Tag Archives: African American

Courtney Pearson, crowned Ole Miss’ first African-American homecoming queen. Although 33 years separate their time at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Rose Flenorl and Courtney Pearson share many similar experiences growing up in the southern United States. Their time at Ole Miss helps illustrate the racial changes that have been made over the past 50 years...

I was reading a Time magazine article the other day about how racist attitudes are ingrained in people. I’d suggest that it’s an article we all should read here at The University of Mississippi. Why? This article addresses an issue that’s not only a problem on our campus, but an issue that’s a problem nationwide — really worldwide. Tacit...

With this week’s integration celebration events coming to a close, the Ole Miss community is challenged to continue working toward change. This past Thursday at the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College convocation, Chancellor Dan Jones said The University of Mississippi, as well as the country, have made many strides with race relations but are not where they need...

Oct. 1, 1962, is a date every Ole Miss student should know. It was the day James Meredith successfully registered as a student, thus integrating The University of Mississippi and “opening the closed society.” It was the day progress began at our university. James Meredith is a hero to the students of The University of Mississippi and to all students who came...

  Novelist and former Ole Miss instructor Jesmyn Ward was recently profiled in a Los Angeles Times article titled, "Jesmyn Ward ('Salvage the Bones') writes of Mississippi." The piece concentrates on her struggle for literary success, which she achieved in 2011 by winning the National Book Award for fiction.  Ward's award-winning...

  Today is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. March 21 was marked for the world to focus on conflict caused by racism because it is the anniversary of the day in 1960 when dozens of peaceful apartheid protestors were killed by police officers in a South African town. United Nations officials hope that this day will inspire...

Even though years had passed since James Meredith took one of the most infamous steps on campus, the lingering effects of racism didn’t completely subside. John Hawkins, Ole Miss’ first black cheerleader, came under fire when he refused to wave the confederate flag after he made the team in 1982. Clara Bibbs, Hawkins’ friend and also an African-American,...