Transformed

A White Mississippi Pastor’s Journey into Civil Rights and Beyond

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Discrimination & Race Relations, Biography & Memoir, Religious, History, Americas, United States, 20th Century
Cover of the book Transformed by William G. McAtee, University Press of Mississippi
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: William G. McAtee ISBN: 9781617031168
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi Publication: August 25, 2011
Imprint: University Press of Mississippi Language: English
Author: William G. McAtee
ISBN: 9781617031168
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Publication: August 25, 2011
Imprint: University Press of Mississippi
Language: English

In May 1964, Bill McAtee became the new minister at Columbia Presbyterian Church, deep in the Piney Woods of south Mississippi. Soon after his arrival, three young civil rights workers were brutally murdered outside Philadelphia, Mississippi. Many other activists from across the country poured into the state to try to bring an end to segregation and to register black citizens to vote. Already deeply troubled by the resistance of so many of his fellow white southerners to any change in the racial status quo, McAtee understood that he could no longer be a passive bystander. A fourth-generation Mississippian and son of a Presbyterian minister, he joined a group of local ministers--two white and four black--to assist the mayor of Columbia, Earl D. "Buddy" McLean, in building community bridges and navigating the roiling social and political waters.

Focusing on the quiet leadership of Mayor McLean and fellow ministers, McAtee shows how these religious and political leaders enacted changes that began opening access to public institutions and facilities for all citizens, black and white. In retrospect, McAtee's involvement in these events during this intense period became a turning point in repudiating his past acquiescence to the injustices of the racist society of his birth. His personal account of this transformation underscores its meaning for him today and reminds the reader that no generation can ignore the past or rest comfortably on its progress toward tolerance, equality, and justice.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In May 1964, Bill McAtee became the new minister at Columbia Presbyterian Church, deep in the Piney Woods of south Mississippi. Soon after his arrival, three young civil rights workers were brutally murdered outside Philadelphia, Mississippi. Many other activists from across the country poured into the state to try to bring an end to segregation and to register black citizens to vote. Already deeply troubled by the resistance of so many of his fellow white southerners to any change in the racial status quo, McAtee understood that he could no longer be a passive bystander. A fourth-generation Mississippian and son of a Presbyterian minister, he joined a group of local ministers--two white and four black--to assist the mayor of Columbia, Earl D. "Buddy" McLean, in building community bridges and navigating the roiling social and political waters.

Focusing on the quiet leadership of Mayor McLean and fellow ministers, McAtee shows how these religious and political leaders enacted changes that began opening access to public institutions and facilities for all citizens, black and white. In retrospect, McAtee's involvement in these events during this intense period became a turning point in repudiating his past acquiescence to the injustices of the racist society of his birth. His personal account of this transformation underscores its meaning for him today and reminds the reader that no generation can ignore the past or rest comfortably on its progress toward tolerance, equality, and justice.

More books from University Press of Mississippi

Cover of the book Insider Histories of Cartooning by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Frank Capra by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Ghosts along the Mississippi River by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Quincy Jones by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Manners and Southern History by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Richard Wright Writing America at Home and from Abroad by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Paul Verhoeven by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Christmas Memories from Mississippi by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Mississippi Politics by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Conversations with Sterling Plumpp by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book From Daniel Boone to Captain America by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Peter Kuper by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Making a Way out of No Way by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book The Garden District of New Orleans by William G. McAtee
Cover of the book Fear and What Follows by William G. McAtee
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy