Watch Freedom on My Mind

Freedom on My Mind is a documentary film that was released in 1994, directed by Connie Field and Marilyn Mulford. The film explores the history of the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the student-led voter registration drive that took place in Mississippi in the early 1960s. The film begins by outlining the dire circumstances faced by African Americans in the South during the 1950s and 1960s. Segregation and discrimination were rampant, and African Americans were denied basic rights such as voting, owning property, and accessing education and healthcare. The film uses archival footage, photographs, and interviews with activists and historians to paint a vivid picture of the injustices faced by African Americans in the Deep South.

Freedom on My Mind then moves on to explore the efforts of civil rights organizations, such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), to challenge the discriminatory practices of the Southern establishment. The film focuses in particular on the voter registration campaign that took place in Mississippi in 1963. The goal of the campaign was to register as many African American voters as possible, despite the violent opposition of the state government, white supremacist groups, and even law enforcement officials.

The film highlights the experiences of local activists, especially young people, who risked their lives to participate in the voter registration drive. These activists were subjected to violence, intimidation, and even murder, but they refused to back down. The film shows how they used nonviolent protest tactics, such as sit-ins and marches, to draw attention to the struggle for civil rights.

Freedom on My Mind also delves into the political context of the voter registration campaign. The film shows how the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) was created to challenge the all-white delegation that represented Mississippi at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. The MFDP was led by Fannie Lou Hamer, a sharecropper who had been imprisoned and beaten for her activism. The film includes footage of Hamer's famous testimony before the Credentials Committee of the Democratic Party, where she spoke out against the violence and discrimination faced by African Americans in the South.

Throughout the film, Freedom on My Mind emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing and the power of ordinary people to effect change. The film shows how the voter registration campaign in Mississippi was driven by local communities, rather than by outside organizations like the NAACP or the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The film celebrates the courage and commitment of the activists who risked their lives to fight for their rights, and it highlights the enduring legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

Overall, Freedom on My Mind is a powerful and inspiring documentary that offers a nuanced and comprehensive history of the Civil Rights Movement. The film is well-researched and well-crafted, and it offers a balanced and thought-provoking analysis of the events it covers. Through its use of archival footage, photographs, and interviews, the film brings to life the experiences of the activists who fought for freedom and justice in Mississippi and beyond. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Civil Rights Movement or in the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States.

Freedom on My Mind is a 1994 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.