Last Hope, or Hopeful at Last? Recent Views of the American South

A review of two books discussing Southern identity & politics. Dealing with moral issues, M. Sousa's In Search of the Silent South: Southern Liberals and the Race Issue (New York: Chandler U Press, 1977) is a study of Southern white liberals & the race issue between 1920 & 1954. The influence of various individuals & organizations is evaluated. In addition to influences by the U & the press, the most powerful factor cited concerning racial liberalism is evangelism. Although the various Southern liberal organizations differed in their objectives & methods, the common disbelief in racial mythologies associated with Jim Crowism is identified as a unifying force. The intention of L. Chandler's The Natural Superiority of Southern Politicians: A Revisionist History (New York: Doubleday, 1977) is to emphasize the existence of a natural superiority of Southern politicians by means of a survey of the South's contributions to the American political system. Factual errors & omissions of relevant information on the part of the author are noted. J. Schulman.