About this item
Highlights
- The Little Rock Crisis describes the power of direct and learned memories of the 1957 desegregation crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas.
- About the Author: Ravi K. Perry is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Mississippi State University, USA.
- 255 Pages
- Political Science, Civics & Citizenship
Description
About the Book
"The Little Rock Crisis describes the power of direct and learned memories of the 1957 desegregation crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas. Personal, dramatic experiences of Little Rockians - known and unknown - reflect on the impact of the crisis on their lives in the 21st century. Linking individual memories to collective action through the lens of social appropriation, the book explores how the crisis has impacted the political behavior of Little Rockians. Oral histories and survey research show how the events from the tumultuous 1950s in Little Rock school politics, inform and direct the national political engagement and local community involvement of diverse residents. Their commitment to political and social participation is linked to their crisis experience"--Book Synopsis
The Little Rock Crisis describes the power of direct and learned memories of the 1957 desegregation crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas. Personal, dramatic experiences of Little Rockians - known and unknown - reflect on the impact of the crisis on their lives in the 21st century. Linking individual memories to collective action through the lens of social appropriation, the book explores how the crisis has impacted the political behavior of Little Rockians. Oral histories and survey research show how the events from the tumultuous 1950s in Little Rock school politics, inform and direct the national political engagement and local community involvement of diverse residents.Review Quotes
"The book explores the implications of the Little Rock Nine, and how that movement was part of a larger social phenomenon for blacks in the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. ... The book is successful in its mission and serves as a wonderful contribution to the fields of political science, public policy, social policy, and related fields. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above." (L. T. Grover, Choice, Vol. 53 (7), March, 2016)
"Everyone knows about the nine people who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. This remarkable book documents the rest of the story: how the crisis at Central High touched the lives of ordinary people in the eye of the storm. The Little Rock Crisis is probing, intelligent, moving, inspiring and highly recommended for both activists and scholars." - James A. Morone, Brown University, USA, Author of Hellfire Nation and The Devils We Know
"One of the many strengths of this book is directly traced to the deep familial roots the authors have with the people and town of Little Rock, Arkansas...Using a mixed-method approach, careful attention to detail, and respectful engagement with Little Rock residents, the authors craft a compelling analysis of whether and how being in the shadow of a national event affects the politics of local citizens." - Valeria Sinclair-Chapman, Purdue University, USA
"The authors have delivered to us a wonderful book on the politics of memory. They show that as a local memory that had national implications, the 1957 Little Rock crisis influenced a generation of black folk decades later...This book is a must read for those interested in memory studies and the legacies of the Little Rock crisis." - Fredrick Harris, Columbia University, USA
About the Author
Ravi K. Perry is Assistant Professor of Political Science at Mississippi State University, USA. His previous books include 21st Century Urban Race Politics (as editor) and Black Mayors, White Majorities. D. LaRouth Perry is an independent scholar and native of Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She holds a PhD in American Culture from Bowling Green State University, USA.