The Politics of Whiteness: Race, Workers, and Culture in the Modern South (Economy & Society in the Modern South) - Softcover

Michelle Brattain

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0820326046 ISBN 13: 9780820326047

Publisher: University of Georgia Press, 2004

Synopsis

The Politics of Whiteness presents the first sustained analysis of white racial identity among workers in what was the South's largest industry for much of the twentieth century: textiles. Michelle Brattain, who grounds her work in a study of Rome, Georgia, from the Great Depression to the 1970s, adds a significant new dimension to a field that before had focused primarily on anti unionism, paternalism, or mill village culture. Many scholars have argued that racial tensions kept black and white workers from seeing their shared interests. While that may be so, says Brattain, Jim Crow and southern industry also functioned to give white workers very different and racially specific interests. Although southern politics has been traditionally defined in terms of its dominance by white elites, Brattain uncovers a surprising level of white working-class political influence and activism. Owing to the segregated nature of mill work, however, millhands' power was not felt in the form of any challenges to the racial status quo. Rather, workers re-created the local institutions and symbols of racial difference in their unions.

About this title

Review:

A work of major importance... Will take its place alongside the best studies on labor and race in the twentieth-century South. -Paul Harvey, H-South; ""Students of Georgia politics and history or of race and labor in the modern era will want to read this fine case study."" - American Historical Review; ""A compelling, thoroughly researched monograph with a serious argument worth engaging. It deserves the attention of students of twentieth-century southern, labor, and political history."" - Journal of American History; ""A fine study that addresses major issues in southern and American history. It is well researched, well conceived, and generally persuasive."" - Journal of Southern History

From the Back Cover:

"This study takes working class conservatism seriously and refuses to wave it away as false consciousness. It offers a full account of the role of whiteness and white privilege in structuring such conservatism, and intriguing hints as to the role of local boosterism and gender politics in generating both quietism and activism."--David Roediger, Babcock Professor of History, University of Illinois

"The Politics of Whiteness is a very fine piece of historical scholarship, written with verve, grace, and clarity. It is clearly a significant contribution to the history of race and of southern labor and politics. Through both its careful use of local history and its addition of racial analysis to the center of southern white labor history, this book will be of lasting influence on the future work of other scholars in this area."--Deborah Gray White, Rutgers University

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Georgia Press
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0820326046
• ISBN 13: 9780820326047
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 301