The Mind of The South

It is amazing to think of an entire civilization which was born, flourished, and died in the span of only a handful of generations. It is even more amazing to realize that this civilization occurred in America. This book opened my mind to a new understanding of the American South - a complicated, paradoxical, convoluted, brutal, and romantic South.

In this book, the Cash walks through the social, psychological, and economic development of the Old South. He describes it primarily as a series of frontiers, which gives perspective on the various idiosyncrasies that occur in Southern culture.

The leadership of the South grew out of tenacious agriculturalists, people who worked the land just as all of their neighbors did; only their drive and luck served them better. This produced a kinship between the rulers and the general population. Also considered is the social impact involved with the huge success of cotton plantations. These somehow coexisted with the ‘poor white,’ less successful farmer. Finally, the issue of slavery and racism was introduced into the argument. Cash suggests that much of this was connected with the previously mentioned idea of social solidarity between rich and poor whites.

Along with several other factors, this produced a unique social situation in the history of the world. It was a culture that was communal in its fierce individualism. It was a story based, Romantic, realist culture. A politician (or preacher) need only produce a fiery speech to win constituents. I found this to be a very interesting contrast to the industrial northeastern history/culture of America which I am more familiar with. This reading also helped me to see many of the roots that continue to grow in the New South of today.

Beyond these pieces, it prodded my thinking on the subject of race in the south. Its roots run much deeper than simple arrogance against another man; it is something more like a crutch for self-worth. Below this level, I noticed the frontier machismo which finds self-worth only in bettering the other man. What are the social implications of this mentality today? What changes have occurred in the culture of the South since the civil rights movement, since the reemergence of a stable economy in the South, since 9/11? It will be interesting to see how all of this relates to issues in Bamberg as we prepare to engage the community. What will all of this look like in a modern context?