We need to register, participate and activate

Sixty years ago, volunteers from across the country joined forces with local activists and families in Mississippi to change the course of our country's history. Freedom Summer brought together people of all backgrounds – Northerners and Southerners, rich and poor, black and white – at the center of the disenfranchisement of black voters.

Despite intimidation and violence, including the tragic murders of three young activists – James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner – their efforts to register black voters in Mississippi captured the nation's attention and sparked significant change. That change led to the passage the following year of the Voting Rights Act, a landmark federal law that prohibits racial discrimination in elections and is instrumental in protecting the rights of minority voters.

In 1964, Mississippi was the epitome of black voter disenfranchisement, with fewer than 7% of black residents allowed to vote and influence decisions that affected their lives. This situation was the result of an 1890 state constitution that purged black voters from the voter rolls and imposed onerous re-registration requirements. Through violence, threats, poll taxes, and nearly impossible constitutional tests, the number of registered black voters dropped from 130,000 to fewer than 1,300 within a decade.

And fast forward to today: The legacy of their collective efforts to register Black Mississippians still resonates today. As director of policy and advocacy at the Mississippi Center for Justice, I recognize the urgent work needed to fulfill and continue their legacy 60 years later.

As we consider the progress Mississippi and the nation have made since Freedom Summer, it is important to realize that the cause that launched Freedom Summer all those years ago still cannot be completed. Just earlier this month, a federal court ordered the state of Mississippi to redraw several of its voting districts to ensure more equitable representation for Black Mississippians. This is a testament to the progress we have made. While the original Freedom Summer was about voter registration, the ongoing legacy of this movement, supported by organizations like MCJ and others, must now include voter participation and activation.

Today, barriers to voter participation still exist in a variety of harmful forms. Modern voter suppression tactics, such as restrictive voter ID laws, voter roll purges, and limited access to polling places, disproportionately affect Black communities. In Mississippi, these barriers are compounded by socioeconomic challenges such as poverty and lack of access to reliable transportation, making it difficult for many to get to polling places and making the state the second most difficult state in our country to vote, according to researchers.

But these problems aren't unique to Mississippi; gerrymandering and other voter suppression tactics are exacerbating the problem and impacting it nationwide. In the years since the U.S. Supreme Court gutted a key part of the Voting Rights Act in 2013, dozens of restrictive laws like the ones above have, as a study earlier this year shows, widened racial voter turnout disparities in subsequent years. Unfortunately, this problem could only get worse, with tools like Project 2025 anticipating an arsenal of voter suppression tactics, including the proposed end of early voting and changes to proof-of-citizenship laws that would disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans who don't have ready access to their citizenship documents.

To overcome these hurdles and honor the legacy of Freedom Summer, we must focus on three critical voting priorities: registration, participation, and activation. In doing so, we can dismantle the barriers that continue to hamper Black Americans' access to the vote, then and now—and that work begins in Mississippi.

In short, we must ensure that every registered voter can fully and freely participate in the election. That means fighting against modern forms of voter suppression, such as restrictive voter ID laws and voter roll purges, and advocating for measures that protect and expand the right to vote.

Participation goes beyond voting in elections; it also includes attending city council meetings, town hall meetings, and other civic activities. It means holding elected officials accountable and ensuring that the voices of all citizens are heard and respected in all areas of public life.

Activation means turning voter participation into sustainable political power. This process involves organizing, educating, and mobilizing communities to advocate for policies that meet their needs and aspirations. By activating communities, we can create a political environment where the needs of all, especially the most marginalized, particularly low-income communities and communities of color, are prioritized and addressed.

Freedom Summer was more than just a moment in history; it was a catalyst for change and demonstrated the power of collective action. As we face the ongoing challenges of disenfranchisement, we must be inspired by this legacy and recognize that each of us can be a catalyst for change. Together, through our collective action, we can create a more just and equitable future for all—starting in the state where it began 60 years ago.

Support us in this important work, stand up against voter suppression and become part of the movement that secures the right to vote for all. The fight for justice and equality continues and needs your voice and your action.

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