Biography

Bob Dylan dedicated his song "Only a Pawn in Their Game" to his memory. The song suggests that Evers' assassin does not deserve to be known by name in the annals of history, unlike the man he gunned down ("They lowered him down as a king"), because he was "only a pawn in their game". The song appeared on Dylan's album "The Times They Are A-Changin'" (1964).

Civil rights activist and U.S. Army serviceman who was the NAACP's first field secretary in his home state Mississippi. He worked to overturn segregation in the University of Mississippi, which proceeded with James Meredith's historical admission on October 1, 1962.

Phil Ochs mourns Evers in his song "Love Me, I'm a Liberal" and wrote the songs "Another Country" and "Too Many Martyrs" (also titled "The Ballad of Medgar Evers") as a response to the murder.

Received his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Alcorn State University (ASU) in Lorman, Mississippi (1952). He was a member of the university's debate, football and track teams, the college choir, and was junior class president.

Had three children: Darrell Evers, Reena Evers and James Van Evers. Had seven nieces: Charlene Evers, Patricia Evers, Carolyn Evers, Shelia Evers Blackwood, Yvonne Evers, Wanda Evers and Rachel Evers. Had four grandchildren: Keanon Evers, Cambri Evers-Everette, Alex Evers and Nolan Evers.

[on his decision to remain in his home state Mississippi] This is home. Mississippi is a part of the United States. And whether the whites like it or not, I don't plan to live here as a parasite. The things that I don't like I will try to change. And in the long run, I hope to make a positive contribution to the overall productivity of the South.

It may sound funny, but I love the South. I don't plan to live anywhere else. There's land here where a man can raise cattle, and I'm going to do that some day. There are lakes where a man can sink a hook and fight the bass. There is room here for my children to play, and grow, and become good citizens--if the white man will let them.

Violence certainly is not the way. Returning physical harm for physical harm will not solve the problem. And one of our strongest appeals to the conscience of southern whites is that the NAACP has never been linked to violence. Not even the southern bigot has much ground to stand on when he tries to rabble rouse about our winning court decisions. But give him a little Negro violence to point to, and he will have a good selling point for stirring up racial hatred.

[Speech on May 20, 1963] The Negro citizen wants to register and vote without special handicaps imposed on him alone. The Negro Mississippian wants more jobs above the menial level in stores where he spends his money. He believes that new industries that have come to Mississippi should employ him above the laboring category. He wants the public schools and colleges desegregated so that his children can receive the best education that Mississippi has to offer.

[Speech on May 20, 1963] The Negro has been here in America since 1619, a total of 344 years. He is not going anywhere else; this country is his home. He wants to do his part to help make his city, state, and nation a better place for everyone, regardless of color and race. Let me appeal to the consciences of many silent, responsible citizens of the white community who know that a victory for democracy in Jackson will be a victory for democracy everywhere.