Final answer:
Mrs. Merriweather's speech on J. Grimes Everet is iconic because she denounces racism, exposes the challenges she faced as a mother, and criticizes the country's democratic shortcomings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speech given by Mrs. Merriweather on J. Grimes Everet is considered iconic for multiple reasons. Firstly, she called out the virulent racism that plagued America, particularly Mississippi, and highlighted the difficulties she faced as a mother trying to find information about her son. She courageously spoke about the conditions that led to her son's death and criticized the country for being a farce of a democracy. Her speech was a powerful condemnation of racism and contributed to the fight for justice and equality.