As part of USM’s celebration of Black History Month, actress and author E.P. McKnight will present the one-woman play “I Question America” honoring the life of civil-rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. It takes place Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. in the Hannaford Lecture Hall in Portland.
McKnight’s performance highlights the childhood, youth and adulthood of Hamer, a cotton farmer born in Mississippi who fought for years against racism, suffering beatings and numerous arrests. Hamer eventually drew national recognition, speaking before Congress and receiving a standing ovation after speaking at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
McKnight is a graduate of Fordham University and works as a poet, writer and actress. She has toured nationally performing “I Question America,” performing at many colleges and universities to critical acclaim.
The event is free and open to the public.