Medgar Evers

Medgar Evers back from WWII

In my own words a philanthropist is a person who stands up for what they believe in. Their determination can’t be matched, will not stop until the mission is completed. Through this year in my African American history class we have studied many philanthropists; I strongly feel that Mr. Medger Evers is at the top of my list. His born on July 2nd, 1925 in Decatur Mississippi. He is best known for being shot outside his home by Byron De La Beckwith, a member of the Ku Klux Klan. He also is known for standing up for what he believed; he was denied admission to Mississippi Law School. After this, he became dedicated to getting his son admitted to Ole Miss. The three or four important reasons I picked this philanthropist is that he was selfless, encouraging, determined, and a true risk taker.

Evers statue in Mississippi

My hero exemplifies what it means to be a philanthropist because of his determination. Medger Evers was determined to break segregation in Mississippi schools, when he applied to the Mississippi Law School. When he was denied admission, he then took his case to the Supreme Court only to be denied again. This did not break his determination. Even though he was denied he would soon break a barrier with his son by helping him win admission to Ole Miss. Evers also became very involved with the NAACP, not caring about the dangers of the Klu Klux Klan. So in knowing this it clearly says that Mr. Medger Evers was and still is a hero.

Another reason Mr. Evers is my hero is because he was so encouraging; during this time African Americans were afraid to speak out against white supremacy. Evers gave them that sense of encouragement, which lasted even after his assassination. While Evers was secretary for NAACP he created bumper stickers saying "Don’t buy gas where you can’t use the restroom." Also t-shirts that said Jim Crow must go. He even spoke out on radio stations, which was never done by an Afro-American at this time. He told them what they were marching for and what he believed. Evers doing this would have encouraged me to stand up for what he believed.

College named after Evers

Mr. Evers was a real risk taker, he believed in standing up and doing what’s right. He instilled this into his kids at an early age. Even after the murder of Medger Evers his kids stood up for what they believed. Charles Ever, Medger’s brother, also attended the RCNL's annual conferences in Mound Bayou between 1952 and 1954 which drew crowds of ten thousand or more. They started a school in Brooklyn, New York after him to keep his name alive. More and more African Americans weren’t scared to stand up for their rights because of the leadership of Medger Evers, and what he believed was right.

Mr. Evers to me is a true hero; if you ask me why I would say it’s because of his mindset, the determination the risk taking he did not for himself but for the men and women of today, white and black. He stood up for equal rights for everyone, and because of that people killed him. I’m sure that he knew something would happen, but because of his non selfishness and determination, we have what we have today, the ability to live the American dream. One of the best quotes Mr. Evers ever said was "You can kill a man but you can’t kill an idea." To me what that is saying is that, a man with a purpose - and if it’s a good purpose - you could harm maybe even kill him but if it is a good idea people will follow where you can't kill every one.