Subscribe!In 1958, a Chicago man by the name of Clyde Kennard applied for admission to the University of Southern Mississippi. He was actually a student at the University of Chicago when he attempted to transfer. His application was denied for much different reasons than the University gave him. You must remember, the year was 1958, the state was Mississippi, and Clyde Kennard was black.
The initial rejection did not deter Kennard. He continued forward with his transfer attempt. However, in 1960 the leaders in Mississippi framed him for stealing chicken feed. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, not for stealing chicken feed but for being a black man trying go to college in Mississippi.
While in prion, he developed cancer and was freed by Gov. Ross Barnett in 1963. He died later that year.
It seems that the matter of a pardon and expunging of the conviction from his record would simply be an academic procedure. His innonence is not questioned by anyone today. However, much effort has still been required just to keep the matter afloat. The parole board of Mississippi is set to review the case this week and issue a recommendation. Unfortunately, should they recommend a pardon and expunging of his record, the current governor of Mississippi, Hayley Barbour, has said he will not grant clemency nor expunge Kennard's record. His reason is that Mississippi has no history or granting clemency to the deceased. Mr. Barbour, you have a chance to make history. It would go a long way toward removing this black mark from the history of your state. The refusal to do so only reinforces the notion that Mississippi is a backwater state full of racist bigots.
A simple act to clear one man's name. It's not a radical idea. Just the right thing to do.
