Economic and demographic shift in Mississippi

Date: May 12, 2004

Economic and demographic shift in Mississippi

Date: May 12, 2004

Robert,

Have you read Exit 13?????

This is a must read.

Date: May 12, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"I would like to write about Shelby Thames' role as "useful idiot" for those whose agenda is to tear down USM, or prepare it for takeover by an university that they favor.

I thought it was "useful idot."

Date: May 12, 2004

I don't know Exit 13--it's obviously a book that I need to read.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 12, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"I don't know Exit 13--it's obviously a book that I need to read. Robert Campbell"

This was on an early, early thread but I remember someone saying you can find it possibly on Amazon. Monte Pilawsky a former poly sci prof wrote the book.

Date: May 12, 2004

We are always surprised when the Clemson library has a book we're looking for--though CU's library hasn't been so scandalously neglected as USM's.

Anyway, the CU library has Piliawsky's Exit 13, and I shall be catching up on my reading soon.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 12, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Robert Campbell
"We are always surprised when the Clemson library has a book we're looking for--though CU's library hasn't been so scandalously neglected as USM's. Anyway, the CU library has Piliawsky's Exit 13, and I shall be catching up on my reading soon. Robert Campbell"

The book was a real eye opener for me. You'll recognize many names and places in it. I'll be anxious to hear your take on it after you've found the time to read it.

Date: May 12, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: educator
"The book was a real eye opener for me. You'll recognize many names and places in it. I'll be anxious to hear your take on it after you've found the time to read it."

boy is he in for some fun. have a good read Robert!

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

Robert, I would assert that the shifts about which you inquire all have to do with the Delta planter-aristocrisy's loss of power, and the circa WWII shift towards industrialization in the Gulf coastal region. Economically, demographically, people go to where the jobs are, and right now, they are in the metro region (Jackson) and on the Coast.

In the late 1920s, Hugh White, from Columbia, Mississippi (about 30 miles west of Hattiesburg) was elected governor. The lumber-centric economy of the southern part of the state was in dire straights. White came up with an economic plan--BAWI "Balance Agriculture with Industry" which advocated moving industries into the southern part of the state. The Mississippi Industial Act, which I believe also happened under White's watch, resulted in the growth of industry, especially in the southern part of the state. Ingall's Shipyard is one of the industries which located on the Coast during White's term or as a result of White's economic plan. You have to read about White and BAWI to understand the transition in the state from ag to industry.

Socially, of course, the civil rights movement contributed to the Delta planter's fall. Economically and socially, the New Deal did, too.

I will think about some books you might like to read. If you haven't read the book mentioned by Dr. Hollandsworth in another thread--Jim Silver's Mississippi: A Closed Society--then you really need to add this to your reading list. It was published decades ago, but it is still relevant.

Another lesser known book that will help you understand the history of this state is Oliver Emmerich's Two Faces of Janus, but I don't know how you can get your hands on it.

Any historical works (not fiction) by Will D. Campbell will also enlighten you. I would start with Brother to a Dragonfly.

There are probably some dissertations out there--at USM or other southern universities--that would explain the eco/demo shift to the southern part of the state better than I ever could. Might want to look into those. Check out the USM library's holdings or look at an online database.

Date: May 12, 2004

FS

Dangit...................

Now you have done it

You and I MUST sit down for a beer after all this is over with, however that may be.

Profound

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: Greedy
"FS Dangit................... Now you have done it You and I MUST sit down for a beer after all this is over with, however that may be. Profound"

LOL! I am promising to have a beer when the big house has been cleared with everyone who wants to. I am afraid you guys will be disappointed, just as Dorothy was when the green curtain was pulled back and the Wizard was revealed.

Date: May 12, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by:
"LOL! I am promising to have a beer when the big house has been cleared with everyone who wants to. I am afraid you guys will be disappointed, just as Dorothy was when the green curtain was pulled back and the Wizard was revealed. "

Oh yeah . . . . FS. Nice little analysis. Wonder why you know all that?

Let's hope the day of liberation comes sooner rather than later.

Fire Shelby · Status: Offline

quote:
Originally posted by: present professor
" Oh yeah . . . . FS. Nice little analysis. Wonder why you know all that? Let's hope the day of liberation comes sooner rather than later. "

I give credit to wonderful, intelligent Liberal Arts professors under whom I have studied--namely Chuck Bolton, the New South expert at USM. It's one of the best history classes you can take, if you want to learn about the history of this state. Brad Bond's Mississippi History class was also excellent.

Date: May 12, 2004

Professor Campbell,

I am not a native Mississippian, but I have lived here for some time. Mississippi is going through what Virginia and Florida, two places I know about, did 20 years ago. Southside, VA; the Panhandle of Florida; and the Mississippi Delta have the commonality of situations where areas with small population had political control of the legislature. Virginia and Florida have finished the transition from rural domination to urban domination of the legislature. Mississippi is part way there, but moving rapidly. Along the way, all three states moved from democrat control to republican control, first at the governor level and then at the legislative level. It creates chaotic governance during the transition, which is occurring in Mississippi. Two books I found helpful in ferreting out some of the issues, and the reason why some things are not as they appear, are "The Most Southern Place On Earth" (James C. Cobb) and "Mississippi Mud". The first describes the history of the Delta with its complexities and its dysfunctional social structure. Mississippi Mud describes the political corruption on the Coast that culminated in the murder of a Judge (Judge Sherry) and the introduction of Casinos. Organized gambling (Casinos) push out illegal gambling and the Coast has gone through a process of rapid change economically and politically. I suspect it will take another decade for Mississippi to complete the transition. This major shift has destroyed some of the old political alliances and created new ones. The losing side in the change is the old guard political group and the old wealth group. While losing, they are not gone and in my view are contributing in a major way to the problems at USM.

Date: May 15, 2004

Thank you, everyone, for the help on the historical background.

I don't think USM is fated to remain in Exit 13-land.

I think it's best to veiwShelby and his backers as participants in one last desperate attempt to revert to the McCain era--even if they have to tear down most of what has been built up since.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 15, 2004

The best source for econ and demo information you seek is the State Data Center located at Ole Miss.