Oral History Interview with William Patrick Murphy, January 17, 1978. Interview B-0043. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
In the 1950s, lawyer William Patrick Murphy fought what he describes as a relatively understated battle against segregation. In letters, law journal articles, and in his constitutional law class at the University of Mississippi, Murphy argued for the wisdom of the
Brown decision and against the states' rights rationale that many white Mississippians were using to delay integration. His support for integration put him under tremendous pressure from segregationist Mississippians, and after a four-year struggle to keep his job, he left the University. He describes that struggle in this interview, all the while downplaying his contributions to racial justice in Mississippi. This reflective interview will be useful for, among others, researchers interested in white southerners who sought to undo segregation.
Excerpts
Becoming involved in the civil rights movement
Protest through teaching rather than direct action
Exposed to pressure at the University of Mississippi
Awakening to the injustice of segregation
Murphy claims only a limited contribution to desegregation
Many pro-segregation Oxford residents treated Murphy well
Awakening to the injustice of segregation
Little personal contact with those trying to expel him from Ole Miss
Intense pressure from segregationist Mississippians
Some choice words for segregationist Mississippians
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Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Subjects
Mississippi--Race relations
School integration--Mississippi
The Southern Oral History Program transcripts presented here on
Documenting the American South undergo an editorial process to remove
transcription errors. Texts may differ from the original transcripts
held by the Southern Historical Collection.
Funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services supported the electronic publication of this title.