Question

For the book Coming Of Age in Mississipi.

Of the many murders of African Americans committed by whites in this book. (other than the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.) which two murders affected Anne the most and why?

Answer 1

The first murder that affected Anne to change her perspective and gave insights about the racial segregation and discrimination was the killing of 14 year old black boy named Emmet Till, while on his visit to Mississippi, he belonged to Chicago. Anne was in highschool when this killing happened, and this changed her attitude in life and was inspired to take up the cause to fight for this injustice and unfair treatment of her black people.

The next murder that had an huge impact in changing her life course was the murder of Medgar Evans, who was shot dead by the whites. He was an emerging leader of NAACP in Mississippi. This incident made Ann think of the deep rooted hatred embedded in racial discrimination. Also, she began to ponder about the role of religion in Civil rights movement, as Church played an important role in uniting and influencing people to take up the cause in the black society.