Breaking Mississippi BBC Radio 4
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- History
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This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi - Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK - and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep - to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
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10. Fresh Hostilities
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Ten: Fresh Hostilities
Sixty years on from James Meredith's historic integration - the University of Mississippi is engaged in a new struggle over its history and identity.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi. -
9. Blood on the Highway
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Nine: Blood on the Highway
As Meredith continues a solitary walk further into civil rights history - an armed figure steps on to the side of the road.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi. -
8. A Soldier's Duty
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Eight: A Soldier's Duty
Meredith has noticed something is wrong with the way troops are being deployed on campus - and as he announces he may not stay on at the university - his name is breaking news once again.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi. -
7. No Man's land
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Seven: No Man's Land
As the teargas clears, there are more US army troops on campus than there are students and Meredith is being subjected to relentless harassment and intimidation.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi. -
6. Battlefield Mississippi
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Six: Battlefield Mississippi
With several hundred Federal Marshals facing a growing white mob on campus - the stage is set for what will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi. -
5. A Call to Arms
This is the explosive inside story of James Meredith's battle to smash the system of white supremacy in the most racially segregated state in 1960s America.
By becoming the first black person to apply to the all-white university of Mississippi – Meredith will draw in the KKK and JFK – and trigger the largest number of troops ever deployed for a single disturbance on US soil.
Across 10 episodes and with US public radio journalist Jenn White as our guide - James Meredith takes us from his childhood in rural Mississippi where racism runs deep – to a pivotal flashpoint in US civil rights history that will be described as the last battle of the American Civil War.
This could be our last opportunity to hear James Meredith tell this story in his own words and in a way that's never been heard before.
Episode Five: A Call to Arms
As increasing numbers of armed segregationists head for the Oxford campus - President Kennedy and the Mississippi Governor talk in secret.
Presenter: Jenn White
Producer: Conor Garrett
Editor: Philip Sellars
Production Co-ordinator: Anne Smith
Audio Engineer: Gary Bawden
Original Music Score: Ashley Beedle and Darren Morris. Recorded @ North Street West
Archive reproduced with the kind permission of: The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Mississippi State University, JFK Library, Getty Images, Huntley Film Archives, British Pathé Ltd, F.I.L.M Archives, Efootage, Historic Films, The Clarion Ledger – USA Today Network.
With special thanks to the University of Mississippi.
Customer Reviews
Great history lesson!
I am ashamed that I never knew this story. This podcast was very well done and gave better perspective on civil rights happenings in the 1960s. Some of the recordings are hard to believe! Every American needs to hear and know this story.
Everyone should listen to this
Everyone should listen to this. It is one of my favorite podcast and most informative podcast in a long time
Breaking Mississippi, James Miredth
I listened to all 11 podcasts in one evening and found myself in tears after signing off. It is hard to believe that James Meredith is still alive after all he went through, and encouraging that he had the tenacity to stick it out. Despite unbelievable hardship and danger to his life, he never gave up the fight. He reminds me of Nelson Mendela. Both demonstrate how one person can make a difference and change history.