The Autobiography of Medgar Evers: A Hero's Life and Legacy Revealed Through his Writings, Letters, and Speeches

by Myrlie Evers-Williams (Editor), Manning Marable (Editor)

On the evening of June 12, 1963—the day President John F. Kennedy gave his most impassioned speech about the need for interracial tolerance —Medgar Evers, the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi, was shot and killed by an assassin's bullet in his driveway. The still-smoking gun—bearing the fingerprints of Byron De La Beckwith, a staunch white supremacist—was recovered moments later in some nearby bushes. Still, Beckwith remained free for over thirty years, until Evers's widow finally forced the Mississippi courts to bring him to justice. The Autobiography of Medgar Evers tells the full story of one the greatest leaders of the civil rights movement, bringing his achievement to life for a new generation. Although Evers's memory has remained a force in the civil rights movement, the legal battles surrounding his death have too often overshadowed the example and inspiration of his life.Myrlie Evers-Williams and Manning Marable have assembled the previously untouched cache of Medgar's personal documents, writings, and speeches. These remarkable pieces range from Medgar's monthly reports to the NAACP to his correspondence with luminaries of the time such as Robert Carter, General Counsel for the NAACP in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case. Most important of all are the recollections of Myrlie Evers, combined with letters from her personal collection. These documents and memories form the backbone of The Autobiography of Medgar Evers — a cohesive narrative detailing the rise and tragic death of a civil rights hero.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, African American, Race, Memoir, Politics

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

née Myrlie Beasley is an American activist. She was the first full-time chairman of the NAACP and is the widow of murdered civil rights leader Medgar Evers.

She twice ran for Congress from California's 24th congressional district. Both times (in a June 1970 special election and the general election later that November) she lost to Republican John Rousselot. In 1971 she helped found the National Women's Political Caucus.

In 1975, Evers-Williams married her second husband, Walter Williams. He died in 1995 of prostate cancer.

She is the author, with William Peters, of For Us, the Living (1967) and Watch Me Fly: What I Learned On the Way to Becoming the Woman I Was Meant to Be (1999). In the best seller, I Dream A World: Black Women Who Changed America, Evers-Williams states that she "greets today and the future with open arms".

Reviews

[Courtney Shareef · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I read separate copies together. This was such an interestingly crafted autobiography. Each chapter begins with exposition by Manning Marable but is then further corroborated by essays, letters, speeches, and reports written by or about Medgar Evers.

[Joe Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much of Medgar Evers life is shrouded in the darkness of Mississippi's racial hatred. Yet, Mr. Evers spirit was fearless and his purpose was defiant. Every child should understand the greatness of Medgar Evers. This book is a great place to start.

[Michael C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book!

A look back at one of the most dedicated and understated leaders of the Civil Rights movement. A man who's life was taken by one of many that wanted him gone.

[Rhonda Hankins]

A different approach to an autobiography -- required because Medgar Evers was shot dead by a white supremist at 37 years of age before he had a chance to pen an autobiography. The authors of this book thoughtfully compiled documents written by Evers and we can read in his own words about his beliefs, his efforts, his frustrations. Some of the documents are correspondence and that was dry reading for me though essential to the story. The speeches are powerful.

The facts he relates and the stories he tells shocked me. Though the history of virulent racism in this country is not a news flash for me, the endless individual stories that make up this campaign of racism are absolutely horrifying and each one is infuriating.

Wake up this morning to news reports speculating that the US Supreme Court will likely endorse racial gerrymandering in South Carolina because, as Medgar Evers knew too well, keeping blacks from voting is an essential part of the program to keep blacks down. Has anything changed?

A belated thanks to Evers for all he did.

[Terry Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

These words hit me from an address Medger Evers gave: “In our modern society, no man is sufficient unto himself. All mankind is dependent upon other people for survival... People who take and never give, who receive and never contribute may exist but never live.” MAY EXIST BUT NEVER LIVE!

I’ve always been so impressed with the story of Medger Evers, but this book deepened that even more. It is a collection of his correspondence and speeches with some introduction and commentary by his wife, Myrlie, and Manning Marable. As can be predicted, there are parts that are redundant and repeated, but this gives an intimate look into the passion of a man who, like many Black activists, lived, worked, and fought under the constant threat of death.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great insight into a man who work tirelessly in the Black Freedom movement. Each chapter starts with a narrative from his wife and then personal documents from Medgar. Many of the reports and speeches are relative so I found myself bored a quarter of the way through the book. Very informative of the events during that time.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of letters, speeches and writings of Medger Evers from his time working for the NAACP in Jackson Mississippi. Really enjoyed reading his speeches and reports of what the NAACP was doing in Mississippi in the 1950s and 1960s. It was wonderful to read about him in his own words. I wish more people knew about him; hopefully this book is a start on educating people about him.

[Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

All Gave Some Gave All

[Benjamin · Rating 2 out of 5]

a repetitive collection of administrative documents

[Sandra Oldfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit mundane but fighting always is. I like the collection and the way the chapters were organized in easily-readable bites. A great man.

[Brooklyn Sr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic!!!!

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing man: intelligent, selfless, tireless, passionate, committed, courageous.

"You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea."

"Freedom has never been free... I love my children and I love my wife with all my heart. And I would die, die gladly, if that would make a better life for them."

"Theoretically, we are the greatest exponents of democracy of any nation in the world, but this on paper, and not in the hearts of men who control the policies of this great country."

"Only in Nazi Germany has such inhuman cruelty been equaled."

"Sure, you're scared at first, but then you get mad. You think 'When it comes, I'm ready.' You know that if you stay scared, you can't do anything."