The Centennial Celebration of Medgar Wiley Evers: ‘A duty to embody his spirit every single day’

•••

Editor’s note: This the first part of a five-part series written by students that made the expedition to Jackson, Mississippi from June 26-29, 2025, to celebrate the centennial birthday of Medgar Wiley Evers.

•••

By Maritza Argueta | Rising Sophomore | maritza.argueta@student.mec.cuny.edu

Medgar Wiley Evers. His name echoes through the halls of justice and reverberates in the hearts of those who dare to dream of a freer, more equitable world. As we celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday, I find myself reflecting deeply on his legacy, my journey at Medgar Evers College, and the powerful opportunities and awakenings I have experienced along the way.

Born in 1925 and assassinated in 1963, Evers dedicated his life to fighting for the “American Dream” on behalf of all people of color. He battled for voting rights, school desegregation and basic human dignity in the face of violence and hatred, especially in Mississippi, one of the most challenging and dangerous places to demand equality at that time. 

Despite knowing the risks, he carried forward with unwavering courage, answering the question “Why you?” with “Why not me?” That simple yet profound statement has become my personal mantra, inspiring me to step forward even when the path is difficult. 

Attending Medgar Evers College has given me more than just an education; it has given me a sense of family, purpose, and a deeper understanding of my responsibility to my community. 

From Queens, as a mixed 20-year-old student, I chose Medgar over other prestigious schools because I felt called to carry on Evers’ legacy. 

Here, I have grown as a student, leader, and changemaker. 

As President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, President of the SHADES Club (Sisters Having A Definite Strategy) under the Center for Women’s Development, and an intern in the college’s Office of Communications, I have found countless ways to uplift student voices and build stronger connections across campus.

My involvement on campus helped raise my status on campus, giving me a unique chance to make the trek south to celebrate our namesake.

My trip to Mississippi was transformative. Seeing firsthand the places where Mr. Evers and other brave souls stood their ground was like walking on sacred ground. Hearing stories of how the 1950s mirrored the brutalities of slavery, where white supremacist groups like the Citizens Council terrorized Black communities and held economic power over them opened my eyes to the ongoing legacy of systemic racism. 

The story of Emmett Till, a young boy tortured and murdered simply for existing and Mr. Evers’ fearless courage to investigate his murder while disguised as a sharecropper left an indelible mark on my spirit. It forced me to confront the depths of cruelty humanity can possess, but also the boundless strength of those who fight back. Evers quietly helped organize the Tougaloo Nine protest, a powerful sit-in against segregated libraries, and boldly sat at the front of buses without fear of the consequences. His unwavering defiance showed me that true change requires not just words, but bold and risky action in the face of injustice.

The lessons I learned in Mississippi ignited something in me: a determination to not only honor the past, but also to shape the future. Mr. Evers taught us that the fight for justice requires more than speeches — it requires sacrifice, community, and fearless action. 

As students at a college that bears his name, we have a duty to embody his spirit every single day.

Moving forward, I envision bringing his legacy to life on campus and beyond.

I believe we need to integrate mandatory community service and social justice events into our college experience making civic engagement not just an option, but an expectation. I want to put civic education and engagement in our curriculum and make it a requirement for all students during their freshman year. 

We should create spaces where students, staff, and faculty come together to learn, discuss and act on issues impacting our communities. Events that are engaging, creative, and empowering from art showcases to forums on policy, from voter registration drives to workshops on mutual aid which can help us build a culture of active, informed, and fearless changemakers.

One dream I have is to unite student leaders across all CUNY schools and beyond. Imagine connecting passionate minds from different campuses, artists, activists, athletes, designers and thinkers — to form one powerful collective. We can build a network that not only shares resources and knowledge, but also sparks a movement that spreads like wildfire across New York State and the entire country. 

We can channel our talents into meaningful actions like music, fashion, art, sports, and storytelling to reach people where they are and inspire them to rise. 

From running for SGA to organizing networking events for creatives, my experiences have shown me the power of community and the magic that happens when driven people come together. 

I have learned that leadership isn’t about being the smartest in the room but about bringing the smartest, most passionate people into the same space and lifting each other up. Gen Z and Millennials have the numbers and the creativity to outvote and out-organize any force working against justice — we just need to unify and act. 

We are living in a pivotal moment. 

From the Black Lives Matter movement to global struggles for freedom, the urgency of collective action is clear. Our generation has the chance to rewrite history. We must stand firm in the face of injustice, armed with truth, love, and unstoppable unity. We must plant the seeds of justice, just like Mr. Evers did, so they can grow into forests of freedom for future generations. 

I may have started as a bright, curious student from Queens with a passion for liberal arts and social welfare, but Medgar Evers College has transformed me into a leader ready to take on the world. I chose this college because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself — and I found exactly that. 

As we honor Medgar Evers’ 100th birthday, I pledge to continue his work: to fight for what is right, to empower my peers, and to lead with compassion and courage. 

So when I ask myself, “Why me?” I hear Mr. Evers’ voice echoing back: “Why not me?” 

And I know the answer. It is my turn to carry the torch forward — with my classmates, my mentors, my community, and the unstoppable power of love and unity lighting the way. 

Maritza Argueta is an intern in the Office of Communications, where she helps with the college’s social media presence, including the soft  launch of TikTok.