Statue of James Meredith commemorating the integration of the University of Mississippi 50 years ago.

Brandon Skaggs

Oct 4, 2012

JOUR 271

James Meredith Story

Word Count 445

OXFORD, Mississippi- The University of Mississippi honors the 50th anniversary of the acceptance of James Meredith, the first African American to attend UM, this week with the program 50 Years of Integration.  

There has been controversy over the program itself, although it is congratulating how far UM has come from 50 years ago there is still headway to be made.  Speakers at the event recount their experiences with the Civil Rights Movement and how far UM has come from that era, and how far the school and world still has to go.

Opening the event at the Overby Center is Charles Overby, who introduced the Chancellor Daniel Jones.  “When you deal with controversial topics you expect criticism, it’s the American way, is it not?” said Jones to the audience.  Although it has been 50 years since integration it is still obvious to many students, alumni, staff, and faculty that racism still exists, but it is no longer the issue that it used to be.  

Following Jones were Gerald Walton, former Chancellor of UM and Provost, and Donald Cole, alum of UM and former Mathematics Professor.  Walton told a memory of his days as Chancellor and how he felt overlooking the Circle from his office in the Lyceum, and seeing not just Caucasian students, but a diverse group from Asian to African students.  He was proud to see the strides being made at the university. 

The last panel member to speak was Valerie Ross who began working here in 1990 as a secretary.  She won the Lucius Williams Senior Award and is currently working on her doctorate here at UM.  She listed off many prominent African Americans who have made impacts or proved that UM has made strides in integration from James Meredith to the recently elected homecoming queen Courtney Pearson.  She was impressed with the changes that have taken place from Meredith’s impact on Civil Rights.  “I’ve been to the Library on the square and on campus,” said Ross as she explained how much has changed and how no matter what the color of your skin, all students are welcomed at UM.

Although James Meredith himself was not in attendance, his brother Arthur Meredith was.  “This is the first time I’ve been here without James.  It’s different,” said Arthur when asked about the program honoring his brother.  

Although the program stated no questions afterwards one man named Hiram Eastland stood up in the audience and told the panel how gratified James Meredith is for all that was accomplished, but that strides are still being made across the globe for the future as well.