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The struggle for Voting Rights in Mississippi: Holmes County at the heart of the movement

drcarthan

By Edelia J. Carthan, Ed.D.

Contributing Writer


On April 9, 1963, in the heart of Holmes County, Mississippi, a pivotal moment unfolded that would forever change the course of history for African Americans in the state. Fourteen brave Black citizens, known as the “First Fourteen,” marched to the county courthouse in Lexington to register to vote. Leading this historic stand was Hartman Turnbow, a farmer from the Mileston community. Facing down a hostile white mob, Turnbow’s words—“I came here to die to vote”—would echo across generations, galvanizing the fight for civil rights in Mississippi.


Civil Rights Leader Hartman Turnbow


A Seed of Change in Holmes County

Hartman Turnbow’s bold declaration was not just an act of personal courage, but the spark that ignited an organized movement in Holmes County. At the time, Holmes County had the highest percentage of African Americans in Mississippi, with many residents owning their own land, thanks to the New Deal’s Farm Security Administration. Land Ownership, unusual in much of the segregated South, fostered a sense of independence and a willingness to challenge the oppressive system. This unique combination of factors made Holmes County a battleground for voting rights.


Turnbow was no stranger to resistance. Alongside fellow Black landowners, he had been attending mass meetings in neighboring Leflore County, organized by the Medgar Evers and NAACP and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). With SNCC's support, Holmes County became a hub of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which stood in direct opposition to the state's all-white Democratic Party.


The Role of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party

The formation of the MFDP in Holmes County was instrumental in pushing the boundaries of voter suppression in the South. Unlike other counties in Mississippi, where Black voter registration was met with violence, threats, and disenfranchisement, Holmes County’s Black residents—thanks to their landownership—had a certain level of autonomy and resilience. These factors helped them organize more effectively, and the MFDP became one of the strongest branches in the state, lasting well into the present day.


The relentless push for voting rights in Holmes County had far-reaching consequences, with one of the most significant being the case of Alexander v. Holmes County Board of Education (1969). This Supreme Court case finally ordered the immediate desegregation of public schools in the South. By this time, Holmes County had become emblematic of the fight for racial equality, and the case highlighted the profound impact that grassroots organizing could have on national policy.


Robert Clark: Mississippi’s First Black Legislator

The fight for voting rights paved the way for political representation. In 1967, Holmes County made history again by electing Robert Clark as the first African American to serve in the Mississippi Legislature since Reconstruction. Clark’s election was a watershed moment, made possible by the perseverance of activists like Turnbow and the thousands of African Americans in the county who refused to be silenced. His election showed that change, once deemed impossible, was now within reach.


Clark’s tenure in the Mississippi House of Representatives was a beacon of progress. He advocated for education, health care, and equality, using his platform to fight for the same issues that had motivated the Civil Rights Movement. Clark's victory was a direct result of the organized efforts in places like Holmes County, where African Americans had mobilized, faced down threats, and seized their right to vote.



Eddie Carthan: Another Trailblazer from Holmes County

Following in Clark’s footsteps, Eddie Carthan became the first Black mayor of Tchula, Mississippi, in 1977. His election marked another major victory for African Americans in Mississippi and underscored the growing political power of Black voters in the state. Carthan’s win was significant because it represented the full circle of the voting rights movement—once denied the right to vote, African Americans in Holmes County were now electing their own leaders. Carthan's leadership continued the work of local activists who had fought for representation at all levels of government. Carthan, who had been involved in the Freedom Summer of 1964, now held an elected office in the very county where African Americans had once been denied the right to vote.



Hartman Turnbow: A Legacy of Defiance and Determination

Hartman Turnbow’s life story is woven into the larger tapestry of civil rights history. Born in Holmes County on March 20, 1905, Turnbow was a farmer by trade but a revolutionary by necessity. On the night of May 7, 1963, a firebomb was thrown into Turnbow’s home, a clear act of retaliation for his activism. Remarkably, Turnbow defended his family and home, firing back at the attackers, an act that defied the passive resistance often associated with the Movement. Turnbow’s bravery and unwillingness to back down became legendary, as did his involvement in the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.

Turnbow worked closely with civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer, another pillar of the Movement, and was present when Hamer delivered her iconic speech at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Together, their efforts shone a light on the stark injustices faced by African Americans in Mississippi and inspired the nation to confront the evils of segregation.


