Food for Thought – Remembering Medgar Wiley Evers ’52
One year ago today, we dedicated a larger-than-life-size memorial to our very own, Alcornite Medgar Wiley Evers ’52. A man who stated on several occasions just how much he loved his family and Mississippi.
“I love my children and I love my wife with all my heart. And I would die, die gladly if that would make a better life for them,” said Medgar Wiley Evers.
Evers’ death made a better life for me, for you, for Mississippi and our nation. As we reflect on the anniversary of his death, let us ask ourselves—are we making a difference?
Our Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence Myrlie Evers has dedicated her life to social equality and justice and to make certain that Medgar Evers’ name will never be forgotten. Recently, she was honored with the 2014 Ford Freedom Award for her lifetime work as a civil rights advocate and today UMMC announced the naming of a research institute, The Myrlie Evers-Williams Institute for the Elimination of Health Disparities, in her honor.
According to Myrlie Evers, we all can do something to make the world a better place for others. It’s time for us to stop talking about how unfair life is or what someone else should be doing to make a difference. We must do, we must act and we must take a stand, just like Medgar and Myrlie.
