We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance in the Mississippi Freedom Movement

In the award-winning "We Will Shoot Back: Armed Resistance in the Mississippi Freedom Movement," author Akinyele Omowale Umoja delves into the pivotal yet often overlooked role of armed resistance in the fight for racial justice in the Deep South. Published on August 22, 2014, and recognized with the 2014 Anna Julia Cooper-CLR James Book Award and the PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles Award, this compelling narrative challenges conventional views by highlighting how Black activists employed armed self-defense to combat oppressive systems of segregation and disenfranchisement. Through meticulous research and powerful storytelling, Umoja reveals how the courage to confront fear transformed political and social relationships in Mississippi, igniting a significant shift towards equality and human rights. This thought-provoking book is ideal for high school students studying the complexities of the civil rights movement, providing a deeper understanding of the strategic use of armed resistance in the broader struggle for racial justice.