60 Years On: Remembering Medgar Evers, the Martyr of the Civil Rights Movement
Sixty years ago, the Civil Rights Movement lost one of its most dedicated and influential figures, Medgar Evers. A tireless advocate for equality and justice, Evers was tragically assassinated in his driveway in Jackson, Mississippi, by a member of the Ku Klux Klan. This event sent shockwaves through the nation and marked a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights.
Evers was not just an activist; he was a beacon of hope for the African American community in Mississippi. As the NAACP’s first field secretary in the state, he led boycotts against white-owned businesses that refused to serve Black customers and organized voter registration drives for the Black population. His efforts were instrumental in challenging and overturning segregation in public spaces.
“Medgar became No. 1 on the Mississippi to-kill list,” his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, told NPR in 2013. “And we never knew from one day to the next what would happen. I lived in fear of losing him. He lived being constantly aware that he could be killed at any time.”
Despite the constant threats to his life, Evers remained steadfast in his commitment to the cause. One of his most notable acts of defiance came when he applied to law school at the all-white University of Mississippi. Despite being rejected due to the color of his skin, Evers continued his campaign to integrate the university, paving the way for future generations of Black students.
Evers’ love for his home state was unwavering. In a 1958 magazine article titled “Why I Live in Mississippi,” he wrote, “It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don’t choose to live anywhere else. … There is room here for my children to play and grow and become good citizens if the white man will let them.”
His legacy did not end with his death. His brother, Charles Evers, continued his work, becoming the first Black mayor of a biracial town in Mississippi in 1969. Charles Evers’ political success marked a significant milestone in the transformation of Mississippi politics.
“Medgar and I said many years ago: If it ever ends, the violent racism in this state, it’d be the greatest state in the world to live in,” Charles Evers told NPR in 2003. “And now, Medgar, I know you’re gone, but I’m telling you, son, it’s come to pass.”
As we commemorate the 60th anniversary of Medgar Evers’ assassination, we remember not just his tragic death, but more importantly, his life and the significant contributions he made to the Civil Rights Movement. His courage, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice continue to inspire us today.
