A historical marker honoring civil rights icon James Meredith was unveiled today in his home town of Kosciusko.
Meredith, his wife, and other members of his family were in attendance at a ceremony that was hosted by Kosciusko Mayor Tim Kyle.
The marker is located at intersection of S Huntington and Allen Streets. That location was chosen due to it being close to Meredith’s childhood home.
“The location of this marker is fantastic,” said John Meredith, the eldest son of James. “It makes perfect sense, because the family house was down there [Allen Street]…grandma used to live down there and every summer I would come and spend summers with her and play on this street. So the fact that it’s on this street, on the major road where people can see it, I think it’s going to be huge.”
Meredith, the first African American to be admitted to Ole Miss, graduated from the school in 1963. He went on to be a major leader in the civil rights movement with his 1966 “March Against Fear.”
The sign was designed by Davis Houck, Fannie Lou Hamer Professor of Rhetorical Studies, and his spring 2024 rhetorical criticism class at Florida State University.
Houck couldn’t attend the ceremony, but Vickie Roberts Ratliffe, who helped spearhead a similar marker in Winona honoring Fanie Lou Hamer and other voting rights activists, read a prepared statement from him.
Audio: John Meredith speaks on the marker and its impact on Kosciusko
Audio: Chris Davis news story from the MaxxSouth Broadband News and Weather December 23 newscast
