- Born
- Died
- Birth nameMedgar Wylie Evers
- Nickname
- The Man in Mississippi
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- Medgar Evers was born on July 2, 1925 in Decatur, Mississippi, USA. He was married to Myrlie Evers-Williams. He died on June 12, 1963 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
- SpouseMyrlie Evers-Williams(December 24, 1951 - June 12, 1963) (his death, 3 children)
- Children
- ParentsJesse WrightJames Evers
- RelativesCharles Evers(Sibling)Charlene Evers(Niece or Nephew)Patricia Evers(Niece or Nephew)Carolyn Evers(Niece or Nephew)Mary Ruth Evers(Sibling)Liz Evers(Sibling)Keanon Evers(Grandchild)Cambri Evers-Everette(Grandchild)Nolan Evers(Grandchild)Alex Evers(Grandchild)Sheila Evers Blackmond(Niece or Nephew)Yvonne Evers(Niece or Nephew)Wanda Evers(Niece or Nephew)Rachel Evers(Niece or Nephew)
- Civil rights activist and the first NAACP field secretary in his home state Mississippi. He worked to overturn segregation in the University of Mississippi, which proceeded with James Meredith's historical admission (1962).
- Bob Dylan dedicated his song "Only a Pawn in Their Game" to his memory. The song appeared on his album "The Times They Are A-Changin'" (1964).
- Phil Ochs mourns Evers in his song "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" and wrote the songs "Another Country" and "Too Many Martyrs" (also titled "The Ballad of Medgar Evers") as a response to the murder.
- Received his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi (1952). He was a member of the university's debate, football and track teams, the college choir, and was junior class president.
- Had three children: Darrell Evers, Reena Evers and James Van Evers. Had three nieces: Charlene Evers, Patricia Evers and Carolyn Evers.
- [on his decision to remain in his home state Mississippi] This is home. Mississippi is a part of the United States. And whether the whites like it or not, I don't plan to live here as a parasite. The things that I don't like I will try to change. And in the long run, I hope to make a positive contribution to the overall productivity of the South.
- It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don't plan to live anywhere else. There's land here where a man can raise cattle, and I'm going to do that some day. There are lakes where a man can sink a hook and fight the bass. There is room here for my children to play, and grow, and become good citizens--if the white man will let them.
- Violence certainly is not the way. Returning physical harm for physical harm will not solve the problem. And one of our strongest appeals to the conscience of southern whites is that the NAACP has never been linked to violence. Not even the southern bigot has much ground to stand on when he tries to rabble rouse about our winning court decisions. But give him a little Negro violence to point to, and he will have a good selling point for stirring up racial hatred.
- [Speech on May 20, 1963] The Negro citizen wants to register and vote without special handicaps imposed on him alone. The Negro Mississippian wants more jobs above the menial level in stores where he spends his money. He believes that new industries that have come to Mississippi should employ him above the laboring category. He wants the public schools and colleges desegregated so that his children can receive the best education that Mississippi has to offer.
- [Speech on May 20, 1963] The Negro has been here in America since 1619, a total of 344 years. He is not going anywhere else; this country is his home. He wants to do his part to help make his city, state, and nation a better place for everyone, regardless of color and race. Let me appeal to the consciences of many silent, responsible citizens of the white community who know that a victory for democracy in Jackson will be a victory for democracy everywhere.
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