Happy 89th birthday to James Meredith. A living American hero whose story should be known.
He grew up in Mississippi, only allowed to go to all-black schools. When he graduated, he joined the Air Force and served in it from 1951-1960.
This in itself fascinates me. How could a person volunteer to fight and possibly die for a country that forced him to go to a lesser school because of the color of their skin? They’d have to be a much better man than I.
When he was done in the Air Force, he wanted to get a college degree. He enrolled in an all black college, Jackson State. He was inspired by President Kennedy’s inaugural address though, and wanted to put pressure on Kennedy to support civil rights. He decided to enroll in the University of Mississippi.
The Governor of Mississippi immediately made a statement, “No negro will be allowed to attend the University of Mississippi under my watch.” The State Legislature passed a law stating that no one accused of a crime of “moral turpitude” would be allowed in the University. This was intended specifically for Meredith. His crime? He tried to vote the year before.
When Meredith arrived at the University, he was met by thousands of protestors. President Kennedy had already sent 500 federal marshals to protect him, but it wasn’t enough to deter the protestors. Rioting ensued. Over 100 marshals were injured by thrown objects and bullets. Two of them died. Kennedy had to bring in 3000 more federal soldiers to restore order.
With the help of the Federal Government, Meredith forced his way in.
He was the subject of constant harassment from other students. Most students literally turned their backs whenever they saw him. Students refused to sit near him in class. They would sign up for shifts to bounce a basketball in the dorm room above Meredith’s all night so he couldn’t sleep.
He graduated in 1963 with a degree in Poltical science. He would go on to get a law degree from Columbia.
In 1966, he wanted to have his own “March against fear.” He set out to march by himself from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson Mississippi to promote voter registration amongst African Americans.
On the second day, he was shot by a sniper. That sniper would only serve 18 months in prison. That is right…..18 months.
The beautiful thing: Over 15,000 showed up to take his place in the march. When he recovered, he rejoined them. As a result of his march, over 4,000 African Americans in Mississippi registered to vote.
James Meredith risked his life inside this country and outside of it to make it a better place for you and me. Learn his story, and help others do the same.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P511QLB?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tpbk
THE UNFINISHED PYRAMID 
Thanks for sharing Meredith’s story. Very inspiring man of courage and strength.
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