This momentous work offers a groundbreaking history of the early civil rights movement in the South. Using wide-ranging archival work and extensive interviews with movement participants; Charles Payne uncovers a chapter of American social history forged locally; in places like Greenwood; Mississippi; where countless unsung African Americans risked their lives for the freedom struggle. The leaders were ordinary women and men—sharecroppers; domestics; high school students; beauticians; independent farmers—committed to organizing the civil rights struggle house by house; block by block; relationship by relationship. Payne brilliantly brings to life the tradition of grassroots African American activism; long practiced yet poorly understood.Payne overturns familiar ideas about community activism in the 1960s. The young organizers who were the engines of change in the state were not following any charismatic national leader. Far from being a complete break with the past; their work was based directly on the work of an older generation of activists; people like Ella Baker; Septima Clark; Amzie Moore; Medgar Evers; Aaron Henry. These leaders set the standards of courage against which young organizers judged themselves; they served as models of activism that balanced humanism with militance. While historians have commonly portrayed the movement leadership as male; ministerial; and well-educated; Payne finds that organizers in Mississippi and elsewhere in the most dangerous parts of the South looked for leadership to working-class rural Blacks; and especially to women. Payne also finds that Black churches; typically portrayed as frontrunners in the civil rights struggle; were in fact late supporters of the movement.
#1440530 in Books 1991-06-18Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x 2.09 x 5.98l; 2.75 #File Name: 0520075900936 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A definite must read for those who want to study Tibetan History without the trappings of Tibetan Cultural beliefs.By Chime NangchenMy husband of 20 years is Tibetan and I find it difficult to find quality study materials that clearly separate fact from cultural memory when studying Tibetan History. It is extremely important as Tibetan Buddhism moves to the West that Western practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism understand what is Buddhist about the Tibetan Buddhist teachings and view of the world and what is actually Tibetan culture mixed with Buddhist teachings. Even the Tibetan Lama's who teach in the West are unaware that they are teaching a very unique form of Buddhism; which is more exhibited as cultural ways of viewing the world by an ancient culture; than the simple teachings of the Lord Buddha. The mixture of the actual teachings of the Buddha; clothed so completely in a culture that is highly superstitious and animistic creates much confusion in the Western mind. This is convenient for the Tibetans who would like to continue their culture; but not fair to the students who are often shamed as not seeing the world in the correct way.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Thorough and Well DoneBy George PhilliesThe weaknesses that destroyed independent Tibet come to the fore. Thoroughly researched and well-written. There is a remarkable complexity of politics; with individual desires and weaknesses overshadowing the needs of the future.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. key series must readBy MARprt of an epic series that captures the modern phase of a history that goes back 1300 years or more. essential reading
