James Meredith - UM History of Integration

On September 20, 1962, African-American student James Meredith was refused enrollment to the segregated University of Mississippi by Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett. Meredith, a ten year Air Force veteran, was determined to integrate Ole Miss. He needed 24 hour protection and once quipped that he was “the most segregated Negro in America.” A great American in every respect. An excerpt from the article:

"Messages of support for Meredith arrived from all over the world, including from Rosa Parks, Josephine Baker and Langston Hughes. However, Meredith was ostracized by most of his fellow students at the university and needed 24-hour protection from marshals. As a result, he described himself as “the most segregated Negro in America.” The broadside “Rebel Resistance” was created by students, in collaboration with the Citizens’ Council, to urge students to avoid any association with Meredith. Federal troops remained on campus for more than a year to ensure his safety. In spite of these challenges, Meredith graduated with a bachelor’s degree in August 1963."