James+Meredith+&+Ole+Miss

James Meredith & Ole Miss

James Meredith was born on June 25, 1933 in Mississippi. He attended school in Florida where is uncle lived and always enjoyed learning thoroughly. The schools that he atteneded were segregated schools. Meredith while growing up wanted to go to the University of Mississippi. Unfortunately, as an African American during that time his chances of getting in and beign able to attend were slim. He enlisted in the United states Air Force in 1951. After nine years, he was discharged in about 1960. Knowing how important an education was, he not only worked on earnign credits in the Air Force but when he was discharged decided to attend college. Knowing the current situation America was in at the time when it came to discrimination he "realistically" decided to attend Jackson State College. This college was an all black college. This was not enough howeve. Meredith still had that desire to attend the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss. In order to help his chances, he teamed up with Medgar Evers, a "state field secratery for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People". Evers was ver willing to support James Meredith's decision, and agreed to help him in the case of practicing his rights. After applying to Ole Miss, it was not until two years after that he was accepted. This was due to both the University and Mississippi's Govorner Bernett, who both tried to interpose to the application of Meredith.[|1] is efforts for equality, also resulted in riots breaking out on the Oxford campus. Two people died during these riots.[| 2] The federal court ordered the presence of troops and the controversy was terminated.[|1] as a result of this issue at the University, James Meredith became a well known name for many of the people fighting Civil Rights issues in the United States. James Meredith is now well known as the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi. With this new fame, he made the issue of discrimination a priority. James later made lecturs at colleges to students. Surprisingly, James Meredith, despite being a active participant in the Civil Rights Movement, he is a political conservative "at heart". [|1]