Clennon King: Declared Insane for Seeking an Education

01/29/25 • 5 min

Black History Buff: Uncovering Untold Stories

What happens when the simple act of pursuing knowledge is deemed a threat to society? In 1958, Clennon King, a Black historian and activist, applied to the University of Mississippi, an institution that had never admitted a Black student. Instead of being welcomed, King was forcibly committed to a mental asylum, declared insane for daring to challenge segregation.

This episode delves into the extraordinary and tragic story of Clennon King—a man whose pursuit of equality and education exposed the deep-rooted insanity of systemic racism in America. Discover how King’s defiance paved the way for others like James Meredith and ignited debates about civil rights, institutional power, and the cost of standing up for justice.

We’ll explore the broader historical context, the weaponisation of mental health diagnoses, and the parallels to modern struggles for equality. Clennon King’s story isn’t just history—it’s a reflection of the ongoing fight for justice today.

Listen now to uncover the untold legacy of the man who was declared insane for seeking an education.

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project.

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

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Thank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission.

Stay Blessed,

King Kurus,

The Black History Buff

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-content
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Listen now to uncover the untold legacy of the man who was declared insane for seeking an education.

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project.

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

Membership benefits include:

Early access to new episodes
Bonus episodes and content
Be part of the creation of new episodes
Guest memberships
Get featured In Episode End credits
Ad Free Episodes

https://www.patreon.com/Blackhistorybuff

Join my newsletter to be kept up to date with the latest posts

https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory

Find me on Social Media

https://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuff

Thank you for listening, sharing, and joining us on our mission.

Stay Blessed,

King Kurus,

The Black History Buff

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Previous Episode

Environmental Racism in Miami-Dade: The Fight for Justice and Change

Miami-Dade County faces a critical battle against environmental racism as plans for a massive trash incinerator threaten to impact predominantly Black and Hispanic communities. In this episode, we uncover the history of environmental injustice, from Warren County's protests in 1982 to today's ongoing fight in Miami. Join me, King Kurus, as we explore the root causes, the voices leading the charge, and what this means for the future of environmental justice.

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project.

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

Membership benefits include:

Early access to new episodes

Bonus episodes and content

Be part of the creation of new episodes

Guest memberships

Get featured In Episode End credits

Ad Free Episodes

https://www.patreon.com/Blackhistorybuff

Join my newsletter to be kept up to date with the lastest posts

https://steadyhq.com/en/blackhistory

Find me on Social Media

https://linktr.ee/BlackHistoryBuff

Thank you, for listening, for sharing and for joining us on our mission.

King Kurus,

The Black History Buff

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/black-history-buff-podcast/exclusive-content
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Next Episode

The Harlem Hellfighters: A Story of Bravery and Betrayal

Hey Family, it’s King Kurus, the Black History Buff. Today, we’re diving into the story of the Harlem Hellfighters—a regiment of African American soldiers who proved their bravery on the battlefields of World War I but returned home to a nation that refused to honour their sacrifice.

Denied the chance to fight under their own flag, these men took up arms alongside the French, earning their highest military honour, the Croix de Guerre, for their unmatched courage. 191 days on the front lines. No ground lost. No men captured. Yet, when the war ended, the battles they faced were far from over.

Racism, segregation, and violence awaited them back home, a cruel reminder that the fight for dignity and equality was far from won. So, what happens when a country benefits from your service but refuses to acknowledge your worth? And how do we honour those who fought for a nation that didn’t fight for them?

That’s what I’m unpacking in this episode. But that’s what I think—what do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this episode, and if you want to support my work, join the Black History Village on Patreon.

Black History is World History. Stay Blessed.

The Black History Buff Podcast is a fully independent project.

We aren't backed by a publishing house, advertising partners or a major enterprise. For our existence, we depend on our loyal listeners – we depend on you.

So, if you enjoy our content and want to support the creation of more, join our history village and support our mission to share hidden stories from Black Culture, join my free Patreon:

Membership benefits include: