When the University of Mississippi began the questto host a presidential debate several years ago, a large part of thereason was to draw attention to a school and a state that many peoplestill associate with ugly incidents from the civil rights movement ofthe 1960's. It was here, in September, 1962, that violence flared afterJames Meredith became the first black person to enroll in the stateschool.
President John F. Kennedy sent federal marshals toprotect Meredith and they were attacked by a mob of white supremacists.Two men died in the riot and this university and this town gained areputation that lingers 46 years later.
The chancellor of theuniversity, known popularly as Ole Miss, is Robert Khayat. He sayshe wants people around the world to see how this school and thiscommunity have changed for the better.
"I think they will seea progressive community," said Khayat. "I think they will see a diversecommunity. I think they will see a place where respect is a value thatis embraced and lived. I think they will see a university that is outon the cutting edge in many ways. I think it is a close up look at aplace that has not been looked at in 40 years."
Today 14 percentof the more than 17,000 students at Ole Miss are black. The overallpercentage of minorities is 19 percent. One of the most prominentfeatures of the campus is a monument to the civil rights movement witha statue of James Meredith near the Lyceum, the oldest building oncampus and the focus of the 1962 riot.
As part of the programsurrounding the debate Friday, the university is sponsoring a "Rock theVote" party on the campus. In addition to music and other stage events,there are a number of politically oriented activities taking place.There are no classes on Friday, but many students are on hand to takepart in the activities.