Everyone in town knew Herbert Lee. He was a good man, and nobody took advantage of him even though he couldn’t read. Then again, nobody anticipated the impact he would have on the local community.
Lee, a Mississippi farmer, began organizing to create a local chapter of the NAACP and registering Black voters. He helped provide rides to those who needed them to register to vote, and he even worked to organize in local churches!
But there was a huge problem.
The KKK had been threatening to murder him, and it wasn’t long before they acted on their threats!
In broad daylight and in front of a crowd, a racist politician started shouting at Lee, causing a commotion. The politician then shot Lee in the head!
Lee was the first to die for voting rights in Mississippi. His lifeless body laid uncovered over two hours before anything was done.
The murderer claimed self-defense, was tried and acquitted of Lee’s murder the same day, and continued his career in politics!
Lee didn’t wait until he was asked to fight for liberation. He understood the importance of the vote for our people. Our voting rights have always been under attack because our votes are powerful – powerful enough to KILL us over.
How will you use YOUR power to fight for Black liberation?