An Unseen Light An Unseen Light
Civil Rights and the Struggle for Black Equality in the Twentieth Century

An Unseen Light

Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee

    • $11.99
    • $11.99

Publisher Description

Scholars examine the activist efforts of Black Americans in Memphis in a series of essays ranging from the Reconstruction era to the twenty-first century.

In An Unseen Light: Black Struggles for Freedom in Memphis, Tennessee, eminent and rising scholars present a multidisciplinary examination of African American activism in Memphis from the dawn of emancipation to the twenty-first century. Together, they investigate episodes such as the 1940 “Reign of Terror” when Black Memphians experienced a prolonged campaign of harassment, mass arrests, and violence at the hands of police. They also examine topics including the relationship between the labor and civil rights movements, the fight for economic advancement in Black communities, and the impact of music on the city’s culture. Covering subjects as diverse as politics, sports, music, activism, and religion, An Unseen Light illuminates Memphis’s place in the long history of the struggle for African American freedom and human dignity.

Praise for Unseen Light

“From the aftermath of the post-Civil War race massacre to continuous violence, murder, and bitter confrontations into the twenty-first century, contributors illuminate An Unseen Light on those Black Memphians forging lives nonetheless, through negotiation, protest, music, accommodation, prayer, faith and sometimes sheer stubbornness . . . . Scholars intellectually and personally invested in the city as a site of family and community, and career, bring an unequivocal depth of understanding and richness about place and belonging that textures the pages with life, from the church pews, the music studios, or the myriad of social or political organizations, to the land itself, adding more layers to underscore how black lives have mattered in the historical grassroots building of the nation. This is thoughtful and beautiful work.” —Françoise Hamlin, author of Crossroads at Clarksdale: The Black Freedom Struggle After World War II

“This rich collection covers a broad range of topics pertaining to the African American freedom struggle in Memphis, Tennessee. One of its greatest strengths is the breadth of the essays, which span a long period from the end of the Civil War to the twenty-first century. An Unseen Light is a valuable addition to civil rights scholarship.” —Cynthia Griggs Fleming, author of Yes We Did?: From King's Dream to Obama's Promise

“The collection did an excellent job in explaining the inner workings of Memphis . . . . The works highlighted the past actions, organizing and insurgency which created the dynamics of racism, classism, social, and political power seen in modern Memphis. I recommend this collection to those interested in the shaping of a large southern city. I also recommend to new and lifelong Memphians to provide a blueprint of the historical legacy of Memphis and how this legacy continues to impact the lives of African Americans.” —Tennessee Libraries

GENRE
History
RELEASED
2018
April 13
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
419
Pages
PUBLISHER
The University Press of Kentucky
SELLER
OpenRoad Integrated Media, LLC
SIZE
6.3
MB
Crossroads at Clarksdale Crossroads at Clarksdale
2012
The New Negro in the Old South The New Negro in the Old South
2015
After the Dream After the Dream
2011
Ruled by Race Ruled by Race
2012
Freedom Rights Freedom Rights
2011
But for Birmingham But for Birmingham
2000
The Men and the Moment The Men and the Moment
2019
King of the Court King of the Court
2010
Sidney Poitier Sidney Poitier
2011
Down to the Crossroads Down to the Crossroads
2014
Out of Left Field Out of Left Field
2024
Becoming King Becoming King
2008
Civil Rights in the Gateway to the South Civil Rights in the Gateway to the South
2009
In Remembrance of Emmett Till In Remembrance of Emmett Till
2014
Thunder of Freedom Thunder of Freedom
2013
Sidelined Sidelined
2013
James and Esther Cooper Jackson James and Esther Cooper Jackson
2015