Rebel With a Cause: P.D. East, Southern Liberalism and the Civil Rights Movement, 1953-1971 PDF
Preview Rebel With a Cause: P.D. East, Southern Liberalism and the Civil Rights Movement, 1953-1971
Page iii Rebel with a Cause P.D. East, Southern Liberalism, and the Civil Rights Movement, 1953–1971 by Gary Huey Scholarly Resources Inc. Wilmington, Delaware Page iv © 1985 by Gary L. Huey All rights reserved First published 1985 Printed and bound in the United States of America Scholarly Resources Inc. 104 Greenhill Avenue Wilmington, Delaware 19805 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Huey, Gary, 1946 Rebel with a cause. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. East, Percy Dale. 2. Journalists—Southern States—Biography. 3. AfroAmericans—Civil rights—Southern States. 4. Liberalism— Southern States—History—20th century. I. Title. PN4874.E3H83 1985 070.4'1'0924 [B] 8423516 ISBN 0842022287 Page v FOR MY FATHER AND MOTHER BERWYN AND ELSIE HUEY MODELS OF TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING Page vi Gary L. Huey is an assistant professor of history at Louisiana State University at Eunice. A specialist on the social and cultural history of the South, Dr. Huey took his Ph.D. degree from Washington State University in 1981. Page vii Contents Preface ix Acknowledgments xi 1. Introduction: P. D. East and Southern Liberalism 1 2. The Formative Years 29 3. Conscience Over Profit: The Development of a Racial Liberal by Chance and 59 by Choice 4. Fame But Not Fortune: The Travail of a Southern Liberal 103 5. Misfortune Continues 129 6. The Slow and Painful Return to Obscurity 165 7. Epilogue 211 Bibliography 215 Index 225 Page ix Preface Despite the American South's longstanding reputation as a conservative, racist monolith, there had always been a segment of white southern society, albeit a very small one, which recognized racial injustices and actually participated in programs designed to improve race relations. Percy Dale East, editor and publisher of the Petal Paper, Petal, Mississippi, belonged to this group. Although it is difficult to categorize southern racial liberals, most belonged to the middle or upper classes and found some support by joining organizations that fostered their views. East was one of the exceptions. He came from a rural, lowerclass background and refused to join any group that might have given him aid. In November 1953, when East started his newspaper, he paid little attention to the racial situation. Shortly after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, however, he advocated compliance with the law. Local opposition to East grew when he argued that blacks must receive fair treatment and legal equality. He reasoned that to deny rights to any group ultimately posed a threat to the liberties of all. As a result of this stance, East began working with people such as William Faulkner, Lillian Smith, Hodding Carter, Will Campbell, John Howard Griffin, Medgar Evers, and Steve Allen. The White Citizens' Council responded to East by spearheading an effective economic boycott against the Petal Paper. By 1959, East had lost all 2,300 local subscribers and most of his advertisers. The paper survived through subscription drives and donations from liberal supporters like Smith, Campbell, Griffin, Allen, Maxwell Geismar, Roy Wilkins, Ralph McGill, Harry Golden, and others throughout the country. East did not fare as well as his paper. He suffered fits of Page x deep depression because of the hatred directed at him by his former friends. Under the circumstances, he considered retracting his support of civil rights, but quickly rejected such thoughts. On several occasions, he contemplated suicide as an alternative to his misery, but he always managed to overcome this impulse. In 1960, East's national reputation grew somewhat when he published his autobiography, and in 1962, it increased further when he received the Florina Lasker Civil Rights Award of the New York Civil Liberties Union. His fame, however, only deepened his difficulties. Obscene telephone calls, social ostracism, and death threats plagued him. To make matters worse, his already troubled and sometimes tragic personal life hit a low point between 1961 and 1963 when he went through two divorces. Throughout these difficult times he maintained his advocacy of civil rights, which added to his woes. The spiraling racial violence in 1963 led a racist group in Mississippi to offer $25,000 for someone to "get East." Fearing for his life, he left Mississippi and moved to Fairhope, Alabama. From his new home, he continued to demand justice for all, but his voice had been weakened. Owing to his shift of location and poor health, he became more of an observer and less of a participant in the movement for racial justice. Nonetheless, he served as a powerful symbol. He had acted in the tradition of a dedicated reformer and racial liberal, and he carried out his mission in the heart of racist territory. He participated in the movement long before it was a popular cause and when the level of danger was especially high. His undisputed courage certainly placed him among those people of conscience and commitment who helped shape one of the most dramatic and significant chapters in American civil rights history. Page xi Acknowledgments There are many people I would like to thank for their assistance in this project. Howard Gotlieb and the Special Collections staff of Mugar Memorial Library, Boston University, were particularly helpful and patient. Numerous friends of P. D. furnished valuable aid. Maxwell and Anne Geismar, Rev. Will Campbell, and James W. Silver offered many excellent insights into P. D.'s character. East's closest friend, John Howard Griffin, was most helpful. Despite failing health, he answered a multitude of questions and helped me gain access to East's papers. Without him, this study could not have been completed. Michael Blayney of Wayne State College, Robert Swartout of Carroll College of Montana, James W. Ware of Louisiana State University at Eunice, and Dr. Claude Oubre read the entire manuscript and kept me from numerous errors of fact interpretation, and style. William Hampes of Louisiana State University at Eunice gave me sound advice on East's psychological state. Anne P. Malone graciously shared her vast knowledge of southern history with me. Although she may not agree with my interpretations, her advice was invaluable. The help and encouragement each of these people gave me went far beyond the courtesies of scholarship and friendship. I am deeply indebted to them. The suggestions and criticisms of O. Gene Clanton and David Stratton of Washington State University improved the manuscript immeasurably. Edward M. Bennett, also of Washington State University, played two important roles: he offered unfailingly accurate comments, and he recommended P. D. East as a topic. My greatest debt is to Professor LeRoy Ashby under whose guidance this manuscript took shape and matured. Page xii Those who have been fortunate enough to have had Professor Ashby as a graduate advisor can testify to his expert scholarly counsel and the genuine concern he displays for each of his students. Every page of this book reflects his influence on my view of history. Of course errors of fact and interpretation are mine alone. A note of appreciation is due to my typists: Bonnie Bradley, Debbie Fontenot, Pat Miller, Caletta Soileau, and Donna Tune. I would like to thank my wife, Bonnie, who has endured this project for eight years while providing a happy home and raising three children. Steven, Amy, and Katie deserve a special thanks too. LaVerne Weber and the late Robert Weber made their special contributions. Finally, I am indebted to my parents, Berwyn and Elsie Huey, for their constant encouragement and support. My entire family's sacrifices made this study possible, and their love made it worthwhile.
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