1960s Diary Entries

1960s Diary Entries

Lashanda Sanford

HIS/135

Karen Rogers

1960s Diary Entries

African-American student enrolling in Ole Miss

October 1, 1962

The history of America has been far from fair for minorities and we have not been treated equally. We have fought very hard for our rights and many people have lost their lives trying to gain equality for all races. I had always dreamed about going to Ole Miss and after the Supreme Court ruled in James Meredith’s favor in September, my dream finally came true. I never thought that I would have a fair chance at education and I am excited to have the opportunity to be enrolling at such a great university. I will be the first person in my family that is going to attend college and for that, I am grateful. Times have not always been easy especially facing segregation and racial discrimination. James Meredith constantly applied to enroll at Ole Miss but each and every time he was turned down because of the color of his skin. So he did what he had to do and got the NAACP involved and the Supreme Court finally decided to rule in his favor. That moment was very important to me and my family members. Our ancestors were not allowed to learn or attend college simply because of their race, but we now have a chance to make history and make a change! I will be the first to admit that when I heard about the integration of the schools and colleges I did not think that it is something that would ever happen simply because we are living in the south and the racism is at an all-time high. When I found out that the Supreme Court ruled in James Meredith’s favor I was beyond happy to go ahead and apply and take a chance at being enrolled. Our country still has a long way to go but I am glad that I have been given the opportunity to enroll and have been accepted.

Witness and business owner during the Watts Riots

August 12, 1965

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