Matthew Jones (civil rights activist)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Jones was an African-American folk singer/songwriter known for being a field secretary of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee and part of their The Freedom Singers
in the 1960s.
in 1960. Jones was an outspoken participant in the movement in Danville, Virginia
, where he organized another vocal group, the Danville Freedom Voices, in 1963.
Jones relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
, with his brother Marshall, who was also affiliated with the SNCC and their music ensemble, the Freedom Singers.
Matthew Jones faced down the Ku Klux Klan
on many occasions and endured 29 arrests during the Civil Rights Movement. His experiences developed him into a “freedom singer” in the most literal manner.
“I don’t think of myself as a cultural worker,” Jones said. “I am a freedom singer; a freedom fighter. I’ve always been a freedom fighter; I’ll probably go down that way, too. Freedom songs are different than other protest songs because they are really a mantra. The use of repetition allows for the message to be understood. If we sing a powerful statement enough times in a song, like ‘This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,’ then we can internalize it”.
.
During the Anti-Vietnam War movement he recorded a 45 record, “Hell No, We Ain’t Gonna Go” backed on the other side with “Super Sam.”
At each performance, Jones included “The Freedom Chant,” an affirmation he based on a famous quote by Fannie Lou Hamer
and his own many years of direct action.
“I’m sick and tired
of being sick and tired.
I will not allow anybody
at any time
to violate my mind or my body
in any shape, form or fashion.
If they do,
they’ll have to deal with ME immediately!
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
After nearly a year of deteriorating health, Matt Jones died in New York City
very early in the morning on March 30, 2011.
SIDE A
1. Freedom Road
2. Uncle Tom's Prayer
3. Freedom Medley
4. Medgar Evers
5. Legend of Danville
6. Demonstrating G.I.
7. Avon Rollins
SIDE B
1. Oginga Odinga
2. Brother That Ain't Good
3. It's Like A Wheel
4. Nuclear Reactor
5. Tree of Life
The Freedom Singers
The Freedom Singers is a band that was founded in 1962 by Cordell Reagon, Bernice Johnson , Matthew Jones, Charles Neblett and Rutha Mae Harris ....
in the 1960s.
1960s Civil Rights Movement
Matthew Jones was a schooled, experienced musician, and became active in the Civil Rights Movement when he joined the Nashville Student MovementNashville sit-ins
The Nashville sit-ins, which lasted from February 13 to May 10, 1960, were part of a nonviolent direct action campaign to end racial segregation at lunch counters in downtown Nashville, Tennessee...
in 1960. Jones was an outspoken participant in the movement in Danville, Virginia
Danville, Virginia
Danville is an independent city in Virginia, United States, bounded by Pittsylvania County, Virginia and Caswell County, North Carolina. It was the last capital of the Confederate States of America. The Bureau of Economic Analysis combines the city of Danville with Pittsylvania county for...
, where he organized another vocal group, the Danville Freedom Voices, in 1963.
Jones relocated to Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, with his brother Marshall, who was also affiliated with the SNCC and their music ensemble, the Freedom Singers.
Matthew Jones faced down the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
on many occasions and endured 29 arrests during the Civil Rights Movement. His experiences developed him into a “freedom singer” in the most literal manner.
“I don’t think of myself as a cultural worker,” Jones said. “I am a freedom singer; a freedom fighter. I’ve always been a freedom fighter; I’ll probably go down that way, too. Freedom songs are different than other protest songs because they are really a mantra. The use of repetition allows for the message to be understood. If we sing a powerful statement enough times in a song, like ‘This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,’ then we can internalize it”.
Later life
Matthew Jones performed his repertoire around the world, including alongside terrorists in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
During the Anti-Vietnam War movement he recorded a 45 record, “Hell No, We Ain’t Gonna Go” backed on the other side with “Super Sam.”
At each performance, Jones included “The Freedom Chant,” an affirmation he based on a famous quote by Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer was an American voting rights activist and civil rights leader....
and his own many years of direct action.
“I’m sick and tired
of being sick and tired.
I will not allow anybody
at any time
to violate my mind or my body
in any shape, form or fashion.
If they do,
they’ll have to deal with ME immediately!
Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
After nearly a year of deteriorating health, Matt Jones died in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
very early in the morning on March 30, 2011.
Matt Jones recording
Matt Jones Then and Now, Relevant RecordsSIDE A
1. Freedom Road
2. Uncle Tom's Prayer
3. Freedom Medley
4. Medgar Evers
5. Legend of Danville
6. Demonstrating G.I.
7. Avon Rollins
SIDE B
1. Oginga Odinga
2. Brother That Ain't Good
3. It's Like A Wheel
4. Nuclear Reactor
5. Tree of Life