The African American Studies program at Mississippi State University is continuing the celebration of their 10th anniversary on campus with the James Meredith and the March Against Fear panel on Wednesday, March 1. 
The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Bettersworth Auditorium of Lee Hall featuring U.S. Air Force veteran, James Meredith, along with fellow civil rights activists, Flonzie Brown Wright and Hollis Watkins. Wright was the first black woman to hold elected office in Mississippi and Watkins was the first Mississippi youth to join the 1961 Voting Rights Project of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
James Meredith was the first black man to integrate The University of Mississippi in 1962. After, he began the March Against Fear, which was a solo march consisting of people marching from Memphis, Tennessee, and traveling to Jackson, Mississippi. This march was to increase the awareness of their civil rights violations in Mississippi. Meredith was shot by Aubrey James Norvell, who served only 18 months out of his five-year prison sentence, on the second day of the march, making it impossible for him to continue the march.
Still, the mission was clear and other activists began to participate. Wright lent a hand by providing food and shelter, while Watkins inspired activists by singing freedom songs.
Another prominent figure who will give remarks is the renowned author of “Down the Crossroads: Civil Rights, Black Power, and the Meredith March Against Fear,” Aram Goudsouzian. 
Moderating this event, will be MSU’s Dr. Jason Ward, an associate professor of history. 
Professor and Director of African American Studies, Dr. Stephen Middleton, said it is extremely vital for everyone coming to the event to truly understand who we are in this American experiment.
“America is an experiment of different people coming together,” Middleton said, “This movement benefited all Americans; those present, then and those to come.”
Speaking about the general public’s perception of African American Studies, Middleton expressed how it is not just for or about African Americans, rather everyone. 
 
The discussion will illuminate how special it is to be celebrating 10 years of the outpouring and impression of African American Studies on the campus of MSU.  
“We are urging everyone to come out and help mark this moment with us,” Middleton said. “Audience participation is welcome, we want to hear from you and get your insight on the wonderful things you will hear from the panel discussion.”
Holmes Cultural Diversity Center Program Coordinator, Joy Bradford, commented on how important it is for students to attend this event.
“I feel it is so very important and valuable for this generation of students to attend the event and hear what these people went through and see where they are today; what they have become,” Joy said.
The African American Studies program’s “James Meredith and the March Against Fear” discussion panel is free to the public.
Assistant Director of the HCDC, John Blue also stated his thoughts on the panel discussion.
“I am excited to see the student’s reactions and expressions as they hear and realize how resiliently they all fought for civil rights,” John said. “James Meredith probably didn’t realize how, by his actions, he would have such an undeniable impact on us all today.”