JFK Helped James Meredith To Become University Of Mississippi’s 1st Black Student
James Meredith was barred from entering the halls of the University of Mississippi. Meredith wanted his struggles to spark the Kennedy administration to address equal rights for all, and aligned himself with the NAACP. U.S. Attorney Robert F. Kennedy placed a call to Gov. Ross Barnett, who reluctantly allowed Meredith to enroll. The brothers also sent military forces to the school after Meredith’s admittance set off a riot.
