My condolences go out to Ben and his sisters, Barbara, Julia, and Janice. I met Ms. Chaney at the Killen trial in 2005. I was struck by both her quiet strength and her humor. She told Sheryl, Ash-Lee, and myself that she was supposed to accompany us on the 2004 Freedom Ride for Justice, but that her son Ben had left her sitting on her front porch with her bags packed. She suggested we should take him outside and give him a good whoopin' for forgetting to pick her up. What inspired me the most about Ms. Chaney was that, during her testimony, she was determined not only to tell the story of her son and his companions, but to let the world know that nine other bodies of black men had been found during the search for Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner. When asked by the prosecution how she learned that her son's body had been found, she made a point to detail each of the several phone calls she received describing the features or clothing of a body or bodies that had been found. I wish I could find the exact transcript. Ms. Chaney deserved a standing ovation--I know I was not the only person in the courtroom both saddened at the reality of what she was saying, but beaming at her boldness. May she rest in peace. I know she is rejoicing with James at her side now.
Edward Kale
· 2 years ago
As a former Freedom Rider, I am so sorry that Fannie Lee Chaney has passed away without seeing justice done for her son James Earl Chaney. We must continue to "overcome" and to be "delivered from" evil.
Jared Story
· 2 years ago
I find it interesting that, while papers all over the country have picked up the A.P. story about Ms. Chaney's death, neither the Neshoba Democrat nor the Meridian Star (at least in their online manifestations) are carrying the story of Ms. Chaney's death.
Benjamin T. Greenberg
· 2 years ago
Jared and Edward, thank you both for your comments. I apologize for how long it took me to let them through. Subsequent comments will appear publish in real time, when you post them.
Jared, your point about the Neshoba Democrat and the Meridian Star is very well taken. I would add that the silence of the Jackson Free Press is similarly curious. In the latter case I also would have thought the story of the newly discovered photo of Henry Dee would be major news, given all of the other coverage they have given the Dee-Moore case.
All Comments
What inspired me the most about Ms. Chaney was that, during her testimony, she was determined not only to tell the story of her son and his companions, but to let the world know that nine other bodies of black men had been found during the search for Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner. When asked by the prosecution how she learned that her son's body had been found, she made a point to detail each of the several phone calls she received describing the features or clothing of a body or bodies that had been found. I wish I could find the exact transcript. Ms. Chaney deserved a standing ovation--I know I was not the only person in the courtroom both saddened at the reality of what she was saying, but beaming at her boldness. May she rest in peace. I know she is rejoicing with James at her side now.
We must continue to "overcome" and to be "delivered from" evil.
Jared, your point about the Neshoba Democrat and the Meridian Star is very well taken. I would add that the silence of the Jackson Free Press is similarly curious. In the latter case I also would have thought the story of the newly discovered photo of Henry Dee would be major news, given all of the other coverage they have given the Dee-Moore case.