As one can imagine, the south was rampant with racial unrest in 1964. This was a time when Martin Luther King was urging people to protest the racial divisions that were tearing the country apart. His message was to be sent through peaceful protests and persuasive speeches. This was also a time when more and more citizens of different ethnicities were coming together to spread the word that the nation, as a whole, would not stand for racial inequality anymore. These people were called civil rights activists. Mississippi Burning begins with the disappearance of three civil rights activists in Mississippi. Two of them are Jewish and the other one is of African decent. At this time, as well, the government is becoming more involved in the protection of civil rights. J. Edgar Hoover, as head of the F.B.I., sent in agents Anderson and Ward to find the three missing activists. The Klan-dominated town was little help, and the local black community was reluctant to help for fear of lynch mobs and firebombs. The power of justice and freedom met hatred and bigotry head on in a powerful climax.
Mississippi Burning is a movie that educates and attempts to persuade. The education comes in many forms. It attempts to get to the root of the problem. When did this problem begin? Why did the people on both sides of the issue feel the way that they did? Why were these people so reluctant to change? Why couldn't they see that this type of hatred and bigotry was inherently wrong? These are questions that Mississippi Burning attempts to answer. By showing the viewpoints of all of those involved, the ultimate goal of the movie is to persuade people to recognize that this type of activity is barbaric in nature. Another side story that the movie points out is the fact that many people in the area do not feel hatred or bigotry towards those of other ethnic backgrounds. These people have managed to "see the light", realizing that we are all equal.