Posted on 10/30/2005 12:02:12 PM PST by WKB
OXFORD - A statue of James Meredith, the first African-American student at the University of Mississippi, will be the latest addition to a proposed civil rights memorial at Ole Miss.
After sharp criticism recently for altering an earlier design, the Ole Miss administration agreed to the change this week as a compromise with student leaders.
The memorial is expected to be completed by May. The statue of Meredith, who was admitted to Ole Miss amid riots in 1962, will be sculpted by Oxford artist Robert Moorehead.
It's the newest change after Chancellor Robert Khayat faced stern criticism when he rejected the previous design by students, civil rights veterans and artists after nearly a decade of planning.
The addition of the Meredith statue will enhance the memorial, said Andy Mullins, Khayat's executive assistant. "He is a heroic figure as far as what he did as a student."
University officials unveiled the decision after Khayat and other school administrators met with students in recent days. Ole Miss will pick up the tab for additional costs to build the Meredith statue situated outside memorial columns, a small walkway and spots for visitors to sit.
"I do think it is a good idea because of the struggle he had to go through as the first African-American student,'' said Jonathan Hutchings, 25, president of the Black Graduate Students Association at Ole Miss.
"I think it will be a great addition to Ole Miss,'' said Hutchings, a Tallahassee native working on a doctorate in history. "It will be here permanently, and if it has taken 10 years to go up, so be it.''
Meredith, who lives in Jackson, has been a political maverick and staunch conservative over the years, having worked on the staff of former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. In recent years, he's crusaded to promote literacy.
"No matter what you say about Meredith's subsequent career, he did play a heroic role at Ole Miss,'' said journalism professor Joe Atkins. "I see the validity of statue of him here."
His admission to the school, which opened in 1848, "was pivotal in the history of the university,'' Atkins said. "It looks like maybe we have come up with a solution and everybody will be happy."
The retooling of the memorial is not over. Mullins said work will continue on sides of the memorial to list quotes from leaders from the 1960s and also short phrases from the civil rights era such as the word "freedom.'' Suggestions will go to Khayat.
Khayat could not be reached. Earlier, he said the memorial is needed to make a statement about Ole Miss' role in the integration of higher education in the South. Meredith, 72, declined to comment Friday when reached at his Jackson home.
The Meredith statue is "appropriate for the occasion,'' said the Rev. Leroy Wadlington, an Oxford pastor and member of the memorial advisory committee. "People feel they had a chance to be heard. I don't know if it will satisfy all parties, but further deliberations have been helpful.''
Wadlington said hopes construction of the memorial starts soon. "It has been long enough,'' he said. "It is time to settle the matter and move on.''
This is the best part Ping:
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmeredith.htm
Meredith joined the Republican Party and made several attempts to be elected to Congress. He became increasingly conservative and in 1988 accused liberal whites as being "the greatest enemy" of African Americans. He also opposed economic sanctions against South Africa and making the birthday of Martin Luther King a national holiday.
You can't fool me
I know that's Robert Khayat. :>)
"No matter what you say about Meredith's subsequent career, he did play a heroic role at Ole Miss,'' said journalism professor Joe Atkins. "I see the validity of statue of him here."
Sounds like ole Joe ain't real proud of him.
bump - I wanna comment on this later
It's now or never :>)
The intrusion of the federal government into race matters, as ordered by soverign states in the 60's was necessary and avoided what could have been an insurrection.
What is most amusing is that they hate Meredith but can't resist honouring him.
I bet Meredith is amused.
Hope Haley or whoever resides at Congress and Capital will leave him a place "in state" when the time comes.
Meredith is a really interesting charcter....much like Eldridge Cleaver cept Cleaver never got shot like Meredith did.
around Water Valley or Coffeeville was it not?
Thanks for the education. I did not know about Mr. Meredith's "subsequent career."
I think it was further north...Hernando?
Anyway, somewhere between Memphis and Jackson. ;o)
"I bet Meredith is amused."
I just bet he is!
And, I bet he's enjoying every moment of it.
it was Hernando
hey I was only off by 70 miles or so
I forgot.
I was there.....me and Bill Clinton.
We actually caught the shooter.
He, also, worked for Jesse Helms.
Have a look-see at this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith
"hey I was only off by 70 miles or so"
LOL! Not bad since it was SOOOO LOOOONG ago. ;o)
"I was there.....me and Bill Clinton.
We actually caught the shooter."
Glory be!
If you touched him, I hope you washed your hands...
Clinton, that is.
You never know where he's been.
. . . before I was born.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.