MS Moments 234 - Le'Roy Carney - Biloxi Beach Wade-In Part 1 - a podcast by USM Center for Oral History

This spring marked the 50^th anniversary of the first of the Gulf Coast wade-ins. Back then, most Mississippi beaches were for whites only.  During one of these wade-ins, Dr. Gilbert Mason led a group of African-Americans into the segregated waters of Biloxi beach.  What followed was one of the bloodiest race riots in Mississippi history with 71 arrested and dozens injured.

 

A small boy at the time, Le’Roy Carney recalls using the railroad tracks to flee the riot.  Carney also explains how the black community in Biloxi organized themselves to boycott those responsible for the violence at the beach.

Further episodes of Mississippi Moments Podcast

Further podcasts by USM Center for Oral History

Website of USM Center for Oral History