James Meredith

James Meredith is an American hero. Born in Attala County, Mississippi in 1933, he enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduating from high school and rose to the rank of staff sergeant. Meredith's second mission was the 1966 "Meredith Walk Against Fear" from Memphis, Tennessee to Jackson, Mississippi. Meredith's mission was to convince black people in Mississippi to register to vote; to not fear white supremacists who commonly used intimidation tactics against blacks who desired the constitutional right to vote. However, on the second day of the 220 mile walk, Meredith was shot by white supremacist, James Aubrey Norvell. Meredith was rushed to a Memphis hospital and several black leaders—including Reverend ML King and Stokely Carmichael—continued the march to Jackson. Along the way, thousands of people joined the leaders, many registering to vote.