Vernon Dahmer died on January 10, 1966 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. When he died he was a family man, a business man, and a civil rights leader. Martyrs Remembered, an on-line article from the Southern Poverty Law Center, reminds us of what men and woman of color went through so that we all can be successful in whatever life brings to the table.
Martyrs Remembered, explains the history of Mr. Dahmer’s effects to get voting rights. It also says how he was respected by both white and black Mississippians. He was a man that people could count on in times of trouble. In 1966, racial unrest was sweeping the South. The Mississippi branch of the KKK had plans to stop civil rights by any means necessary. At one meeting, Mr. Dahmer was mentioned as a radical. After…show more content… Dahmer offered to pay the poll tax for any African American that would register the vote. It was this offer that brought his name to the attention of the Khan and the fact that he announced on a local radio station of his intentions. His good heart and love of his community brought trouble to his door step.
After the radio broadcast and when he was asleep in his home with his family, the sounds of gun shots were heard. The house was fire-bombed and his wife and children rushed to the back of the house to escape the fire and flumes. One of his children was seriously injured. Mr. Dahmer had stayed behind in the burning house and was affected by the smoke. Mr. Dahmer’s family home was burnt to the ground as was his nearby business. After the KKK left the property, Mr. Dahmer was rushed to the hospital. He died due to damaged lungs.
The black and white communities were shocked by his death and the destruction of his home. Community leaders set up a donation center to help the Dahmer family. People donated clothes, food, and money. Some donated furniture and building materials. Law enforcement vowed to find the killers and bring them to justice. Mr. Dahmer’s death spurred the federal government to
