Taking the Fight South: Chronicle of a Jew's Battle for Civil
Rights in Mississippi by Howard Ball
2/1/21; 280 pages
University
of Notre Dame Press
Taking the Fight South: Chronicle of a Jew's Battle for Civil
Rights in Mississippi by Howard Ball is a highly recommended
autobiography from 1976-1982
Howard Ball chronicles the six years, from 1976-1982, that he,
his wife Carol, and his three young daughters moved from the
Bronx to Starkville, Mississippi. Ball accepted a tenured
position in the political science department at Mississippi
State University. The move, like most moves across country,
was a culture shock for the Jewish family from the Bronx and
an awakening to the societal conditions in Mississippi during the civil
rights struggles at that time. Ball, a historian and civil rights
activist, did not shy away from the task set before him. He and Carol
immersed themselves in the community working to make integration a
reality rather than just a law. He was active with the Mississippi chapter of the ACLU. The family remained close to their Jewish faith in a heavily Protestant area and received threats for his activism.
This is a
riveting historical biography set during a very
specific time and place in America. It is important to note
that Ball lived in Mississippi from 1976-1982, which means
40 years have passed since his experiences there and much
has changed in the world. After finding his notes from his
time in Mississippi, Ball set out to share his stories from his time in
the deep
South. The chapters are written as
recollections of events that occurred during the time his
family lived there and the struggles and obstacles they
experienced.
Ball writes that
Judaism asks that they observe and obey the law but also that they
vigorously debate, discuss, and
disagree with each other as well as take legal of political action to
challenge it. This affirmation of justice has shaped both his character
and
the mission of his work. Taking the Fight South showcases Balls
fight for social justice during his six years in Mississippi many year
ago. "Distinguished historian and civil rights activist Howard
Ball has written dozens of books during his career,
including the landmark biography of Thurgood Marshall, A
Defiant Life, and the critically acclaimed Murder
in Mississippi, chronicling the Mississippi Burning
killings."
Disclosure:
My review copy was courtesy of the University of Notre Dame Press.
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