Civil Rights Icon Rejects Anniversary of University Integration
James Meredith, first African-American to attend University of Mississippi, refuses to partake in commemoration.
As the University of Mississippi celebrates the 50th anniversary of its integration, James Meredith—the man who risked life and limb to be the first African-American to attend the school—refuses to partake in the commemoration.
Meredith sits alone on his first day of classes at the University of Mississippi. Photo by Ed Meeks. The Meek School of Journalism and New Media at The University of MississippiMeredith, now 79 and living in Jackson, Miss, always considered himself a soldier and "Ole Miss" his battlefield. As he writes in his new book, "A Mission from God: A Memoir and Challenge for America," co-authored with historian William Doyle: "I chose as my target the University of Mississippi, which in 1960 was the holiest temple of white supremacy in America, next to the U.S. Capitol and the White House, both of which were under the control of segregationists and their collaborators."Of the anniversary, Meredith told theAssociated Press, "I ain't never heard of the French celebrating Waterloo. I ain't never heard
