Medgar Evers

Explore the inspiring life of Medgar Evers: his early years, military service, civil rights activism, assassination, and lasting legacy in the struggle for racial justice.

Introduction

Medgar Wiley Evers (July 2, 1925 – June 12, 1963) was an American civil rights activist and World War II veteran who became one of the most prominent martyrs of the civil rights movement.

His courage, strategic organizing, and ultimate sacrifice continue to inspire generations working toward civil rights, justice, and equity.

Early Life and Family

Medgar Wiley Evers was born on July 2, 1925, in Decatur, Mississippi, the third of five children in a farming family.

Growing up under Jim Crow laws, Evers and his siblings walked long distances to attend racially segregated schools. These early experiences shaped his awareness of racial injustice and his resolve to work toward change.

Military Service & Education

At age 17, Evers enlisted in the U.S. Army (1943) and served in a segregated unit, the 657th Port Company. Normandy landings and operations in Europe, and was impacted by the stark contrast between how Black soldiers were treated overseas versus at home.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, Evers attended Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University), majoring in business administration.

In December 1951, while at Alcorn, Evers married Myrlie Beasley. The couple later had three children: Darrell Kenyatta, Reena Denise, and James Van Dyke.

Civil Rights Activism

NAACP & Field Secretary Role

In November 1954, Evers became the first Mississippi field secretary for the NAACP.

Evers also took a leading role in investigating Emmett Till’s lynching and supporting efforts to desegregate the University of Mississippi.

Opposition, Threats, and Dangers

His activism made him a target of white supremacist groups and the White Citizens’ Council.

In the weeks before his death, a Molotov cocktail was thrown into his home, and he was nearly run over by a vehicle after leaving the NAACP office.

Assassination & Death

On June 12, 1963, Evers was shot in the back outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi, after returning from an NAACP meeting.

Despite arriving at a local hospital, initial admission was denied because of racial segregation. Once identity was clarified, Evers was admitted, but he died approximately 50 minutes after the shooting.

The murder sparked outrage across the nation. His funeral in Jackson was attended by thousands and civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr.

The suspect, Byron De La Beckwith, was tried twice in the 1960s by all-white juries, both trials ending in hung juries.

Legacy and Impact

Honors & Memorials

• Evers was posthumously awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal in 1963.

• Medgar Evers College (Brooklyn, NYC) was established in 1970 and named in his honor.

• His Jackson home is a National Historic Landmark and National Monument.

• Jackson’s airport was renamed Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport in 2004.

• Streets, schools, and statues across the U.S. honor his name and memory.

Cultural and Political Influence

Evers’ life and assassination energized the civil rights movement and helped galvanize support for major legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965.

His story has been retold in books, films (notably Ghosts of Mississippi), documentaries, songs (e.g. Bob Dylan’s “Only a Pawn in Their Game”), and art—cementing him as a symbol of perseverance and the costs born by those who stand against injustice.

His widow, Myrlie Evers, became a civil rights leader herself, eventually serving as chair of the NAACP. Charles Evers, continued activism and later became mayor of Fayette, Mississippi.

Selected Quotes & Writings

Because much of Evers’ legacy rests on speeches, letters, and the context of his activism rather than widely circulated aphorisms, direct quotes are fewer, but powerful:

“We want justice. And we want it in Mississippi.” — From a speech reflecting his urgent demand for civil rights in his home state. “Jim Crow is here to stay.” (used in the context of confronting entrenched segregation) — his rhetorical challenges to white supremacists.

His letters and writings collected in The Autobiography of Medgar Evers: A Hero's Life and Legacy Revealed Through His Writings, Letters and Speeches offer deeper insight into his personal voice and convictions.

Lessons & Reflections

1. Courage in the face of danger
   Evers’ willingness to act despite threats shows how individual courage can challenge a system of oppression.

2. The power of local organizing
   As Field Secretary, his grassroots focus—voter registration, local chapters, boycotts—demonstrated how change often begins in communities.

3. Persistence in seeking justice
   Even decades later, his murder was prosecuted—showing that the struggle for justice may outlast the lives of those who start it.

4. Sacrifice as spark
   His death transformed him into a martyr whose story galvanized public consciousness and political momentum.

5. Legacy beyond life
   Institutions, memorials, and stories keep the ideals alive, reminding us that social movements are sustained across generations.

Conclusion

Medgar Evers stands as a profound example in American history: a soldier, community organizer, advocate, and martyr whose life and death accelerated the push for civil rights. Though he was just 37 at the time of his death, his impact endures—in law, culture, memory, and ongoing struggles for justice.