Barclay Key - Race and Restoration: Churches of Christ and the Black Freedom Struggle

David Goldfield, Series Editor

Churches of Christ and the Black Freedom Struggle

BARCLAY KEY

Louisiana State University Press
Baton Rouge

Published by Louisiana State University Press

Copyright 2020 by Louisiana State University Press

All rights reserved

First printing

DESIGNER: Michelle A. Neustrom

TYPEFACES: Whitman, text; Gotham, display

Cataloging-in-Publication Data are available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN 978-0-8071-7274-2 (cloth: alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-8071-7308-4 (pdf) ISBN 978-0-8071-7309-1 (epub)

The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources.

For my parents, DeWayne and Donna Key

Family members are conventionally mentioned last, but I feel compelled to start with the people who have endured with me from the beginning of this project. Sonya and I have pursued many adventures together and, while she has never been inclined to read every word I write, her experiences and perspectives have always been helpful. She also loves books as much as I do and reads them more quickly. People inevitably tell their stories, Im told, and to some degree this book contains a small part of our story. We make a good team, and I am grateful for the many sacrifices that she has made to make this book possible.

The parenting adventure began for us in 2004 and shows no signs of slowing. Our son Langston arrived during the initial stages of research, and our daughter Zora made our family complete a few years later. Who knew that trips to playgrounds and various elementary and middle-school activities were not conducive to reading and writing?! I hope that we have done them justice and that the stories herein seem foreign to them.

My parents, DeWayne and Donna, asked the obligatory question when I was an undergraduate history student: what will you do with a history degree? Sometimes Im still uncertain of the answer. Nevertheless, theyve remained a reliable source of good humor, home cooking, storytelling, board-game competition, financial assistance, and occasional childcare. I definitely won the parent lottery. Im also proud to have Logan, Leslie, Mabrey, and Annie, and countless friends and family members in Moulton, Alabama, who have influenced me. John Hardin, now at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, deserves some of the blame for my interests in history and theology and my career choices.

Several professors at the University of North Alabama sparked my desire to study history, none more than Larry Nelson. I learned a lot about the Bible and myself at David Lipscomb University. Mentors at the University of Florida were especially patient. With good cheer and reassurance, Brian Ward set me on a path to completing the doctoral program. Jack Davis made me a better writer. Jon Sensbach helped me think more creatively, and Sheryl Kroen offered timely encouragement. Sonya and I were both inspired by Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons. Bertram Wyatt-Brown ensured that an initial research trip was funded. Numerous classmates were amiable and tolerant of my eccentricities, especially Mike Bowen, Craig Dosher, and Ben Houston. Eric Brown and Kevin Bird kept me grounded. The Florida Gators mens basketball teams were phenomenal.

Colleagues at Iowa State University and Western Illinois University provided important opportunities and meaningful support, especially Larry Balsamo, Ginny Boynton, Peter Cole, Febe Pamonag, and Tim Roberts. Contrary to what one might guess, distractions became more plentiful in little Macomb, Illinois, but they were well worth the time and trouble. Teaching American History grants provided a chance to study southern history with junior and senior high school teachers in west central Illinois, and two tours took us through Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. A Fulbright award landed the family and me in Kielce, Poland, for a semester, where we encountered a statue of Miles Davis and fell in love with Krakw. A second Fulbright award in 2017 took us to beautiful Xalapa, Mexico, and a much richer appreciation for our neighbors to the south.

John Kirk urged me to join the history faculty at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where Ive discovered a camaraderie like no other. If we must have a chair, Jess Porter is a great one. Kristin Mann is the best teacher and always eager to help. Jim Ross and I thought that we might help the Little Rock School District, but we were soon disabused of that notion by the principalities and powers. We fought the law, and the law won.

The archivists and librarians at several institutions deserve more credit than these lines would suggest, but I must mention a few by name. Not long after I first embarked on this endeavor, I connected with Don Haymes. He not only helped me write and think more carefully, but he also provided a seemingly endless supply of additional essays that warranted my attention. Don helped arrange access to some crucial sources, provided an oral history for the ages one evening in Temple Terrace, and made the trek to New Orleans for a panel.

Carisse Berryhill at Abilene Christian University could not have been more helpful or hospitable. Although we correspond infrequently, I did not hesitate to contact her when it was time to tie up loose ends. Of course she was eager to help. Her colleague Mac Ice also accommodated some last-minute requests.

Several historians have asked helpful questions and offered insights on my research, including Dan Williams, Calvin White, and Ed Robinson, whose numerous books have made significant actors in Churches of Christ more accessible. Readers for LSU Press provided many valuable suggestions, and Rand Dotson has been exceedingly patient. I accept responsibility for the shortcomings that remain, of course, while hoping that readers will be as gracious as all of these thoughtful colleagues.

Geographic density of Churches of Christ by county or parish in the United States in 1960. Map by Mary Lee Eggart.