Struggle for a Better South : The Southern Student Organizing Committee, 1964-1969

Struggle for a Better South dispels the notion that all whites in the South stood united against social change in the 1960s. Gregg Michel's compelling study of the Southern Student Organizing Committee (SSOC), the leading progressive organization created by young white activists in the South during that tumultuous decade, fills a crucial gap in the literature about New Left activism. Michel shows that the SSOC was the only activist group of the era that worked to cultivate white support for the social movement. The SSOC's members gave themselves the delicate task of reconciling their love for the South and its history - warts and all - with their modern-day commitment to equality and justice for all people. Struggle For A Better South Dispels The Notion That All Whites In The South Stood United Against Social Change In The 1960s. Gregg Michel's Study Of The Southern Student Organizing Committee (ssoc), The Leading Progressive Organization Created By Young White Activists In The South During That Tumultuous Decade, Fills A Crucial Gap In The Literature About New Left Activism. Michel Shows That The Ssoc Was The Only Activist Group Of The Era That Worked To Cultivate White Support For The Social Movement. The Ssoc's Members Gave Themselves The Task Of Reconciling Their Love For The South And Its History - Warts And All - With Their Modern-day Commitment To Equality And Justice For All People.--book Jacket. Ch. 1. White Southerners, Civil Rights, And Student Activism, 1961-1964 -- Ch. 2. Building An Organization : The Founding Of Ssoc -- Ch. 3. Growing Pains -- Ch. 4. Ssoc And White Student Activists At Mid-decade : The Agenda Grows -- Ch. 5. Shifting Ground : From The Campus To The Community -- Ch. 6. New Message, New Messengers -- Ch. 7. Short-term Gains, Long-term Costs -- Ch. 8. Falling Apart : The Dissolution Of Ssoc. Gregg L. Michel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [229]-314) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-9 White Southerners, Civil Rights, and Student Activism, 1961–1964....Pages 11-31 Building an Organization: The Founding of SSOC....Pages 33-62 Growing Pains....Pages 63-88 SSOC and White Student Activists at Mid-Decade: The Agenda Grows....Pages 89-106 Shifting Ground: From the Campus to the Community....Pages 107-129 New Message, New Messengers....Pages 131-166 Short-Term Gains, Long-Term Costs....Pages 167-187 Falling Apart: The Dissolution of SSOC....Pages 189-226 Back Matter....Pages 227-324 The ten civil rights marchers were tired, sore, and scared as they approached the state highway patrolmen, national reporters, and 1,500 white onlookers who awaited them at the Alabama state line on May 3, 1963.