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http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0818.html
http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/571613?terms=james%20meredith&webSiteCode=SLN_AMHIST&returnToPage=%2fSearch%2fDisplay%2f571613%3fterms%3djames+meredith&token=4A7609106EB44B4A07041E44DFEFA387&casError=False
http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/58772
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHIuSiip20U&feature=player_embedded
"There’s nothing more powerful than someone that everyone can say is crazy, but everybody knows they’re are not. Fear is a two-way street, Most people only think it’s a one-way street. Nothing is more powerful than a person being in a situation where everyone thinks they ought to be fearful, and they do not show any fear. What that situation does is scare the life out of everybody else." http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/index.php/print_view/24812
James Howard Meredith was the first African-American student to integrate the University of Mississippi in 1962. Integrating the all white school was not an easy task; his applications had all been rejected until after his court case. After winning the battle he was able to apply to classes but that was still easier said than done. He was escorted by police and race riots broke out all over campus, killing two civilians (“Meredith, James”). James Meredith would be setting a precedent and changing the lives of millions of African-American students, as well as raising awareness of the continuing civil rights struggle (McGuire).
James was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi on June 25th 1993. His family was a farming family and he had nine other brothers and sisters. He went to segregated schools his whole life including high school before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951 in search of a better education. After nine years in the Air Force, a tour of duty in Japan (“James Meredith”) and earning college credits during his service, he enrolled in Jackson State College, another segregated school. James had originally dreamed of going to Ole Miss, but with a wife and young child it was unrealistic, Jackson State was more fitting for his circumstance at the time. (McGuire). However, James never gave up on his dream and decided to finally pursue it.
After two years at Jackson State College (“James Meredith”) James met with Medger Evers who was the secretary of the NAACP. They decided that James’ dream could be accomplished with persistence and some help from other parties. The state of Mississippi and the University of Mississippi denied his acceptance into the school and into the community until finally the federal court ordered his acceptance (McGuire). However, state officials did not like their ruling and blocked the entrance of the school, not allowing James Meredith to walk in. After race riots sprung up all over Oxford campus and after the two deaths that occurred because of the riots, the school gave in (“Meredith, James”). James Meredith was allowed to come to Ole Miss but had to be escorted by federal troops. After the hype eventually wore off, the troops still remained at the school. James Meredith successfully graduated from the University of Mississippi in August of 1963. (McGuire). After his graduation, he wrote a book about his time there calling it “Three Years in Mississippi” (“James Meredith”). James Meredith overcame all the obstacles he had faced and was able to prove everyone wrong, but his success did not stop there.
James Meredith wanted to continue his education and attended the University of Ibadan in Nigeria to take graduate economic courses, then the University of Columbia Law School to get a law degree. Besides schooling, James participated in a “March Against Fear” from Memphis to Jackson to try to encourage people to register to vote (McGuire). At the march, he was shot and after his hospitalization he continued to participate, not wanting to give up. He then returned back to Columbia to finish his degree (“Meredith, James”). James lectured at colleges including American and African colleges, participated in stock broking, bought property investments, and ran for the United States Senate. Although he did not win, he continued to push himself and studied American social policies and wrote another book about his studies (McGuire).
James Meredith is best known for being the first African-American at Ole Miss, but he accomplished so much more. From writing books, marching to raise awareness, and graduating with other degrees, he never gave up. Obstacles were always thrown in his way but he was persistent, dedicated, and overcame all odds. James Meredith can be seen as not only a civil rights activist, but an inspirational role model for us all.
