Byron De La Beckwith eventually WAS convicted of Medgar Evers' murder in 1994 (see the movie "Mississippi Burning" about the trial.) The conviction was appealed but upheld in 1997. He died in prison in 2001, I believe.

Sorry - amend the Mississippi Burning reference - that was the FBI investigation of the 1964 murder of 3 civli rights workers by the KKK. Right church, wrong pew, as my grandma would say.

You're thinking of Ghosts of Mississippi, which covers De La Beckwith's third trial, as you stated. You are also correct he died in prison in 2001. See above.

Only A Pawn In Their Game (Bob Dylan)

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers' blood.
A finger fired the trigger to his name.
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man's brain
But he can't be blamed
He's only a pawn in their game.

A South politician preaches to the poor white man,
"You got more than the blacks, don't complain.
You're better than them, you been born with white skin," they explain.
And the Negro's name
Is used it is plain
For the politician's gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid,
And the marshals and cops get the same,
But the poor white man's used in the hands of them all like a tool.
He's taught in his school
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
'Bout the shape that he's in
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks,
And the hoof beats pound in his brain.
And he's taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide 'neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He ain't got no name
But it ain't him to blame
He's only a pawn in their game.

Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught.
They lowered him down as a king.
But when the shadowy sun sets on the one
That fired the gun
He'll see by his grave
On the stone that remains
Carved next to his name
His epitaph plain:
Only a pawn in their game.

Copyright ©1963; renewed 1991 Special Rider Music

Thanks rozie, I was wondering which Bob Dylan song it was. I think we'll soon see civil rights wind it's way in. Maybe even a new hire at Sterling Cooper. Maybe after Peggy starts wearing trousers.

I really enjoy the way Mad Men as a series handles 1960s history. The writers leave out heavy-handed references to the people and events we all know about and hilight the lesser-known players . . . in this case, Medgar Evers. Mad Men is (more or less) about the everyday experience of a group of characters living in this era . . . Evers fought for everyday equal rights. I grew up in the 80s and got a fairly abridged education in the history of the Civil Rights Movement. It is captivating every time I learn more about the astounding number of people that gave their lives for this cause.

Another good reason why I love Mad Men. To had Medgar Evers appear in that subtle way with Betty's white parents tending to him, it was touching to say the least.

It was also a great educational opportunity. Thank you Mad Men for being the best show on television today.

I suspect Hollis was upset about the Evers murder when Pete came to him for ideas about TV sets. He knew he was not going to be anything more than an elevator operator and probably did not trust Pete. It would be years before advertising even took an interest in this segment of the population.

A good book about Mad Men during this time is Michael Gill's "How Starbucks Changed my Life" He talks about the old boys club and how affirmative action tried to integrate the workplace. The old boys did not help the minorities along so they never moved up in the management. Years later, out of work, he ended up the only white guy at a Starbucks and the minorities taught taught him everything he needed to know to succeed in the job.

MadMen, you guys are the best. After watching the last show twice, I am now connecting all the dots. Very impressed with the subtle way, which this very important subject matter is been handled. You should create a lesson plan to be used by agencies today to follow along. As demostrated by the recent comments of President Carter and the vast reactions, good, bad and ugly, the issue of "race" is both complexed and perplexing. Also, as proclaimed by Malcom X, the rooster will come home to roost. America, welcome "race relationships" back home!