Civil Rights Diary Essays - James Meredith, Free Essays, Term Papers

Civil Rights Diary Essays - James Meredith, Free Essays, Term Papers Civil Rights Diary Victoria Mullally HIS/145 September 14, 2015 Jennifer Moore Civil Rights Diary Sweet Ole Miss The University of Mississippi is home of the Rebels and the white man. Here at Ole Miss we gain a quality education among students who we have things in common with. I cant believe all the hostility about segregation and desegregation. I sure am glad we dont have to worry here at the university. It is peaceful and a great institution of higher education. I dont know how I would handle all that fighting and hostility if an African American wanted to join our campus. Rumor Has It I just heard that an African American student has tried to apply to become a student here at the University of Mississippi. I guess I spoke too soon when I thought it was going to be another peaceful year here at Ole Miss. I wish I knew more about who it was trying to get in. I feel like if they try too hard people here are going to push back with a vengeance. No one seems happy about this student trying to get in. I guess I plan to stay out of the violence. I dont care much for people getting angry about something we have no control over (it just seems silly). James Meredith Come to find out the guy who applied was James Meredith. He was in school before, but I guess he is some kind of civil rights activist so he wants to attend school here. I heard he even obtained a court order from Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black enjoining the university to admit him (Moss & Thomas, 2013, "Let Freedom Ring"). After I found out the governor stepped in and still told the university not to admit him! This is going to turn violent real quick. People here at the university are in an up roar and experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. I dont know if I should panic, riot, or just stick to my studies. I really would prefer if this situation wouldnt escalate. The way it seems to be going, though, I might have no choice in the matter. Wouldnt You Know It You know I figured something fishy was going on here. I remember learning about the Brown V. Board of Education case and how it effectively was supposed to end segregation in the public school system. I had heard many African Americans were getting into white colleges all over. As luck would have it I found out James Meredith according to History.com Staff (2010), applied repeatedly to Ole Miss without success (para. 3) in the two years he attended college at Jackson State College. According to National Portrait Gallery (2012), The university rejected his application twice, and it would take a year and a half and the force of the United States Supreme Court for Meredith to be admitted. (para. 6). Thats why he had a court order to be allowed to attend; he was already fighting the system long before we heard about it. I cant believe how hard he is trying to prove he is worthy of an education here. I mean I dont know him personally but he must be very passionate to work so hard to achie ve something that could potentially hurt him. People still dont know what is going to happen when he steps foot on campus for the first time. I sure hope he gets the chance to sign up for classes, he deserves it after the effort he has put in. Violence Ensued Only naturally would it have to end in violence. When James Meredith tried to show up on campus he had federal government protection! This did not make very many people on campus happy. There was a huge mob out there to meet them. I wasnt getting involved; I know how violent situations can escalate. Boy did I ever make the right choice. Two people ended up shot! This is crazy, how can people be so judgmental. All James wants is to attend classes. After those deaths and so many injuries the government sent in marshals and troops to clean up the mess. Ive never seen so many troops in one place at one time. Alls Well According to University of Mississippi (n.d.), The