What Is The Neshoba County Murders?

3 ordinary people, murdered for the belief in equality, were extremely influential to the movement that swept America and caused massive waves of change. The three people, two whites and one black, were slaughtered in a hate crime by the KKK. This killing sparked extreme controversy and shed light upon the problem of racism in the United States. I believe the Neshoba County Murders were the most influential acts of the Civil RIghts Movement and exhibited the following: it was the first rightfully prosecuted hate crime in the US, it affected both whites and blacks, shocking the nation, and it gave massive hope to the Civil Rights Activists. This heinous act of delirium and hatred was the most important controversy of the twentieth century.
First, a rightfully prosecuted hate crime was largely unheard of in the 1960’s, and when the klansmen were charged with the murders, an abundance of hope and light spread within the civil rights community.
Three lives had been lost, but many more were saved because of the victims. History.com states, “On October 27, 1967, an all-white jury found seven of the men guilty, including Price and KKK Imperial Wizard Bowers. Nine were acquitted, and the jury deadlocked on three others. The mixed verdict was hailed as a major civil rights victory, as no one in Mississippi had ever before been convicted for actions taken against a civil rights worker.” This statement exhibits the victory that was given to the civil rights community. However, while this sacrifice was an overall victory for the civil rights movement, the murders themselves were an extremely heinous act which shook the
country. Second, this disgusting act of hatred was a blatant call that inequality was never going to be truly silenced. The people of the US were largely appalled by the murders and began to take action upon the negativity being spread by the opposition of the civil rights movement. History.com Staff’s article states, “...two white students, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, both from New York, and a local Afro-American, James Chaney, disappeared. Although their badly beaten bodies were not discovered for six weeks, certainty they had been murdered swept the country…” This statement justifies the fact that the murders were an appalling act that shook the nation. Through all this negativity and spite, the nation stood together and began to call for equality. Last, the Neshoba County Murders left a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Community.
The death gave the movement a new outlook on what they were fighting for and gave them a foothold on the national level. PBS.org states, “Ultimately, the jury found insufficient evidence for a murder conviction, but did find Killen guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison.” The fact that a white man was convicted of a significant charge against a black man was huge. It brought hope forth to a generation of activists that would make extreme gains for african americans all over the country. Many people, however, argue that the most influential figure of the civil rights movement was Martin Luther KIng Jr. They argue that the March on Washington, his massive boycotts, and his extremely moving speeches were more important. The March on Washington “rallied 250,000 people” (www.nps.com) However, I argue that while the march was very significant, the nationwide effect of the murders were far more significant and influential. The unification caused by such murders was a key turning point in the
movement. In conclusion, the Neshoba County Murders were the most significant portion of the Civil RIghts Movement. They signaled a new age in the prosecution of hate crimes. It also affected blacks and whites, breaking the color barrier in law majorly. It, most importantly, gave hope to the civil rights movement that their goal was attainable, and they could ask for and receive true equality for all citizens. While three lives were lost, the thousands more that were saved makes the Neshoba County Murders the key turning point in the civil rights movement.