Michael Vinson Williams - Medgar Evers: Mississippi Martyr

I must first thank my parents, James and Delois Williams, who provided me with an academic foundation grounded in self-love and a respect for knowledge and ones overall responsibility to humanity; without them I could not have succeeded. I owe my undying love and gratitude to my wife, Truly, and our two daughters, Ayo and Marimba; this project took a number of years from their lives and yet they never complained too loudly. They have been and continue to be my rock of stability in all of this and for whatever is to come. I must also thank my brothers Reginald, Malcolm, and Solomon, who have stood by and for me, and my sisters Zakia, Johannah, Dawn, Angela, Tina, Jamie, and Marimba, who have kept me enveloped in the knowledge that I am loved; family is everything to me and they all continue to prove why this is so.

I could not have accomplished this project without the assistance, encouragement, and guidance of Charles Ross, Ted Ownby, Angela Hornsby-Gutting, and Ethel Young-Minor, who gave of their time unconditionally, and I continue to appreciate their dedication, scholarship, advice, and professionalism more than they will ever know. I would also like to thank the anonymous readers who meticulously poured over this lengthy manuscript multiple times and offered invaluable feedback, pointers, and scholarly advice. I want to also extend my sincere gratitude to Bob Dylan for allowing me the use of his song, Only a Pawn in Their Game, in this work; it is much appreciated. I must also thank the staff at the University of Arkansas Press, particularly Julie Watkins and Lawrence J. (Larry) Malley, whose professionalism and belief in this project made all the difference.

This project would have also suffered without the assistance and patience of the faculty and staff of the J. D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi. I must also acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by the faculty and staff of the University of Mississippi Department of Archives and Special Collections, the University of Memphis Special Collections, Alcorn State University, Emory University, University of Southern Mississippi, Tougaloo College, Mississippi State University, and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. I would also like to thank the faculty and staff of the Kenya National Archives, who were helpful beyond words. Without the assistance of the above individuals and their knowledge and willingness to share, this would have been a far more difficult project to complete.

I owe a special and personal debt of gratitude to Mrs. Myrlie Evers-Williams, Mrs. Carrie Elizabeth Evers-Jordan, and Mr. Charles Evers, whose patience, encouragement, and kindness allowed this project to go forward and heightened my sense of personal responsibility. I am also grateful for the kindness displayed by the many individuals who consented to interviews such as the late Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr., Mrs. Ponjola Andrews, and Mrs. Ineeva May-Pittman. Each interviewee offered himself or herself completely, which aided this process in ways that defy words; I appreciate each and every one of you. To all of the countless individuals who had a part in this project but whom I have been unable to mention by name, know that your kindness, enthusiasm, friendship, and humanity inspired this work, and so again I say thank you.

Michael Vinson Williams is assistant professor
of history and African American studies at Mississippi
State University. A lifelong resident of Mississippi,
he lives in Etta with his wife, Truly, and their
two children, Ayo and Marimba.