James Howard Meredith was an African-American that was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi in June of 1933. He was born and raised on a farm with a large family of nine brothers and sisters. He grew up in a time period where racism was very prominent. He had his first encounter with racism on a train where he was forced to give up his seat and move further to the back of the train. From then on he made it his life goal to earn equal racial rights for African Americans.
After his high school career, Mr. Meredith joined the Air Force were he served from 1951 until 1960. During his involvement with the military, James met a young female named Mary June Wiggins. They dated for two months and then he proposed. On March 14, 1956 the couple was married. The two had three boys and one girl, James, John, Joseph and Jessica. Unfortunately, Mary died in December of 1979. James Howard Meredith then married Judy Alsobrooks.
After his high school career, Mr. Meredith joined the Air Force were he served from 1951 until 1960. During his involvement with the military, James met a young female named Mary June Wiggins. They dated for two months and then he proposed. On March 14, 1956 the couple was married. The two had three boys and one girl, James, John, Joseph and Jessica. Unfortunately, Mary died in December of 1979. James Howard Meredith then married Judy Alsobrooks.
After his involvement with the Air Force, he enrolled in Jackson State College, an all African-American school, in Mississippi where he attended school for two years. James then decided to apply for the newly desegregated University of Mississippi.
Once James was finished with his education, he pursued politics. In 1972 Meredith decided to run for the US Senate in Mississippi, he withdrew because his chances of overthrowing the reigning 29-year Democratic Senator were very slim. He did serve as an active Republican for many years.
In an interview, Meredith said, “I was engaged in a war. I considered myself engaged in a war from day one. And my objective was to force the federal government—The Kennedy Administration—into a position where they would have to use the United States military force to enforce my rights as a citizen.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith
Once James was finished with his education, he pursued politics. In 1972 Meredith decided to run for the US Senate in Mississippi, he withdrew because his chances of overthrowing the reigning 29-year Democratic Senator were very slim. He did serve as an active Republican for many years.
In an interview, Meredith said, “I was engaged in a war. I considered myself engaged in a war from day one. And my objective was to force the federal government—The Kennedy Administration—into a position where they would have to use the United States military force to enforce my rights as a citizen.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith
Even after his days at Ole Miss, Meredith would continue to struggle for civil rights. He led a march from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi. This was a public effort to try and register black voters in Mississippi. Meredith was shot by a sniper in the leg. This photo would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for a photo in 1967. Meredith would remain politically active as well. He was a prominent Republican and was very close with New York Republicans. Meredith has also published several books. He had a son named Joseph who graduated at the top of his class from Ole Miss's Business School. Joseph died from complications of Lupus at the age of 39.