The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, has a complicated history when it comes to race relations. The university played a significant role during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In 1962, the university gained national attention when James Meredith became the first African American student admitted to Ole Miss after a long legal battle and violent resistance by segregationists.

Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississippi was met with riots and violence, leading President John F. Kennedy to send in federal troops to enforce desegregation and protect Meredith. This event highlighted the deep-seated racism and resistance to desegregation in the state of Mississippi and across the South.

Since that turbulent time, the University of Mississippi has made efforts to address its past and promote diversity and inclusion on campus. There are now numerous programs and initiatives aimed at supporting Black students and celebrating Black history and culture at Ole Miss.

Despite its challenging history, the University of Mississippi continues to be an important site in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice in the United States.