James Meredith and Ross Barnett
Perspective Ross Barnett
The Ole Miss Riots occurred at a time in American History, particularly Sothern, when segregationists dominated the political structure. Mississippi politics 1960 is a prime example of the latter, with Ross Barnett, Mississippi Governor, being a proud activist for segregation. He captured a national spotlight in 1962 upon his declaration, despite disputes from those higher such as JFK, that while he remained in power Mississippi remained a state of segregation. With such people as Barnett in power integration proved to be a very difficult task for civil right activists such as James Meredith. Barnett sought to block Meredith from entering the University of Mississippi in defiance of a Federal court order, this confrontation was one of the sharpest clashes between a State Governor and the Federal Government since the Civil War.
In 1896 the Supreme Court upheld a racial segregation laws based upon the statement ‘separate but equal’ making a legal distinction and separation between races. In 1954 the US Supreme Court ordered the removal of the segregation act at schools and universities, in order to bring about equality between races, but there were those who couldn’t accept the changes and still promoted segregation in schools. For many states such as Mississippi this was ignored and it wasn’t until the acts of Meredith that the first steps in the eventual elimination of all racial segregation in the state’s public schools and universities occurred but this wasn’t faced with barricades from those who opposed him. When African American student Meredith applies to an all-white segregated university segregationist Barnett does all in his power to prevent it, in order to sustain the white supremacist movement. Prior to this Barnett was known to imprison civil rights protesters, and for his actions he gained quite a following and was considered popular amongst those of similar beliefs. His followers created a jingle in support of his actions
The Ole Miss Riots occurred at a time in American History, particularly Sothern, when segregationists dominated the political structure. Mississippi politics 1960 is a prime example of the latter, with Ross Barnett, Mississippi Governor, being a proud activist for segregation. He captured a national spotlight in 1962 upon his declaration, despite disputes from those higher such as JFK, that while he remained in power Mississippi remained a state of segregation. With such people as Barnett in power integration proved to be a very difficult task for civil right activists such as James Meredith. Barnett sought to block Meredith from entering the University of Mississippi in defiance of a Federal court order, this confrontation was one of the sharpest clashes between a State Governor and the Federal Government since the Civil War.
In 1896 the Supreme Court upheld a racial segregation laws based upon the statement ‘separate but equal’ making a legal distinction and separation between races. In 1954 the US Supreme Court ordered the removal of the segregation act at schools and universities, in order to bring about equality between races, but there were those who couldn’t accept the changes and still promoted segregation in schools. For many states such as Mississippi this was ignored and it wasn’t until the acts of Meredith that the first steps in the eventual elimination of all racial segregation in the state’s public schools and universities occurred but this wasn’t faced with barricades from those who opposed him. When African American student Meredith applies to an all-white segregated university segregationist Barnett does all in his power to prevent it, in order to sustain the white supremacist movement. Prior to this Barnett was known to imprison civil rights protesters, and for his actions he gained quite a following and was considered popular amongst those of similar beliefs. His followers created a jingle in support of his actions