Risking Everything: A Freedom Summer Exhibit for Students

We're in the process of updating our website! Learn more about what that means and how you can help create history..

In his keynote address at SNCC's 50th anniversary conference, civil rights activist and entertainer Harry Belafonte asked, "Why can’t our grandchildren find us?"

The traveling display Risking Everything: A Freedom Summer Exhibit for Students addresses his question by telling the story of one pivotal episode, the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer project, in ways that engage and challenge young people.

This display is available to schools, public libraries, historical societies and civic organizations in Wisconsin.

Request This Display

Students sing at the Freedom Schools Convention in Meridian on August 8, 1964

Singing at Freedom School, 1964 (WHI 98835)

Background

In the summer of 1964, 70,000 black Mississippi residents, mostly disenfranchised poor people, were joined by about 1,500 volunteers, mostly northern college students, as they attempted to register to vote and challenge segregation. Local police, state government and communitiy leaders fought back, trying to keep African Americans "in their place." Several residents and civil rights workers were murdered and hundreds were beaten or arrested. Widespread media coverage shocked the nation, leading nine months later to the 1965 voting rights act which finally broke the back of Jim Crow America.

Risking Everything tells the story of Freedom Summer in simple language, with reproductions of 77 historic photographs and documents. The display is most suitable for secondary schools and the general public.

View the complete contents of each panel.

A companion book and a teacher's curriculum guide that includes documents on the civil rights movement in Wisconsin are also available (see below).

We gratefully acknowledge the Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation, the Herzfeld Foundation, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the Weyco Group Inc., Andrea Brisben, C.G. Schmidt and other donors for their generous support of Risking Everything.

Request This Display

Display Details

8 freestanding, double-sided poly fabric banners, 39" x 87", on retractable banner stands

360 sq. ft.

$100, plus transport

One copy of the display is available for rental, based in Madison. Renters are responsible for arranging transport to and from their venue; in some cases, venues may be able to make arrangements with preceding or following venues if scheduling allows.

Proceeds from traveling exhibit rentals support the Society's ongoing outreach programs and activities.

An additional copy of the display is available for rental to groups in the Milwaukee area at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, 2620 West Center Street, Milwaukee. For more information, please contact WBHS directly at 414-372-7677 or [email protected].

Up to 4 weeks. Venues may schedule the display for more than 4 weeks for an additional fee.

During Black History Month, duration will be limited 2 weeks to accommodate increased demand for the display.

They began to discover that they themselves could take action against the injustices which kept them unhappy and impotent... They began to have a sense of themselves as a people who could produce heroes.