Oral History Interview with Aaron Henry, April 2, 1974. Interview A-0107. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007).
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Abstract
Aaron Henry, an officeholder in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party, shares his thoughts and recollections on the intersection of race and politics in his home state. Despite racially motivated violence, Henry is determined to use his education and political skills to advance the interest of black Mississippians, a group under assault by racist white politicians committed to reversing the gains of the civil rights movement. This interview will be useful for researchers interested in the insidious role of race in 1970s Mississippi politics.
Excerpts
Decline in fear of racial violence, though fear persists
Segregation is a recent phenomenon
Politicians use racial code to appeal to white voters
Politicians use racial code to appeal to white voters
Moderate politics fail to energize voters
Black politician energizes black voters
Need for black political involvement
Districting depletes black political power
Persistent work for change despite threat of violence
Persistent work for change despite threat of violence
Central role of race in Mississippi politics
Government will not help register voters
Hopes for the future of Mississippi politics
Need for interracial cooperation to continue to push for racial justice
Southern strategy seeks to reverse gains for blacks
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Finding aid to the Southern Oral History Program Collection
Database of all Southern Oral History Program Collection interviews
Resources for Educators
Changes in Southern Politics Learning Object
Subjects
Nixon, Richard M. (Richard Milhous), 1913-1995
Civil rights--Mississippi
Mississippi--Politics and government
Mississippi--Race relations
School integration--Mississippi
Republican Party (Miss.)
African American politicians--Mississippi
Democratic Party (Miss.)
Thurmond, Strom, 1902-2003
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