Matthew Jones (activist) facts for kids

Matthew Jones (born September 17, 1936 – died March 30, 2011) was an amazing African-American folk singer and songwriter. He was also a very important civil rights activist. Matthew was known for being a leader in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a member of their singing group, The Freedom Singers, during the 1960s. He used his music to fight for fairness and equality.

Fighting for Civil Rights

Matthew Jones was a talented and trained musician. He became active in the Civil Rights Movement in 1960. This movement worked to end unfair treatment and gain equal rights for all people. Matthew joined the Nashville Student Movement, a group that used peaceful protests.

He was a strong voice in the movement in Danville, Virginia. In 1963, he started another singing group there called the Danville Freedom Voices. Matthew later moved to Atlanta, Georgia, with his brother Marshall. Marshall also worked with the SNCC and their music group, the Freedom Singers.

Matthew Jones was incredibly brave. He stood up to hate groups like the Ku Klux Klan many times. He was arrested 29 times during his work in the Civil Rights Movement. His experiences made him a true "freedom singer."

He once said, "I am a freedom singer; a freedom fighter." He explained that freedom songs are special. They use repeating words to make a message clear. He believed that if you sing a powerful idea enough times, like "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine," you can truly believe it.

Later Life and Music

Matthew Jones shared his powerful songs all over the world. He performed with activists in places like Northern Ireland. His music helped inspire people fighting for justice everywhere.

During the Anti-Vietnam War movement, he recorded a special record. It had two songs: "Hell No, We Ain't Gonna Go" and "Super Sam." These songs spoke out against the war.

In every performance, Matthew included "The Freedom Chant." This was a strong statement he created. It was based on a famous quote by Fannie Lou Hamer and his own many years of fighting for change.

The chant went like this: "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 a period of illness, Matthew Jones passed away in New York City on March 30, 2011.

Matthew Jones's Album

Matthew Jones released an album called Matt Jones Then and Now with Relevant Records. Here are some of the songs:

• SIDE A
• Freedom Road
• Uncle Tom's Prayer
• Freedom Medley
• Medgar Evers
• Legend of Danville
• Demonstrating G.I.
• Avon Rollins

• SIDE B
• Oginga Odinga
• Brother That Ain't Good
• It's Like A Wheel
• Nuclear Reactor
• Tree of Life