Celebrating Courage: Honoring James Meredith's Legacy
Photo by Marion S. Trikosko / Library of Congress
James Meredith, center, walking to class at Mississippi University in 1962, accompanied by U.S. marshals.
This month, we celebrate the birthday of James Meredith, a trailblazing figure in American civil rights history, born on June 25, 1933.
Growing up in Kosciusko, Mississippi, during an era of deep racial segregation, James Meredith was determined to challenge the status quo. After serving nine years in the U.S. Air Force, he set his sights on desegregating higher education. His application to the University of Mississippi was initially rejected because of his race, but Meredith did not back down. In a landmark case, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor in 1962, affirming his right to attend the university.
His enrollment on September 30, 1962, was met with violent riots, necessitating the intervention of federal marshals and National Guard troops. Despite facing intense hostility and danger, Meredith persisted, becoming the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi. Reflecting on his experience, he said, "Nobody handpicked me ... I believed, and believe now, that I have a divine responsibility ... I am familiar with the manner of men who lead revolutions."
Photo by Bob Fitch, SCLC staff photographer / Bob Fitch photography archive, © Stanford University Libraries
Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr., James Meredith, and Floyd McKissick lead the March Against Fear in 1966.
On June 5, 1966, James Meredith began an attempt to walk from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, to promote black voter registration and defy entrenched racism. On the second day of the march Meredith was shot and wounded.
Within hours, the nation's three principal civil rights organizations vowed to continue the march – The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
James Meredith, sufficiently recovered, was able to rejoin the march by its conclusion in Jackson.
In 1966, Meredith further cemented his place in history with the "March Against Fear." Starting as a solitary journey from Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi, to promote African American voter registration and confront the climate of fear, the march continued even after he was shot and wounded by a white supremacist. Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Stokely Carmichael joined the march, transforming it into a significant demonstration against racial injustice.
Throughout his life, he has remained a steadfast advocate for civil rights and social justice. He earned a law degree from Columbia University and has written several books, including "Three Years in Mississippi," where he recounts his experiences and the profound challenges he faced.
Meredith, who turns 91 on June 25, 2024, still participates in advocacy work.
As we honor James Meredith on his birthday, we remember his remarkable courage and dedication in the struggle to end racism. His story is a testament that one person can make a significant difference in creating a more equal and just nation.