Clyde Kennard

Clyde Kennard

Clyde Kennard (June 12, 1927 – July 4, 1963) was an African-American civil rights pioneer whose efforts to desegregate higher education in Mississippi were met with severe resistance and injustice. His case became a symbol of the struggle for civil rights and the fight against racial discrimination in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Clyde Kennard was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and grew up in a time when racial segregation was legally enforced in the southern United States. After serving in the United States Army during the Korean War, Kennard returned to Mississippi with the intention of furthering his education.

Attempt to Enroll at Mississippi Southern College

In the late 1950s, Kennard sought to enroll at Mississippi Southern College (now the University of Southern Mississippi), a public institution that was segregated at the time. Despite his qualifications, his applications were repeatedly denied on various pretexts, as the college administration and state officials were determined to maintain segregation.

Legal and Social Challenges

Kennard's attempts to integrate Mississippi Southern College were met with hostility. He faced harassment and intimidation from local authorities and was eventually framed for a crime he did not commit. In 1960, he was falsely accused of stealing $25 worth of chicken feed and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Imprisonment and Health Issues

While incarcerated at Parchman Farm, a notorious state penitentiary, Kennard's health deteriorated. He developed colon cancer, but was initially denied adequate medical treatment. His case drew national attention, and civil rights activists campaigned for his release.

Release and Death

Due to increasing pressure from civil rights groups and the media, Kennard was released on parole in 1963, but by then his cancer was terminal. He died on July 4, 1963, shortly after his release.

Legacy

Clyde Kennard's struggle and unjust treatment highlighted the systemic racism and injustice prevalent in the American South during the civil rights era. His case contributed to the growing national awareness of the need for civil rights reform.

In 2006, the Mississippi State Legislature passed a resolution acknowledging the wrongful conviction of Clyde Kennard and recognizing his contributions to the civil rights movement. In 2013, the University of Southern Mississippi awarded him a posthumous honorary degree.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Desegregation in the United States
• University of Southern Mississippi

References

• "Clyde Kennard: A Forgotten Hero of the Civil Rights Movement." Mississippi History Now.
• "The Case of Clyde Kennard." PBS.

External Links

• Civil Rights Movement Veterans: Clyde Kennard
• University of Southern Mississippi: Clyde Kennard