McAPUSH

Zachary Laranang

Kennedy vs. Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett on enrollment of James Meredith in Univ. of Miss.

Kennedy's calls to Ross Barnett persuading him to allow African American student James Meredith to enter the University of Mississippi are divided into four parts. In part 1, President Kennedy calls Barnett, debating the governor's decision to deny Meredith enrollment in the university. Kennedy makes it clear that he has to carry out the U.S. Constitution but does not want to do it in a way that causes a lot of trouble, and says that he needs Barnett's cooperation. Barnett, a staunch segregationist, is obviously uncomfortable, and tries to stall by asking Kennedy if he has talked to the Attorney General, and if the Attorney General has talked a person named Watkins. Kennedy says yes, and then asks Barnett what his view is on the court order he has been given to allow Meredith in the university. Barnett answers that he needs a few days to think about it, and that he has to defend his state's constitution. He also gives a lame excuse that their state statue says that no one convicted of a crime or with a case pending against them may enter an institution of higher learning. The conversation ends soon after. Overall, I thought that it was obvious that Barnett was beating around the bush, and that Kennedy knew it, but decided that it was best not to push Barnett just yet.

In part 2, Kennedy tells Barnett that he is aware of Barnett's feelings about the court order, but wants to know what he and the state police are specifically going to do to maintain law and order. Barnett goes on about how they're "going to do their best" to maintain peace, but tells Kennedy how hard it's going to be, probably in an effort to subtly convince him to abandon the plan, and makes sure he mentions the tension that has arisen because of this issue, and asks the President if he could wait awhile until "everything cools off." I thought that Kennedy knew Ross was still trying to put off the issue, but was pressuring him to cooperate. The call ends soon after.

Part 3, instead of a telephone call, is Kennedy's address to the nation regarding the controversy.
He assures America that Meredith is living on campus, and that everything has been accomplished without the use of National Guard or other troops. He seems to consider everything a success, and then goes on to explain that nobody is above the law, and that it must be obeyed by everybody. The President also expresses his regret that the White House ever had to get involved, and subtly admonishes the state of Mississippi and its police for defying numerous court orders to allow James Meredith to enter the University of Mississippi. He ends the speech by saying that it is the responsibility of the students of the university to uphold the law.

Finally, in part 4, Kennedy demands that Barnett take charge of the riot that is currently happening on the University of Mississippi's campus. Barnett tells Kennedy that he will go to the campus and make a speech to try to calm everybody down, but implores Kennedy to make an order to remove James Meredith from the campus. Kennedy basically tells Barnett no, saying attempting to move Meredith would be dangerous considering the rioters, and also tells Barnett not to make a speech when he arrives at the university, telling him they will talk about what he will say beforehand. I could tell that the President was frustrated that he had made a premature speech regarding the situation as a success.

Overall, the way President Kennedy handled the situation was honorable, while the way Governor Barnett handled the situation was despicable. Kennedy made sure that the law was carried out, and tried to come to a solution with Barnett while at the same time understanding where he was coming from. Governor Barnett, on the other hand, at first tried to beat around the bush and prolong the inevitable, while assuring the President that he would cooperate fully. His personal prejudice contributed to his false assurances, and his unwillingness to accept the court's decision to allow James Meredith to attend the University of Mississippi contributed to the riots that ended up killing two people and wounding many.