David Bianculli

This is Fresh Air. I'm David Bianculli. How to Be a Civil Rights Widow is one chapter title in a book by Joy Reid, the former MSNBC Evening Show host. The widow is Merle Evers. Her husband was Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist who served as the NAACP's Mississippi field secretary and risked his life to push for voting rights, desegregation, and freedom.

Reid's book is called Medgar and Merle and is now out in paperback. Medgar and Murley were both from Mississippi. Murley constantly worried about the safety of her husband and their children, with good reason. Their house was firebombed. Later, in June 1963, Medgar was assassinated just outside the door of their home. Murley had heard the gunshot and found her husband bleeding out.

Reid's book is called Medgar and Merle and is now out in paperback. Medgar and Murley were both from Mississippi. Murley constantly worried about the safety of her husband and their children, with good reason. Their house was firebombed. Later, in June 1963, Medgar was assassinated just outside the door of their home. Murley had heard the gunshot and found her husband bleeding out.

Reid's book is called Medgar and Merle and is now out in paperback. Medgar and Murley were both from Mississippi. Murley constantly worried about the safety of her husband and their children, with good reason. Their house was firebombed. Later, in June 1963, Medgar was assassinated just outside the door of their home. Murley had heard the gunshot and found her husband bleeding out.

His was the first in a series of high-profile assassinations in the 1960s. Next came President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy.

His was the first in a series of high-profile assassinations in the 1960s. Next came President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy.

His was the first in a series of high-profile assassinations in the 1960s. Next came President John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy.

Joy Reid describes her book, Medgar and Murley, as a love story between two black people in Mississippi, their love for their children, and the higher love it took for black Americans to love America and to fight for it, even in the state that butchered more black bodies via lynching than any other.

Joy Reid describes her book, Medgar and Murley, as a love story between two black people in Mississippi, their love for their children, and the higher love it took for black Americans to love America and to fight for it, even in the state that butchered more black bodies via lynching than any other.

Joy Reid describes her book, Medgar and Murley, as a love story between two black people in Mississippi, their love for their children, and the higher love it took for black Americans to love America and to fight for it, even in the state that butchered more black bodies via lynching than any other.

The love story between Murley and Medgar Evers also is fraught with tension, with Murley objecting to how much he was away from home, leaving her wondering if he loved his work more than he loved his family. He often left her alone to deal with the constant phone calls, threatening the lives of her family.

The love story between Murley and Medgar Evers also is fraught with tension, with Murley objecting to how much he was away from home, leaving her wondering if he loved his work more than he loved his family. He often left her alone to deal with the constant phone calls, threatening the lives of her family.

The love story between Murley and Medgar Evers also is fraught with tension, with Murley objecting to how much he was away from home, leaving her wondering if he loved his work more than he loved his family. He often left her alone to deal with the constant phone calls, threatening the lives of her family.

After her husband's death, Murley became an activist, an in-demand public speaker, and executive director of the NAACP. She gave the invocation at President Obama's second inauguration. Joy Reid spoke with Terry Gross last year.

After her husband's death, Murley became an activist, an in-demand public speaker, and executive director of the NAACP. She gave the invocation at President Obama's second inauguration. Joy Reid spoke with Terry Gross last year.

After her husband's death, Murley became an activist, an in-demand public speaker, and executive director of the NAACP. She gave the invocation at President Obama's second inauguration. Joy Reid spoke with Terry Gross last year.

Joy Reid spoke to Terry Gross last year. Her book about Medgar and Merle Evers, titled Medgar and Merle, is now out in paperback. We'll continue their conversation after a short break. And later, Justin Chang reviews the new supernatural thriller Sinner. I'm David Bianculli, and this is Fresh Air.

Joy Reid spoke to Terry Gross last year. Her book about Medgar and Merle Evers, titled Medgar and Merle, is now out in paperback. We'll continue their conversation after a short break. And later, Justin Chang reviews the new supernatural thriller Sinner. I'm David Bianculli, and this is Fresh Air.

Joy Reid spoke to Terry Gross last year. Her book about Medgar and Merle Evers, titled Medgar and Merle, is now out in paperback. We'll continue their conversation after a short break. And later, Justin Chang reviews the new supernatural thriller Sinner. I'm David Bianculli, and this is Fresh Air.

Joy Reid speaking with Terry Gross last year. Her book about Medgar and Murley Evers is called Medgar and Murley. More after a break. This is Fresh Air.