Civil Rights Era Interviews with Black Politicians: Black Candidates: Southern Campaign Experiences, 1968

Civil Rights Pamphlet, African American

Published by

BOND, Julian. Black Candidates: Southern Campaign Experiences. Atlanta: Voter Education Project Southern Regional Council, Inc. May, 1969. 8vo. 57 pages. Pictorial wrappers and staple bound spine. Civil rights activist Julian Bond partnered with the Voter Education Project in early 1968 to interview and share the experiences and methods of African American political candidates in the South. Based on taped interviews, the book contains contributions from 19 black candidates for various elected offices in southern states. Those 19 contributors are Lucius Anderson, Felton J. Capel, Geneva Collins, Eddie Davis, Charles Evers (brother of Medgar Evers), James Jolliff, Jr., Jesse E. Lawrence, Ledell Mackie, Dan Nixon, Peter Smith, Elijah Coleman, F. Malcolm Cunningham, Earl M. Johnson, Barbara Jordan, Athalie Range, Clarence L. Townes, Horace T. Ward, Q. V. Williamson and Thomas E. Wrenn. Bond's interviews were recorded and transcribed into this booklet with the intention of educating and inspiring other Black Americans who seek political office. Bond himself was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1965. He was twice refused his seat by the members of the House of Representatives because of his public concurrence with a Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee denunciation of the war in Vietnam. He was elected three times within a 12-month period before the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the House to seat him at the 1967 session. As the intentions are not partisan, interviewees range from various candidates from different parties. Many of Bond's questions revolve around the following; "What was the racial makeup of your district?", "What motivated you to run?", "How did you raise funds and what campaign tactics did you use?", "What kind of help did your campaign get from blacks, whites, paid workers or political party?", "What effect did your running have on the Negro community and prospective black candidates?", "Why do you think you won or lost your race?", and "What advice would you give to other black candidates?" Each candidate interviewed is accompanied by a black and white photographic portrait next to a small biographical caption. Some toning to wrappers, some foxing to front and back inner pages and page edges. Text is clean and binding is tight. Overall very good condition. These personal discussions of success and failure amidst the volatile social climate offers a unique experience through the Black lens. Scarce. Seller Inventory # 20669

Bibliographic Details

Title: Civil Rights Era Interviews with Black ...
Binding: Soft cover