We found it interesting that there is still a problem with racial integration on campus. For example when Patrick told us about the segregation in the dormitories, that took us by surprise. Even though the administration denies it there are predominantly white and black floors. We also noticed that when we were eating in the SUB, there was basically no mixing between the races at the tables: we were the only ones.
Later today we met Dr. Don Cole, an administrator at Ole Miss, who had been expelled from Ole Miss during his undergraduate years for protesting. One of the things that were interesting was that during that time his professors were supportive of his education and helped him out with his classes. We also thought that it was important that he addressed integration being freedom for everyone and how it released some from the constructs of racism that influenced them during their upbringing. The main point that we drew from his talk was that “what you’re looking for is what you’ll get.” It was amazing that he was able to turn the experience into a positive one and then even returned to receive his doctorate and has worked there for years.
We were really taken aback by the fact that we were actually able to hold a bill of sale for a 14-year old slave girl. The hate mail that James Meredith received was also astonishing because it was full of so much resentment and hate. It was just shocking to hold that piece of history and still have the realization that there are still people that feel and think that way. We are still in the midst of an ongoing process of acceptance and integration of and with one another.
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