October 1, 1962: Finally! I got accepted into the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. I will be the first African-American to enter the University. I had tried to apply the year before, but they denied me twice. On September 20, I was barred from entering the school. There were many riots supported by Governor Ross Barnett that was a firm supporter of segregation. However, President Kennedy was on my side, and I had to be escorted by two federal marshals to class accompanied by 5,000 federal troops. The sad thing is, two people had died during the riots. One included a French journalist by the name Paul Guihard. The rioters were being very violent and using lead pipes, petrol bombs, and rocks. The U.S Marshals and the military police were using tear gas against them. I tried to stay calm throughout the whole nightmare although it was very difficult. I stayed on campus under guard while the fighting was occurring. The harsh words coming from students and whites around me do not seem to hurt me personally. I believe that the mobs were just protesting a change and were acting like their leader, Governor Ross Barnett. Although I had the opportunity to enter the Ole Miss, it was not a happy occasion. I guess I could relate to the 'Little Rock Nine' in Arkansas when the nine black students attempted to integrate an all-white Central High School in 1957. The picture above shows me being escorted by U.S Marshals.
