Discover the Unbelievable: Top 13 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Civil Rights Icon James Meredith

1. Shot by Gunman, Inspired Thousands

When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade – and when life tosses James Meredith a hostile gunman, he and his allies make history: Shot by a white gunman named James Norvell during his 1966 march from Memphis to Jackson, Meredith's struggle inspired civil rights organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to carry on, ultimately resulting in a record-breaking 15,000 marchers in Jackson by the end of the event.
Source => archives.gov

2. Meredith's "I Think I Can" Attitude

In a brave stand reminiscent of that little engine that could, James Meredith applied his own “I think I can” attitude and chugged his way into history: He was the first African American student to attend the University of Mississippi, after a year and a half of battling legal obstructions with the help of the U.S. Supreme Court, and then graduated with a degree in political science on August 18, 1963, all the while being guarded 24/7 by reserve U.S. deputy marshals and army troops due to threats and harassment from a minority of unimpressed fellow students.
Source => npg.si.edu

Did you know that Ruby Bridges was a powerful symbol of civil rights? At just six years old, she inspired a famous Norman Rockwell painting as the first African American child to integrate an all-white school in the South. Discover more about her remarkable journey!

=> Fun Facts about Ruby-Bridges

3. Air Force: Meredith's Relationship Guru

If the Air Force were a relationship guru, it'd be credited with introducing James Meredith to his better half – and by "better half," we mean not only his wife, but his vision to see through the murky clouds of white supremacy, too: While serving in the Air Force for nine years, Meredith went to college, found his life partner, and gained a global perspective that convinced him white supremacy was man-made rather than natural. It took the might of the United States military, including the National Guard and active-duty troops, to escort Meredith to class and protect him as he became the first Black student at the University of Mississippi in 1962, effectively shattering the color barrier in the state.
Source => airforcetimes.com

4. Meredith: The African American Trailblazer

James Meredith, the man who boldly went where no African American had gone before in a campus galaxy far, far away: He fearlessly became the first African American student to integrate the University of Mississippi in 1962, enduring severe backlash from segregationists, eventually graduating with a degree in political science, and ultimately blazing the trail for the Civil Rights Movement.
Source => cram.com

5. Swooping into Unexpected Territory

Like a daring plot twist in an old Southern novel, James Meredith swooped into unexpected territory and left with more than just sweet tea: He became the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi in 1962, subsequently graduating with a degree in political science and advocating for African American voter registration and education amid violence and opposition.
Source => kinginstitute.stanford.edu

6. From Air Force to Civil Rights Hero

Before taking his talents to the University of Mississippi and hitting the high note in history, James Meredith had an Air Force stint and brushed up on his political science skills at an all-Black school: Meredith courageously transferred to Ole Miss and became the first Black person to register for classes there, shattering the Mississippi's segregation system and making a powerful change in the civil rights movement.
Source => airforcetimes.com

7. Dodging Riots and Bullets for a Degree

If you thought getting into college was tough, imagine dodging riots and bullets while getting your degree: James Meredith overcame tremendous adversity as the first African American to attend the University of Mississippi in 1962, facing violent protests, enduring physical attacks and even getting shot during the 1966 "March Against Fear" but still persisted and encouraged fellow African Americans to challenge the culture of fear perpetuated by white supremacists.
Source => calendar.eji.org

8. Jedi-Level Learning at Multiple Universities

In a galaxy not that far away, where racial tensions had colleges feeling the dark side: James Meredith, a US Air Force veteran with nine years under his belt, became the first African American student at the University of Mississippi, after a victorious court battle with the NAACP. He later sought knowledge abroad at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and even paid a visit to Columbia University for some Jedi-level learning.
Source => blackhistory.news.columbia.edu

9. Meredith Channels JFK in Debate

In a twist worthy of a West Wing episode, James Meredith once found himself on the small screen, expertly channeling a certain would-be President of the United States: In a 1960 televised debate at Jackson State University, Meredith played the role of John F. Kennedy, memorizing and delivering JFK's lines with such prowess, he could have given the man himself a run for his money.
Source => jfklibrary.org

10. The Ultimate College Hazing Ritual

Did you hear about the ultimate college hazing ritual that lasted for years? It included legal battles, death threats, and even required an Air Force officer to study for finals under the watchful eyes of federal marshals: That was the experience of James Meredith, who broke racial barriers in 1962 as the first black student at the University of Mississippi, graduated in 1963, and got shot during his "Walk Against Fear" in 1966, inspiring voter registration in Mississippi and opening up opportunities for black Americans.
Source => simonandschuster.com

11. Making Adversity Tip Its Hat

James Meredith must have made his adversity do the salsa and then tipped its hat: He not only overcame monumental backlash to become the first African-American to graduate from the University of Mississippi in 1963 but also went on to become the first to graduate from Columbia Law School in 1968.
Source => 50years.olemiss.edu

12. Supporting Unexpected Political Candidates

Playing hopscotch on the political spectrum: James Meredith, quite unexpectedly, supported the 1967 gubernatorial bid of firm segregationist Ross Barnett, as well as rallying behind ex-Klansman David Duke during his 1991 run for Governor of Louisiana.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

13. Changing Stance on Statue

Though James Meredith seemed to have a bit of a "statue-tory objection" when it came to being immortalized in stone at the University of Mississippi, a 2018 reunion had his thoughts on the subject do a 180: Originally opposing the statue erected in his honor, Meredith changed his stance after attending the Black Alumni Reunion event. The statue, dedicated in 2006 on the 44th anniversary of his integration of the university, illustrates Meredith walking towards a portal adorned with the words "courage", "knowledge", "opportunity", and "perseverance", and became the haunting target of vandalism in 2014, involving a noose and an old Georgia state flag.
Source => en.wikipedia.org