History and Hope in the Heart of Dixie : Scholarship, Activism, and Wayne Flynt in the Modern South

Social and political history of the modern South. This collection of essays on the social and political history of the modern South consider the region’s poor, racial mores and race relations, economic opportunity, Protestant activism, political coalitions and interest groups, social justice, and progressive reform. History and Hope in the Heart of Dixie illuminates the dual role of historian and public advocate in modern America. In a time when the nation’s eyes have been focused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita onto the vulnerability and dire condition of poor people in the South, the applicability of research, teaching, and activism for this voiceless element seems all the more relevant. Responding to the example of Wayne Flynt, whose fierce devotion to his state of Alabama and its region has not blinded his recognition of the inequities and despair that define southern life for so many, the scholars assembled in this work present contributions to the themes Flynt so passionately explored in his own work. Two seasoned observers of southern history and culture—John Shelton Reed and Dan T. Carter—offer assessments of Flynt’s influence on the history profession as a whole and on the region of the South in particular.

social And Political History Of The Modern South.
 
this Collection Of Essays On The Social And Political History Of The Modern South Consider The Region’s Poor, Racial Mores And Race Relations, Economic Opportunity, Protestant Activism, Political Coalitions And Interest Groups, Social Justice, And Progressive Reform.
history And Hope In The Heart Of Dixie Illuminates The Dual Role Of Historian And Public Advocate In Modern America. In A Time When The Nation’s Eyes Have Been Focused By Hurricanes Katrina And Rita Onto The Vulnerability And Dire Condition Of Poor People In The South, The Applicability Of Research, Teaching, And Activism For This Voiceless Element Seems All The More Relevant.
 
responding To The Example Of Wayne Flynt, Whose Fierce Devotion To His State Of Alabama And Its Region Has Not Blinded His Recognition Of The Inequities And Despair That Define Southern Life For So Many, The Scholars Assembled In This Work Present Contributions To The Themes Flynt So Passionately Explored In His Own Work. two Seasoned Observers Of Southern History And Culture—john Shelton Reed And Dan T. Carter—offer Assessments Of Flynt’s Influence On The History Profession As A Whole And On The Region Of The South In Particular.
 
gordon Earl Harvey Is Assistant Professor Of History At The University Of Louisiana At Monroe And Author Of A Question Of Justice: New South Governors And Education, 1968–1976. Richard D. Starnes Is Assistant Professor Of History At Western Carolina University And Author Of Creating The Land Of The Sky: Tourism And Society In Western North Carolina. Glenn Feldman Isassociate Professor In The Center For Labor Education And Research At The University Of Alabama At Birmingham And Author Of Politics, Society, And The Klan In Alabama, 1915–1949. 
 
contributors
susan Youngblood Ashmore, Brooks Blevins, Dan T. Carter, Glenn Feldman, Jeff Frederick, Gordon E. Harvey, Dwayne Key, Andrew M. Manis, John Shelton Reed, Richard D. Starnes, Bailey Thomson

Can any good thing come from Auburn? / John Shelton Reed -- Revisiting race relations in an Upland South community : Lacrosse, Arkansas / Brooks Blevins -- Southern accents : the politics of race and the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 / Susan Youngblood Ashmore -- Is there a balm in Gilead? Baptists and reform in North Carolina, 1900-1925 / Richard D. Starnes -- The beginnings of interracialism : Macon, Georgia, in the 1930s / Andrew M. Manis -- Race, class, the Southern conference, and the beginning of the end of the New Deal coalition / Glenn Feldman -- "Wallaceism is an insidious and treacherous type of disease" : the 1970 Alabama gubernatorial election and the "Wallace freeze" on Alabama politics / Gordon E. Harvey -- Divide and conquer : interest groups and political culture in Alabama, 1929-1971 / Jeff Frederick -- The scholar as activist / Dewayne Key -- Evangelist for constitutional reform / Bailey Thomson -- The historian as public policy activist / Dan T. Carter Contents 6 Editors’ Introduction 8 1. Can Any Good Thing Come from Auburn? 16 2. Revisiting Race Relations in an Upland South Community: LaCrosse, Arkansas 20 3. Southern Accents: The Politics of Race and the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 41 4. Is There a Balm in Gilead? Baptists and Reform in North Carolina 1900–1925 81 5. The Beginnings of Interracialism: Macon, Georgia, in the 1930s 106 6. Race, Class, the Southern Conference, and the Beginning of the End of the New Deal Coalition 139 7. “Wallaceism is an insidious and treacherous type of disease": The 1970 Alabama Gubernatorial Election and Alabama Politics 173 8. Divide and Conquer: Interest Groups and Political Culture in Alabama, 1929–1971 194 9. The Scholar as Activist 211 10. Evangelist for Constitutional Reform 218 11. The Historian as Public Policy Activist 225 Contributors 232 Index 234 This collection of essays on the social and political history of the modern South considers the region's poor, racial mores and race relations, economic opportunity, Protestant activism, political coalitions and interest groups, social justice, and progressive reform. History and Hope in the Heart of Dixie illuminates the dual role of historian and public advocate in modern America