Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr by Michael Vinson Williams (review)

Successfully written as a greater representation of a man and his impact on civil rights, the book Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr covers so much more material than the title entails. Williams sought out and discovered more than just who Medgar Evers was as a civil rights activist, but also the character of the man. These characteristics made Evers into the person destined make a difference in Mississippi. Evers, an intelligent black man in the racist south, was so passionate about civil rights in Mississippi that his quest for equality would conclude with his untimely death.

The expanse of this book and the author’s detailed research goes beyond just the life of Evers. Williams also gives the reader an idea of what life in Jim Crow Mississippi was for the black man and his family. In addition, Williams visited the family and relatives still living as of today and recorded first-hand recollections of Medgar Evers and his impact on the people in his everyday life. Medgar grew up surrounded by examples of manhood and self-sufficiency, which molded his independent character and cultivated a devotion to the welfare of humankind (16).

Other aspects of Medgar Evers are brought to light while reading this book. The author gives a historical explanation of key moments in the life of this man that go beyond that of the immediate family. The author provides an historical study of the NAACP and how they developed such a presence in Mississippi. The murder of Emmett Till in Money, Mississippi in 1955 is also analyzed by Williams and the effect it had on Evers. Myrlie Evers recalled that “Medgar cried when he found that this had happened to Emmett Till.” He cried “out in frustration and anger.” Evers played a large role in investigating the Till murder and sending accounts of events to NAACP headquarters for publication in northern newspapers (125).

Evers’ loyalty to the state of Mississippi and his ideology for the progressiveness of the state never changed. He followed the accounts of the Montgomery, Alabama Bus Boycott and visualized the same actions in Mississippi. He saw school integration in Arkansas and hoped for the same results in his home state. Evers longed to become a lawyer, attempting to integrate the University of Mississippi Law School; leaving the state for any reason was not an option. He died for his cause: a Mississippi where everyone would be treated equally.

The book Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr is an attempt to get into the world of Medgar Evers. The author of the book does accomplish this feat. His style of writing and educational background displays itself with every word. In depth in presentation, this book is excellent for an undergraduate exhaustive class study of Evers and rural Mississippi life. It is possible for this book to be used in high schools as well, but advanced readers would benefit more from the text.