Three Years in Mississippi

by James Meredith, Aram Goudsouzian (Introduction)

On October 1, 1962, James Meredith was the first African American student to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Preceded by violent rioting resulting in two deaths and a lengthy court battle that made it all the way to the Supreme Court, his admission was a pivotal moment in civil rights history. Citing his “divine responsibility” to end white supremacy, Meredith risked everything to attend Ole Miss. In doing so, he paved the way for integration across the country.

Originally published in 1966, more than ten years after the Supreme Court ended segregation in public schools in Brown v. Board of Education , Meredith describes his intense struggle to attend an all-white university and break down long-held race barriers in one of the most conservative states in the country. This first-person account offers a glimpse into a crucial point in civil rights history and the determination and courage of a man facing unfathomable odds.

Reprinted for the first time, this volume features a new introduction by historian Aram Goudsouzian.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Cara Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating, first-hand account of a man who stood up again white supremacy in the face of education. Oh, and he's my father in law, so I'm totally biased to this quirky individualist.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read from the most relevant perspective of the Ole Miss Riot of 1962. While the riot occurred slightly before my time, I'm surprised that we don't hear more about these events since they became major factors in the shaping of our country. Meredith was in his late twenties when he became the first African-American student enrolled at the University of Mississippi - his courage may be unmatched and his intelligence is well documented through his writing. It's hard to imagine that these conditions existed so recently in US history. Highly recommended.