What has four eyes and can't see?

What has four eyes and can’t see?  Mississippi Burning (Alan Parker, 1988); it’s key ingredients of the civil rights movement in the sixties

 “What has four eyes and can’t see? Mississippi”. Agent Handerson tells this unforgettable joke during the opening scene of the crime/drama “Mississippi Burning” (1988). If we rewind to before the 1960’s and suppose Mississippi was a person with four eyes; it would be too blind to acknowledge the inequality between African Americans and White Americans.

 Mississippi was a prominent Southern State in the US for racism and segregation. This blog focuses on the relevance of the film when learning about the second wave Civil rights movement in the 1960’s. In an era where influential activists began to act, iconic figures rose including Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. Mississippi Burning opens a visual demonstration of iconic history, discrimination that is still feared today due to the election of president Trump. I will select several strong scenes which reflect the issues in this era.

Here’s a brief plot summary of the film. It relates to the real murders of the Mississippi Civil Right workers; Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner. Mississippi Burning, set in 1964, the FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Hackman) and Alan (Defoe) investigate the disappearance of three Civil Rights workers. However, this proves challenging due to the Ku Klux Klan’s response to the investigation; increasing horrific attacks on African Americans.

The feds

 In the opening scene we see the police are chasing the 3 activists. Immediately we are drawn into the film, nothing is sugar coated. This demonstrates how flawed the policing system is and reflects their discriminatory values. Not only was there discrimination based on race, the sheriff regards one white activist as a; “Nigger loving Jew boy” and barely hesitates to shoot him in the head. It’s important to remember that it was not only the KKK that were deadly, but also the police whose duty should be to prevent danger.

African Americans

The local police dismiss the disappearance of the activists, and the Sheriff suggests that it “could be a publicity stunt cooked up by that Martin Luther King Fella.” It is important that MLK is referenced in this film, as 1964 was when he was a very significant activist, just 4 years before his tragic assassination. Some may argue that MLK should have appeared in this film, however, this could dominate the main story line. What makes Mississippi Burning unique, is how the views of white people are demonstrated. The North vs South, the minority of white activists in Mississippi and the passion from the FBI agents. While it is important to recognise the strength of the African American’s and their accomplishments of the Civil Rights movement, it is interesting to see the changing ideologies of some white Americans.

Segregation

Segregation is represented in Mississippi burning, during the Eulogy scene of the black activist who was murdered. An African American at the funeral pays high respects to the two white activists, but declares; “The state of Mississippi won’t even allow theses white boys to be buried in the same cemetery as this negroe boy.”

Overall, Mississippi Burning is one of the top demonstrations of race and Civil Rights in the sixties. It realistically highlights prejudice events that occurred in Mississippi and all over America. This film is an essential source to educate those learning about racism and Civil rights in the sixties.