Strom Thurmond, Joe Crespino, And the Clarence Jordan Symposium
I first saw Strom Thurmond when he came to Gaffney HS the fall of 68, the first year of full integration to present a scholarship to Robert Smith to the Air Force Academy. Most of the Blacks including Fletcher Smith, in a few years to become the first, if not one of the first law school grads from the University of South Carolina, which made a fine impression on the football field last night.
A few years later then Principal Wayne Whiteside, who could inspire young men of all races to give their best on the offensive and defensive line--just check Gaffney's record or watch them nationally on CSS Cable this coming Friday--Whiteside in a conversation where Thurmond's name came up called him a statesman. I winced. But kinda left it there.
I was in the First Peach Festival Parade in Gaffney with William Shatner and Thurmond; and we know Joe Biden gave a eulogy at his funeral. I saw Fletcher as a state Senator from a Burger King TV in Mauldin, S.C march in for the rites. Funeral was shown on statewide tv. Biden did a good job.
Yesterday in a Barnes and Noble I noticed that Joe Crespino has written a bio of Thurmond and his times: Strom Thurmond's America. I read the intro on the fly, as I had a phone conversation with Crespino from his Emory office last year; or maybe couple email exchanges. I encouraged him to get in touch with Harry Dent's daughter Ginny Brant.
As I reported below I was in symposium--BTW just got word a delegation from FBC Greenville, S.C. was in Plains this morning for President Carter's SS Class--got word from a niece of one of S.C. Governor Riley's neighbors who I've come to know in Bama.
At the CJS UVA's Charles Marsh left a question hanging about the interstices of faith and power.
In the review of Crespino's book Sept 28 in the NY Times, and a followup oped by Crespino and another fellow in same paper, the question is dug into significantly.
I have linked this blog on the Cherokeee Chronicle site of my hometown of Gaffney,South Carolina. Hopefully some there will engage Marsh and Crespino and Tim Tyson's piece on Gaffney in Jumpn Jim Crow will find further redemption.
I've left a message on Crespino's voicemail at Emory. Will email him soon. Check comments here for further word and insight if any comes this way.
A few years later then Principal Wayne Whiteside, who could inspire young men of all races to give their best on the offensive and defensive line--just check Gaffney's record or watch them nationally on CSS Cable this coming Friday--Whiteside in a conversation where Thurmond's name came up called him a statesman. I winced. But kinda left it there.
I was in the First Peach Festival Parade in Gaffney with William Shatner and Thurmond; and we know Joe Biden gave a eulogy at his funeral. I saw Fletcher as a state Senator from a Burger King TV in Mauldin, S.C march in for the rites. Funeral was shown on statewide tv. Biden did a good job.
Yesterday in a Barnes and Noble I noticed that Joe Crespino has written a bio of Thurmond and his times: Strom Thurmond's America. I read the intro on the fly, as I had a phone conversation with Crespino from his Emory office last year; or maybe couple email exchanges. I encouraged him to get in touch with Harry Dent's daughter Ginny Brant.
As I reported below I was in symposium--BTW just got word a delegation from FBC Greenville, S.C. was in Plains this morning for President Carter's SS Class--got word from a niece of one of S.C. Governor Riley's neighbors who I've come to know in Bama.
At the CJS UVA's Charles Marsh left a question hanging about the interstices of faith and power.
In the review of Crespino's book Sept 28 in the NY Times, and a followup oped by Crespino and another fellow in same paper, the question is dug into significantly.
I have linked this blog on the Cherokeee Chronicle site of my hometown of Gaffney,South Carolina. Hopefully some there will engage Marsh and Crespino and Tim Tyson's piece on Gaffney in Jumpn Jim Crow will find further redemption.
I've left a message on Crespino's voicemail at Emory. Will email him soon. Check comments here for further word and insight if any comes this way.
posted by foxofbama | 5:31 AM
3 Comments:
Robert Smith went to the Air Force Academy.
Thank you. I will edit and correct. Robert Smith's brother Lee was in my class and the younger Brother went to Berry where my cousins in law run Dan Cathy and Chk fil A's scholarship program.
The Smith's are great people.I just a callfrom a friend who went to President Carter's SS class in Plains this morning and saw a group from FBC Greenville,S.C. Will edit and get Robert up to Snuff very soon.
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