Jerry Mitchell
Jerry Mitchell: A Crusader for Justice
#### Full Name and Common Aliases
Jerry Mitchell is a renowned American investigative journalist known for his work in exposing white supremacist groups and their violent activities.
#### Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 26, 1958, Jerry Mitchell is still alive today.
#### Nationality and Profession(s)
Mitchell's nationality is American, and he has worked as an investigative journalist primarily with the Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi.
#### Early Life and Background
Growing up in a middle-class family in California, Mitchell developed an interest in journalism at an early age. He was particularly drawn to investigative reporting, which led him to pursue a career that would take him to the heart of some of America's most pressing issues.
After completing his education, Mitchell began his journalistic journey as a reporter for various newspapers before joining the Clarion-Ledger in 1985. It was during this period that he started focusing on stories related to racial violence and civil rights abuses in Mississippi.
#### Major Accomplishments
Mitchell's most significant contributions as a journalist include exposing the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and other white supremacist groups responsible for numerous murders, bombings, and other violent acts. His investigations led to the conviction of several former KKK members involved in the 1963 bombing of a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, which killed four young girls.
Mitchell's work also shed light on the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. His investigation helped bring to justice the men responsible for these heinous crimes.
#### Notable Works or Actions
Some of Mitchell's notable works include:
"The Innocent Man," a series that explored the case of Glenn Ford, who was wrongly convicted of murder in 1984.
"The Untouchables," which exposed the corrupt relationships between law enforcement officials and organized crime figures in Mississippi.
#### Impact and Legacy
Jerry Mitchell's tireless efforts to expose racial violence and injustice have made a lasting impact on American society. His work has not only led to numerous convictions but also sparked conversations about systemic racism and the importance of preserving civil rights.
Through his writing, Mitchell has given voice to victims and their families, ensuring that their stories are remembered and honored. His dedication to investigative journalism serves as an inspiration to aspiring journalists everywhere.
#### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Mitchell's influence extends beyond his journalistic accomplishments. He is widely quoted and respected for his unwavering commitment to truth and justice. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize in Investigative Reporting in 2003.
As a champion of civil rights and human dignity, Jerry Mitchell continues to be an important figure in American journalism and a beacon of hope for those fighting against racial injustice.
His legacy serves as a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one person's courage and determination can bring about positive change.
Quotes by Jerry Mitchell
Christian Identity preacher Wesley Swift, whose racist teachings included that Adam and Eve were white, that nonwhites have no souls, and that Jews were the offspring of Satan. Before 1967 ended, the White Knights began bombing Jewish homes and synagogues.
No one,” Ben noted, “would have known about James Chaney if he had been by himself.
Nothing is quite so dangerous as a religious fanatic who thinks he’s doing the Lord’s will.
I love the story. It's so positive, especially for young girls to believe in themselves. And it's fun to root for a leading character you care about.
It's a live show with 17 pieces, and we're hoping to get it up somewhere in some theatre with special guests. That's still in the works. . . It's concertish right now, but we're developing it. It's a 17-piece big band, so you don't want to get in the way of those incredible musicians. I'm doing it up here, in my town, Richfield, Connecticut, so we'll see. It's at the beginning stages.
The ones that I am now packing we don't have all the supplies in there, so I'm checking the ones that we don't have and we'll have to replenish those.
The show is structured to get the audience back into the story after intermission. That takes about 10 minutes -- any show has a little fat it can get rid of, and we found most of ours after the intermission.