Aug. 8, 1964: Freedom Schools Convention

A. Philip Randolph at the Freedom School Convention. Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

On Aug. 8, 1964, the Freedom Schools Convention was held in Meridian, Mississippi with students from all over the state. The day after the funeral for James Chaney, this student convention was held to coincide with the state convention of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. Adults in attendance were Robert Parris Moses, James Forman, the Free Southern Theater, A. Philip Randolph, and more.

“The young people took over. They became the administrators,” recalled Staughton Lynd, a Spelman College history professor who was coordinator of the freedom school program. Participants drafted their own political platform for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP).

The platform covered everything from segregated public accommodations and housing to the educational and economic opportunities for young Black people. Here are some excerpts:

EDUCATION

1. Better facilities in all schools. These would include textbooks, laboratories, air-conditioning, heating, recreation, and lunch rooms.
2. Low-fee adult classes for better jobs.
3. That the school year consist of nine (9) consecutive months.
4. All schools be integrated and equal throughout the country.
5. Academic freedom for teachers and students.
6. Teachers be able to join any political organization to fight for civil rights without fear of being fired.

 FOREIGN AFFAIRS

1. Whereas the policy of apartheid in the Republic of South Africa is detrimental to all the people of that country and against the concepts of equality and justice, we ask that the United State impose economic sanctions in order to end this policy.
2. The United States should stop supporting dictatorships in other countries, and should support that government which the majority of the people want.

 THE PLANTATION SYSTEM

1. The federal government should force plantation owners to build and maintain fair tenant housing.
2. In cases where the plantation farmers are not being adequately paid according to the Minimum Wage Law, the government should intervene on behalf of the farmers in a suit against the plantation owner.

At the end of the convention, the delegation laid down the foundation for the Mississippi Student Union (MSU) to continue coordinated action against segregated schools and public accommodations. [Description from SNCC Digital Gateway entry on Freedom Schools.]

Learn more in the article The Freedom Schools: Concept and Organization by Staughton Lynd, which includes a part of the political platform the students developed.

A group of young people at the Freedom School Convention. Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Two women at the Freedom School Convention.  Source: Wisconsin Historical Society

Exploring the History of Freedom Schools is a free downloadable lesson using primary documents for middle and high school from Teaching for Change. Find more teaching resources below, including lessons on SNCC and on the long history of the fight for voting rights.