fellow Freedom Riders, Alice and Shirley. It was through CORE that the sisters learned of the Freedom Rides.

Thompson was one of the few Freedom Riders to participate in more than one Ride. She was among the first group of Riders arrested in Jackson, MS after travelling by bus from Montgomery, AL on May 24, 1961. At the time, she was only 19. She also traveled from Baton Rouge, LA to McComb, MS on December 1, 1961 to test the enforcement of the new ICC ruling banning segregation in interstate transit. In the book “Breach of Peace”,Thompson describes her time at Parchman Prison and her i interview with the superintendent:

“I would say yes or no and avoid the “sir” by immediately continuing my answer-no, then blah, blah, blah.- he came up with a question, and he must have bumped the table or something… I wasn’t quick enough. I just said no, and sort of paused and he slapped me so hard that I saw stars. I must have been unconscious for two or three seconds. I know I was unconscious for a while because I remember blackness”.

Unlike most of the other Riders, Thompson bailed out of jail in order to return to New Orleans to train other volunteers in nonviolence. An FBI investigation into claims of mistreatment at the prison determined that no beatings had occurred. Thompson’s testimony, as well as that of several other Freedom Riders, directly contradict this finding.

After the Freedom Rides, Thompson continued her activism, working as a volunteer with Medgar Evers in Mississippi and participating in sit-ins and pickets in North Carolina. She also continued her involvement with CORE in New York City and was active in the anti-war and feminist movements as well.

It’s ! We are continuing our theme of protest songs in modern music with “Southern Man” by Neil Young. In 1970, Young wrote the song and included it on his 3rd solo album “After the Gold Rush”. By this point, Young had already solidified his place in rock n’ roll history through his bands, Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. His unique tenor voice and legendary guitar skills have earned him countless awards. He has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once as a member of Buffalo Springfield and again as a solo artist. This is an honor that very few musicians can claim. He has won 2 Grammy awards and was nominated for another 27. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him as #30 in its list of the “250 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time”.

In addition to his powerful lyrics, Young’s fearless activism marks his works. Young has never been afraid to make waves or ruffle feathers with his deep and often controversial music. This was true of his song “Southern Man” as well. The song was not released as a single, but the album was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), selling over 2 million copies to date. “Southern Man” has earned critical acclaim for its attack on racism. In the song, Young references Klan activity and the enduring legacy of slavery in the South. You can listen to the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5FCcDEA6mY .

in 1961, the first group of were arrested in Jackson,MS. The Riders were unaware of the bargain struck between the Kennedy administration and Governor Ross Barnett of Mississippi. Kennedy stated that as long as Barnett could guarantee that no violence would occur to the Freedom Riders, he could arrest every Freedom Rider that stepped foot in Mississippi. The Riders were charged with Breach of Peace and sentenced to 40 days in jail. Rather than pay bail, most of the Riders chose to adopt the policy of “Jail no Bail” which had been used by students in the Sit-ins before and vowed to fill Mississippi’s jails. A call for volunteers went out and Riders began flooding the state from all over the country. Over the course of the next 6 months, more than 300 people were arrested in Jackson for their participation in the .

The image seen here shows some of the mugshots of the Freedom Riders arrested in Jackson, MS for their participation in the Freedom Rides.

Happy Birthday to Marcia Rosenbaum now Chela Lightchild who was 23 years old when she traveled by train from New Orleans, LA to Jackson, MS on June 25, 1961.