Civil rights leader James Meredith to give free lecture at Georgia State University
A leader in the Civil Rights Movement James Meredith will speak at Georgia State University Oct. 25.
A report on the school website, http://www.gsu.edu/, says the free lecture is open to the public.
Meredith will deliver the Founders Lecture, “Public Education: The Critical Civil Rights Issue of Our Time.”
The lecture will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Centennial Hall Auditorium (100 Auburn Ave. NE). The talk is hosted by the Honors College and is in honor of Lonnie C. King Jr., chairman of the Atlanta Student Movement from 1960-61 and civil rights activist.
Meredith was one of the key figures in the Civil Rights Movement and continues to work for equality. In 1961, spurred to action by President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, Meredith sought to become the first African American to enroll at the University of Mississippi. After having his application rejected twice because of his race, Meredith enrolled at the University of Mississippi and in August 1963 graduated with a degree in political science.
Meredith, who served in the United State Air Force, continued to be a central figure in the Civil Rights Movement. In 1966, he orchestrated the “March Against Fear,” a 220-mile walk from Memphis, Tenn., to Jackson, Miss., intended to encourage blacks to register and vote.
He was shot by a sniper during that march.
Meredith has continued to speak out on the central role education plays in helping to lift people out of poverty. His most recent book, “A Mission from God: A Memoir and Challenge for America,” reflects on Meredith’s personal life but also dares Americans to overhaul the public education system so all people can overcome poverty.
Larry Berman, founding director of the Honors College said in the report, “Meredith has committed his life to social justice and public education. He is a man whose legendary life has been defined by the courage to take action.”
Larry Gierer: 706-571-8581, @lagierer
This story was originally published October 11, 2017 at 1:35 PM with the headline "Civil rights leader James Meredith to give free lecture at Georgia State University."