Statue of James Meredith facts for kids
Statue of James Meredith (2016)
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 Location in Mississippi
Location in the United States
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| Coordinates | 34°21′54.7″N 89°32′11.9″W / 34.365194°N 89.536639°W |
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| Location | University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, United States |
| Material | Bronze |
| Dedicated to | James Meredith |
The University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, has a special statue of James Meredith. This statue honors James Meredith, a brave civil rights activist. He made history in 1962 by becoming the first African American student to attend the university. The statue was officially unveiled in 2006. It stands near a large archway, or portal, and together they form the Civil Rights Monument.
Contents
The Story of James Meredith's Statue
Why James Meredith is Important
James Meredith was a key figure in the civil rights movement. In 1962, he decided to enroll at the University of Mississippi. This was a very important step because, at that time, the university was only for white students. James Meredith became the first African American student there.
Many people who supported racial segregation (keeping races separate) did not want him to attend. This led to a difficult time known as the Ole Miss riot of 1962. To make sure James Meredith could safely enroll, U.S. President John F. Kennedy sent federal officers to escort him. On October 1, 1962, James Meredith officially became a student, and the university became integrated.
When the Statue Was Unveiled
The statue honoring James Meredith was officially unveiled on October 1, 2006. This date was special because it was exactly 44 years after he first enrolled at the university. About 1,500 people came to the ceremony.
A famous U.S. Representative and civil rights leader named John Lewis gave a powerful speech. He said that by unveiling this monument, people could move past a difficult history. He saw it as a new beginning for the South and for America, making it more fair and just. Other speakers included U.S. Representative Roger Wicker, university Chancellor Robert Khayat, and actor Morgan Freeman. James Meredith's son, Joseph Meredith, also spoke. James Meredith himself attended the event but did not speak.
The entire monument, including the statue and the nearby archway, cost $160,000. This money was raised through special grants and donations.
A newspaper called The Daily Mississippian reported in 2018 that James Meredith had once wanted the statue removed. He also wanted the Confederate Monument on campus to be taken down. However, after attending a reunion for Black alumni in 2018, his feelings about his own statue changed.
What the Statue Looks Like
The statue is made of bronze and is life-size. It shows James Meredith walking forward. He is wearing a suit and has a light mustache. He is walking towards a tall limestone archway, which is about 17 feet (5.2 meters) high. On top of this archway, you can see four important words carved: "courage," "knowledge," "opportunity," and "perseverance."
In front of the statue, there is a plaque with a special message. It says:
James H. Meredith, / a Mississippi native of Kosciusko, / stepped into the pages of / history on October 1, 1962 / when he opened the doors to / higher education at the / University of Mississippi and in / the South. As a major figure in / the American civil rights / movement, he helped lead the / way to justice and equality / for all citizens.
The statue is located about 100 yards (91 meters) from the Confederate Monument on campus. It stands between the Lyceum Building and the J. D. Williams Library.
