Mississippi’s governor framed school integration as genocide against the white race

Evidence

Barnett used Meredith’s arrival at Ole Miss as a high-profile opportunity to make good on his campaign promise to prevent integration in Mississippi schools. In a widely covered speech—including front-page coverage in Hederman-owned newspapers—Barnett opened with this sweeping assertion: “There is no case in history where the Caucasian race has survived social integration.” Drawing on racist hyperbole that would have been familiar to the white citizens of Mississippi, he declared defiantly, “We will not drink from the cup of genocide.” The next day’s Jackson Daily News headline read, “Mississippi Mix? Ross Says ‘Never!’ ” Just in case there was any confusion, the editorial page concluded flatly, “We support Gov. Barnett.” — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long, 119

Categorization

• CANDY: The image of a governor and a major newspaper saying integration equals genocide, then vowing to support him, is a compact, startle-worthy exchange piece.
• XREF: connects to: Mississippi Baptist clergy publicly defended racial segregation in explicitly white supremacist terms — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long: The Legacy of White…, 122

Broader Connections

• Mississippi Baptist clergy publicly defended racial segregation in explicitly white supremacist terms #exemplifies (0.80) — Robert P. Jones, White Too Long, 122