Abstract

Sociology with a Southern face characterizes Southern sociologists and Southern social issues. This article asks why we are sociologists and what we are doing about it in the South. I posit that many Southern sociologists share common biographical experiences that provide insights for understanding and solving Southern problems. Longstanding conditions of the Black Belt are used as an example with special focus on Southern demographics and persistent impoverishment. Given the magnitude of the southern issues involved, I believe there are good reasons for doing sociology about the South. I conclude with a call for sociologists with Southern faces - wherever they live - to pay greater attention to solutions as well as using our sociological expertise to diagnose social problems we see through the Southern face of sociology.

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