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Civil War Diary

In: Historical Events

Submitted By keepergirl
Words 745
Pages 3
Civil Rights Diary
HIS145
July 21, 2011

Civil Rights Diary
Student at the University of Mississippi when James Meredith tried to enroll. Today is Wednesday, September 25, 1962. I could barely sleep last night due to the high anticipation of how today’s events will transpire. I am a student of University of Mississippi and today a Negro, James Meredith will attempt to enroll as the first of his kind to attend school here. I have heard much about this situation as Meredith’s plight to attend the University of Mississippi has reached the Supreme Court. Apparently after several enrollment attempts, James Meredith was denied the opportunity to attend the University due to his race. Following the 1954’s Brown vs Board of Education ruling all public institutions were ordered to desegregate, after denied admission, Meredith decided to take his case to the courts. Although the district courts ruled against him, the Supreme Court ruled in his favor. Thus, here we are today. A warm fall day, with all the communities’ attention on today’s events.
From what I know of James Meredith, a Mississippian, he is a former Army Air Force Airman and currently attends Columbus University. Considering he is currently enrolled and receiving an education, I am not quite sure why he is creating such an unwanted distress for our community.
My friends and I have chosen to take account of today’s activities from several locations. At the airport, the arrival of U.S. Marshalls are loaded to Army trucks headed towards the University to ensure Meredith is unharmed. I am on campus and tension is cloud high and quite stressful, I must say. My drive here was just as stressful. Hundreds of protestors, bystanders and patrolmen have lined the streets of Oxford, to kept James Meredith from entering the grounds of the University. As I got closer to the entrance, hundreds more plain clothed protestors are posted near the entrance of the University to ensure the same.
Anticipation and anxiety continues to grow as the word spreads that Meredith escorted by federal marshals nears. I can hear the yells, rants and taunts from angry protestor’s miles away. On campus students against the desegregation are gathering carrying communist flags and signs. Many are already very upset with anger that I do not understand. After all, the law must be upheld and more importantly what harm will come from one Negro man attending the University of Mississippi. As the procession carrying Meredith grew closer, so did the unrest of all. A feeling began to arise in me that I could not understand. On one hand, a felt the need to side with my peers, my community, my friends who were all outraged. On the other hand, I could not ignore the amount of sympathy and humanity I felt for the man that wanted a better quality of life for himself and his family. The same quality I wanted for myself. The same quality I expect of my future husband.
A friend that is located near the crowd of protestors outside of University, recalls the crowd being kept back by police force to allow Meredith’s convoy ability to pass through the town. The crowds continued to grow with angry protestors. Unfortunately, upon arrival, the entrance to the University was blocked and entrance was prohibited. Our governor, Ross Barnett, himself appeared to ensure Meredith did not obtain access to the University. As the convoy exited the University students and protestors crowded the car carrying Meredith. Using force, the marshal’s accompanying Meredith made their way through the crowd heading away from the University.
As you can imagine, with so many gathered full of disdain and anger the crowd grew unruly resulting into riots. I have never experienced anything like this before in my life, nor do I hope to witness in the near future. Many were hurt and many more arrested. The patrolmen tried their best to restrain the crowd and provide peace. Without success, more support was obtained by the assistance of the Army and more marshal’s.
It is said that Meredith’s decision to enroll in the University of Mississippi was based on the inaugural speech of President of John F. Kennedy. He was inspired by the right I believe that anyone who wants an education should have the right to receive one regardless to the color of their skin.

Reference
James Howard Meredith. (2014). The Biography.com website.
Retrieved, from http://www.biography.com/people/james-meredith- 9406314.

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