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A journey as long and arduous as writing this book can only be completed with the assistance of countless individuals. I would like to acknowledge and thank a very few of those people. Many of the limitations of this book spring from my determined yet futile search for self-sufficiency, but without the assistance of William A. Link, one of the New Directions in Southern History series editors, its weaknesses would be even greater. Bill offered the needed balance of encouragement, criticism, and push. He read the entire first draft, willingly and quickly, simply because I asked. He generously read and commented on several subsequent drafts, offering timely and cogent advice. I am also indebted to the 2003 National Endowment for the Humanities Seminar on the Modern Civil Rights Movement at Harvard University, directed by Patricia Sullivan and Waldo Martin . This valuable seminar and those who participated in it convinced me that I had something to say and motivated me to resurrect this long-dormant project, which began as my dissertation. I am especially grateful to Susan Youngblood Ashmore for her encouragement. She helped me believe it was possible when I had become convinced it was impossible. I appreciate the staff at the University Press of Kentucky, especially Ann Malcolm, acquisitions editor, and Cheryl Hoffman, freelance copy editor, as well as the anonymous reader who raised important questions and offered needed criticism. I am appreciative of David Carlton and Elizabeth Robeson, who read portions of the manuscript and steered me clear of a few disasters. Thanks to Marjorie Spruill, Jim Farmer, and Carl Abrams, who offered comments on the portions they read in the form of conference papers; and to Acknowledgments ix Bobby Donaldson and Tim Tyson, who answered questions and offered advice. Thanks to Joyce Hughston, who patiently read every word and provided valuable editing suggestions. A special thanks to Eugene Hill, my sixth-grade teacher, whose exceptional human relations skills opened my eyes, as a young girl, to the racial injustices that permeated my community, region, and culture. The insights I gained from Mr. Hill have continually shaped my perceptions of the world. Thanks to my parents, who instilled in me a work ethic that was essential for this project, whose rewards are primarily intrinsic. While I have never worked as hard as they do and perhaps have not applied my diligence to the ends that they would most appreciate, I am grateful for the dedication and steadfastness they have always modeled for me. My greatest debt is to Lacy Ford, my husband and mentor, for his remarkable patience and historical judgment. He never grew tired of reading drafts, offering suggestions and encouragement, and repeating advice that I ignored until I grew to appreciate it. No one could be happier that the project eventually advanced beyond our countless private conversations. Thanks also to my children, Travis and Sonya, who grew up with this project as background noise. Although they could never fully appreciate why it seemed so important to me, they offered encouraging nods. They have always provided me motivation and perspective. Although I tend to forget it, their lives serve as consistent reminders of my great good fortune. x Acknowledgments ...

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