As remembered by Matt Jones
James Peacock — SNCC Freedom Singer and Freedom Fighter
I was saddened to hear that my brother and friend has passed away. He was a giant of a man. Without his help, the government would not have known the facts surrounding the lynching of many Black people in the state of Mississippi. Many of you who knew James probably would not know the importance of the man.
The Civil Rights Movement has not found a way of celebrating its heroes. It merely celebrates the lives of its major leaders like Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and Fannie Lou Hamer. The James Peacocks are not known, but their contributions outweigh the leaders for the leaders stand on their shoulders.
James was also a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Freedom Singers. We traveled over 300,000 miles around this country and Canada raising money for the movement and spreading the word of our struggle. We would send an average of $5000 a week to continue our work in the South.
James sang bass in the group. If you listen, his voice can be heard in the PBS Documentary "Eyes on the Prize," the Academy Award nominated documentary "Freedom on My Mind," and the Rob Reiner film "Ghosts of Mississippi."
I say these things because I want his children to hear these remarks from someone outside the family. James Peacock was a great man. I have a deep love and respect for him and his brother Wazir. James comes from good stock. When he goes to heave he will be there with Harriet Tubman, Martin King, Malcolm X, Fannie Lou Hamer and all the Freedom Choir. He will be leading the song he did so well? "Busses are a coming, Oh Yeah. You better get your ticket. We're riding in the front seat."
Rest well James, you deserve it.
Your Brother Matthew
Former Director of the SNCC Freedom Singers
Copyright © 2000, Mattew Jones
Submitted by Wazir Peacock
As remembered by Sharlene
Kranz
September 20, 2022
James Arthur Peacock was born in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi in 1935 where his father was a sharecropper. He served two years in the U.S. Army in Korea.
In the early 1960's James was a member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) Freedom Singers. Matt Jones wrote: "We traveled over 300,000 miles around this country and Canada raising money for the movement and spreading the word of our struggle. We would send an average of $5000 a week to continue our work in the South. James sang bass in the group. If you listen, his voice can be heard in the PBS Documentary "Eyes on the Prize," the Academy Award nominated documentary "Freedom on My Mind," and the Rob Reiner film "Ghosts of Mississippi."
Charles Neblett, another member of the Freedom Singers, remembers James telling him that James was a bootlegger in Mississippi before joining SNCC. "He was one heck of a bass singer. After SNCC he moved to California, married and had a daughter" remembers Charles.
James died Nov. 19, 1998 in Milwaukee.
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