Holmes County: From Rich in Spirit to the Poorest in the Nation

Despite the victories of the Civil Rights Movement, Holmes County today is the poorest county in the poorest state. This is no accident. Each time Black leaders rise to assert their rights, white flight and the withdrawal of economic support have followed. The same resilience that once made Holmes County rich in spirit has been systematically targeted in an attempt to crush the people’s will and dismantle the movement. Today, this economic strangulation is compounded by issues such as police brutality, with the Lexington Police Department mistreating and targeting the most vulnerable in the community. This represents a new low in the county's long history of struggles.


A Call to Action: Reviving the Spirit of Resistance

This history of resistance in Holmes County—of Hartman Turnbow, Medgar Evers, Robert Clark, Eddie Carthan, and Fannie Lou Hamer—should serve as a beacon of hope, not despair. Just as Turnbow’s words sparked action in 1963, we must rally again. This article is a call to the valley of dry bones—to rise up, take charge of your schools, your communities, and your county.

Now is the time to fight back against the forces seeking to divide and weaken this community. Register to vote, not just for yourselves but for those who cannot. Organize your neighbors, support local leaders, and make your voices heard. This is not just about an election; it’s about reclaiming your history and solidifying your future.


On November 5, when you cast your vote, don’t just do it for Kamala Harris—do it for Fannie Lou Hamer, for Hartman Turnbow, for Medgar Evers and for every leader who fought so that you could have a voice. Now is the time, and we are the Ones. 



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The Legacy of Jesse Owens By Kenya Vardaman Ramirez Contributing Writer

The 1930s were marked by an economic and social crisis that ravaged the world. World War II led to the destruction of buildings, the wrecking of roads, and the depletion of power resources. Food shortages and rationing caused prices to soar, increasing demand. During this time, the Great Depression significantly impacted daily life in the United States, amidst growing conflicts abroad.

In Germany, Adolf Hitler established a Nazi regime focused on eliminating Jews and Blacks from the country's gene pool, aiming to create a nation of individuals with blonde hair and blue eyes, whom he considered to be mentally and physically superior. Reports indicate that many Blacks living in 1930s Germany were imprisoned, forcibly sterilized, and murdered by the Nazis.

The 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany, were intended to showcase Aryan mental and physical superiority on a global stage. Despite the NAACP's call for an African American boycott of the games due to Hitler's discriminatory policies, other American Olympic organizations advocated for the inclusion of African American athletes, recognizing their past achievements.

James Cleveland Owens, born on September 12, 1913, in Oakville, Alabama, and known as Jesse Owens, arrived in Berlin as a celebrated track and field athlete from Ohio State University. He received unexpected support from the young German community. Adidas founder Adi Dassler approached Owens, asking him to wear a prototype of his new shoe during the competition. Owens made history by becoming the first African American to win four gold medals in a single Olympic Games and the first African American man to be sponsored by an athletic shoe brand. His achievements directly challenged Hitler's theory of African American inferiority and established a legacy of African American excellence in track and field.

Upon his return to the United States after the 1936 Olympics, Owens faced the realities of second-class citizenship. Despite his Olympic success, he was not offered scholarships at Ohio State University and initially struggled to find employment. However, Owens persevered through these challenges and contributed to the New York Mets' World Series championship as their running coach and played a role in organizing Baseball's Negro Leagues.

Owens's influence extended beyond his athletic achievements, particularly through his impact on the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Athletes John Carlos and Tommie Smith, inspired by Owens, made a powerful statement against racial inequality in America by raising their fists during the medal ceremony. This silent protest, with athletes wearing black gloves and socks, became an iconic image of the Black Power movement.

Today, Jesse Owens's legacy continues to resonate within African American culture and the broader narrative of protest. In 2013, Adidas's collaboration with Kanye West became one of the most lucrative sneaker partnerships in history, second only to Nike and Michael Jordan. In 2016, President Obama honored Jesse Owens's relatives for his achievements over 80 years earlier. Athletes like Colin Kaepernick have continued the tradition of protest, with Kaepernick explaining his decision to kneel during the national anthem as a stand against the oppression of black people and people of color in America.

In remembering Jesse Owens, we are reminded of the power of sports as a platform for social change and the enduring impact of his legacy: "As we run, we become."

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