Medgar Wiley Evers

Medgar Evers (http://themovingtarget.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/medgar_evers.jpg)

Instead of doing a project on Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most popular freedom heroes, I did a project on one of the people who doesn’t get as much attention, Medgar Wiley Evers. Medgar Evers is my hero because he fought against racism so we could have equal rights. He also went to court to defend blacks against racial injustices (not fair treatment to others). Evers was born in Decatur, Mississippi on July 2, 1925. Evers received his high school diploma then went to Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College.

Evers became a hero when he was influenced by the monumental Brown vs. Board of Education which ended segregation (people place you in different places or groups because of their race or religion) of schools. As a child he also witnessed violent racial events which influenced him to stand up for his and other's rights. Evers didn’t have an easy life; he had to work hard to get where he was. Evers wanted to get an education, but high school was far and he had no transportation provided. He was so determined to get an education that he walked twelve miles to school.

NAACP Sign (http://www.americusumterobserver.com/May%2007/naacp_logo4_0011.jpg)

Another heroic action was when he fought in World War II in Europe. After he came back from the war, he applied to Alcorn College, but then wanted a degree at the University of Mississippi Law School where he was denied because of his race. He then filed a lawsuit against that college and took his case to court only to lose once again but the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) wanted Medgar because of his strong belief in fighting racism. Medgar accepted his job as a field secretary at the NAACP. As a field secretary Medgar started investigating crimes committed against blacks. In these cases he found out that many whites weren’t being charged for their crimes accordingly (in a way that is appropriate to what they did). So Medgar went to court for black people who were suffering from crimes white people had committed. He had to accomplish many things to be what the town’s black people called him, a hero. He encouraged people to fight for their equal rights and against discrimination (unfair treatment to a person because of their race or other things they do like their religion).

Evers was a special man because he was determined and never gave up. He showed determination in his education when he had to walk a long distance or wasn’t accepted to a college. He showed he was courageous when he later knew he could be killed for what he was doing, but still fought for his rights and others. “I’m looking to be shot any time I step out of my car... If I die, it will be in a good cause. I’ve been fighting for America just as much as the soldiers in Vietnam.” Evers influenced me when he inspired me to stand up for what I think is right. He also showed me to be courageous and brave and to never back down from a goal.

Medgar Evers Statue (http://www.jsums.edu/hamer.institute/resources/04LMKphotos/08MEstatue.jpg)

Evers is one of the many who fought against racism and for black people’s freedom and that is why I chose Medgar as my hero. One of the quotes from my hero that means something special to me is when he said “The gifts of God should be enjoyed by all citizens in Mississippi.”