Literacy Test FROM Mississippi
Literacy Test FROM Mississippi
Literacy tests were given in order to prove that someone could read and write before they were allowed to register to vote. Most of the time the literacy tests contained questions that were purposely made to be difficult to answer.
Literacy tests were given in order to prove that someone could read and write before they were allowed to register to vote. Most of the time the literacy tests contained questions that were purposely made to be difficult to answer.
Read the literacy test and think about the following:
Read the literacy test and think about the following:
Would you be able to answer all of the questions on this form? Why?
Would you be able to answer all of the questions on this form? Why?
Do you think many people could complete this form correctly?
Do you think many people could complete this form correctly?
How would you feel if you had to complete this form in order to vote?
How would you feel if you had to complete this form in order to vote?
Do you think this is a fair voter registration process? Why or why not?
Do you think this is a fair voter registration process? Why or why not?
What other methods were used to prevent African Americans from voting?
What other methods were used to prevent African Americans from voting?
Why might people want to prevent African Americans from voting? Or the reverse—what might happen if African Americans were no longer prevented from voting?
Why might people want to prevent African Americans from voting? Or the reverse—what might happen if African Americans were no longer prevented from voting?
What rights are being violated by using this form for voter registration?
What rights are being violated by using this form for voter registration?